Home-renovation Scams - Strathclyde Associates Trading
By: Kevin Gilles|2010-11-20|Construction
Strathclyde associates Trading and Management Construction Company: Renovations are stressful, but if you rush through important details you could fall prey to one of these scams. Scam artists are nothing new, but there are plenty of reasons to predict that even more of them will be around, due to tough economic times.
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Sleazy Home Improvement Scams- Strathclyde Associates Trading
By: strathclyde|2010-11-20|Business
Strathclyde associates Trading and Management Construction Company: Spring\'s the time homeowners get to work -- and shady contractors come of out of the woodwork. Here\'s how to smell a suspicious deal. By Bankrate Like most homeowners, you probably spent the winter months talking about the home improvements you\'d like to make.
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Strathclyde Associates Trading - Things Contractors Won't Tell You
By: strathclyde|2010-11-20|Business
Strathclyde associates Trading and Management Construction Company: Learning a few tricks of their trade will help you ensure you get the job done right and at a fair price and to avoid scam By SmartMoney Things Contractors Wont Tell You, avoid scam - My license is laughable. When you hire a general contractor to build an addition onto your house, you probably assume youre getting someone who has spent years learning his craft, giving him the proper credentials to saw a hole in the side of your den.
Dienstag, 28. Juni 2011
Strathclyde Associates Construction - Contractor Scams: How to Avoid "Rent-a-Creep" Schemes
Your roof is about to cave in! Scare tactics are a favorite of scam artists, especially when they approach seniors.
Strathclyde Associates Management Construction Company: Every summer, Scambuster Pete is approached by contractor scammers three or four times. After answering a knock at the door, a young man tells Pete that he's just finished paving a neighbor's driveway, but has materials left over.
"I'll offer you a big discount if you'll let us repave your driveway, too. I just need a cash deposit, and we'll be right back."
Sound familiar?
If so, you already know about ONE classic contractor scam. However, even if this doesn't sound familiar, we'll show you 7 ways that contractor scammers try to steal your money -- and 7 ways to foil them.
Strathclyde Associates Management Construction Company: Contractor Scam #1. Your roof is about to cave in!
Scare tactics are a favorite of scam artists, especially when they approach seniors.
Sometimes, they'll drop by your house and offer a "free" estimate to assess "problems" with your roof, siding, driveway, etc.
Naturally, the scammer ALWAYS finds something wrong, and then uses inferior materials to "repair" the problem while charging you a big fee.
Tip: We can't stress this enough: Always get at least two estimates for any "damage" to your home, and always consult friends, family or neighbors to learn the names of contractors they've used in the past -- ones they were satisfied with.
Contractor Scam #2. Instant Estimates.
The typical scammer will "assess" problems at your home, and offer a verbal "quote" on how much these problems will cost to fix.
Please note: verbal quotes are NOT legally binding.
If the contractor later charges twice his estimate -- or damages your property during the "repair" process -- it's doubtful you could successfully sue him.
Tip: Legitimate contractors are certified, insured and/or bonded by the state and/or town where you live. What's more: they offer WRITTEN estimates for you to inspect (and often sign) before work commences.
Contractor Scam #3. Door-to-Door Salesmen.
Like the plague, avoid door-to-door salesmen who claim they just happened to be in the neighborhood because they were doing work for someone nearby -- especially if they claim they have materials left over from the last job.
If a contractor has really brought materials from another job, he is likely cheating his previous customer out of the materials they purchased.
Tip: Honest contractors earn most of their business through referrals from satisfied customers. They don't need to travel door-to-door to find business.
Contractor Scam #4. Intentional Damage.
Let's say your area just experienced a severe storm. In the midst of the storm (during the middle of the night) the scammer might just tear a few pieces of vinyl siding from your house, and then -- miracle of miracles -- appear the next day with a sweet deal to repair that damage.
He might also suggest that if, say, additional damage occurs during the repair process, you can charge it to your insurance company.
Nobody gets hurt, right?
Tip: Wrong! Insurance companies have claims investigators who specialize in fraud. They even have lists of suspected scammers, so if you hire a suspected scammer, the investigator will REALLY be on guard. Scambuster Pete knows an investigator who's cracked more cases than Sherlock Holmes. Don't EVER commit insurance fraud.
