Market drama continues with Eurozone admitting recession

World stock markets took another tumble last week with the major US indices penetrating the October lows intraday.The FTSE finished the week down around 4%, but it was UK plc that took a battering.The Pound fell to record lows against the European single currency, even breaking through the synthetic Euro/ Deutsche Mark lows from 1996.The weeks action was all the more damning considering the Eurozones admission that it too is in a recession.The Euro managed to end the slightly down against the dollar, but the pound plunged through the 1.5000 level for the first time since 2002.However there is still some way to go before the low of 1.3685 from 2001 is breached.

Financials were amongst the worst performing companies as Libor broke its 23 day decline.3 month Libor increased to 2.15% and overnight Libor also pushed higher.The main catalyst was Paulson 's announcements of changes to the Troubled Asset Relief Program.As this originally was seen as getting to the heart of the matter in terms of offloading toxic assets, investors are confused as to what this means for future prospects for financial firms in the US.In the US, the insurance giant AIG had its earnings estimates cut, as did Wells Fargo.Much worse are the rumours that Fannie May may have to tap into US government cash to avoid liquidation.Previously unaffected stocks such as HSBC were also down hard after poor results, and there was speculation that it too may need to follow Santander 's lead in raising money through a rights issue.Until very recently HSBC and Santander were seen as being at arms length to the current crisis due to their relatively low exposure to the US housing market.However, with news of the UK property crash worsening and Asian markets faltering, HSBC is coming under increasing pressure.

More than anything market participants hate confusion or indecision, with the common reaction being if in doubt, get out.This is reflected in the performance of financial shares across the globe.Even when the wider market attempted a rally, financials were weighing on sentiment, like a ship trying to sail with its anchor still deployed.

Although last weeks UK unemployment data and sales projections from various companies fell below consensus, European markets didnt revisit the October lows and US markets managed to rally from beneath them .Despite the economic outlook arguably looking bleaker than it did just two weeks ago, markets havent capitulated.The optimistic interpretation of this scenario is that the bad news is starting to be priced in by the stock market.As markets are forward looking by at least 6 months, they could be discounting the slowdown that virtually everyone is predicting, and are looking for what happens after that.

The pessimistic interpretation of the current scenario is that markets are as over optimistic now as they were a couple of months ago.The default reaction to any impending disaster is in most cases denial then panic.The pessimist would argue that investors are still too optimistic about companys future growth prospects, and so further falls are likely.The reality is that markets are flipping from optimism to pessimism almost by the hour and remain entrenched in a choppy mess.After repeated failed rallies over the last few weeks, the bulls would be forgiven for giving up the ghost.

The coming week kicks off with some middle tier US industrial production figures and Treasury secretary speaking late on Monday evening.On Tuesday there is a raft of UK and US inflation numbers followed by Fed chairman Bernanke testifying as US markets open.Wednesday sees the release of the last MPC meeting minutes and with Gordon Brown calling for further rate cuts, these minutes will be poured over closely for hints of future decisions.Later that evening the FOMC release the minutes from their last meeting and although many argue they are done for now, Wall Street is still calling for more cuts.

There have been many comparisons between current market action and the great depression of the 1930s, and in many ways these comparisons are valid.The last time markets were as choppy as they are today was indeed the 1930s.The world is a very different place to how it was 70-80 years ago, but the current extremes were seeing point back to this period as being a strong likeness.According to Rob Hannah of Quantifiable Edges, the stock market only recovered from this decade long malaise, once it switched from chop mode to trending mode.If a long period of chop is the worst we experience over the next few months, even years, although frustrating, there may be worse things that could happen.Ironically, a smooth decline which bottoms out to form a smooth rally may be the real harbinger of a recovery.This may be a moot point as we are still far from seeing smooth rallies or smooth declines.

Potentially more positive signs were pointed out by Jason Goepfert of SentimentTrader, who noted that until this week the SP 500 has never swung up 5% one day then 4% down the next.This has happened three times on the Dow Jones, all dates between 1929 and 1932.None of them marked a low, but were within a week or so of one.Barry Rithholtz also noted that market bottoms are rarely completed without multiple retests of prior lows.This is arguably what we were seeing last week.While there is considerable risk of further selling, at least with fixed odds trading our risk is limited to our stake.

Therefore a Bull bet, which predicts that the market will be higher than a certain level in the future could offer an attractive risk reward.A bull bet predicting that the Dow Jones (Wall Street) will be higher than 9000 in 9 days time could return 187 at BetOnMarkets.

About the Author

Regent Markets is the world 's leading fixed odds financial trading group.

Through its main multi-awarding winning websites, BetOnMarkets.com and BetOnMarkets.co.uk, it has established itself as the leading global provider of a unique, powerful way to trade the world 's major financial markets.The number, length and variety of trades available to our clients exists nowhere else in the world.

