Opinion

Tim Bond, BarCap's head of asset allocation, is a fairly balanced chap and is paid to take a considered view of most things, balancing out competing forces at work in the global economy, teasing out how they will impact actual investment policy.

You all know I'm a cynic - you don't have to have read this column for long to know that. So it was with a slightly cynical look on my face I went along to a small debate about multi-asset investing hosted by Barings.

This is strange time of year for me. In July 2005, when most people in the UK were concerned with the threat of terrorism as a result of the bombings, I was in hospital.

There is much talk within the industry about the challenging markets and what a tough time we have all been having.

Oh how I laugh when I get emails from PRs suggesting that the residential property is bottoming out and Acme Fund Management is preparing "a recovery fund to take advantage of the very special opportunities".

One of my greatest disappointments with the nominee-based electronic share dealing systems operated by most brokers - especially the cheapo ones I use - is that you do not get the paper reports and accounts sent to you.

The key soundbite from last week's Retail Distribution Review that caught the eye of many parts of the media and industry commentators was the supposed ‘outlawing' of commission under the new agreement.

You probably need to have the theme tune to Jaws in your mind as your read this - because there is something dangerous, very dangerous lurking out there.

Many thanks to the bloke from the TV Licensing Authority who wrote to tell me that you cannot buy a ...

This week's Conjecture debate focuses on expanding world of Exchange Traded Funds