A Different Perspective
Asking the Right Questions
Greek crisis intensifies, the known unknown!
The Greek drama intensified last week causing markets to move erratically. The on-again, off-again deal between Greece and its creditors is fraying on investors’ nerves as the ending is becoming way too close to call. Early week gains on news that an agreement was nearing were quickly eroded, as the news broke on Thursday that representatives from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had walked away from talks. Read More
World Bank Group cuts 2015 global GDP growth
On the economic front, the World Bank Group released their latest Global Economic Prospects (GEP) report, confirming “a fourth consecutive year of disappointing economic growth this year”. They had forecasted in January that global GDP growth would rise moderately to 3% in 2015, but that has now been cut to 2.8%. Read More
The obesity crisis: a discussion with Kildare Focus
Radio interview with Ciara Plunkett on Kildare Focus:
http://www.kfmradio.com/content/kildare-focus
Market Recap: Week of June 8th 2015
Market Recap:
Most of the major equity indices ended the week in negative territory, against a backdrop of increased volatility in the bond market and the currency markets. The Euro strengthened significantly in the earlier part of the week as a resolution on Greece looked forthcoming, Eurozone inflation picked up and the ECB revised higher their 2015 forecast for Eurozone GDP growth. While much of these gains were relinquished as the Greek situation deteriorated, the Euro still finished the week up +1.37% against the US dollar. The German 10-year government bond yield hit a high of 0.97%. Read More
The ‘Irish Invesco’ Lights Up the Bridge!
Our peers in the financial services industry in London may not have been that familiar with ‘the Irish Invesco’. However, on Saturday at Stamford Bridge, home of Chelsea FC, that all changed as our team of ‘proper footballers’ began the group stage of the charity football tournament with a pincer attack that left the opposition shell shocked. Read More
‘We’re fat and getting fatter – and it’s a life and death issue’
This article featured as an opinion piece in the Journal.ie on June 3rd 2015: http://www.thejournal.ie/readme/obesity-crisis-fat-tax-opinion-2138899-Jun2015/
THE WORLD HEALTH Organisation released a report at the start of last month warning that Ireland is moving up to the top of the obesity table; on current trends we’re being told that most Irish adults will be overweight by 2030. The statistics don’t lie. Look around – we’re fat, and getting fatter. Read More
Invesco Heading to the Bridge!
On Sunday May 25th, Chelsea Football Club were presented with the Premier League title at Stamford Bridge, one of those occasions where their fans turn up. However, with much more excitement, I look forward to playing at the home of the Champions this Saturday, scene of the infamous ghost goal. Read More
Market Recap: Week of June 2nd 2015
Market Recap
Most of the major equity indices were in the red last week, following mixed economic data and concern over the Greek crisis. Most notable on the economic front was the downward revision to US first quarter GDP. The US economy contracted at an annual rate of -0.7 percent in the first quarter, according to the second estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, down from the advance estimate of 0.2%. The Greek drama continued to cast a shadow over markets, with no solution in sight. Read More
Are Banks Parasites?
I spoke at an investment conference recently where the opening speaker referred to banks as parasites. For me, the word parasite conjures the image of a tapeworm slowly eating my insides (backpacking in Southeast Asia comes to mind), but the word is used derogatively to depict elements of capitalism. The Oxford dictionary provides the derogative meaning of the word as “a person who habitually relies on or exploits others and gives nothing in return”. The speaker was arguing that banks do not produce anything, they simply feed off our money. Read More
Market Recap: Week of May 25th 2015
Market Recap
The majority of the major equity indices closed in positive territory last week, government bond yields moved marginally lower, and volatility picked up in the currency markets, as central banks remained front and centre. Read More
