Wealth-don'T USE

Grexit strategy

Wed, 16 May 2012 05:12:00 GMT

It may be a bit late to insulate your portfolio from a Greek exit from the eurozone, but James Mackintosh, investment editor, looks at some possible strategies.

Luxury doing nicely

Wed, 16 May 2012 03:26:00 GMT

Richemont, the luxury watch maker and jeweller, beat expectations reflecting the robustness of the luxury goods sector. Lex's Julia Grindell and Vincent Boland discuss why the sector is recovering so well after its slowdown in 2009.

Barnier outlines executive pay plan

Wed, 16 May 2012 00:31:00 GMT

Michel Barnier, the EU’s top financial services regulator, has announced plans to give shareholders in Europe’s listed companies a binding vote on pay. Those who invest in banks will gain powers to set a cap on bonus levels. City editor Jonathan Guthrie talks to Daniel Garrahan about whether the so-called "shareholder spring" really is gathering momentum.

Keeping their balance

Wed, 16 May 2012 10:41:06 GMT

The emerging world is becoming less competitive. Manoj Pradhan, global emerging market economist at Morgan Stanley explains to Long View columnist John Authers that they are trying to maintain stable exchange rates with the dollar and consequently importing US inflation.

Gold: just another commodity

Tue, 15 May 2012 16:41:54 GMT

The eurozone may be in crisis, again, and investors in risk-off mode, but gold is not climbing. James Mackintosh, investment editor, explains why the historic safe haven of choice is now behaving like a mere commodity.

Decision time for regulators

Tue, 15 May 2012 04:13:00 GMT

Regulators need to make some decisions on trade repositories if they are to meet a year-end deadline, says Dan Cohen, managing director government relations at the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC). He also explains to Philip Stafford how regulators in Asia are looking at European legislation as a model as they look to comply with G20 mandates.

Hollande's balancing act

Tue, 15 May 2012 04:08:00 GMT

France needs "projects, solidarity and growth”, says the new French president François Hollande as he prepares to meet Angela Merkel for the first time. Hugh Carnegy, Paris bureau chief, says Mr Hollande has some room for manoeuvre but he won't be taken seriously in Berlin unless he tackles the debt issue.

Allianz riding storm

Tue, 15 May 2012 03:41:00 GMT

Allianz, the German insurer, saw a 58 per cent rise in first-quarter income and is optimistic of an easing of the eurozone debt crisis. Insurers in the country are however faring better than banks. Lex's Vincent Boland and Richard Stovin-Bradford analyse why this is and what needs to be done.

JPMorgan: a hedge too far?

Tue, 15 May 2012 11:51:00 GMT

The so-called whale trade that lost JPMorgan $2bn has damaged its reputation. But how much and what of its peers? Daniel Shaefer, investment banking correspondent, explains to Long View columnist John Authers, how a hedging unit overstepped its remit and the implications of the debacle for other Wall Street banks.

Credit risk is back

Mon, 14 May 2012 16:03:36 GMT

While the euro would still be viable without Greece, it would be hard for it to continue if a country as big as Spain were to leave. Greece matters only if panic spreads. Investment editor James Mackintosh says the bad news is it seems to be spreading.

Greek exit ajar

Mon, 14 May 2012 14:16:10 GMT

The market slump on the latest Greek political uncertainty has left investors befuddled. Lex's Nikki Tait and Vincent Boland discuss the many factors to watch now a Greek exit from the eurozone is becoming an acceptable notion.

Why China remains on track

Tue, 08 May 2012 05:28:00 GMT

Ewen Cameron Watt, chief investment strategist of BlackRock Investment Institute, thinks scaremongering about China's property bubble has been overdone. Long term trends towards growing a domestic consumer economy are on track and understanding where China is on its path to greater development will guide investment decisions globally, including in commodities and fixed income.

Book end?