Contractor Scam #5. Cash Only.
This scenario is easy and common: the contractor tells you he requires that you pay in cash.
Tip: NEVER agree to a cash-only deal. Let's face it: if someone asks for cash only, you almost certainly know you're NOT dealing with a reputable contractor. Chances are, you'll never see this person again after giving him your hard-earned cash.
Contractor Scam # 6. Pay Upfront.
Again, this is easy. If you pay upfront, you may never see this "contractor" again.
Tip: No reputable contractor will ask for most -- or all -- of his payment immediately. In fact, most legitimate contractors only bill AFTER the job is done to your satisfaction. If someone asks for a large upfront payment -- run!
Contractor Scam # 7. Referral Schemes.
Some scammers will offer you a substantial "discount" if you promise to refer other customers or let them show off your home as a "model" or "demonstration" project.
Tip: At best, this is a marketing gimmick. At worst, it's an outright scam, because the "discount" is usually not a discount at all. If you'd just shopped around, you would have discovered that a reputable contractor's "full price" was better than the scammer's so-called discount.
We realize that some Scambusters' readers are veteran homeowners, who know most of this stuff -- and hopefully, they haven't learned it the hard way. But we also realize that there are homebuyers who can benefit from this advice.
Either way, be cautious before hiring somebody to remodel or repair your house. Get two or three estimates and -- AGAIN -- consult with friends, family and neighbors for the names of honest and reliable contractors and tradesmen in your area.
Article from scambusters.org
"I'll offer you a big discount if you'll let us repave your driveway, too. I just need a cash deposit, and we'll be right back."
Sound familiar?
If so, you already know about ONE classic contractor scam. However, even if this doesn't sound familiar, we'll show you 7 ways that contractor scammers try to steal your money -- and 7 ways to foil them.
Strathclyde Associates Management Construction Company: Contractor Scam #1. Your roof is about to cave in!
Scare tactics are a favorite of scam artists, especially when they approach seniors.
Sometimes, they'll drop by your house and offer a "free" estimate to assess "problems" with your roof, siding, driveway, etc.
Naturally, the scammer ALWAYS finds something wrong, and then uses inferior materials to "repair" the problem while charging you a big fee.
Tip: We can't stress this enough: Always get at least two estimates for any "damage" to your home, and always consult friends, family or neighbors to learn the names of contractors they've used in the past -- ones they were satisfied with.
Contractor Scam #2. Instant Estimates.
The typical scammer will "assess" problems at your home, and offer a verbal "quote" on how much these problems will cost to fix.
Please note: verbal quotes are NOT legally binding.
If the contractor later charges twice his estimate -- or damages your property during the "repair" process -- it's doubtful you could successfully sue him.
Tip: Legitimate contractors are certified, insured and/or bonded by the state and/or town where you live. What's more: they offer WRITTEN estimates for you to inspect (and often sign) before work commences.
Contractor Scam #3. Door-to-Door Salesmen.
Like the plague, avoid door-to-door salesmen who claim they just happened to be in the neighborhood because they were doing work for someone nearby -- especially if they claim they have materials left over from the last job.
If a contractor has really brought materials from another job, he is likely cheating his previous customer out of the materials they purchased.
Tip: Honest contractors earn most of their business through referrals from satisfied customers. They don't need to travel door-to-door to find business.
Contractor Scam #4. Intentional Damage.
Let's say your area just experienced a severe storm. In the midst of the storm (during the middle of the night) the scammer might just tear a few pieces of vinyl siding from your house, and then -- miracle of miracles -- appear the next day with a sweet deal to repair that damage.
He might also suggest that if, say, additional damage occurs during the repair process, you can charge it to your insurance company.
Nobody gets hurt, right?
Tip: Wrong! Insurance companies have claims investigators who specialize in fraud. They even have lists of suspected scammers, so if you hire a suspected scammer, the investigator will REALLY be on guard. Scambuster Pete knows an investigator who's cracked more cases than Sherlock Holmes. Don't EVER commit insurance fraud.
