Financial Information

The main stock markets from around the world have had quite a good start to the year. I am finding it hard to see why the markets are performing so well as I believe that the Western world is still in a major financial mess. I am asked on a regular basis whether I think that the stock markets will continue to rise in the second half of 2009.

Now I have to say that I am more than happy that the main stock markets from around the world have been performing so well. I love to invest on the markets, or gamble as my family like to call it.

I should mention however at this stage that I am not a financial adviser and that I am merely a novice investor who is hoping that the “gamble” will pay off. Please therefore do not take any of what you read in this article as financial advice as I am not authorised to give advice etc. I actually work on various projects including offering a DVD duplication service, offering stuttering therapy and also assisting a cost reduction specialist.

Investors are hoping to see some green sheets of recovery and are eager to enter the market at the right time; or at “the bottom” as they call it. I have to say that I have not seen any green shoots thus far!

Over the last few months we have seen some dramatic gains on more of a hope that the recovery has started. So just how will the markets react when it sees some “real evidence” that the credit crunch is starting to ease? Well they should, in my humble opinion, have a major rally. With interest rates at historical lows people are seeking an investment which offers a much greater return than the measly three percent offered on the high street.

I personally believe that there are going to be some rocky roads ahead but that the bottom of the market may have been reached.

The average credit card holder in Britain is now in over £2000 of debt. We got used to buying what we wanted when we wanted it but it’s clear from the recent slump in retail sales that the time has come to tighten our purse strings and rein in our spending. Here are a few tips on how to save your money and make the most of what you already have in the recession.

Mortgage: For many people, their mortgage is their most expensive outgoing. Your home is the most important thing you own, and something that it is certainly worth taking out a loan for. But that doesn’t mean it’s an unavoidable burden we all have to put up with. Shop around and make sure your deal really is the most beneficial one for you. There are thousands of different alternatives out there, you just have to make sure you’re getting the most out of your options. Overpayments are a good thing – if you find yourself with a bit of extra cash to spare one month, don’t keep it aside to fritter away on things you don’t need, make extra payments whenever you can and you could save thousands on interest in the long term.

Credit cards: Just resist. Make sure you don’t spend money you don’t have, if you can’t afford to pay it off that month, don’t buy it. Try to pay off any debt you owe as soon as possible (don’t just pay the minimum each month if you can afford more) and if you don’t think you can resist spending more on your cards again, cut them up. Don’t go beyond your means.

Car: Owning a car can be a very expensive business. It’s not just the cost of the car itself, but also road tax, maintenance, insurance, servicing, MOT… The list goes on and on. Think carefully - do you really need a car. If you can’t live without one it might be worth considering a car contract hire agreement instead of buying one outright. You pay the car off in manageable monthly instalments and often you can get other additional extras like road tax or servicing costs thrown in as well. You just have to search for the best deal. And the best thing is that often the more desirable car you choose with contract hire the better deals you can get – you could find yourself with a car you would never have been able to afford to buy outright, even in better times!

Sell sell sell!: If you have clutter and unused items around your house, don’t just turn a blind eye to them or take them to your local charity shop. If you’ve got a cupboard full of clothes you don’t wear or gadgets you thought would be useful but never did use, there is someone out there who will want them. Ebay is a wonderful thing, it’s quick and easy and once you get a bit of practise at how to advertise on there you could find that you could make a nice little extra bit of cash out of your old junk. