Analyses are solely the work of the authors and have not been edited or endorsed by GLG.
Gold Hits Record Prices, Economists Predictions Correct.
November 12, 2009
gold and the south african market | www.investmentsforlife.co.za
When we started reading about the economists writing analysis about the Gold prices reaching $1.500 even to $3.000 a fine ounce everyone thought, this will be impossible. However they also predicted that the Gold price will reach $1.100 a fine ounce before December 2009. Were they wrong? As of late in this week, we have seen the Gold price reach $1.100 and today Thursday 12 November Gold is Trading at $1.120 a fine ounce.
The 5Cs of Credit, P2P Lending, Social Lending, Self-Directed Lending
November 11, 2009
BlackRock's Fink: Forget 'Bubble' | online.wsj.com
Laurence Fink, Chairman and CEO of BlackRock Inc. in response to questions about bank failures and economic conditions suggested today that; “…the financial system needs to be a lot more responsive to society and make sure this doesn't happen again. Risk has to be a lot more transparent to investors. I think that is happening."; and, “the financial system needs change, including increased disclosure, more derivatives trading on exchanges and regulatory change…". But what about the 5Cs of credit?
Swiss offshore banking margins more vulnerable than volumes
November 10, 2009
Swiss Banks Lose European Clients | online.wsj.com
The global clampdown on offshore banking is having a tangible impact, particularly in Europe. But probably not to the extent that some have argued: offshore banking is not dead. Yes, weak and volatile economies fuel governments' need for every last cent in tax; they also represent one of the fundamental demand drivers of offshore banking. At least initially, the biggest impact is likely to felt through margin -- rather than volume -- reductions.
"Something's happening here..."
November 9, 2009
Is the Recovery Real? | www.margolisadvisory.com
The economy and the markets are giving mixed signals. Is this normal during this phase of the recovery, or is something else happening?
Big Impact on Mutual Fund and Annuity Sales By Advisors
November 9, 2009
"New Rule Will Change the Way Funds are Sold" | www.marketwatch.com
The House Financial Services Committee passed the "Investor Protection Act of 2009", which would significantly impact how Mutual Funds, Annuities and other financial products are sold by Advisors. The legislation replaces "suitability" with "fiduciary" as the Advisor standard and brings fees and commissions charged to center stage.The greatest impact would be on publicly traded asset managers, Brokers and Insurance companies which distribute through Financial Advisors and intermediaries.
Why PE-funds want to exit BPO companies
November 9, 2009
PE funds' exit could shake up BPO space | in.biz.yahoo.com
How PE-funds backed BPO businesses are different from public equity-backed BPO businesses, how public equity-backed BPO businesses have cracked the code on value creation, and why they are best positioned to drive further value creation in this sector.
Nothing is Risk Free: Reaction to Visa (V) and MasterCard (MA) earnings reports
November 7, 2009
2nd UPDATE: Visa Swings To 4Q Pft; Announces $1B Shr Buyback | online.wsj.com
Very real risks to both Visa and MasterCard are often glossed over by analysts. It is flawed to assume that their business is immutable and “risk free.” Both companies need to anticipate new market entrants and continue to evolve and innovate. Very real competitive threats abound.
November 6, 2009
Swiss Banks Lose European Clients | online.wsj.com
The article is correct. Money is flowing to Singapore. Not only money from Switzerland, but also money from China, Russia, and Indonesia. People do not trust their governments, and they are putting their trust in the benevolent dictator in Singapore. Singapore's government can stand up to the pressure put on it by other governments. It is a cross roads nation, and they have done a very good job positioning themselves to be a center of commerce in Asia. I think the other thing the article proves is that people respond to incentives. If a government gets too overbearing, they will hide money. Look for the underground economy in the US to grow with the heavy tax hand of the Obama administration.
Expect More to Come - Acquisition of "Captive" Client Centers by BPO Players
November 5, 2009
Cognizant buys UBS back office provider for $75 mln | www.reuters.com
Cognizant acquired UBS’ Indian Subsidiary for $75 million - the former supports UBS around the globe with Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO), Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and IT Outsourcing (ITO) and employs 2,000 people in India.As part of the deal, UBS signed a 5 year $442 million service agreement with Cognizant.This "Captive Spin-Off" Approach is tried and true approach in outsourcing and a large number of similar transactions are currently in progress around the world.
AN INCLUSIVE FINANCIAL SYSTEM TO FIGHT THE WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS
November 5, 2009
Social enterprise in microfinance industry: what does it mean? Microfinance Gateway, September 2008. | zunia.org
The question is: could we say that social performance management is nothing else than the achievement of a micro finance institution social return on investment? Translating this concept into macro level, can we say that social performance in microfinance means the achievement of a country’s inclusive financial system?
New FINRA Rule 2210-Simplification Whose Time Has Come
November 4, 2009
ADP Must Grow Three Major Markets for Continued Success
October 22, 2009
Battle for Dominance in Mortgage Fraud Analytics Space
October 17, 2009
All hands on deck, full steam ahead
September 7, 2009
Dollar destined to be second class currency in world's largest banana republic
September 1, 2009