Sunday, November 14, 2010

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
























The much-hyped "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1," hits the door on Friday, is where the magic stops being exotic and becomes deadly. Torture, tears, tragedy in the premices-- not even Harry's owl is safe.

The film, the first half of the final saga amazing in the hugely popular series of poter, is by far the darkest of the Potter movies till now and, while satisfying, makes the wait for next summer's conclusion that much more excruciating. We need relief!

Our now-adult heroes, Daniel Radcliffe,Rupert Grint and Emma Watso, have left the wizard school of Hogwarts to hunt and destroy pieces of the Dark Lord Voldemort's broken soul. Each must make sacrifices. One powerful scene finds Hermione magically erasing herself from her parent's memories -- and then her family photos -- so as not to leave a trail for Voldemort's Death Eaters.

Not that there isn't some fun. Harry and Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) have a spirited chase through London on a flying motorcycle, performing Olympic-style half-pipe maneuvers through tunnels. Meanwhile, seven friends transform themselves into clones of Harry to throw the bad guys off the scent; there's an amusing 360-degree shot that leaves Radcliffe (times seven) dressed in the clothes each character was originally wearing, lacy bra included.

Meanwhile, an animated telling of a fairy tale using marionette shadow puppets stands as one of the most beautiful se quences in the whole se ries.

But these small mo ments of respite take a back seat to a slow, marinating emotional tension. Like the actors themselves, Potter fans have grown up over the seven films -- it's been almost 10 years since the first one -- and it's reflected in the adult themes of loss and sacrifice.

That's particularly true of Ron, who grows jealous, tired and dejected on the hunt. Across the barren and lonely expanses -- forests and sea cliffs across the United Kingdom take center stage, instead of the past installments' more fantastical settings -- we see him become more distant. His departure from his friends is messy, raw and personal.

There's violence, too, as when Bellatrix Lestrange (Helena Bonham Carter) tortures Hermione by carving words into her arm. Wands are used as weapons, not toys.

In comparison to the books, "Deathly Hallows: Part 1" will stand as, perhaps, the most faithful adaptation. (It helps that, at two hours and 26 minutes, it needs to cover only half).

The film ends on a cliffhanger. Will darkness rule all in the wizarding world, or will Harry catch up to the Dark Lord and save not only his own life, but the lives of his friends?

It's heartbreaking, a little scary, a total thrill. It may be a fantasy, but the stakes feel real.


curtsy NY Post

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Mount Merapi continue with series of eruption


The meaning of Mount Merapi is Fire Mountain now days it is justifying their name with continuance of eruption for several weeks. Volcanic gases, bomb and bulging out of lava from the crater to the slopes has seen by the spectators on Wednesday, the blast was three time more intense than it was at 26th of October, the fiery explosion created new set of casualties. Earlier volcanologists thought that excess energy has released from the previous eruption and now chances of violent eruption is minimum however the Wednesday eruption once again proved that it is not easy to predict what is building up in magma chamber even the needle of the seismograph not giving any clue.

After the several week of devastating eruption that forced more than 70000 people to evacuate their place and get safe shelter under the rain of rocks and debris from the sky. The Mount Merapi has history of devastation in 1930 eruption 1300 people died and dozens of village affected, in 1994 eruption 60 people were killed and in current incident 38 people have died since eruption taken place.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Golden cross ....a golden rule...












Stock markets got another bright sign here: both the Nasdaq and the S&P 500 hit a golden cross the week ending 11th October for the first time in four years due to improvement in real economy although job condition is still gloomy but stocks touching year high due to the optimism of Federal reserve action.


A golden cross is an important technical indicator to ote the sentiments on the street when the .50-day moving average for an index crosses above the 200-day moving average.

The pattern occurs when prices over the shorter term are moving higher at a faster rate than prices over the longer-term. The Dow jone Industrial hits this benchmark on 1st of October.It's also a bullish sign for the future, as per the charts history.

Historically, the market has performed better following these patterns than if we look at any random one, three or six-month period.Specifically, the average six-month return of the S&P 500 Index following a golden cross was 3.9 percent from 1929 through 2010, while the S&P 500's average six-month return any other time was 3.1 percent, according to Bespoke's research. The research also shows the six-month average return following the golden cross is positive 63 percent of the time.

