Korn Ferry: Has Brexit Hit the Disaster-Prepping Phase?

The EU and UK split-up is still not until the end of next March, but the warnings have already begun--with the British government preparing citizens for a world with no agreement or regulations set between its own country and Europe. Indeed, one memo sounds very much like a disaster-prep, suggesting companies stockpiling goods and products. Read more here.

Barron's: Bayer Battling Back Against Legal Woes

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Shares of struggling German health-care and chemical giant Bayer revived a bit on Thursday as the company got at least a temporary reprieve from a huge jury award that held its weed killer Roundup liable for a plaintiff’s cancer.

There is likely to be more positive news for long-term investors, as this and related cases against Roundup proceed through the court system. Read more here.

Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

WSJ: A Replacement for Libor Gains Traction

By SIMON CONSTABLE

A benchmark borrowing cost known as the secured overnight financing rate, or SOFR, is gaining traction as a replacement for the better known but sullied Libor as the rate underpinning a range of global debt instruments. Read more here.

Avsankur©, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Barron's: Italian Bonds Are Cheap — but for Risk Takers Only

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Italy’s political circus is sending local bond prices tumbling and yields higher. But the country’s real economic risk also offers a contrarian opportunity to buy long-dated Italian bonds at discounted prices.

“If you think the current political situation gets resolved, then Italian bonds offer really good returns,” says Ihab Salib, head of international fixed income at money-management firm Federated Investors. He concedes that this isn’t a consensus opinion. Read more here.

John Batchelor Show: The Euro, Brexit etc.

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Photo by Maryna Yazbeck on Unsplash

Forbes: Why Investors Should Expect Gold To Jump

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Gold traders are now extremely bearish on the price of gold bullion.

It's a sign that the price of the yellow metal will likely jump. Read more here.

Forbes: Blame The Banks For Low Productivity Growth

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Economists have long wondered why productivity growth slowed over the past few decades. But now there could be an answer.

The banks did it, at least according to the conclusion of a recent study from the National Bureau of Economic Research.

What's more, the authors have a stark warning about the reliance on finance for economic growth. Read more here.