Fri, 11 May 2012 04:33:00 GMT

Traditional book stores are struggling to compete with competition from online rivals like Amazon and with more people turning to e-books and digital readers. Daniel Garrahan reports on the future for the physical book shop, and the book itself.

Not always value for money

Fri, 11 May 2012 03:28:00 GMT

Kai Peters, the chief executive of Ashridge Business School, tells Della Bradshaw, Business Education Editor, that students are not always seeing a good return on their investment, and that French schools have a competitive advantage over British ones because of their ability to merge.

'Low chance of Greek exit'

Fri, 11 May 2012 11:31:00 GMT

The political uncertainty in Greece and the increased talk of the country's exit from the euro is being shrugged off by the market. Steven Saywell, head of FX strategy for Europe at BNP Paribas, explains to Long View columnist John Authers that this is because a Greek exit remains unlikely and the euro/dollar exchange rate remains rooted to eurozone-US fundamentals.

Where the Greek crisis goes next

Thu, 10 May 2012 06:59:00 GMT

What happens if Greece exits the euro? As the possibility increases following the country's recent election and a vote against austerity, FT leader writer Peggy Hollinger and capital markets editor Richard Milne discuss the implications with FT analysis editor Frederick Studemann.

Asian agri outlook

Thu, 10 May 2012 03:40:00 GMT

Asian agricultural traders such as Wilmar and Noble have had a mixed first quarter, but much of that is reflected in exposure to different commodities. Lex's Nikki Tait and Julia Grindell discuss the outlook for agri business in Asia.

India needs to innovate

Thu, 10 May 2012 11:58:07 GMT

Anand Mahindra, vice chairman and managing director of Mahindra & Mahindra, thinks Indian companies have the ability to compete in the world market. He tells the FT's James Crabtree that delivering "more for less" should be the country's mantra.

Groundhog Year

Thu, 10 May 2012 00:05:00 GMT

Are we experiencing Groundhog year? The markets are following the same pattern as 2010 and 2011. But Jamie Chisholm, global markets commentator, believes we may not see a repeated dramatic correction as the most likely calamities are already factored in.

Abby Cohen on the bumpy road ahead

Thu, 10 May 2012 09:35:55 GMT

Abby Joseph Cohen, Goldman Sachs' senior investment strategist, says shares are set to hold value for the long run but may cheapen over the summer. She discusses the US election outlook and the divergent messages from the bond and equity markets with James Mackintosh, FT investment editor.

Defending efficient markets

Wed, 09 May 2012 17:00:43 GMT

Gene Fama, inventor of the efficient markets hypothesis, says it remains the best way to view markets in spite of the recent crisis and the dotcom bubble. Professor Fama tells James Mackintosh, FT investment editor, that investors should stop trying to beat markets and use passive index-trackers.

Bunds beware

Wed, 09 May 2012 16:48:42 GMT

As the political crisis deepens in Greece, Michael Mackenzie, US markets editor, warns that Germany could drift from its safe-haven peers of the US and UK if Athens flees the eurozone.

EasyJet outmanoeuvres storm clouds

Wed, 09 May 2012 15:25:35 GMT

EasyJet’s positioning in low-cost business travel has helped it reduce first half losses. Lex's Julia Grindell and Nikki Tait discuss how the budget airline's choice of business model is outmanoeuvring its peers.

Danish lessons on pensions

Thu, 03 May 2012 03:42:00 GMT

Lars Rohde, chief executive of Danish pension fund giant ATP, explains the new concepts that ATP will be bringing to the UK market. These include collective defined contribution - which he says is a fairer form of risk sharing - consolidation, no choice and a different approach to investment strategy.

The rise of volatility ETFs

Tue, 08 May 2012 05:57:00 GMT

Michael John Lytle, managing director of Source, explains why the volatility ETPs that Source offers, in conjunction with Nomura and JPMorgan, are constructed differently. Despite the huge growth in interest in these instruments, he says they are not for retail investors.