If we look at the S&P 500 data since 1972, the S&P 500 outperformed its average for the year as well, rising 11.9 percent on average in the year after a golden cross, versus 7.9 percent on average.

For the Nasdaq the six-month results have been positive 83 percent of time following the golden cross since the index began in 1971, with the Nasdaq averaging 8.7 percent in the six months after a golden cross, versus the typical average gain of 4.2 percent as per historical behavior.

If we look at the S&P 500 data since 1972, the S&P 500 outperformed its average for the year as well, rising 11.9 percentage point on an average in the year post the golden cross, versus 7.9 percent on an average.

The reverse of the golden cross is the death cross, which got real attention in july when index were close to it .It is treated as a bearish signal for the market. Since then, the S&P 500 has risen more than 15 percent, it's not unusual for the market to go up following a death cross.

Stock markets got another bright sign here: both the Nasdaq and the S&P 500 hit a golden cross the week ending 11th October for the first time in four years due to improvement in real economy although job condition is still gloomy but stocks touching year high due to the optimism of Federal reserve action.
A golden cross is an important technical indicator to ote the sentiments on the street when the 50-day moving average for an index crosses above the 200-day moving average.

The pattern occurs when prices over the shorter term are moving higher at a faster rate than prices over the longer-term. The Dow jone Industrial hits this benchmark on 1st of October.It's also a bullish sign for the future, as per the charts history.

Historically, the market has performed better following these patterns than if we look at any random one, three or six-month period.Specifically, the average six-month return of the S&P 500 Index following a golden cross was 3.9 percent from 1929 through 2010, while the S&P 500's average six-month return any other time was 3.1 percent, according to Bespoke's research. The research also shows the six-month average return following the golden cross is positive 63 percent of the time.

If we look at the S&P 500 data since 1972, the S&P 500 outperformed its average for the year as well, rising 11.9 percent on average in the year after a golden cross, versus 7.9 percent on average.

For the Nasdaq the six-month results have been positive 83 percent of time following the golden cross since the index began in 1971, with the Nasdaq averaging 8.7 percent in the six months after a golden cross, versus the typical average gain of 4.2 percent as per historical behavior.

If we look at the S&P 500 data since 1972, the S&P 500 outperformed its average for the year as well, rising 11.9 percentage point on an average in the year post the golden cross, versus 7.9 percent on an average.

The reverse of the golden cross is the death cross, which got real attention in july when index were close to it .It is treated as a bearish signal for the market. Since then, the S&P 500 has risen more than 15 percent, it's not unusual for the market to go up following a death cross.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Bull Market: waiting for the moment of truth.

The recent gung-ho in the Indian stock market reached its peak when Sensex again touched the 20,000 mark. Overseas investors are showing a penchant towards Indian market and pumping money consistently they have infused a record $17.88 billion this amounts Rs 21, 58 crore so far this year so the Stock prices are fuming high and valuation is looking stretched at this point of time .This event has resulted as caution call from all the market pundits because market is looking over heated. Albeit the topic seems quiet clichéd whenever we talk of real economy VS stock market. But it is inevitable to talk about the implications and impact over and again.

Let’s discuss the two facets market vs. the economy. FIIs wave of money has pushed the market towards celebrating figures but for the past few months there has been consistent investment from their sides. Then why such a push this month? Few facts reveal that Indian mutual fund industry and FIIs has been in a betting position in opposite directions.

1. When Sensex jumped from 14,000 to 15,000, FII sold shares (net sales) worth 2372.10 crore while Indian mutual fund companies bought shares worth ` 2891 crore

2. Between 15000 and 16000, FII bought shares worth ` 7307 while Indian mutual funds bought only ` 667 crore.

3. When Sensex moved from 16000 to 18000, FII bought shares worth ` 24,372.3 crore while mutual fund companies sold (net sales) ` 2182.21 crore

4. Between 18000 and 19000, FII bought `7378.2 worth shares while mutual funds sold (net sales) ` 966.2 crore worth of shares

5. Finally, when Sensex jumped from 19000 to 20 000, FII sold (net sales) ` 1281.1 worth of shares while Indian mutual funds bought shares worth ` 1515 crore.

