Property looks an attractive bet in a world of very low borrowing costs but beware the political risks
Financial markets now expect interest rates to remain at very low levels, close to zero, in fact, for many, many years. This reflects the reactions of governments and central banks
How sport has important lessons for investors and entrepreneurs
Parallels are often drawn between the worlds of sport, business and investing. Indeed, companies often hire professional sportsmen and women to give motivational speeches to their staff. There certainly seems
Is the US heading for catastrophe as the Age of Reason comes to an end?
Mention the Algarve to most people and they will think of beautiful beaches, tourist resorts and white-washed towns bathed in sun. But the Algarve is also home to one of
Back to the future for financial markets?
For a time back in 2008 and at the height of the global financial crisis, the world appeared to teeter on the edge of another Great Depression. The global financial
How the Covid-19 outbreak could boost Portugal’s long-term economic prospects
The outlook for Portugal and the global economy appears more uncertain than at any time since the global financial crisis. But there are reasons why Portugal’s prospects could be better
Why Portugal is so much poorer than other European countries
This lockdown has allowed me to revisit one of my favourite books, The Year of Living Dangerously by Christopher Koch. I still remember buying it in the 1980s in an
The lessons Portugal could learn from Singapore in the fight against corruption
A few years back, I was travelling on a long bus ride through northern Vietnam when, just before reaching our destination, the driver pulled over, got out and, during a
Why taking stock now could prove rewarding in the long term
A few years ago, I attended an investment conference at which a fund manager outlined the investment opportunities thrown up by the global financial crisis of 2008. He said it
Why the safety-first approach can prove risky when it comes to investing
Back in 2014, I listened to a personal financial journalist, who I greatly admire, speaking on the radio of the dilemmas facing investors. Equities had enjoyed a remarkable recovery since
Robust domestic demand and improving global outlook should support Portuguese economy in 2020
Wander through the cobbled, medieval streets of Silves, the ancient capital of the Algarve, and it is easy to spot the forces likely to drive Portugal’s economy next year. Builders