commodities
A Killing in the City by John Holt
‘To make a killing in the City’ is a phrase often used within the financial world, to indicate making a large profit on investments, or through dealings on the stock market – the bigger the profit, the bigger the killing. However, Tom Kendall, a private detective, on holiday in London, has a different kind of killing in mind when he hears about the death of one of his fellow passengers who travelled with him on the plane from Miami. It was suicide apparently, a simple overdose of prescribed tablets. Kendall immediately offers his help to Scotland Yard. He is shocked when he is told that his services will not be required. They can manage perfectly well without him, thank you. This is the fourth story to feature Tom Kendall. Once again his ever-loyal secretary, Mollie, ably assists him in his fight against crime.
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Can Carbon Credit Deal Help Bank of America’s Tarnished Image? (Ezine Ready)
The last few months have been unfortunate, to say the least, for Bank of America Merrill Lynch. The U.S. financial giant has come under fire on more than one front — from lawsuits, to a downgrade in ratings, to falling stocks and dissatisfied customers. Amid corporate image woes, the company announced this week a groundbreaking multi-million dollar carbon credit deal with California-based TerraPass Inc.
It seems like Bank of America has every reason to look for ways to mend its damaged name and to reposition itself on the global commodities market. The announcement of the carbon credit agreement, then, should not come as a surprise. Through the bold and innovative move, one of the world’s largest financial institutions is vying to become a leader in carbon credit trade in California after the state implements its compliance carbon trading scheme in 2012. Best Investment Websites
Under the carbon credit agreement, Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Commodities Group has an option to purchase and bring to market several million tons of California carbon offsets from TerraPass Inc. through 2020, which will be generated from a pool of agricultural methane projects located throughout the U.S. All of the company’s agricultural methane projects follow regulations, which are compliant with California’s Global Warming Solution’s Act and its offset protocol.
Abyd Karmali, global head of Carbon Markets in the Global Commodities Group at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, said of the deal: “By acting as a first mover in California, we are positioning ourselves as the offset provider of choice for companies that will need to become compliant under these new regulations.”
One has to wonder, is Bank of America’s new green deal indicative of the company’s genuine concern for the environment? Or it shows the company’s progressive business thinking and investment savvy for entering a promising, yet untapped, niche market? Or maybe it is just a smart PR move?
Companies, who have tried to differentiate themselves and gain a competitive edge, are no strangers to using environmental sustainability, carbon offsetting and climate change as part of their marketing campaigns. With consumers and investors growing more and more eco-conscious, it seems like a smart business move to adopt a more sustainable business model. In this sense, Bank of America’s agreement seems logical. And it can, indeed, help the company reinvent itself and achieve a stable position in an emerging niche market. This, in turn, will hopefully help the brand regain customer and shareholder trust.
Sustainable and ethical investments, such as entering emerging carbon credit markets, can benefit corporations in a few ways:
1. It highlights the business’ commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, making it more appealing to current and prospective shareholders. As in the case of Bank of America, teaming up with TerraPass Inc. is a clear message that the company is adopting an innovative business model, which places current environmental issues at a higher priority when compared to traditional business models. In a time when “green” is in, sustainable practices certainly receive attention, and the right kind at that.
2. A company can gain a competitive advantage by differentiating itself, especially in client-oriented markets. Financial institutions today are facing a stiff competition. As customers are becoming more and more aware of their impact on the environment, by offering them the option to participate in the green economy, Bank of America is clearly trying to regain client attention, confidence and trust. For the same reason, Google decided to make publicly available its carbon footprint. The search engine company also stressed its commitment to alternative energy as a way of maintaining its carbon neutrality. And with the launch of Google+ a few months ago, a platform aimed at earning a chunk of the winning and highly competitive social networking market, Google is making all the right business moves to gain customers. Needless to say, clients will take notice of its green efforts.