50-year buying opportunity

Wed, 09 May 2012 10:49:40 GMT

Equities have not been this cheap relative to bonds since the 1960s. Peter Oppenheimer, chief global equity strategist at Goldman Sachs, tells Long View columnist John Authers that after the worst 10 years for equities in a century, a long bull market is on the horizon.

Gold 'going to $3,000'

Tue, 08 May 2012 18:02:27 GMT

Markets are repeating the downturns of 2010 and 2011, and it is time to search for safety, Gluskin Sheff's David Rosenberg tells James Mackintosh, FT investment editor. That means gold eventually reaching $3,000 an ounce, and bonds remaining appealing even at rock-bottom yields.

Fitch on the austerity revolt

Tue, 08 May 2012 16:51:47 GMT

French voters have rejected austerity in favour of growth. David Riley, head of sovereign credit ratings at Fitch, tells James Mackintosh, FT investment editor, that a hunt for growth may be welcomed by investors

Vix not frightened enough

Tue, 08 May 2012 05:36:00 GMT

Investors can bet on market volatility as a hedge against it. Robin Wigglesworth, capital markets correspondent, says the famous gauge of volatility, the Vix, Wall Street's 'fear index', should be more frightened considering the behaviour of its European counterpart, the Vstoxx.

How logic can lead to a crisis

Tue, 08 May 2012 04:19:00 GMT

John Authers, Long View columnist, asks Amin Rajan, chief executive of research company, Create, why this political crisis needn't be a market meltdown - and whether academic theories about efficient markets have actually contributed to the markets' problems.

Danger of a leaderless world

Tue, 08 May 2012 04:15:00 GMT

Ian Bremmer, president of Eurasia Group, on why US investors are less perturbed about the eurozone crisis than last year, and on the perils of an increasingly isolationist America.

The value of vultures

Fri, 04 May 2012 11:37:00 GMT

Distressed debt funds snap up companies' loans and bonds at a discount, hoping to profit from a restructuring, and occasionally taking the companies over outright. Robin Wigglesworth, capital markets correspondent, analyses the growth and usefulness of these so-called vulture funds in Europe.

Audio slideshow: Where China bends to meet the world

Mon, 07 May 2012 23:02:28 GMT

Shanghai has a long history as an international city, says Nick Price. Today, the bustling port that once attracted the rich and famous from around the globe, is a hard-working metropolis offering a new generation of ambitious expats many opportunities

Frieze lands on New York's shores

Fri, 04 May 2012 20:05:14 GMT

After the 10th edition of its London art fair, Frieze is hosting its first American fair on Randall's Island in New York City this weekend. Jan Dalley, the Financial Times' Arts Editor, takes us through the long serpentine tent that is hosting some 180 galleries from 30 different countries exhibiting and selling the best of contemporary art today

Samsonite's case for success

Fri, 04 May 2012 06:19:00 GMT

After a recent Hong Kong stock listing, Tim Parker, the man at the top of luggage maker Samsonite, says red hot sales in the region are likely to cool this year. Mr Parker tells, Rose Jacobs, FT companies reporter, that increased demand from newly industrialised countries, together with more low-cost air travel, will keep aviation and associated industries flying high.

Automated trading restrictions

Fri, 04 May 2012 05:39:00 GMT

Automated trading is facing new regulation. John Bates, chief technology officer at Progress Software, says hi-frequency trading is facing a clampdown despite little evidence that it is detrimental to markets. He explains to Philip Stafford of FT Trading Room how surveillance should operate across markets.

Samsung launches its new smartphone

Fri, 04 May 2012 05:45:00 GMT

Competition between Samsung and Apple for dominance of the lucrative smartphone market hotted up this week, with the Korean manufacturer throwing its considerable weight behind the launch of the latest Galaxy phone incarnation, the S III.