Contractor Scam #5. Cash Only.
This scenario is easy and common: the contractor tells you he requires that you pay in cash.
Tip: NEVER agree to a cash-only deal. Let's face it: if someone asks for cash only, you almost certainly know you're NOT dealing with a reputable contractor. Chances are, you'll never see this person again after giving him your hard-earned cash.
Contractor Scam # 6. Pay Upfront.
Again, this is easy. If you pay upfront, you may never see this "contractor" again.
Tip: No reputable contractor will ask for most -- or all -- of his payment immediately. In fact, most legitimate contractors only bill AFTER the job is done to your satisfaction. If someone asks for a large upfront payment -- run!
Contractor Scam # 7. Referral Schemes.
Some scammers will offer you a substantial "discount" if you promise to refer other customers or let them show off your home as a "model" or "demonstration" project.
Tip: At best, this is a marketing gimmick. At worst, it's an outright scam, because the "discount" is usually not a discount at all. If you'd just shopped around, you would have discovered that a reputable contractor's "full price" was better than the scammer's so-called discount.
We realize that some Scambusters' readers are veteran homeowners, who know most of this stuff -- and hopefully, they haven't learned it the hard way. But we also realize that there are homebuyers who can benefit from this advice.
Either way, be cautious before hiring somebody to remodel or repair your house. Get two or three estimates and -- AGAIN -- consult with friends, family and neighbors for the names of honest and reliable contractors and tradesmen in your area.
Article from scambusters.org
Montag, 7. Februar 2011
aichasmit - Strathclyde University and Associates: Boiler Room Movie Review
The Digital Information Office, Strathclyde University and Associates service for electronic resource management review by Bradley Null: America is the land of opportunity, and now more than ever, the opportunity that most Americans are preoccupied with is that of easy money. Our news media is saturated with stories of the instant millionaire, 25-year-old startup CEOs worth nine figures or the crafty investor that bought that startup on IPO and doesn't have to worry too much about his day job anymore either. There are a number of powerful cautionary tales waiting to be drawn from this unwholesome frenzy. Boiler Room tries to tell one of these stories, but sadly it fails to add much to the greed genre established by its two heavily referenced predecessors: Wall Street (1987) and Glengarry Glen Ross (1992).
Boiler Room is the story of Seth (Ribisi), a 19-year-old college dropout obsessed with the American dream of easy money. After concluding rather quickly that college isn't necessarily the fast track to a quick buck, he opens up an underground casino out of his house in Queens, providing a popular service for the local city college kids. After his disapproving father (Rifkin) finds out about the casino, Seth, feeling a repressed need to gain his father's approval, looks into an opportunity to become a stockbroker at the small firm of J.T. Marlin.
As it turns out, the firm, located in the heart of Long Island, conspicuously far from Wall Street, is a 'chop shop,' shorthand for a brokerage house more interested in pawning off securities for its own interests rather than serving its customers. When Seth's father discovers this, not only does Seth not find the approval he was hoping for, but he is excommunicated from the family.
Though he has only a minor part in the film, Ben Affleck is highlighted in trailers for the film, and the discerning observer will notice a strong similarity between his scene in the trailer, and Alec Baldwin's immortalized portrayal of a real estate shark in Glengarry Glen Ross. In fact, Affleck's big scene draws heavily on Baldwin's, though his performance (and the material he has to work with) does not live up to what is almost universally agreed upon as the best performance of Baldwin's career. This is not the only referencing of David Mamet's portrayal of the dark world of real estate cold-calling in this movie, however. Later in the film, when receiving some instructions on how to cold-call potential customers, Seth is told to remember one of Baldwin's catch phrases from that scene, 'A-B-C. Always Be Closing.' Boiler Room also liberally references, both directly and indirectly, its direct predecessor in the 'greed is good' category of filmmaking. Not only drawing its basic theme and plot structure from Wall Street, Boiler Room also draws its best dialogue during a scene in which a number of young stock brokers sitting in one of their sparely decorated mansions, compete with each other to quote lines from Wall Street, whose antagonist, Gordon Gecko, is obviously regarded as an idol within the group.