3. It shows innovation and leadership. As Karmali himself said, it’s a way of placing the company in a favourable pro-active position while others are still weighing in their options. Financial experts expect that the California’s Global Warming Solution’s Act will lead the way to the world’s second largest carbon trading market after the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme. Bank of America is ready to take advantage of the untapped pot of gold. Its corporate leadership is showcasing not only creativity when it comes to investing, but also farsightedness — a quality much-appreciated in the financial world.
As with any emerging market, the California compliance carbon credit market will take some time to generate momentum and return monetary rewards. Until then, Bank of America and other parties, which are optimistically placing their bets on carbon’s promising future in the U.S., can enjoy the benefits of good press and public approval – both quite effective in diverting attention from corporate crises.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/investing-articles/can-carbon-credit-deal-help-bank-of-americas-tarnished-image-5344773.html
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Alternative Investments – A Risk Averse Way To Increase Your Portfolio (Ezine Ready)
In today’s economy investing is a risky business and especially if you’re using stocks or bonds. The value of these can change on a daily basis and leave you with a loss. Alternative investments are an alternative way to invest and thus are proving to be very popular in recent times. The change of value is usually a lot less drastic than normal stocks and they can be great to have in uncertain times.
Alternative investments are any sort of investment that has a low correlation with stocks, bonds and cash. A couple of examples would be natural gas and teak wood. To a small investor starting out these commodities will be widely available and would be a great starting point if you’re seriously considering an alternative investment. Although the return may not be as great as an ever changing stock, they can be a fantastic medium term solution to your investment portfolio.
One of the very first known alternative investments was rice back in the 1400′s. It was used as a commodity and was traded for agricultural products or receipts. In the 1600′s futures contracts were developed and ensured that parties would agree to deliver and pay for goods in the future that were actually agreed upon in the present. This was helped to soften the short troubles with supply and demand. In the 1800′s the first form of pooled investments was invented. It’s similar to today mutual funds and is the precursor to hedge funds. Today we have many different currencies which all trade at different prices. The most recent development was in 2007 where the first mutual fund has exposure to the managed futures market.
Nowadays in 2011 we have access to many different investments. Any market you can think of you can invest in. While hedge funds and venture capital are deemed to be alternative investments some don’t consider it to be a true alternative and more of a diversification strategy. One of the truest alternative investments you can make is in natural commodities. Commodities are based on how the consumers are using them and how they are being transformed for other uses. For example commodities like teak wood are in demand due to deforestation and the need for them in flooring and construction. Due to major reforestation plans in Brazil and a growing demand it’s likely to see this commodity rise slowly over the years. This investment also won’t be affected that much by the economy as the demand to build wooden floors and have it used will still be there.
However some issues with alternative markets is that it’s hard to tell the true value of the asset as there are less reports freely available. Since many alternative investments may be new (such as renewable energy sources) it may be a bit harder to look at the historical data and see how they have performed in the past.
For investors diversification is key in tough economic times and can lead to some great success. Select Global is a market leader in alternative investments and provides investors with many opportunities to invest in eco friendly commodities.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/investing-articles/alternative-investments-a-risk-averse-way-to-increase-your-portfolio-5342961.html
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Select-Global is one of the most influential and innovative companies in the Alternative Investment and SIPP Investment arena. We are dedicated to guiding our investors through the sometimes complex world of investment opportunities that the global Alternative Investment markets offer.
Our mission is to provide the most up-to-date information and investment advice in the world’s most favourable Alternative Investment and SIPP Investment markets. We pride ourselves on the unparalleled levels of professionalism and the ethical services we offer our clients.
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Stock Market Update 11-17-2011 (HD)
www.VolumeProfileTrader.com – Register for Free! The stock market took a tumble today but if you have been watching over the past few days, you have been informed and have understood why we were expecting a move like this. The market is at a potential support level and the way the market closed it looks like we will be in a range from 1210-1240 on the S&P with a downside bias. Be prepared for a potential buying opportunity around 1180-1200 on the S&P 500.
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Inside the Occupy movement – Mexico City
Edur Velasco, a participant in the global "Occupy" protest movement, speaks to Reuters on November 10 from the protest camp outside Mexico’s stock market in Mexico City.
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