News

Powering infrastructures

The world economy is in a very delicate phase and the effects of the financial crisis will continue to be seen for some time to come. Despite the high degree of uncertainty, the most recent forecasts offer hope that the worst has passed and that the conditions for recovery are strengthening, partly thanks to the…

Bernanke has some explaining to do

The head of the central bank heads to Capitol Hill on Wednesday and Thursday for twice-yearly testimony, fulfilling a long-time practice. Normally, the main topic is the state of the economy. This time, Bernanke will also have to answer why he decided to spring a surprise on financial markets last week by raising the interest…

Brokering the mould

Keeping it people-focused, maintaining integrity at all times and innovating along with the changes in the market – these are the ingredients that make Al Ramz Securities, LLC or RAMZ one of the strongest independent brokerage companies in the UAE since its inception in the late 90s. RAMZ has matured along with the growth of…

Fed seeks to calm markets after discount rate rise

US Federal Reserve officials moved to calm speculation that a surprise rise in its emergency lending rate could bring forward broader policy tightening, saying borrowing costs in the economy would stay low. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke flagged the move last week, saying the US central bank aimed to widen the spread between its main policy…

A case for corporate governance

The corporate governance agenda has received great prominence during the past two decades. Many think of this as the next best thing after international accounting standards. But why is good governance so important? Share ownership structures and management structures have changed dramatically over time. Moving from family owned businesses to public companies, and the separation…

Advancing the FX platform

The majority of transactions have traditionally been made by phone, but the development of the internet and sophisticated trading software means that more and more people now have access to the world of forex trading from the comfort of their own homes. World Finance spoke to Nick Bang of ACM about the challenge of redefining…

Yuan-sided argument for change

While today, BOCI is truly a well positioned leading investment bank in the China and Hong Kong markets, Bank of China’s investment banking efforts have come a long way since being a small player just a couple of years ago. Marshall Nicholson, MD and Global Head of Equity Capital Markets at BOCI, says new leadership…

More for less

Time was when more than a few executives banked their salaries and lived off their corporate expenses. Not any more – such times are long gone. The recognition that travel and associated expenses represent most organisations’ second-largest controllable expense is driving the quest for the vast opportunities for savings that can be found through a…

Business as usual or a new way forward?

As the dust settles over the economic turmoil of 2009, across the globe, many businesses are expecting – or at least hoping − that 2010 will prove to be a turning point in their fortunes. GDP in most major markets is expected to improve following a year of weak sales, corporate layoffs, idle plant and…