The Bail Out Business, a new report published by the Transnational Institute (TNI), reveals how rescue packages for EU banks have become a business benefiting a small group of audit and financial consultancy firms. According to EU data, bail out packages have led to losses of more than 200 billion euro up to 2017. TNI claims this is the most comprehensive report at the … [Read more...]
1-in-3 of Europe’s SMEs Not Getting Finance They Need
One third of SMEs didn't get the full financing they had planned for during 2013, and 15% saw access to finance as a significant problem for their companies. Europe's companies believe that bank financing conditions worsened during 2013, with respect to interest rates, collateral and required guarantees. Despite this sorry tale, 85% of all loans still come from banks. Half … [Read more...]
The Slim Summit. Barroso Gets Refit And Focused On SMEs
David Cameron is always convinced the EU is losing a few pounds, but more evidence of health fads at the Commission emerged post-Summit. Gone was mention of a well-toned financial Six-Pack, but, wait for it, we're all buzz with REFIT... Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, is King of the Political Treadmill, but everyone left the Summit marathon wondering … [Read more...]
Sodastream – Fizzing Up, Or Bubbling Over?
Establishing that the concept has been around for quite some time does not help answer the question that many investors have in mind about Sodastream: ‘Is this a fad, or could this be a disruptor of long established bottlers such as Coca Cola & Pepsi?’ A few retail investors-oriented research firms touting Sodastream stock seem inclined to believe that there is little in … [Read more...]
Tesla Motors – Roaring Apple-Style Hype or a Ground-Breaking Car Maker?
For Tesla Motors’s CEO & founder Elon Musk, 2013 will be a year to remember. This is the first year since the company was founded in 2003 that Tesla Motors has reported a quarterly profit. Mainly for this reason, Tesla shares have taken off this year, breaking through the barrier of $10bn market cap as a listed company in the Nasdaq. Tesla Motors has tripled its share … [Read more...]
Eurozone Credit Crunch: a disease still waiting for stronger remedies
The debate on how to tackle the SME credit crunch should not deflect EU focus from resolving structural imbalances and weaknesses within the Eurozone banking system. The calm EU debate over how to improve the economies in the Eurozone does not reflect a sense of urgency, an urgency which dire economic conditions throughout Europe would otherwise suggest. The relative … [Read more...]
Real-i-ty Check – USA & UK Investment Outlook for Online Real Estate Stocks
Online real estate websites such Zillow, Trulia and Move in the USA, just like Rightmove PLC in the UK, have been on a tear for almost the entire first quarter of 2013. To say that share price appreciation for these stocks has been remarkable would be an understatement, as these stocks have respectively climbed by an average 65% year-to-date. Best performer Zillow rose by 97%, … [Read more...]
Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, Victim Of Its Own Success?
Berkshire Hathaway is the well-known holding company run by its famed CEO Warren Buffett, regarded by many as the most successful investor of all time. Buffett is also famous for holding court with his many aphorisms about money and investing, such as ‘investing is easy but not simple’ or ‘Wall Street is the only place where people ride to in a Rolls Royce to get advice from … [Read more...]
Bank of Japan, New Policy Implications – The Reverb
The decision of the Bank of Japan last week to up the ante on asset purchases and to extend the maturity of purchases was a truly remarkable surprise to the financial markets. From many perspectives it could be considered an unprecedented monetary policy decision with deep repercussions to being felt around the world. Market expectations before last week's announcement were … [Read more...]
Bend It Like… Corning?
The idea of making a type of flexible glass that does not break easily is centuries old and already in the Ancient Roman age the idea of creating such glass was mentioned in several accounts. According to historian Petronius, a glassmaker was granted an audience with Emperor Tiberius to showcase his invention. Unfortunately, the emperor had him beheaded for fear that such an … [Read more...]