Category Archive: 3) Swiss Markets and News

Main Author Investec
Investec
Investec is a distinctive Specialist Bank and Asset Manager. We provide a diverse range of financial products and services to a niche client base in three principal markets, the United Kingdom, South Africa and Australia, as well as certain other geographies. Investec’s strategic goals are motivated by the desire to develop an efficient and integrated business on an international scale through the active pursuit of clearly established core competencies in the group’s principal business areas.
My articlesMy siteAbout meMy books
Follow on:LinkedINTwitterAmazon
Filter archive by: Show All Show only Articles Show only Videos

Shell accuses former executive of hiding bribes in Switzerland

2018-04-01

by

2018-04-01

Royal Dutch Shell has filed a criminal complaint against a former employee it suspects of stashing kickbacks from the sale of a Nigerian oil field in Swiss bank accounts. The energy company is already being investigated over another deal there.

Read More »

Bankrupt Petroplus climate payments ‘non-refundable’

2018-03-31

by

2018-03-31

Climate fund payments made to now-bankrupt Swiss oil refiner Petroplus cannot be reclaimed by creditors as they constituted a business arrangement that brought benefits to contributors as opposed to a gift. This ruling from Zurich’s highest court has stopped a CH15 million ($16 million) claim in its tracks, barring an appeal to the federal courts.

Read More »

Credit Suisse boss earned less last year

2018-03-30

by

2018-03-30

Credit Suisse Chief Executive Tidjane Thiam earned slightly less in 2017 during his third year on the job, the bank said on Friday. The news comes at a time of scrutiny over executive pay and bonuses. Thiam earned CHF9.7 million ($10.26 million) last year, a 5.3% drop on 2016, Switzerland’s second-biggest bank said.

Read More »

IMF forecasts 2.25 percent Swiss GDP growth in 2018 while pointing to risks

2018-03-29

by

2018-03-29

Swiss Francs
A boost to investment and net exports from the tailwind of strong external demand, together with faster expansion of household spending owing to rising employment, are forecast to lift GDP growth to around 2¼ percent in 2018, said the IMF in a statement referring to Switzerland issued on 26 March 2018.

Read More »

Budget Speech 2018 – insights from Investec.

2018-03-29

by

A panel of Investec experts summarises the outcomes of the 2018 Budget Speech, and the effects on business and the consumer. Journalist and political commentator, Justice Malala, chairs the panel consisting of Annabel Bishop, Investec chief economist; David Gracey, head of currency and derivatives trading at Investec Corporate and Institutional Banking (ICIB), and Ronelle Hutchinson, …

Read More »

Börsen-Talk vom 29. März 2018

2018-03-29

by

Christian Gattiker, Leiter Research Bank Julius Bär, schätzt die Perspektiven der Schweizer Börsenschwergewichte Nestlé, Novartis und Roche ein.

Read More »

Rising yields and inflation expectations in developed nations

2018-03-29

by

Aside from the concern over governance at our SOEs, what are the biggest risks facing SA’s macro environment in 2018? Investec’s Ronelle Hutchinson says that even though the SA dynamic has improved, the global environment is shifting, and a rish factor for South Africa is the change in liquidity dynamic. Annabel Bishop adds: Looking at …

Read More »

Budget Speech 2018: Domestic risk assets attractive to foreign investors

2018-03-29

by

Will SA benefit from the increasing popularity of emerging market equities? With emerging markets back in favour, Ronelle Hutchinson, Investec portfolio manager believes South African equities will also see investment. With recent positive developments, she says there is potential for inflows into the local equity market. Get more insights from the Investec #Budget2018 panel discussion …

Read More »

Budget Speech 2018 and the sluggish GDP growth in South Africa – insights from Investec

2018-03-29

by

Are we in the losing zone? Celebrating 1.5% GDP growth shows how far we’ve fallen behind, says Investec’s David Gracey. He puts this down to the country missing out on a decade of activity. “1.5% does nothing for us; we’re farming backwards; our population growth is higher than that!” Get more insights from the Investec …

Read More »

