Opinion

Another week another damaging story for the structured products industry. The headline ‘FSA fines Credit Suisse UK £5.95m for structured product failings' undoubtedly sent terror into the hearts of investors.

When things look miserable, like they do today, it is worth remembering the old City saying that ‘you make your money in a bear market, you just don't realise it at the time'.

It is perhaps unhelpful that the investment industry is wedded to the notion that volatility is analogous to risk. Volatility is a simple measure of market movements and is often misunderstood.

Just as all the anti-capitalist protesters were pitching up tents by St Paul's to protest against corporate greed, fund manager Gervais Williams was launching his new book.

EUROZONE DEBT DEAL

The lack of effective political leadership, combined with renewed fears about global growth, resulted in the retreat to perceived ‘safe havens' gathering pace in August.

Imagine you are a political leader tasked with solving the global economic and financial crisis. You are made aware of the severity of the systemic calamity at hand and told that time is short. What do you do?

Europe is at the centre of growing unease regarding the state of the global economy.

WEIMAR LESSONS

EURO PLAYTHING