Fat Prophets

US auto sales accelerated in September, receiving a boost from the Labour Day holiday weekend falling entirely in the month and other favourable conditions that have been in play all year. This has laid the foundation for the car industry to achieve its best sales year since the turn of the century when auto sales […]

October, the bear killer month, has got off to a flying start with all the bourses and most commodities rising strongly on Monday. Europe led the way with the DAX, CAC and FTSE all up around 3%. The Volatility index (VIX) went under 20 for the first time in weeks losing nearly 8 percent, while […]

Global Opportunities Fund constituent Google (NASDAQ: GOOG, initial buy $219.65) held its “New Treats” event in San Francisco this week and while it was a much more low key affair than Apple’s shindigs to unveil its latest gadgets, Google showed off a couple of new smartphone models for its Nexus line, new Chromecast dongles and a new […]

In our previous report on bargain hunting we identified SAB Miller, Ryanair, Merlin and the AA as being of interest.  The idea was to find quality stocks that should retain and grow their value over the long-term.  Given the ongoing equity market weakness we have had another crack at finding four interesting stocks this week. […]

The onset of deflation in the Eurozone is likely to see the European Central Bank come through with additional QE. Consumer prices within the Eurozone economy fell by 0.1% in September on an annual basis due to an 8.9% annual fall in energy prices.  This compares to 0.1% consumer price inflation in August. Printing more […]

Eurozone confidence is also on the rise despite the volatility. An index of Eurozone confidence in September rose by 1.5 to 105.6, which was the highest level since June 2011. The Greek election secured the implementation of the €86bn bailout package and moves any “Grexit” talk off the agenda. In Spain the pace of consumer […]

Most airport hotels are huge, architecturally bland and impersonal affairs, where one simply checks in because it’s the only real practical choice. It is either that or trying to manipulate your weary body into a comfortable position on a very uncomfortable plastic seat or bench, or if one is a little luckier a more comfortable […]

Good morning, Europe came back with a strong bounce on Friday with the STOXX50 up 3.11% to 3,113 while in the US the S&P 500 closed out the week flat at 1,931. The unexpected upward revision to US second quarter GDP boosted sentiment across the bourses, although it also made US investors reconsider the prospects […]

European markets were weak on Thursday with investors still shooting first and asking questions later as it relates to the automotive sector and the emissions testing scandal. The STOXX50 and the German DAX were both down by around 2%. US markets were also lower, but to a lesser degree. It has been though a much better […]

Volkswagen has admitted that a “defeat device” was used in for diesel vehicle emissions testing in the US.  As a result the US authorities have ordered the recall of nearly half a million vehicles.  The group has set aside €6.5bn to handle the repercussions and our rating is hold. Corporate malfeasance is difficult to predict […]