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Getting Ahead In Business During An Economic Slump

In an economic slump, many businesses begin to cut their expenses, including their office equipment financing, in an effort to save money now and resurface later when the economy picks back up.However, businesses should reconsider employing this tactic.Since other businesses are experiencing losses, it might just be the perfect time to take over your competition and head to the top.A good equipment finance company can give you the advantage you need to do exactly that.

Keep Advertising And Marketing

One of the first things to be cut in an economic slump is often the budget for advertising and marketing.

However, it can be a fatal mistake to not put your name out to potential customers, even during a hard economic time.The best thing to do is first sit down and examine every aspect of your advertising and marketing tactics.Analyze which ones are getting you the most benefit for the cost.Rework the campaigns that aren't working as well or consider getting rid of them altogether so you can focus some extra money on what is working.You may want to consider exchanging expensive pay-per-click marketing advertisements with others that provide a better return on investment.Depending on the industry of your business, you may also have other options for capturing the attention of potential customers.

Examine What Your Business Offers

Carefully examine every detail of what your business offers to its customers.

Consider whether you can offer more to your customers and determine if there are any needs not currently being met.For example, if you own a women's clothing boutique, you may want to also offer a personal shopping service or expand your offering to include shoes.

Sometimes instead of expanding, specializing is a better idea.By situating yourself as a specialist in a certain field, you will have a smaller client base to market to.For example, an accountant may decide to specialize in accounting services for a particular industry or a catering company may choose to specialize in corporate events instead of taking any catering job that comes along.

Get Ahead With Office Equipment Financing

While good customer service is one of the most important aspects of any business, good office equipment can often make or break a business.

Unfortunately, office equipment can go out of date quickly and when a business falls behind in technology, the business suffers as customer service becomes limited, equipment runs slow, and the business just can't keep up with the competition.

Thanks to office equipment financing companies, a business is not stuck for financing, even when banks have a halt on providing loans to businesses.With these companies, your business can choose the office equipment financing options that work best while obtaining the equipment you need to compete within your industry.This keeps your cash reserves open for other expenses.An equipment finance company can also protect you from the loss of financial depreciation.

With an economic slump, business cannot always just cut back and hope things will be better soon.The secret to success is spending wisely to increase the return on investment for every dollar spent.Office equipment financing from an experienced equipment finance company can be an important first step to thriving during an economic slump.This, along with flexibility and persistence, can allow your business to thrive during the slump, leading you toward a successful future.

About the Author

Christine O'Kelly is a writer for the equipment finance provider, Landmark Financial Corporation.

They have over 25 years of experience in equipment leasing and financing, including office equipment financing.

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Forex Course Trading - There Are So Many Forex Courses Which One is the Best for Me?

The Foreign Exchange markets (Forex or FX) were deregulate in 1997 allowing the private investor access to markets banks, brokerage firms and other large financial institutions once had a monopoly on.The novice FX traders quickly entered the market and just as quickly they realized they were in for a long learning curve if they were ever going to make this a profitable transition and thus a market was created for Forex Course Trading.Numerous types of educational programs where produced, refined and marketed to the public.Today there are so many courses it can be a mind boggling task attempting to select the one best suited for you particular needs.I will attempt to clarify this a little bit for you and make the decision making process a little simpler.

The first point I want to make is that the majority of the course are extremely inexpensive usually running $100 to $200.I know you saying to yourself that is not inexpensive.But, when you take into consideration that one small trade of a currency can easily make up the purchase price of the course then it is VERY inexpensive.The next subject is the types of courses.There are wide assortment of curriculum available covering extremely varied topics.The major segments the courses can be broken into are the following; comprehensive or covering everything A to Z, profiting quickly through mentoring, make money starting with small amounts, and very specific to the developers own experiences and how they profited using them.

If I was a complete novice to the markets I would start with a comprehensive course that provided an education on all aspect of the markets.After all, education is the corner stone of success in what ever field you attempt to enter.Are you really going to purchaser software and start trading something you know NOTHING about?This is a real bad idea, unless of course you need the losses to reduce you capital gains made else where to decrease your tax burden.

A few of the comprehensive courses you could try would be the following.The Peter R.Bain course titled Forex Mentor which has been around seemly forever and has had thousands of satisfied customers.This course covers everything and has been refined a thousand times over.Another class you could take would be Fap Winner which offers a great education and a personalized mentoring program.Those are just two of the TOP TIER rated courses and there are a few more.Just read the reviews of the courses which are available everywhere and the home page of the course and determine which one you think will be best for you.