It’s obvious from the above data that Indian MF industry was actually expecting a correction but to their sheer surprise FIIs positive outlook towards Indian market has made them change their exposure strategies. Now they are heftily investing into market to remove the performance hurdles and encash the domestic market opportunities. Hence MF and FIIs together has soared the market .In tandem with market there is a strong appreciation of the rupee as well.

Now let’s have a look on the real economic picture of India. Earlier the current account deficit of Indian was 2% of GDP but it has rose 50 % higher i.e., 3% of GDP. Strong rupee implies good import but discourages export .which results in wider trade deficit. Larger current account deficit can be problematic when foreign investments shrinks and inflows collapse due to some reason. Not only that, foreign market crisis can trigger many other problems of foreign inflows which are always vulnerable.

Although RBI has intervened to curb the liquidity in the market through LAF and increased repo rate n reverse repo rate. It will keep a check by using such monetary policies tools.

Still this bull word creates a situation of quandary for retail investors whether to invest or play caution. Anyways traders will make hay till the sun shines. Till then all eyes waiting for the real moment of truth.

Madhulika vats

Bull Market: waiting for the moment of truth.

The recent gung-ho in the Indian stock market reached its peak when Sensex again touched the 20,000 mark. Overseas investors are showing a penchant towards Indian market and pumping money consistently they have infused a record $17.88 billion this amounts Rs 21, 58 crore so far this year so the Stock prices are fuming high and valuation is looking stretched at this point of time .This event has resulted as caution call from all the market pundits because market is looking over heated. Albeit the topic seems quiet clichéd whenever we talk of real economy VS stock market. But it is inevitable to talk about the implications and impact over and again.

Let’s discuss the two facets market vs. the economy. FIIs wave of money has pushed the market towards celebrating figures but for the past few months there has been consistent investment from their sides. Then why such a push this month? Few facts reveal that Indian mutual fund industry and FIIs has been in a betting position in opposite directions.

1. When Sensex jumped from 14,000 to 15,000, FII sold shares (net sales) worth 2372.10 crore while Indian mutual fund companies bought shares worth ` 2891 crore

2. Between 15000 and 16000, FII bought shares worth ` 7307 while Indian mutual funds bought only ` 667 crore.

3. When Sensex moved from 16000 to 18000, FII bought shares worth ` 24,372.3 crore while mutual fund companies sold (net sales) ` 2182.21 crore

4. Between 18000 and 19000, FII bought `7378.2 worth shares while mutual funds sold (net sales) ` 966.2 crore worth of shares

5. Finally, when Sensex jumped from 19000 to 20 000, FII sold (net sales) ` 1281.1 worth of shares while Indian mutual funds bought shares worth ` 1515 crore.

It’s obvious from the above data that Indian MF industry was actually expecting a correction but to their sheer surprise FIIs positive outlook towards Indian market has made them change their exposure strategies. Now they are heftily investing into market to remove the performance hurdles and encash the domestic market opportunities. Hence MF and FIIs together has soared the market .In tandem with market there is a strong appreciation of the rupee as well.

Now let’s have a look on the real economic picture of India. Earlier the current account deficit of Indian was 2% of GDP but it has rose 50 % higher i.e., 3% of GDP. Strong rupee implies good import but discourages export .which results in wider trade deficit. Larger current account deficit can be problematic when foreign investments shrinks and inflows collapse due to some reason. Not only that, foreign market crisis can trigger many other problems of foreign inflows which are always vulnerable.

Although RBI has intervened to curb the liquidity in the market through LAF and increased repo rate n reverse repo rate. It will keep a check by using such monetary policies tools.

Still this bull word creates a situation of quandary for retail investors whether to invest or play caution. Anyways traders will make hay till the sun shines. Till then all eyes waiting for the real moment of truth.

Madhulika vats

Saturday, September 18, 2010

WEF Report...

World Economic Forum report said that India will face huge skills gaps in some job categories due to low employability over the next 20 years and also warned of a looming global labour crisis. The report said that increasing mobility among countries will be a key part of the solution.

Despite high unemployment, the global economy has entered a decade of unparalleled talent scarcity, the report added. If left unaddressed, it will put a brake on economic growth in both developed and developing countries, the report said.

The WEF report -- 'Stimulating Economies through Fostering Talent Mobility' made in collaboration with The Boston Consulting Group -- demonstrates the magnitude of an impending global labour crisis by analysing talent shortages across 22 countries and 12 industry sectors and argues that talent mobility can stimulate economies in both developed and developing countries.