Budget Speech 2018: VAT and the expected effects of the tax increases on the CPI

2018-03-29

by

What is the impact on businesses and the consumer? CPI inflation is unlikely to drop below the 5% mark for the medium term, says Investec’s Annabel Bishop, so the Reserve Bank is not going to rush into any interest rate cuts. She adds that the VAT increase is a small one, which, on a global …

Read More »

Investec insights: Budget Speech 2018 and the president’s “New Dawn”

2018-03-29

by

What’s more impoprtant? Ensuring that the rand is strong, or that we can meaningfully impact people’s lives? Investec’s David Gracey reminds us not to lose sight of what’s key for South Africa’s economy. The behaviour of the rand and interest rates are symptoms of the activity in the broader economy. What we need to hone …

Read More »

Maker of the Sniper’s Choice, makes the news – but what is the Swiss company RUAG?

2018-03-28

by

2018-03-28

RUAG
The Swiss company RUAG made the news last week when investigators were called in to look at information relating to the sale of ammunition. But what is this company? According to RTS, the investigation revealed contracts for the sale of ammunition to Russia that had not been properly declared, RUAG triggered the investigation itself when a whistle blower reported irregularities and has filed a criminal complaint.

Read More »

Swiss electricity getting cleaner, says energy report

2018-03-28

by

2018-03-28

The electricity consumed in Switzerland is ever greener, according to government statistics: some 62% comes from renewable sources, while nuclear has fallen to 17%. The figures (in French/German)external link were released on Monday by the Federal Office of Energy, which gathers each year the sources used by electricity providers in Switzerland. The latest report refers to 2016.

Read More »

GB Hockey: new squad, same hunger.

2018-03-27

by

Team GB’s gold medal-winning women’s hockey team changed their sport. But the pursuit of more success drove them to renew the squad. Maintaining that hunger is key to winning in the future. #TogetherAsOne https://invest.ec/2Lv3qHG

Read More »

Fintech lending platform Loanboox eyes French expansion

2018-03-27

by

2018-03-27

Award-winning Swiss fintech firm Loanboox is planning further expansion into Europe having obtained a foothold in Germany. The digital portal for matching institutions with investors plans a move into France and is also looking at other European markets.

Read More »

What won’t change In your business?

2018-03-27

by

By focusing on client value, you can align with trends and technology to deliver that value, says digital guru David Duarte at #BusinessMatters In a world of exponentially growing technology, it’s hard to know where to start your company’s digital transformation journey. Speaking at a recent Investec Cash Investment’s #BusinessMatters event in Johannesburg, David Duarte, …

Read More »

Swiss gold refiners accused of sourcing illegal and conflict gold

2018-03-26

by

2018-03-26

A report by the NGO Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) has accused Swiss gold refiner Metalor of procuring gold from controversial suppliers in Peru. Metalor denies the charge. The reportexternal link, released on Thursday to time with the opening of the Baselworld Watch and Jewellery Fair, says that in all likelihood, Metalor continues to procure illegally mined and sold Peruvian gold, which is linked to tax evasion and environmental destruction.

Read More »

Swiss camera set to capture life on Mars

2018-03-26

by

In 2021, a European rover is set to roll over the surface of Mars in the search for traces of life. At its heart is a Swiss camera, currently being tested in (almost) Martian conditions. — swissinfo.ch is the international branch of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC). Its role is to report on Switzerland and …

Read More »

Swiss government set to remove ‘mariage tax penalty’

2018-03-26

by

2018-03-26

Marriage Tax Switzerland
In Switzerland, married couples file one combined tax return. Because tax rates rise in line with income it means that second incomes of married couples are taxed at a higher rate than those of single cohabitating ones. Those campaigning to have this changed argue that it is unfair and acts as a disincentive for second income earners.

Read More »

How to make friends with a Swiss person

2018-03-26

by

Misinformed stereotype or stark reality? Whichever way round it is, how to make friends with the Swiss is a topic for most expats at some point during their time here. This animated guide lays out some ground rules for forming friendships with the Swiss – all with a heavy dose of humour. (SRF, swissinfo.ch) — …

Read More »