The next step you could take would be to enroll in a course like The Forex Brotherhood or Forex Trading Made E-Z.The Forex Brotherhood is run by Jason Alan Jankovsky a professional Forex trader who essentially allows you to copy his complete trading portfolio.In other words you are virtually assured to be profitable immediately with this course.But, then again you would have NO idea of how and why you were making money for an extended time as you are just coping his ever move.But, it is a great place to start if you want to make money fast and you don't really need to know how.Or you are willing to take your time learning, because he will teach you, it is just not going to be too quickly.The Forex Trading Made E-Z program was developed by an ex pilot who has found a very specific way of trading currencies and making money at it, which of course he teaches you.

After reading this article it is easy to see there are many different types of courses available, only a few were mentioned above.If your out to make a fast buck and you are not concerned with why or how you are making it then there is a course for you.If you want to turn this into a career and want financial independence, then there is a course for you.If you want to buy a piece of software and turn on the automatic trader and start making money, well there really is NOT a course for you, but you will have losses you can use to offset you gains made else where to reduce your tax obligation.
About the Author

We have researched, tested reviewed 100s of Forex Courses, Software Systems and Brokerage Firms which we only list our TOP 10 to help you LEARN FOREX TRADING.

For 100s of FREE FOREX TUTORIALS please visit LEARN CURRENCY TRADING.Good Luck!I look forward to seeing you on the trading floor making money!

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Working From Home Takes Discipline

Working from home may seem like a luxurious opportunity at first glance.For some it truly is great.Be this as it may, working at home can have its disadvantages and therefore, takes an immense amount of discipline to be successful.If you're considering a career or business you perform from the comfort of your home, this article will prove to be very beneficial.

Disadvantage #1: You are working at home.

When most people think of their home they think of it as their domain, a place of relaxation to bond with their loved ones, not as their place of business.If you choose to pursue a job that allows you the benefit of working in a home office, the outlook on your habitat may change to a negative one.

The best way to move around this difficulty is to designate a specific area for your work, such as a home office or a spare bedroom.This will make it be easier to "leave" work at work.

By doing this, you can still view your home as a place of rest and connecting with your loved ones because only that specific room will pertain to your work.Although you will still be working from your home, you will, in a sense, be able to separate your work from your personal life, even if it means simply closing a door.

Disadvantage #2: Distractions

Distractions come in many forms, some more welcomed than others.

If you have children, especially young ones who are not yet old enough to attend school, you'll definitely have interruptions that can not be avoided.You must care for your children, after all, even if you are working.As much as you have to help your children, you also must finish your work.This can pose a very stressful situation for parents who work at home.

The best way to handle this would be to place your children in a day care program or hire a babysitter during the hours you choose to work.This way, you will be better able to concentrate on your work while you are working and on your children when they are home instead of attempting to mesh the two and excel at both.

Finding a proper balance between parenting and working is never an easy task, but it can be done so that it benefits everyone involved.It may take time and some trial and error, but once you find the proper equilibrium you'll feel better and be more productive.

Other disturbances often come in the form of an unexpected guests or random phone calls.One way to deal with this is to let family and friends know that you are working and unavailable during certain hours.If they do call or stop by, make the visit as brief as possible or let your voicemail pick up.

Unfortunately, these distractions are sometimes inevitable for you and you will not be able to avoid every one of them all of the time.Do the best you can at setting limits with those you can control and welcome the break for those you can't.

Disadvantage #3: Time Management

More than likely you set your own working hours, which is great.

However, be sure to spend an adequate amount of time working and not just lounging around the house.

To help keep you on schedule, utilize a daily planner.There are many varieties, either online, electronic, or a paper one sitting on your desk.Schedule your work time as well as your fun time so you know you'll meet all your deadlines and goals.If you feel compelled to do chores during work breaks, schedule those on your calendar.Set a timer when doing chores so you'll know when to get back to work.

Remember that if you plan fun activities during work time, you'll have to make up that time at night or on the weekend when your family is home.A flexible schedule is truly a benefit of working from home but it can pose a problem if you don't schedule your time wisely.

It is absolutely possible to work from home and love it too.With a bit of planning and some major self-discipline, even these common difficulties of working from home can be remedied.

About the Author

Chris Simpson is dedicated to helping people find honest and legitimate work at home jobs and home based business opportunities.

Find legitimate paid online surveys and many other great work at home jobs today at: www.HomeNetPro.com

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Designing Profitable Trade Show Displays -- Don't Make One Of These Mistakes

Finding tradeshow booth designs that are profitable and attention getting isn't easy.There are some basic flaws that if you avoid, will greatly improve your chances of achieving that very goal.Making even one of these mistakes can cost you big dollars in terms of design and even more when you take into account lost sales and leads.It you want to avoid this disaster, make yourself aware of what the mistakes are and carefully consider each step in the process.