As a movie, Boiler Room is moderately entertaining. Vin Diesel in particular, off a strong turn in Saving Private Ryan, turns in another powerful performance as Chris, one of Seth's mentors at J.T. Marlin. Sadly though, Ben Younger, in his writing and directorial debut, adds very little to the filmic pantheon in his own voice. Even the film's most prolific statement on the American obsession with getting rich, 'either you're slinging crack rock or you've got a wicked jump shot,' is a quote of the rap star Notorious B.I.G. The most admirable outcome of this film might be that it leads viewers to check out its two predecessors. I would urge the same as well.
Boiler Room is the story of Seth (Ribisi), a 19-year-old college dropout obsessed with the American dream of easy money. After concluding rather quickly that college isn't necessarily the fast track to a quick buck, he opens up an underground casino out of his house in Queens, providing a popular service for the local city college kids. After his disapproving father (Rifkin) finds out about the casino, Seth, feeling a repressed need to gain his father's approval, looks into an opportunity to become a stockbroker at the small firm of J.T. Marlin.
As it turns out, the firm, located in the heart of Long Island, conspicuously far from Wall Street, is a 'chop shop,' shorthand for a brokerage house more interested in pawning off securities for its own interests rather than serving its customers. When Seth's father discovers this, not only does Seth not find the approval he was hoping for, but he is excommunicated from the family.
Though he has only a minor part in the film, Ben Affleck is highlighted in trailers for the film, and the discerning observer will notice a strong similarity between his scene in the trailer, and Alec Baldwin's immortalized portrayal of a real estate shark in Glengarry Glen Ross. In fact, Affleck's big scene draws heavily on Baldwin's, though his performance (and the material he has to work with) does not live up to what is almost universally agreed upon as the best performance of Baldwin's career. This is not the only referencing of David Mamet's portrayal of the dark world of real estate cold-calling in this movie, however. Later in the film, when receiving some instructions on how to cold-call potential customers, Seth is told to remember one of Baldwin's catch phrases from that scene, 'A-B-C. Always Be Closing.' Boiler Room also liberally references, both directly and indirectly, its direct predecessor in the 'greed is good' category of filmmaking. Not only drawing its basic theme and plot structure from Wall Street, Boiler Room also draws its best dialogue during a scene in which a number of young stock brokers sitting in one of their sparely decorated mansions, compete with each other to quote lines from Wall Street, whose antagonist, Gordon Gecko, is obviously regarded as an idol within the group.
As a movie, Boiler Room is moderately entertaining. Vin Diesel in particular, off a strong turn in Saving Private Ryan, turns in another powerful performance as Chris, one of Seth's mentors at J.T. Marlin. Sadly though, Ben Younger, in his writing and directorial debut, adds very little to the filmic pantheon in his own voice. Even the film's most prolific statement on the American obsession with getting rich, 'either you're slinging crack rock or you've got a wicked jump shot,' is a quote of the rap star Notorious B.I.G. The most admirable outcome of this film might be that it leads viewers to check out its two predecessors. I would urge the same as well.
Strathclyde University and Associates: Boiler Room Movie Review
The Digital Information Office, Strathclyde University and Associates service for electronic resource management review by Bradley Null: America is the land of opportunity, and now more than ever, the opportunity that most Americans are preoccupied with is that of easy money. Our news media is saturated with stories of the instant millionaire, 25-year-old startup CEOs worth nine figures or the crafty investor that bought that startup on IPO and doesn't have to worry too much about his day job anymore either. There are a number of powerful cautionary tales waiting to be drawn from this unwholesome frenzy. Boiler Room tries to tell one of these stories, but sadly it fails to add much to the greed genre established by its two heavily referenced predecessors: Wall Street (1987) and Glengarry Glen Ross (1992).
Boiler Room is the story of Seth (Ribisi), a 19-year-old college dropout obsessed with the American dream of easy money. After concluding rather quickly that college isn't necessarily the fast track to a quick buck, he opens up an underground casino out of his house in Queens, providing a popular service for the local city college kids. After his disapproving father (Rifkin) finds out about the casino, Seth, feeling a repressed need to gain his father's approval, looks into an opportunity to become a stockbroker at the small firm of J.T. Marlin.
