Archive for December, 2009

Bizcast is cooling down for a few days after a long, enjoyable, and busy year. The Podcasts that have illuminated the site on a daily basis are all still there for your perusal, despite the absence of fresh stuff. Just go to the Podcasts section and choose any of the hundreds of interviews that we’ve… »

ECONOMICS has long been known as the dismal science. But is any economist so dreary as to criticise Christmas? At first glance, the holiday season in western economies seems a treat for those concerned with such vagaries as GDP growth. After all, everyone is spending; in America, retailers make 25% of their yearly sales and… »

After the panic, the relief. Some of the building blocks of the prolonged market rally that began in March 2009 will still be around in 2010. First, central banks, nervous about raising rates until they are sure the financial system has recovered from the trauma of the credit crunch, will keep interest rates low. Second,… »

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner expressed confidence on Tuesday that the U.S. economy was on a solid recovery path, but said tight lending practices by banks still pose a risk.

Economy

“Right now, the real risk we face is that banks are not lending enough and not going to provide the capital businesses need… »

— Datatec general meeting.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
With no major local events due today, markets will eye their international counterparts for direction.
Local conditions have quietened considerably, with many players away for the December vacation.  Conditions are expected to remain subdued until the first week of January.
ON THE HORIZON:
Dec 24: Weekly treasury bill auction.
Dec 25:… »

SINGAPORE — Asian share markets were mostly higher in thin trading Wednesday, with Australian coal stocks shining on corporate action and technology firms advancing across the region.

Australia’s ASX/S&P 200 was up 0.6%, South Korea’s Kospi Composite edged up 0.1% and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index was flat, while the Shanghai Composite Index added 0.5% in… »

Major stock indexes advanced Tuesday afternoon, helped by a surprisingly strong reading of existing-home sales.

The gains were limited by a lowered reading of U.S. gross domestic product for the third quarter, though traders took solace in a pared-back reading of inventories. Such a trend suggests that businesses may yet have more spending to do to… »

The Friday numbers with Lindsay Williams, braught to you by I-Net… »

Clips of the year. Lindsay Williams spoke to brainy people throughout the turbulent 2009. A half hour show can’t possibly do justice to the incredible insights that we’ve gained over the period, but here’s a few of our favourite quotes and… »

I need a drink, and when I do my drink of choice is champagne. No, not the local sparkling wine, fine as it is, but the real thing. The French bubbly from Champagne is unique, and so is the outlet “Champagne Specialists’, started by John Newton. Pop a cork and listen to a man passionate… »