The signs are positive. Business confidence is high; appetite for financial risk is increasing and stocks are starting to outperform safe assets such as cash and gold. But with political uncertainty still looming and still an amazing lack of clarity with regard plans to 'bail out' UK plc', there is a great risk that this confidence will ebb away.
The signs are positive. Business confidence is at a 4 year high according to a Business Trends Survey which shows that confidence and stock levels are back to pre-recession levels. The US stock market is back up to levels seen just before the collapse of Lehman brothers.and the UK financial markets are starting to see riskier portfolios outperforming safer assets. A note of caution though. Yes there has been a rise in output but a lot of this can be attributed to 'restocking' (companies building up the inventories that they let decline during the recession). There is also the impact of the fiscal stimulus provided by many governments - the effects of this will start to tail off. Can the V shaped recovery maintain momentum? Possibly. The borrowed money has to be repaid at some time and it is on this point that the danger lies. There is still a real lack of clarity from any of the main parties detailing just how they plan to pull the UK economy out of the deficit hole she is in. This uncertainty will undermine the rocky foundations of recovery.
02 March 2006
Wind farms have always struggled with planning permissions. As another potential site gets rejected by the government, the question has to be asked is the UK's green generation policy just lip service to appease the green lobby. read more...
24 February 2006
Huge profits seen across the sector with Centrica EdF and RWE posting record numbers, is it good for the long term? read more...
19 October 2005
Nuclear to be or not to be that is the question? read more...
17 October 2005
The key to long term investment lies in a stable a market with few regulatory influences. The current UK market is the antithesis of this and so long term investment is being put on hold. read more...
13 April 2005
IAS 39 appears to be a minefield for accountants to make money. read more...
Solar in the UK - Not So Bright
DECC has published the Comprehensive Feed-in Tariff (FiT) document and at the same time, many say, put a nail in the coffin for the Solar Industry in the UK. With the FiT rate for Solar Power to be cut by more than 50%, and with a proposal that eligibility to the scheme should be linked to a minimum energy efficiency requirement - many fear that this will be the end for the industry read more...
01 November 2011
DECC has published the Comprehensive Feed-in Tariff (FiT) document and at the same time, many say, put a nail in the coffin for the Solar Industry in the UK. With the FiT rate for Solar Power to be cut by more than 50%, and with a proposal that eligibility to the scheme should be linked to a minimum energy efficiency requirement - many fear that this will be the end for the industry read more...
Carbon Floor Price Announcement: The Market Reacts
The tensions seen in the markets last week, as participants assessed the impact of Japan and nuclear withdrawal in Germany, appeared to have eased when the market started trading on Monday. The Government's mid week budget Carbon Floor Price announcement soon changes that though read more...
25 March 2011
The tensions seen in the markets last week, as participants assessed the impact of Japan and nuclear withdrawal in Germany, appeared to have eased when the market started trading on Monday. The Government's mid week budget Carbon Floor Price announcement soon changes that though read more...
We're borrowing less than expected....
As the government prepares its spending review it will no doubt welcome the latest figures that show net borrowing for July at £3.8bn. While still sizeable, this is £1.2bn less than forecast and well down on the £6.1bn that was borrowed in the same month last year. read more...
20 August 2010
As the government prepares its spending review it will no doubt welcome the latest figures that show net borrowing for July at £3.8bn. While still sizeable, this is £1.2bn less than forecast and well down on the £6.1bn that was borrowed in the same month last year. read more...
Confidence knocked in the Financial Markets
Statements from around the world all suggest a stalled recovery while closer to home there are continuing signs of inflationary pressures at a time of slow to stagnant growth. read more...
12 August 2010
Statements from around the world all suggest a stalled recovery while closer to home there are continuing signs of inflationary pressures at a time of slow to stagnant growth. read more...
Energy Secretary gives the first annual energy statement to the Commons
Chris Huhne, the coalition government Energy Secretary yesterday gave the first annual energy statement to the Commons. He set out plans to secure energy supplies and cut carbon emissions. In all 32 measures were outlined all with the aim of helping the UK achieve the legally binding target to cut emission by 80% by 2050. read more...
28 July 2010
Chris Huhne, the coalition government Energy Secretary yesterday gave the first annual energy statement to the Commons. He set out plans to secure energy supplies and cut carbon emissions. In all 32 measures were outlined all with the aim of helping the UK achieve the legally binding target to cut emission by 80% by 2050. read more...
November 2011 Review
While debt repayment concerns combined with woeful economic indicators continued to be a feature throughout November, supply and demand fundamentals were an obvious driver too. Unseasonably warm weather combined with (and causing) plentiful gas storage meant that UK power and gas markets went into a nose dive. read more...
02 December 2011
While debt repayment concerns combined with woeful economic indicators continued to be a feature throughout November, supply and demand fundamentals were an obvious driver too. Unseasonably warm weather combined with (and causing) plentiful gas storage meant that UK power and gas markets went into a nose dive. read more...
Prepare for the clash of OPEC & IEA
With less than a month to go until OPEC meets, the statements are beginning to fly: OPEC believe the oil market looks balanced while the IEA again are saying that high oil prices could harm fragile global economic growth. Let the battle begin! read more...
23 November 2011
With less than a month to go until OPEC meets, the statements are beginning to fly: OPEC believe the oil market looks balanced while the IEA again are saying that high oil prices could harm fragile global economic growth. Let the battle begin! read more...
Markets Still Jittery
Most markets reported further losses today on the back of underlying nerves about the ability of both Europe and the US to repay their debts. Oil, commodities and equities all reported losses. read more...
21 November 2011
Most markets reported further losses today on the back of underlying nerves about the ability of both Europe and the US to repay their debts. Oil, commodities and equities all reported losses. read more...
Turmoil returns on Greek Announcement
Following last weeks announcement that the eurozone leaders had reached an agreement on a Greek bailout - one that would see banks take a 50% hit on their holdings of Greek debt, the Greek Prime Minister made his own shocking announcement that he plans to hold a referendum on the matter. The Markets tumble in response. read more...
01 November 2011
Following last weeks announcement that the eurozone leaders had reached an agreement on a Greek bailout - one that would see banks take a 50% hit on their holdings of Greek debt, the Greek Prime Minister made his own shocking announcement that he plans to hold a referendum on the matter. The Markets tumble in response. read more...
Eurozone Debt Deal Announced
After prolonged discussions and late night talks, European leaders have announced a agreement on a a Eurozone debt deal. But will the devil be in the detail? read more...
27 October 2011
After prolonged discussions and late night talks, European leaders have announced a agreement on a a Eurozone debt deal. But will the devil be in the detail? read more...
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