WEF also reported that the workforces of India and Brazil will grow by more than 200 million people over the next two decades by 2030, the developed world will need millions of new employees to sustain economic growth, the report said. Of these, the United States will need 26 million employees, and western Europe will need 46 million employees.

"Today's high unemployment rates mask longer-term talent shortages that may affect both developing and developed countries for decades," said Piers Cumberlege, senior director, partnership, at the World Economic Forum.

The global population of 60 years and older will exceed that of 15-years-old or younger for the first time in history by 2050. But, the talent crisis will start much sooner. Barring technological breakthroughs, the United States, for example, will need to add 26 million workers to its talent pool by 2030 to sustain the average economic growth of the two past decades, the report reiterated.

In most developing countries -- not affected by demographic shifts -- strong economic growth and the limited employability of the workforce will lead to large skills gaps in some job categories Industries will be particularly challenged by the shortages of highly skilled talent. "In today's global and fast-changing business environment, access to highly skilled people -- not just top talent, but also people who possess essential expertise -- is crucial to succeed and grow," noted Hans-Paul Burkner, global chief executive officer and president of The Boston Consulting Group, Germany.

Some industries, such as business services, IT and construction, are likely to experience significant skills gaps, regardless of geography. At the same time, certain countries, such as Japan, Russia and Germany, will face shortages of highly skilled employees in many industries. Increasing the mobility among countries will be a key part of the solution, the report argued. "The message here is that migration not only works -- it is the only solution," said Angel Gurr a, secretary-general of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Paris.

Contrary to conventional wisdom, greater mobility can benefit not only nations that receive talent, but also sending countries, especially large ones such as India.

In addition to fuelling their countries of origin with remittance funds, many expatriates eventually decide to return home armed with skills and business acumen developed abroad. Receiving countries benefit from the contribution of highly skilled migrant workers to their economies.

The report calls on governments, companies, educational institutions and international organizations to collaborate systematically to address talent shortages and increase talent mobility.

Countries need to prepare for demographic shifts and a fast-changing labour market environment by defining adequate education and migration policies.

The report recommends several ways:

  • Assess current and anticipate future skills shortages through strategic skills planning. Governments and industry associations should analyse capacity and productivity risks for each job type, such as mechanical engineers, and develop policies to mitigate anticipated shortfalls.
  • Develop skills recognition mechanisms for native-born and migrant workers. Governments should invest in workforce development and ensure migrants are properly employed given their skills and work experiences.
  • Design inclusive and comprehensive migration policies from students to experienced workers. Governments should ensure the proper integration of migrants, provide them with employment and language support and facilitate the portability of pension and social benefits.
  • Integrate migration into development strategies of sending countries. Hosting and sending countries must collaborate to design policies that encourage talent circulation and ensure the transfer of migrants' skills.

Companies meanwhile, need to improve their talent management strategies as many businesses within five to ten years will face sizable talent shortages. These improvements include:

  • Develop global talent management processes. Companies should make talent planning and management a priority and invest in global leadership development and management training.
  • Assess current and anticipate future skills shortages through strategic skills planning. Companies should determine their need for workers in critical job categories by analyzing their strategy and productivity. They then need to compare this demand to the supply of internal and external candidates.
  • Design and promote talent mobility programmes. Companies should develop attractive talent mobility programmes such as rotations or cross-company programmes to be more flexible and retain talented employees.
  • Expand the talent pool for recruitment and grow talent internally, in a spirit of "talent well sourcing". Global companies need to recruit from broader talent pools by considering second- and third-tier universities, for example, and creating specific training programmes to ensure top capabilities are acquired.

What Are Employability Skills?



















