Business comment, opinions on the business news

Don't panic during periods of global stock market turmoil Aug 31 2011

THE volatility we are living through was not unexpected. Any investor who invests in risk-assets such as equities for the long term must expect to see periods of losses. In turbulent times our investment strategy, and our emotional control and foresight are put to the test.Read

North East needs to be heard at party conferences Aug 31 2011

PARTY conference season is fast approaching. Phone hacking, riots, unrest in the Middle East and economic and market turmoil are just a few of the issues that 2011 has thrown at our Government so far. UK economic growth is struggling and the labour market is ill at ease.Read

Strong, imaginative leaders required Aug 31 2011

TWO events in recent weeks have given cause for concern about our ability to develop sustained economic growth in the region.Read

New technology marches on Aug 30 2011

THE technology sector has been in the headlines recently following confirmation of further corporate activity in the industry.Read

We need to promote engineering Aug 30 2011

THERE’S never been a better time to get into engineering, said Mike Jones of Siemens at last Thursday’s launch of the innovative Talent Retention System (TRS) at Gateshead College’s new Skills Academy facility for sustainability, manufacturing and innovation at the Nissan site in Washington.Read

Make time for moment to reflect Aug 26 2011

UNEMPLOYMENT levels jumped this month. It means that new graduates need employability skills more than ever as they take their first steps to a career.Read

Why not have our own Geordie Bank? Aug 25 2011

THE best business to be in. I can remember an outstanding trainer and accountant called Tom Dixon who said to me, “What’s the best business to be in?”Read

Healthy earnings growth is likely to lead to a higher valuation for world equity markets Aug 24 2011

EQUITY markets remained volatile last week as mixed economic data, funding concerns in the eurozone, M&A activity and corporate results left plenty of unanswered questions.Read

Levies may hinder training investment Aug 23 2011

THE onus is on the private sector to drive the economic recovery through growth and job creation, and businesses recognise that investment in training now will be crucial to this.Read

Investors grappling with fears Aug 22 2011

SEPARATING the signal from the noise in last week’s market gyrations tested the senses.Read

Stay calm and ride out the stock market storm Aug 20 2011

It has been a worrying couple of weeks for stock market investors with exchanges around the world still looking decidedly unstable. Financial adviser Ian Lowes says all will be well if investors hold their nerve.Read

Tailored web experience is the key to success Aug 18 2011

WITH the release of the first generation iPad in 2010, Apple effectively reinvigorated the market for tablet computers as well as the need for suitably adapted websites.Read

Give A-level students the credit owed Aug 17 2011

THOUSANDS of teenagers across the region will be nervously awaiting the release of their A-level results tomorrow. I remember it well even after so many years!Read

The data is patchy at best, but still may not herald a double dip recession Aug 17 2011

EQUITY markets continued to oscillate wildly last week, though to little end effect. The S&P 500 put us through four days of moves in excess of 4% and managed to finish the week in positive territory, in spite of starting the week with a near 7% fall.Read

Beware the double dip recession Aug 16 2011

LAST week’s shock news that the US lost its triple-A rating caused a huge drop in share prices worldwide. Coupled with the ongoing Eurozone crisis, this could seriously harm the fragile recovery.Read

Uncertainty grips markets in a week of ups and downs Aug 15 2011

THE last few weeks have seen much volatility in the financial world, with share prices showing dramatic daily movements as markets have fallen from recent highs.Read

Focus must be on jobs Aug 15 2011

THE confirmation this week by the Governor of the Bank of England that the recovery from recession is at least three years away provides no comfort to anyone.Read

Universities and football clubs make dream team Aug 12 2011

IT’S the football season already. It’s a sport which sparks passionate support – nowhere more so than in the North East. Football is also a huge commercial concern. The industry is worth more than £1bn a year to the UK economy.Read

Planning rules need tweaking Aug 10 2011

ONE task at this time of year is selecting the reading material we plan to take on holiday.Read

No cause for complacency but we can still hold out hope of seeing some advances Aug 10 2011

IT has been an extremely tough couple of weeks for equity markets and investors. The initial relief that greeted the agreement to raise the US debt ceiling after seemingly intractable negotiations was overshadowed by a rash of data indicating that the economy was stalling.Read