offshore-finances.com

Stock markets around the world cracked on Friday with the Dow Jones industrial average down more than 150 points (Fig. 1), and commodities plunging as Dubai debt woes unnerved investors, and sent tremors of uncertainty throughout all markets.

The crisis flared after Dubai, a part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) federation, asked to delay interest payment for six months on $60 billion of debt issued by the state-run conglomerate Dubai World and its main property unit … [visit site to read more]

Although the housing sector and the exchange traded funds (ETFs) witnessed a minor setback last week, things are looking better this week as home sales rise to a two-and-a-half year high.

Many have suggested that the drop in housing starts in October was caused by the expiration of the first-time homebuyer tax credit, which was recently extended by policymakers. This week, it was announced that home sales rose 10% in October from September, thanks to a rush of buyers looking to take … [visit site to read more]

In his most recent commentary, PIMCO’s Bill Gross provides his rationale to invest in utility stocks.

Gross suggests that the Federal Reserve will remain accommodative for a very long time:
“Raise interest rates with 15 million jobless and 25 million part-time working Americans? All because gold is above $1,100? You must be joking or smoking – something. We will need another 12 months of 4-5% nominal GDP growth before Bernanke and company dare lift their heads out of the 0% foxhole – … [visit site to read more]

The U.S. Non-Farm Payrolls and the ISM Manufacturing and Services Industries Indexes coupled with two interest rate announcements from the Reserve Bank of Australia and the European Central Bank will kick-start the final trading month of the year.

In preparation for the new trading week, here is a list of the Top 10 spotlight economic events that every currency trader should pay attention to.

1.    EUR- Euro-zone HICP- Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices, the main measure of … [visit site to read more]

The Dubai debt crisis is once again a reminder of fragility of the global credit market and also how what may seem like an isolated problem can have far reaching tenticles.

Dubai is part of the United Arab Emerate. The capital is Abu Dhabi. Although one would think it would garner its wealth from oil, its economy is driven by tourism, real estate and financial services.   According to Wikipedia the economies wealth from oil is only about 6%. Real Estate and construction contributed … [visit site to read more]

Saturday’s Wall Street Journal opinion piece from Joe Queenan takes a humorous look at this holiday season’s retail sales. It’s refreshing, entertaining, and a little bit insightful. Also included below is a link to the Black Friday shopping chaos in a slideshow format.

From the Wall Street Journal:
In all likelihood, this is not going to be a Christmas for the ages. Unemployment is high, consumer confidence is low, and even though some retailers are now talking about a better holiday … [visit site to read more]

( click to enlarge )

LDK Solar (LDK) has come down a bit here in recent days. It appears that the correction may be close to an end since it is approaching of its main support at $7.19. This may be a good spot to get in, with a stop under the recent lows if the timing is wrong. If the weakness continues and the stock breaks the support at $7.19, there will be a good chance that the stock will test the $6.68 support.

( click to enlarge )

Google (GOOG) traded lower on Friday, … [visit site to read more]

Despite lower budgets this holiday season, pricier hit items still top the list. For Barnes & Nobles, things could not be better as its new eBook reader, the Nook, has already sold out. … [visit site to read more]

Could Canada be the one country in the world where you can find the best quality of life, an improved lifestyle and lots of local friends? According to a new survey that’s just what you’ll find in Canada…

With the news that Dubai’s debt levels are far higher than ever thought and that the emirate is poised on the brink of default and taking emergency action, Dubai’s property market is suffering the most