John Batchelor Radio Show: What Does Brexit Do For Scotland?

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Mid East Eye: Saudi Economy May Pay High Price for Khashoggi Killing

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Saudi Arabia’s economy will likely pay a high price over the recent killing of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a sordid affair that sparked global outrage and which may prompt some action by the United States and other governments.

However, the longer-term issue is that investors will likely shun Saudi Arabia because the killing highlights the kingdom’s political instability, and that shakiness is something from which investors tend to shy away or exact a high price. Read more here.

Forbes: Message From The Bond Market -- More Turmoil For Stocks

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Already stocks have had a volatile fall, but it could get even worse.

That's because a change in the bond market is pointing to a sharp decline in stocks unless something changes, according to one analyst. Read more here.

Forbes: The Italian Financial Mess Ain't Over Yet

By SIMON CONSTABLE

The disagreement between the European Union and the recently-formed Italian government coalition, ain't over yet.

Quite the contrary. It could run and run, according to a recently published report. Read more here.

Photo by Emma Fabbri on Unsplash

Forbes: How A Small Scottish Biotech Firm Could Win A Decisive Battle Against Cancer?

By SIMON CONSTABLE

A small Scottish-based biotech company could soon win a decisive battle in the war against cancer. 

NuCana, led by biotech industry veteran Hugh Griffith, is developing therapies that could radically change cancer treatment. Despite only being founded in 2008 the firm has already captured the interest of investors with good results from clinical trials of the compounds. Read more here.

Barron's: Get Ready for Big Oil Stocks in Europe to Rise if Prices Do

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Favorable valuations, a change in investor outlook, and a surge in oil prices could lift the stocks of major European oil producers.

“If you have a broad rally in energy, I think it is safe to say that both European and American investors will look at some of the big oil names globally and find them interesting,” says Steve Chiavarone, a portfolio manager at Federated Investors in New York. “Those companies with bigger dividends will become attractive again.” Read more here.

Korn Ferry: Europe’s Rattling Political Power Plays

By SIMON CONSTABLE

The upheaval keeps building up across western Europe’s political landscape. Germany’s center-right parties, which the country’s chancellor, Angela Merkel, represents, are increasingly getting squeezed at the polls. In Italy, the coalition government is having trouble developing a budget. And across the English Channel, the UK prime minister’s cabinet is in turmoil while Ireland’s president faces five challengers in an election on Friday.

Pundits have their own views on each country’s issues, but private-sector leaders are likely to see a simple lesson across the board: When the landscape changes, fundamentals become ever more important. Read more here.