As it turns out, the firm, located in the heart of Long Island, conspicuously far from Wall Street, is a 'chop shop,' shorthand for a brokerage house more interested in pawning off securities for its own interests rather than serving its customers. When Seth's father discovers this, not only does Seth not find the approval he was hoping for, but he is excommunicated from the family.
Though he has only a minor part in the film, Ben Affleck is highlighted in trailers for the film, and the discerning observer will notice a strong similarity between his scene in the trailer, and Alec Baldwin's immortalized portrayal of a real estate shark in Glengarry Glen Ross. In fact, Affleck's big scene draws heavily on Baldwin's, though his performance (and the material he has to work with) does not live up to what is almost universally agreed upon as the best performance of Baldwin's career. This is not the only referencing of David Mamet's portrayal of the dark world of real estate cold-calling in this movie, however. Later in the film, when receiving some instructions on how to cold-call potential customers, Seth is told to remember one of Baldwin's catch phrases from that scene, 'A-B-C. Always Be Closing.' Boiler Room also liberally references, both directly and indirectly, its direct predecessor in the 'greed is good' category of filmmaking. Not only drawing its basic theme and plot structure from Wall Street, Boiler Room also draws its best dialogue during a scene in which a number of young stock brokers sitting in one of their sparely decorated mansions, compete with each other to quote lines from Wall Street, whose antagonist, Gordon Gecko, is obviously regarded as an idol within the group.
As a movie, Boiler Room is moderately entertaining. Vin Diesel in particular, off a strong turn in Saving Private Ryan, turns in another powerful performance as Chris, one of Seth's mentors at J.T. Marlin. Sadly though, Ben Younger, in his writing and directorial debut, adds very little to the filmic pantheon in his own voice. Even the film's most prolific statement on the American obsession with getting rich, 'either you're slinging crack rock or you've got a wicked jump shot,' is a quote of the rap star Notorious B.I.G. The most admirable outcome of this film might be that it leads viewers to check out its two predecessors. I would urge the same as well.
Boiler Room is the story of Seth (Ribisi), a 19-year-old college dropout obsessed with the American dream of easy money. After concluding rather quickly that college isn't necessarily the fast track to a quick buck, he opens up an underground casino out of his house in Queens, providing a popular service for the local city college kids. After his disapproving father (Rifkin) finds out about the casino, Seth, feeling a repressed need to gain his father's approval, looks into an opportunity to become a stockbroker at the small firm of J.T. Marlin.
As it turns out, the firm, located in the heart of Long Island, conspicuously far from Wall Street, is a 'chop shop,' shorthand for a brokerage house more interested in pawning off securities for its own interests rather than serving its customers. When Seth's father discovers this, not only does Seth not find the approval he was hoping for, but he is excommunicated from the family.
Though he has only a minor part in the film, Ben Affleck is highlighted in trailers for the film, and the discerning observer will notice a strong similarity between his scene in the trailer, and Alec Baldwin's immortalized portrayal of a real estate shark in Glengarry Glen Ross. In fact, Affleck's big scene draws heavily on Baldwin's, though his performance (and the material he has to work with) does not live up to what is almost universally agreed upon as the best performance of Baldwin's career. This is not the only referencing of David Mamet's portrayal of the dark world of real estate cold-calling in this movie, however. Later in the film, when receiving some instructions on how to cold-call potential customers, Seth is told to remember one of Baldwin's catch phrases from that scene, 'A-B-C. Always Be Closing.' Boiler Room also liberally references, both directly and indirectly, its direct predecessor in the 'greed is good' category of filmmaking. Not only drawing its basic theme and plot structure from Wall Street, Boiler Room also draws its best dialogue during a scene in which a number of young stock brokers sitting in one of their sparely decorated mansions, compete with each other to quote lines from Wall Street, whose antagonist, Gordon Gecko, is obviously regarded as an idol within the group.
