Author Archive: Jeremy Parkinson
The year ahead – a GCC perspective
2012 was an eventful year, with the key global central banks announcing fresh stimulus measures, bringing in a much-needed respite for asset markets. Globally, economic data remained mixed, with pockets of strength in the US, while eurozone data was broadly disappointing. Moreover, the fiscal cliff overhang in the US weighed on investor confidence. The year […]
Boubyan Bank building on successful strategy
By the end of 2012, we at Boubyan Bank had completed the first three years of our Five-Year Strategy (2010-2014). The strategy has certainly realised many of its objectives; last year, we returned to profitability and were even able to pay dividends to our shareholders. The realisation of these strategic objectives can be attributed to […]
The innovation equation
When George Stephenson invented the steam locomotive and then went on to build the Stockton and Darlington railway in 1821, he changed the way people and merchandise got around for good. Less than 100 years later airplanes were crossing the Atlantic, and another 40 years after that the Boeing 707 was in operation. According to […]
Cyprus to request €2bn of its own loan to Greece
He is due to commence talks with Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras today, with the two countries financial situations being the main point of discussion. Reports indicate that Anastasiades will be asking for Greece to provide €2bn from its €48bn bank recapitalisation package to support Cypriot lenders. Little over a fortnight ago, Anastasiades, said that […]
Obamacare’s effect on low-wage workers
Before Obamacare, American healthcare was out of reach for most low-income citizens. Obama implemented a new system in which government sponsored healthcare could cost anywhere from 5%-10% of a person’s total income. The average American restaurant workers’ salary comes in at a mere $21,000. Even 10% of this, $2,100, could be too much for a […]
Obama reluctantly signs sequester
After last minute discussions failed to reach a consensus, the American Congress was unable to prevent a wave of unpalatable cuts coming into effect. President Obama has since signed off on the sequester, which will see over $85bn wiped from the federal budget over the year. When the cuts were conceived in 2011, they were […]
The Latest Tablet Xperience… Sony’s Tablet Z
An innovative new gadget was introduced to the tablet world at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. Introducing… Sony’s Xperia Tablet Z. This 10.1” tablet replicates the straightforward, angular design aesthetic of Sony’s Xperia Z Smartphone. It’s just 6.9mm – making it the thinnest 10.1” tablet available – and weighs in at a trivial […]
US home sales hit 5 year high
New figures from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development reveal that sales of new single-family houses in January rose 15.6 percent above the December 2012 rate, and 28.9 percent from the same time last year. Over 437,000 single family homes were purchased in January, exceeding the forecast of 381,000. Sales have been boosted […]
UK loses triple A rating for the first time in over three decades
The pound slipped to a two-year nadir as news that Moody’s Investor service became the first ratings agency to downgrade the UK from its triple A score since 1978. Domestic and foreign-currency government bond ratings have had their scored lowered to an AA1, though the outlook on these ratings remains stable. In a statement the […]
Novartis scraps payout
Departing chairman of Novartis, Daniel Vasella was set to receive a payout of $78m over six years, supposedly for consulting services and a very strict non-compete agreement. But the generous ‘golden gag’ package- as the payout has been dubbed by the media- caused waves of protests in Switzerland, a country on the verge of a […]