The two greatest concerns of employers today are finding good workers and training them. The difference between the skills needed on the job and those possessed by applicants, sometimes called the skills-gap, is of real concern to human resource managers and business owners looking to hire competent employees. While employers would prefer to hire people who are trained and ready to go to work, they are usually willing to provide the specialized, job-specific training necessary for those lacking such skills.
Most discussions concerning today’s workforce eventually turn to employability skills. Finding workers who have employability or job readiness skills that help them fit into and remain in the work environment is a real problem. Employers need reliable, responsible workers who can solve problems and who have the social skills and attitudes to work together with other workers. Creativity, once a trait avoided by employers who used a cookie cutter system, is now prized among employers who are trying to create the empowered, high performance workforce needed for competitiveness in today’s marketplace. Employees with these skills are in demand and are considered valuable human capital assets to companies.
Employability skills are those basic skills necessary for getting, keeping, and doing well on a job. These are the skills, attitudes and actions that enable workers to get along with their fellow workers and supervisors and to make sound, critical decisions. Unlike occupational or
technical skills, employability skills are generic in nature rather than job specific and cut across all industry types, business sizes, and job levels from the entry-level worker to the senior-most position.
What specifically are those skills, attitudes and actions, i.e., employability skills, necessary for getting, keeping, and doing well on a job? Employability skills, while categorized in many different ways, are generally divided into three skill sets: (a) basic academic skills, (b) higher-order thinking skills and (c) personal qualities. The three skill sets are typically broken down into more detailed skill sets
Although the academic skill level required by some entry-level jobs may be low, basic academic skills are still essential for high job performance. Ideally, new hires will have the ability and will want to learn. They also need the ability to listen to and read instructions and then to carry out those instructions. When asked for information, these individuals should be able to respond appropriately both orally and in writing, including recording and relaying information. Reading ability includes comprehending what has been read and using a variety of written materials, including graphs, charts, tables and displays. Entry level employees also need the ability to complete basic math computations accurately.


Perhaps even more important to job success than having good basic academic skills is having good higher-order thinking skills. The ability to think, reason, and make sound decisions is crucial for employees desiring to do well and advance. A person who can think critically, act logically, and evaluate situations to make decisions and solve problems, is a valuable asset. Application of higher order thinking skills in the use of technology, instruments, tools and information systems takes these higher order skills to a new level making the employee even more valuable. Employers will usually try to help valued employees seek and get more advanced training, thus widening the gap between those with higher order skills and those possessing basic academic skills alone.


If basic academic skills and higher order thinking skills are so important, why then are employers deeply concerned with personal skills? Because in most jobs, it is difficult to utilize workers effectively who lack personal skills. Entry-level employees with good personal skills have confidence in themselves and deal with others honestly and openly, displaying respect for themselves, their co-workers, and their supervisors regardless of other people’s diversity and individual differences. They view themselves as a part of a team and are willing to work within the culture of the group. They have a positive attitude and take the initiative to learn new things to get the job done. Rather than blaming others when things go wrong, they are accountable for their actions. They also have the ability to set goals and priorities in their work and personal lives so that resources of time, money and other resources may be conserved and managed.

These individuals practice good personal habits, come to work as scheduled, on time and dressed appropriately, and are agreeable to change when necessary.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Hurricane Igor strengthens to category four (AFP)


MIAMI — Igor, swirling in the central Atlantic and not a threat to land, strengthened to a powerful category four hurricane Sunday, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center said.

Hurricane Igor "rapidly intensifies into a category four hurricane," on the five-level Saffir-Simpson scale, the NHC said in a special advisory.

The storm had maximum sustained winds near 135 miles (215 kilometers) per hour, with higher gusts at 1830 GMT. "Some additional strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours," the NHC said.

The center of Igor was 1,565 miles (2,520 kilometers) east of Santo Domingo, in the Dominican Republic, traveling towards the west at nearly 14 miles (22 kilometers) an hour at 1830 GMT.

Forecasters said the storm could turn west-northwest on Tuesday and track the northern Caribbean, possibly heading toward Bermuda.

Meanwhile, a tropical depression formed off the coast of Africa, and a tropical storm warning was issued for the southern Cape Verde Islands.

Tropical Depression Twelve was expected to become a tropical storm later Sunday or Monday, according to the Miami-based NHC.

At 1800 GMT the storm was dumping rain on the islands, located off western tip of the African continent.

Early this week, powerful Tropical Storm Hermine slammed into far northeastern Mexico and then barreled into US territory, sparking flash floods on both sides of the border.

Hermine came on the heels of Hurricane Earl, which gained category four status at its height in the Atlantic Ocean, whipping up heavy winds along the east coast of the United States and Canada.

Basel iii

Breaking News

We will have the finalised Basel iii package before the 15th of September, 2010.