As a movie, Boiler Room is moderately entertaining. Vin Diesel in particular, off a strong turn in Saving Private Ryan, turns in another powerful performance as Chris, one of Seth's mentors at J.T. Marlin. Sadly though, Ben Younger, in his writing and directorial debut, adds very little to the filmic pantheon in his own voice. Even the film's most prolific statement on the American obsession with getting rich, 'either you're slinging crack rock or you've got a wicked jump shot,' is a quote of the rap star Notorious B.I.G. The most admirable outcome of this film might be that it leads viewers to check out its two predecessors. I would urge the same as well.
Strathclyde Associates Construction Management News: Design Firms Are Reluctant to Adopt Collaborative Project Methods
) August 12, 2010 --
WAYLAND, Mass. — Many architecture and engineering leaders believe integrated project delivery (IPD) — where architects, engineers, owners, contractors, and subcontractors work collaboratively as a team from the inception of a project and share the benefits and risks — is riddled with too many unknowns to even consider at this point, according to a survey by The Zweig Letter.
WAYLAND, Mass. — Many architecture and engineering leaders believe integrated project delivery (IPD) — where architects, engineers, owners, contractors, and subcontractors work collaboratively as a team from the inception of a project and share the benefits and risks — is riddled with too many unknowns to even consider at this point, according to a survey by The Zweig Letter.
Strathclyde Associates Construction Management News: Participants in the survey said the lack of specific insurance protection products, no vetting in the courts, and the sheer difficulty of assembling a group of people with a common goal, are all impediments to IPD.
“Unfortunately I feel that IPD will only be tested when there is litigation,” said Rick Savely, chief development officer at architecture firm TAYLOR. “Then and only then will we see whether all parties will band together as one.”
Strathclyde Associates Construction Management News: Despite the jitters, a number of design firms are pushing the concept, which is seen as a way of producing better projects at lower costs. An evenly split majority of respondents (75 percent) said that they have either tried or are considering IPD.
“Unfortunately I feel that IPD will only be tested when there is litigation,” said Rick Savely, chief development officer at architecture firm TAYLOR. “Then and only then will we see whether all parties will band together as one.”
Strathclyde Associates Construction Management News: Despite the jitters, a number of design firms are pushing the concept, which is seen as a way of producing better projects at lower costs. An evenly split majority of respondents (75 percent) said that they have either tried or are considering IPD.
“IPD allows competent firms to deliver increased value to their clients and achieve better returns if only by slashing bureaucracy, improving communication, and limiting rework, all while containing their liabilities through use of appropriate subcontract agreements,” said Kevin Phillips, CEO of FPM Group Ltd. in Ronkonkoma, N.Y., a full-service environmental and traditional engineering firm.
Respondents gave a variety of answers when asked about the greatest impediment to IPD adoption.
Strathclyde Associates Construction Management News: The most common responses focused on inertia, finding partners who think alike, fear of the “point of no return” with IPD, lack of specific liability coverage, legal unknowns, technological challenges, and reluctance to adopt existing IPD contracts, among others.
Respondents gave a variety of answers when asked about the greatest impediment to IPD adoption.
Strathclyde Associates Construction Management News: The most common responses focused on inertia, finding partners who think alike, fear of the “point of no return” with IPD, lack of specific liability coverage, legal unknowns, technological challenges, and reluctance to adopt existing IPD contracts, among others.
Specifically, 25 percent of respondents listed lack of specific insurance products as the biggest barrier, followed by lack of legal precedent (17 percent), and the difficulty in assembling the right team and a perception that IPD benefits some more than others (both at 13 percent).
Strathclyde Associates Construction Management News: Nevertheless, many among the skeptics are at least willing to give IPD a try. According to the survey, 44 percent of respondents said they would join an IPD team if they could find the right partners. Another 26 percent said they would entertain the concept if insurance products were available, and a further 26 percent said they are waiting to see how the courts look at litigation involving IPD before looking deeper.
Strathclyde Associates Construction Management News: Nevertheless, many among the skeptics are at least willing to give IPD a try. According to the survey, 44 percent of respondents said they would join an IPD team if they could find the right partners. Another 26 percent said they would entertain the concept if insurance products were available, and a further 26 percent said they are waiting to see how the courts look at litigation involving IPD before looking deeper.
