By Keith Fitz-Gerald Contributing Editor As I stare at my trading screens today, I’m reminded of that Hans Christian Anderson fable in which the Emperor has no clothes. In case you don’t recall that story from your childhood, the “Emperor” walks around naked while all his subjects “admire” his invisible garments. Finally, a young boy […]
Global Markets
The Three Simple Secrets to Global Investing Profits
By William Patalon III Managing Editor "The Prince" has targeted China's booming hotel sector. If you're a confirmed Contrarian, like me, or are merely an avid investor, you already know that I'm talking about Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Alsaud, the shrewdest and most-successful investor to come out of the Middle East. Prince Alwaleed is […]
French Bank Illustrates How Credit Worries are Going Global
After credit fears caused them to tumble to a record low on Friday, shares of No. 4 French Bank Natixis SA (EPA: KN) posted a record gain of more than 6.1% yesterday (Monday)
Belarus Assuages EU Fears; Agrees To Pay Part of Gazprom Debt
By Jason Simpkins Belarus eased some of the tensions with Russian oil-and-gas giant, Gazprom, Friday, by paying off part of its debt. Belarus has reportedly paid $190 million of its $456 million dept to Gazprom. The deal was a source of major relief throughout the European Union. The Gazprom-Belarus disagreement started over a supply contract negotiated […]
Europeans Won't Euthanize Corporate Stupidity
By Martin HutchinsonChief Global Investing Strategist Many markets in continental Europe haven’t exactly been the best places to invest over the past 20 years. And unless there are some big changes in France, Germany and Italy – and relatively soon – the future profit opportunities may continue to be as bland as day-old white bread. […]
Total and Imperial Oil Companies Report Decline In Profit, While Shell Sells Assets
By Jason Simpkins Two international oil companies yesterday (Thursday) reported a drop in second-quarter profits, while a third announced it was selling assets. French energy company Total (NYSE: TOT) reported a slight drop in second quarter profits. Net income fell to $4.66 billion, a 1% decline from the $4.7 billion taken in a year ago. Shares of […]
State Investment Funds: Beware of the Big New Buyers
When Britain's Barclay Bank PLC (NYSE: BCS) boosted its bid for Dutch Bank ABN AMRO Holding NV (NYSE: ABN) to more than $93 billion in the world's largest-ever takeover battle, it did so thanks to a financial boost from state-run investment funds in China and Singapore.
Dubai Employs the Latest Private Equity Strategies to Boost its Shifting Economy
By Mike CaggesoAnd William Patalon III Just two days after Dubai Aerospace Enterprise offered to buy Auckland International Airport in New Zealand for as much $2.1 billion, the government-run aviation investment group announced a week ago that it is scouting airport projects in Europe. Only three months ago, Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, or DAE, agreed to […]
China Tries to Tap the Brakes on Growth
By moving to tighten credit yesterday, China is trying to maintain an economic balancing act that would make a high-wire artist envious.
U.S. Stocks Plunge, Feeding Into a Worldwide Sell-off
U.S. stocks plunged yesterday, fueling a sharp global decline, as a housing-market meltdown and fears of a swirling global credit crunch sent investors scurrying for the exits.