We believe that banks will have to hold Tier 1 capital of 9 percent (in Basel 2 we have 4%), including a 3 "conservation buffer".

At least 5 percent of Tier 1 will be pure equity or retained earnings.

If Tier 1 capital is less than 9%, banks will not be allowed to pay out dividends to shareholders.

In good times, banks have to allocate another 3%, the "anti-cyclical buffer". It simply means that in good times banks need Tier 1 capital of 12% in order to be able to pay dividends.

If we add 4% Tier 2 capital, we reach an interesting number: 16% (6 percent Tier 1, plus 4 percent Tier 2, plus 3 percent conservation buffer, plus 3percent anticyclical buffer).

Hedge funds are already shorting certain banks. Investors try to understand how much capital banks may need to raise in order to be able to pay dividends.

Next step: The G20 summit of leaders in November, where they will give their seal of approval

MTV Video Music Awards (VMA 2010) nominees are?

Sunday night could be the night of Lady Gaga, because the 24-year-old has 13 nominations at the MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles. This is the record in the history of the music awards. Also, rapper Eminem sits well in the pools, and he is one of the favorite nominees with eight nominations. According to the announcement, he will inaugurate the show, which also expects appearances from other stars such as Kanye West, Mary J Blige. Lady Gaga is nominated, among others, in the categories for pop video, video of the year and best video of an artist, while Eminem with “Not Afraid” could get the award for best video of the year and best hip-hop Video.

Among the Best new talents nominated are Justin Bieber, Kesha, Jason Derulo, Nicki Minaj, and the group Broken Bells. And in the category of best dance video is also included along with reggaeton star Pitbull, Enrique Iglesias. Their single “I Like It” will face “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga. It is the twenty-seventh time that these awards are given at a ceremony, and on this occasion, it will be moderated by comic Chelsea Handler. Last year, the R & B diva Beyoncé took the video of the year award with her song “Single Ladies”, while Janet Jackson paid an emotional tribute to her brother Michael Jackson, who died a few months earlier. The story of the night, which made first pages, had the rapper Kanye West as leading man, when he blurted out to Taylor Swift that Beyonce deserved, more than her, the prize for best female video, which had been given to the country singer. When Beyoncé finally won the prize for best video of the year, she called on stage Taylor Swift and she gave her the word.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

For Indian Stock market crash is inevitable…

For Indian Stock market crash is inevitable…

Indian equity has outperformed the global peers and became best performing market for the year by giving 6% return till august 2010 and this performance came up due to the consistent pumping of money by foreign funds .Global investment managers were in search of growth pockets to invest the money after the financial crisis to find best geography for the growth. The obvious choice was emerging markets however in emerging markets India was certainly the winner due to its growing GDP and consumption story so Indian market have received 60,329 crores of fund till September 2010.

Month

FII

DII

Jan

-302.9

-1,311.10

Feb

2,113.50

-697.4

Mar

18,833.60

3,806.40

Apr

9,764.50

1,616.50

May

-8,629.90

98.7

Jun

10,244.60

-1,092.50

Jul

17,120.60

-4,404.80

Aug

11,185.30

-3,169.60

The domestic mutual funds were the net seller in same tome by taking out 5151 crore between Januarys to September in the same period may was the only month when domestic funds were buyer by putting mere 98 crore in market however FII investment was positive in every month except January and may

Significant amount of money finds their way in developed market economy however those markets are flat or negative at this point of time.

FIG: FII and DII investment

Festive seasons are around the corner and funds have habit to reward their investors near Christmas so the FII profit booking is bound to come .Fundamentally Indian market is standing on the one leg because domestic funds and retail investors are sitting sideline while FII are consistent in the buying side when they turn negative the scenario will be bearish .Foreign funds don’t have option because only in emerging market they are in profit so they will sell some of their holdings in coming month precisely by October 2010.

Global perspective:

Following big losses for developed world equities in August, the rally was to be expected, because global markets were technically oversold. We are now entering what are normally the worst two months for markets and we will see new lows hit in October, at which point the market will discount the prospect of the mid-term elections in US ,in euro zone credit problem is still persisting Ireland is looking to spread their problem soon .

The indication has been coming from the bond market, which last month began to tell us there is really bad news out there. Following substantial buying in August, we have seen some selling but this will not last long enough.