China's exports dropped 18.5% in February-the most since 2009.A 7.5% increase had been anticipated.The Asian New Year may have been partly to blame.Still,the MSCI Asia Pacific index fell 0.96% on that news,plus the fact that Japanese growth was only up 0.7%,which was less than expected.Japan will raise the sales tax next month as well.*
New York copper prices dropped for the second day on concern that China demand will fall with the decline in exports.Goldman Sachs nonetheless sees Chinese stocks as desirable,since they could rise 24% from their decades low valuation.*
In the next six months,most emerging markets will be involved in political or economic problems,said Victor Shvets,a managing director at Macquarie Securities.You never have revolutions when people are happy.You start with marginal areas like Ukraine or Argentina.There is a lack of reformm and liquidity.The only way out is to enact reform.
Below a certain level of GDP growth,social problems emerge.Reform can keep the wolves at bay,Mr.Shvets told Bloomberg TV.*
Thirteen Greek Orthodox nuns from Ma'aloula,Syria have been released by the Syrian government in a deal arranged by a Lebanese general,in which about 150 women and children prisoners were freed by the Syrian authorities.The nuns had spent more than two months in captivity after being abducted from their convent.
Monday, March 10, 2014
Friday, March 7, 2014
ATM Technology Being Upgraded
To better serve their customers and drum up business,banks are adding new technology to their ATMs.If not presently,you may soon be able to use an ATM touch screen to:
1.Apply for a loan.
2.Video conference with a banker even outside of business hours.
3.Pre-stage ATM transactions with a mobile phone at your location,so that it is almost complete when you get to the ATM.
4.Pay bills.
5.Send money to friends.
6.Increase your ATM withdrawal limit.
7.Withdraw one,five and 10 dollar bills,not just 20s and 50s.
8.Do retirement planning.
One possible drawback of the more sophisticated machines is longer wait times at ATMs if someone is video conferencing or doing multiple transactions.
1.Apply for a loan.
2.Video conference with a banker even outside of business hours.
3.Pre-stage ATM transactions with a mobile phone at your location,so that it is almost complete when you get to the ATM.
4.Pay bills.
5.Send money to friends.
6.Increase your ATM withdrawal limit.
7.Withdraw one,five and 10 dollar bills,not just 20s and 50s.
8.Do retirement planning.
One possible drawback of the more sophisticated machines is longer wait times at ATMs if someone is video conferencing or doing multiple transactions.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Resilient Markets Recover From Ukraine Drop
World markets turned positive in Asia and Europe Tuesday,convinced there won't be military clashes anytime soon over the Ukraine crisis.The Nikkei went up 0.47 and the Hong Seng rose 0.70,optimistic that a standoff in Crimea will not escalate today as Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered Russian troops to halt their exercises in Western Russia and return to base,although there is no sign of an end to the crisis,either.
US Secretary of State John Kerry departed for Kiev talks with Ukraine's interim government Monday night,raising hopes of diplomatic progress.
US stock futures followed suit,recovering most of Monday's losses,as did European indexes.The FTSE was up 1.05 as of time of publication,and the CAC rose 1.15,while the DAX climbed 0.75.The underlying sentiment in markets is bullish,and they are not going to let Ukraine end the trend unless there are further developments.
At the same time,gold and oil prices declined as traders' fears of a shooting war eased-at least momentarily.Gold was near a four month high at close of trading Monday.
US Secretary of State John Kerry departed for Kiev talks with Ukraine's interim government Monday night,raising hopes of diplomatic progress.
US stock futures followed suit,recovering most of Monday's losses,as did European indexes.The FTSE was up 1.05 as of time of publication,and the CAC rose 1.15,while the DAX climbed 0.75.The underlying sentiment in markets is bullish,and they are not going to let Ukraine end the trend unless there are further developments.
At the same time,gold and oil prices declined as traders' fears of a shooting war eased-at least momentarily.Gold was near a four month high at close of trading Monday.
Monday, March 3, 2014
The 86th Annual Academy Awards
The 86th Annual Academy Awards went off smoothly Sunday night at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles.Host Ellen DeGeneres kept the mood light with her monologue and antics such as passing a hat for pizza money.Surprise of the night was retired actress Kim Novak,81,presenting the award for Best Animated Short Feature with new star Matthew McConaughey.She starred in a string of 1950s classics including "Picnic"(1955),"Vertigo"(1958),"Bell,Book and Candle"(1958)and "Middle of the Night"(1959).
Jennifer Lawrence was again head-turner of the night in an orange Christian Dior gown with a Neil Lane diamond necklace draped down her back.She said her character Rosalind in "American Hustle" was her favorite,as there was nothing she wouldn't do.Sandra Bullock of "Gravity" came in an Alexander McQueen black dress with Lorraine Schwartz jewelry,while Cate Blanchett of "Blue Jasmine" wore a beige Armani gown.(Sorry about my colours,fashionistas).Leonardo DiCaprio of "The Wolf of Wall Street,"was in a navy tux.He praised his director,Martin Scorsese,saying only he could bring humanity to the film.
The main winners were as follows:
Best Actor:Matthew McConaughey,"Dallas Buyers Club"
Best Actress:Cate Blachett,Australia,"Blue Jasmine"
Best Supporting Actor:Jared Leto,"Dallas Buyers Club"
Best Supporting Actress:Lupita Nyongo,Kenya,"12 Years a Slave"
Best Foreign Feature:"The Great Beauty,"Italy
Best Motion Picture:"12 Years a Slave"
Best Music,Score:"Gravity"
Best Music,Song:"Let It Go,""Frozen"
Best Long Animated Feature:"Frozen"
Best Director:Alfonso Cuaron,"Gravity"
Jennifer Lawrence was again head-turner of the night in an orange Christian Dior gown with a Neil Lane diamond necklace draped down her back.She said her character Rosalind in "American Hustle" was her favorite,as there was nothing she wouldn't do.Sandra Bullock of "Gravity" came in an Alexander McQueen black dress with Lorraine Schwartz jewelry,while Cate Blanchett of "Blue Jasmine" wore a beige Armani gown.(Sorry about my colours,fashionistas).Leonardo DiCaprio of "The Wolf of Wall Street,"was in a navy tux.He praised his director,Martin Scorsese,saying only he could bring humanity to the film.
The main winners were as follows:
Best Actor:Matthew McConaughey,"Dallas Buyers Club"
Best Actress:Cate Blachett,Australia,"Blue Jasmine"
Best Supporting Actor:Jared Leto,"Dallas Buyers Club"
Best Supporting Actress:Lupita Nyongo,Kenya,"12 Years a Slave"
Best Foreign Feature:"The Great Beauty,"Italy
Best Motion Picture:"12 Years a Slave"
Best Music,Score:"Gravity"
Best Music,Song:"Let It Go,""Frozen"
Best Long Animated Feature:"Frozen"
Best Director:Alfonso Cuaron,"Gravity"
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