Washington Post (March 25)
Supplying Europe with nearly a third of its natural gas, Russia seems to give incredible leverage. This is misleading. In 2013, “natural gas represented only 22 percent of Europe’s total energy consumption.” Moreover, Europe currently has significant stores, substitute sources and substitute fuels. “The message here is simpler: The dangers of a cutoff should not intimidate the West. They’re overrated.”
Tags: Cutoff, Energy, Europe, Leverage, Natural gas, Russia, Substitutes
Investment Week (January 22, 2014)
“Investors are better off looking away from the US for their developed market equity exposure,” according to Cazenove Capital multi-manager Marcus Brookes who argues that U.S. stocks have gotten pricey and, contrary to popular belief, many U.S. companies have increased their leverage. “In the face of the cheap markets of Europe and Japan, I would much rather put my clients’ capital there because if it does go wrong it is a cheaper market.”
Tags: Capital, Cazenove Capital, Companies, Developed countries, Equity, Europe, Exposure, Investors, Japan, Leverage, Marcus Brookes, Markets, Pricey, Stocks, U.S.
Financial Times (December 28)
Investment banks must shrink, “both in terms of leverage and the risks they take, if they are to regain their legitimacy.” Investment bankers are ready to forget the last crisis and push on with maximizing profits. Taxpayers and regulators, on the other hand, do not want to take chances. The banks must not only reduce their leverage and risk, they must demonstrate that “they do a useful job” which benefits society.
Investment banks must shrink, “both in terms of leverage and the risks they take, if they are to regain their legitimacy.” Investment bankers are ready to forget the last crisis and push on with maximizing profits. Taxpayers and regulators, on the other hand, do not want to take chances. The banks must not only reduce their leverage and risk, they must demonstrate that “they do a useful job” which benefits society.
Tags: Investment banks, Leverage, Regulators, Risk
