(MENAFN- ProactiveInvestors - UK) 08:43
Brexit Plans Rattle Pound and Stocks as Gold Rises
This article by Cecile Gutscher and David Goodman for Bloomberg may be of interest. Here is a section:
Caution dominated markets amid tough talk from May and Donald Trump about Europe's economic and political institutions. British government officials trying to limit damage to the pound will speak to major banks in London before the U.K. leader sets out her vision for leaving the bloc in a speech on Tuesday, according to people familiar with the situation. Meanwhile Trump predicted that Britain's exit will be a success that will encourage others to do the same. He also branded NATO obsolete.
'Markets are trading in risk aversion mode,' said Neil Jones, the head of hedge-fund sales at Mizuho Bank Ltd. in London. 'Investors and corporates around the world are concerned by the prospect of a hard Brexit. Pound rallies are limited and weak, while plunges are harsh and prolonged.'
Eoin Treacy's view
When we get down to basics. The UK is betting it will not be the only country to leave the EU. If it is correct in that view then it will have made the correct decision by gaining first mover advantage and the current concerns about the form of the subsequent relationship will be academic.
On the other hand, the European Commission has to successfully sell the idea that the UK should never have been brought in to begin with and that it can hold the remaining group of Eurozone nations together. It has to do that because the prospect of countries leaving the EU, raises the very real possibility that creditors in Germany will not be paid back the money they lent to countries like Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland et al.
Email of the day on the secular bull market in bonds
Enjoy watching the video presentations. Thought you may be interested in the following interview of Gary Shilling;
Eoin Treacy's view
Thank you for you kind words and this interesting interview which may be of interest to subscribers.
Gary Shilling's view that technological innovation is inherently deflationary is very much in tune with our view. The increasing commercial applications of biotechnology, automation, artificial intelligence, the internet and mobile technology are all likely to enhance productivity and could very well represent a deflationary influence. On the other hand, the increasing calls for free money (universal social payments) lower taxes, more spending and deregulation have the capacity to stoke inflation.
Email of the day on MOOCs
On your piece about MOOCs I couldn't help but observe that you did not mention FutureLearn
This service is UK based and is an offshoot of the Open University.
It claims to be the largest MOOC. See below. I've used it and it's very good. I particularly like the fact that many courses are short - 6 weeks and typically 2 - 3 hrs per week.
All the best
Eoin Treacy's view
Thank you for highlighting FutureLearn.com which, as you point out, is another major centre of online learning and builds on Open University's long history of distance learning. This article from May last year highlights how a number of universities will allow students to earn as many as 30 credits towards a degree using FutureLearn's portal. That's a powerful method to help reduce the cost of earning a primary degree and enhances even further our ability to enjoy learning throughout our lives.
Email of the day on reshoring and automation
This is indeed well under way and generally government-supported trend globally, with Germany (as always) at the forefront, but also the US and the rest of Europe promoting and facilitating the process.
The article below is interesting I think
It gives an idea of how easily these processes are implemented (2 weeks to start production) and the advantages offered to producers (design innovation + shorter time to market + customisation). €2 million investment for being able to produce a total of 200k pieces every year seems very low.
Shima Seiki (6222) - that provided the machinery to Benetton - is a company worth looking into, and the recent rally in share price confirms what you mentioned re the growth potential from clothing manufacturers in Asia.
This is also confirmed on their IR page
Eoin Treacy's view
Thank you for this above article expounding upon the seamless garment manufacturing being pioneered by Shima Seiki. Seamless garment manufacture has been around in the hosiery business for a long time but finishing was always required to sew the legs on the gusset. Introducing seamless manufacture to outer wear is a major innovation and as you point represents an additional sign of increasing interest in automation in the garment industry.
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