An interesting juxtaposition last week as Apple announced the runaway success of its new iPhone5 models, while Blackberry informed investors it is in discussions with a consortium led by Fairfax Financial regarding a possible sale.
As sterling continues its slide towards three-year lows against the dollar, as well as further weakening against the yen and euro, investors need to weigh up the risks of currency depreciation affecting sterling-based returns.
Private equity was hit hard during and after the financial crisis but since then asset prices have stabilised, balance sheets are strengthening and the asset class is throwing up some well-priced opportunities
The noise traders remain obsessed with tapering with their spokespeople queuing up this week to say that the Fed had lost credibility, which is market speak for the Fed not acting in the way I had positioned my book.
One of the major challenges to clients of asset managers is the threat to any form of longer-term thinking – in a world where news or views are defined in terms of 140 characters we are losing both perspective on what really matters and also the ability to focus upon it.
August is traditionally a quiet month in financial markets, but it was also a disappointing one for investors as most asset classes gave up ground over the month.
Standard Life Investment's Jack Kelly discusses the upcoming German election and its potential impact on markets.
Jupiter's Steve Davies surveys the options the Bank of England's Financial Policy Committee has to prevent an overheating housing market, asking if any of them are yet necessary.
Is it too late to take advantage of the "low-hanging fruit" in the listed private equity space, asks Smith & Williamson's head of multi-manager James Burns
Sanlam Private Investments' James Mercier, says Ucits-compliant hedge funds should be given a chance and not tarred with the same brush as the Madoff brigade.
Latest FCA figures show adviser numbers have increased post-RDR, but the pressure is on as the marketplace becomes more competitive.
Jupiter's Ben Surtees gives his views from the ground, following a 10-day trip across South East Asia.
