Economic Stimulus: Investopedia Term of the Day

For APRIL 13, 2012 Economic Stimulus What does it mean? Attempts by governments or government agencies to financially stimulate an economy. An economic stimulus is the use of monetary or fiscal policy changes to kick start a lagging or struggling economy. Governments can use tactics such as lowering interest rates, increasing government spending and quantitative [...]

The sun is shining, the hail is falling…

Just as the weather seems to be a little confused at the moment ( it is Summer I think), it can be very confusing trying to make sense of all the reports in the media about the Eurozone. The reality is that the problem stems from 80 years of overspending and that we will not [...]

So… we have the same Prime Minister… so what has changed?

I have been asking around about what made people choose National, the main reply has been, “because there was no other choice for Prime Minister”.  I find this interesting considering that John Key has taken his voting glory to meant that we all agree to asset sales.  What is more difficult to understand though is [...]

A blokey culture that costs the country… Sydney Morning Herald

A blokey culture that costs the country billions in wasted resources William Pesek October 8, 2011 Read more: Click here Paul Hogan’s reptile-wrestling tough guy from the 1986 movie Crocodile Dundee typified Australia’s reputation for “mateship”, a creed of male friendship that often excludes women. A quarter of a century on, it’s costing the country [...]

New from AMP Capital: Megatrends for Investors

27 September 2011 This Investment Insight focuses on key trends relevant for investors – and the implications of these trends. Key trends include constrained growth in advanced countries, heightened volatility, higher savings, increased political dysfunction, low inflation, the Asian century, strong commodity prices, globalisation, ageing and slowing populations and the environment. The key implications for investors: get [...]

S & P Downgrade of USA Dangerous

Below is an article from the Financial Times in the UK.  It is at times like this that we have to look at decisions made by people like these agencies and ask who is really in charge?  Is it an ego trip for S & P or is it a worthy decision?  Only time will [...]

The land of milk, and more milk… The Economist

New Zealand’s economy Creaming along The land of milk, and more milk Jun 16th 2011 | from the print edition NEW ZEALAND’S biggest customer, supplier and investor is Australia, which is also the owner of its biggest banks. Unsurprisingly, its economy shares many of its bigger neighbour’s bad habits: an unsustainable housing boom (from 2001-09 [...]

And I thought we had an unemployment problem… The Economist

Welfare in France Support grows for the revolutionary idea of working in return for benefits Jun 16th 2011 | PARIS | from the print edition DECADES after America started to experiment with “workfare”, requiring those on welfare to do some work in return for their handouts, France has woken up to the idea. Laurent Wauquiez, [...]

The Budget – Quick Overview

Changes to Kiwisaver: For the year ended 30 June 2012 a halving of the Member Tax Credit Removing the tax free status of employer contributions from 1 April 2012. From 1 April 2013 the minimum employee and employer contribution rate will rise from 2% to 3% Comment: Although we understand there needed to be changes, [...]

What did John Key tell The Economist about the upcoming election?

Find the answer here: Changing Patterns of Behaviour What do you think?

Foreigners in Egypt: watch or flee?

Sourced from The Economist Jan 30th 2011, 16:31 by N.B. | WASHINGTON, DC EGYPT is in open revolt against the 30-year rule of Hosni Mubarak. Tens of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets this week, and many people have been hurt and killed in clashes between protesters and security forces. The end-game seems [...]