Fixed income ETPs take off

Thu, 03 May 2012 05:48:00 GMT

Stephen Cohen, head of iShares’ EMEA Investment Strategies and Insights team, explains the huge growth in the fixed income exchange traded product industry. Areas which have seen more product innovation and higher inflows include high yield, investment grade and emerging market credit.

French election a close call

Fri, 04 May 2012 11:48:00 GMT

Voters in France head to the polls on Sunday to choose between Socialist candidate, François Hollande, and the centre-right incumbent, Nicolas Sarkozy for their next president. Most expectations are for a Socialist victory but Ewen Stewart, equity strategist at Investec, tells Long View columnist John Authers, that while odds on Mr Sarkozy are long, he shouldn’t be written off just yet.

Egypt's military promises power transfer

Fri, 04 May 2012 15:08:30 GMT

Egypt's ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces has said it remains commited to hand over power to civilians by the end of June, following violent clashes during protests against their rule.

Submerging markets

Thu, 03 May 2012 07:07:00 GMT

Investment editor James Mackintosh examines the increasing interest of emerging market debt specialists in the bonds of the eurozone periphery as the financial crisis continues.

London 2012 legacy takes shape

Thu, 03 May 2012 02:36:00 GMT

With the Olympics less than 3 months away, attention is turning to the prospects for the Olympic Park after the Games. Can the UK government's hopes that the regeneration will create a new business and residential district be realised? Roger Blitz discusses the issues with John Burton of Westfield, operator of the Stratford retail complex, and Stafford Lancaster of Delancey, part of the consortium planning to turn the athletes village into almost 3,000 new homes

Crackdown on football finances

Thu, 03 May 2012 04:54:00 GMT

Growing debt and spiralling wages are not two things you would associate with an industry readying itself for a crackdown on excessive spending. But then English football is a business like no other. Daniel Garrahan reports

Differences emerge

Thu, 03 May 2012 01:10:00 GMT

Emerging markets may have been somewhat overlooked as investors' attention has been focused on the eurozone crisis over the past few months. Masha Gordon, head of emerging markets equity portfolio management at Pimco, tells John Authers, Long View columnist, that there are investment opportunities but not all emerging market economies are equal.

Alternative energy in China

Thu, 03 May 2012 04:30:06 GMT

Shale gas has provided the US with abundant cheap energy, China is looking to its own alternative gas resources to do the same. The FT's Leslie Hook visits Shangxi province to see how the country is exploiting its coal bed methane resources

Aun San Suu Kyi swears in as an MP

Thu, 03 May 2012 04:01:10 GMT

After a week long stand off and pressure from UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, the Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, has agreed to back down over her opposition to the parliamentary oath. The FT's Gwen Robinson examines what Ms Suu Kyi's entrance to parliament will bring to the politics of Myanmar

A shareholder spring

Wed, 02 May 2012 09:30:00 GMT

Shareholders are wielding their power over corporate pay and boardroom practices. James Mackintosh, investment editor, examines the evidence on whether they should expect improved share prices as a result

Australia's gas strategy

Wed, 02 May 2012 04:28:00 GMT

Australia is weaning itself off its reliance on iron ore and coal exports and has high hopes for liquefied natural gas (LNG). Lex's Richard Stovin-Bradford and Julia Grindell discuss the country's LNG strategy and the risks from as far afield as the US shale sands.

End of the metals super-cycle?

Wed, 02 May 2012 00:16:00 GMT

As the world's biggest consumer of metals, China's slowdown is a concern for investors and traders. Jack Farchy, commodities correspondent, reports on what the executives attending the FT's Global Commodities Summit are saying about China's impact and where they think the market is heading.

Austerity 'damaging' growth

Wed, 02 May 2012 11:42:00 GMT

The US and China are growing in the wake of the credit crisis but Europe is struggling, the monthly purchasing managers indices tell us. Jim Reid, head of fundamental credit strategy at Deutsche Bank, explains to Long View columnist John Authers how austerity is damaging short-term growth in Europe, and why credit defaults have been no worse than usual during the crisis.