Hedge funds are rapidly becoming the Emperors New Clothes. Whilst the mythology and superstitions of the financial markets continues to believe that Hedge funds are the ‘best of the best’ figures show that funds are now extremely exposed and gains lower than ever. With the risk/reward ratios getting worse fewer funds are able to...
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Yesterday the ECB increased rates by 25 basis points to 3.25 percent. At the same time Jean-Claude Trichet, the ECB president indicated that another quarter point increase would occur before the year was out. Although the ECB interest rates may be nearing a plateau, the bank is not expected to follow the US Federal...
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With the vision of the old cartoon character Mr Magoo the Bank of England played it cool and decided to hold rates in the UK at 4.75 percent. Although the reasons for the decision will be released later, it was considered the chances were 50/50 that rates would hold or rise this time.Whilst many...
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The Halifax today confirmed figures released recently by other lenders with the announcement today that house prices rose by a full one percent in September, with an annual increase of 8 percent on the period.The figures show a strong increase and is the second month in a row that the rises have been so...
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The UK’s Office of National Statistics alerted markets on Wednesday that it had got its sums wrong. And that worries about the growth of inflation in the economy may be somewhat exaggerated so the need to increase rates may be lessened. The ONS statement said that it had modified part of its software model...
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