Trade Show Displays That Are Difficult To Use

You have to create tradeshow booth designs with both attendees and staff members in mind.

While it doesn't sound the greatest, customers should be thought of as lazy.Unless you have an earth-shattering product that 90% of the world is already dying to have, they aren't going to fight to get access to your exhibit.Therefore, it is imperative that your trade show displays are easy to access.Otherwise, they are just going to walk away.

The floor plan should be easy for them to enter and exit, explore your products, and feel comfortable.This also indicates to your customers that your business considers the client's needs.Poor set up also interferes with the staff's ability to deal with customers because of the inconvenience, loss of patience, and efficiency.

Failing To Get The Message Across With Tradeshow Booth Designs

Trade show displays have to attract attention and demonstrate that you are better than the competition.

However, you need to achieve a balance between standing out and being scary or intimidating.At the same time, you need to express your marketing goals and ideas across to those who see your exhibit.Going too 'out there' with the visual concept of tradeshow booth designs will cause many businesses to think that you are unsuitable for their company.Try not to rebrand or change the face of your company too drastically -- do it gradually and give clients and leads a chance to become familiar with your brand and business.

Making Exhibits Without A Specific Purpose

How do you know if your tradeshow booth designs are perfect if you have no idea what perfect is?

Don't even consider the graphics or any other component until you know exactly what your marketing plan is.This includes your message as well as your customer base.Every item and option chosen for your trade show displays should work toward reaching this goal.You essentially gain ROI on every dime you spend.

Not Testing The Exhibit Prior To Show Time

With all of the time, money, and effort put into tradeshow booth designs, it can be difficult to look at things with a clear and objective eye.

Having several people with different degrees of experience look at the entire package is the best way to test the display and find out what the results will be.Start with experienced staff members who already know what their needs and difficulties are out on the floor.You also want to include those outside the company who are experienced in the industry and those who have no experience in the industry at all.

Tradeshow booth displays take a lot of work and careful consideration in order to find the right format.Knowing some of the mistakes others make can keep you from repeating history and increase your chances at success.Trade show displays are your first chance to leave a good impression on your customer base so make sure it is a positive experience for everyone.

About the Author

Christine O'Kelly writes for Productive Displays, Inc.

Graphics, a leading trade show displays Chicago provider.The tradeshow booth designs provider rents, refurbishes, and creates top-quality trade show exhibits.

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Make Money Online With A Mailing List

A vital component of making money online is to have a mailing list.Internet marketers use these lists to sell their own products or affiliate products to targeted prospects.These prospects have signed up for your mailing list because they are interested in what you have to offer.

If you have a good mailing list, and every online business should have one, you want to make sure that you take care of that list.After all, they have trusted you with their information, so you want to make sure that you provide them with the information they want and need.

Even though the purpose of your list might be primarily to make affiliate sales, your prospects don't want to be bombarded with sales pitches or get rich quick schemes.Send them useful articles and other information that is valuable and they will likely purchase a product in the future.

So, let's take a look at what those people on your list are really interested in knowing today.

They Want Quality Information

First of all, you'll find that the people on your mailing list want to have quality information given to them.

If you start providing them with low quality information or you just focus on sales all the time, you'll end up losing people that are on your list, which can really cost you.Focus on offering them great, high quality information and you'll be able to keep them happy and increase your sales.

How Your Products Can Positively Impact Their Lives

The people on your mailing list also want to know how your products can positively impact their lives.

How can they make their lives better?When you are talking about your products, make sure that you make them relevant to the lives of the people on your list that you want to reach.This way they'll really relate to the products that you have to offer them.

How to Contact You if They Need To

It's also important that you provide those people on your mailing list with the information so they can contact you if they need to.

Perhaps they just want to know that they can quit the mailing list if they want to or maybe they have questions about your products or want to make a purchase.There are plenty of unethical internet marketers looking to make money online so give your list some reassurance by allowing them to contact you.

If You're Really an Expert

Your mailing list also wants to know if you're really an expert in your field.

Are you really providing them with top quality information?Well, you can make sure that you show them that you are an expert by establishing yourself in your niche as an expert.They want to hear that you are an expert and that you can use your expertise to help them out.

About You're Guarantees

When you're selling products, the people on your mailing list definitely want to hear about your guarantees.

They want to know that they are going to be safe if they purchase a product.So, it's very important that you highlight the guarantees that you offer.This way they feel that they are not taking a risk when they go to purchase your products.

Even though the main purpose of your mailing list is to make money online through affiliate sales, building a relationship with your subscribers will benefit you in the long run because many of those subscribers will turn into paying customers.

About the Author

Chris Simpson is dedicated to helping people find honest and legitimate work at home jobs and home based business opportunities.

Find a legitimate work at home opportunity and learn to earn money at home today at: www.HomeNetPro.com

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