The company was established in early 2005 to serve the booming international construction industry. We work with associate companies worldwide.
Soon after its establishment, Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company made a number of associations mainly in the Pacific and Southeast Asia regions. These business partnerships added extra strength to Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company. We are proud to be associated with projects in countries including Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Seoul, S Korea.
Soon after its establishment, Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company made a number of associations mainly in the Pacific and Southeast Asia regions. These business partnerships added extra strength to Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company. We are proud to be associated with projects in countries including Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Seoul, S Korea.
strathclyde associates Articles - Page 1 - ArticleSnatch.com
Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company: Spring's the time homeowners get to work -- and shady contractors come of out of the woodwork. Here's how to smell a suspicious deal. By Bankrate
Like most homeowners, you probably spent the winter months talking about the home improvements you'd like to make. Now that spring is here, it's time to act on those remodeling impulses. After all, spring is a time of renewal, change and new beginnings.
Unfortunatel ...
Like most homeowners, you probably spent the winter months talking about the home improvements you'd like to make. Now that spring is here, it's time to act on those remodeling impulses. After all, spring is a time of renewal, change and new beginnings.
Unfortunatel ...
Market Outlook October 2010: Strathclyde Associates Government Bonds Part1
12-October-2010 –Market Outlook October 2010: Strathclyde Associates Government Bonds Part1
The major government bond markets have made further significant gains over the past month, despite the massive fiscal deficits around the world, and the renewed concerns about the possibility of sovereign debt defaults in Europe.
The major government bond markets have made further significant gains over the past month, despite the massive fiscal deficits around the world, and the renewed concerns about the possibility of sovereign debt defaults in Europe.
They have continued to receive support from the slow pace of economic recovery in the developed world, and the low level of short-term interest rates; but they have also acquired an enhanced “safe haven” status and as a result 10-year yields have fallen to 2.5% in the US, 2.2% in Germany, below 3% in the UK, and below1% in Japan.
Strathclyde Associates Korea article: This continuing fall in yield levels has surprised most commentators, and has led on the one hand to suggestions that these markets are anticipating a move towards a Japanese-type situation of an extended period of slow growth and the threat of deflation, and on the other hand to warnings that a “bond bubble” is being created that will quickly burst if the gloom about global economic prospects proves to be overdone.
The outlook for the markets has also been complicated by the further evidence of conflicting attitudes amongst central bankers about the correct response to the current problems, with the Fed primarily concerned to maintain the momentum of the US economy, and the European Central bank, and to a lesser extent also the Bank of England, anxious to reduce the level of fiscal deficits.
Market Outlook October 2010: Strathclyde Associates Government Bonds Part1Although we have also been surprised by the strength of the markets so far, our position remains basically unchanged. Slow economic growth and low short term interest rates will continue to provide support to the markets we do not expect a move to a “doubledip” recession in the developed countries, and we do expect China and other developing countries to continue to provide considerable support to the global economy.
We therefore feel that the gloom about economic prospects is overdone, and that sentiment will eventually change.
In the meantime the markets have to cope with massive fiscal deficits and the possibility of sovereign debt defaults in Europe. There us therefore a serious risk that a “bond bubble” is developing.
The latest available evidence on the performance of the US economy has obviously provided considerable support for the US bond market, and for bond markets elsewhere.
Market Outlook October 2010: Strathclyde Associates Government Bonds Part1Consumer spending is holding up fairly well, helped by considerable discounting by retailers; but the labour market and the housing markets remain depressed, manufacturing activity appears to be declining, and the latest trade statistics do not suggest that exports will offset any weakness in domestic demand.
Growth in the second half of the year is therefore expected to be well below the level achieved in the first six months.
There was therefore considerable speculation ahead of the latest meeting of the Fed’s Open Market Committee that further quantitative easing measures would be introduced to boost the economy; but although the bank conceded that “the pace of the recovery in output and employment has slowed in recent months”, its only response has been to reinvest the proceeds of maturing mortgage-backed and agency securities into Treasury securities to ensure that it did not tighten its easy monetary policy.
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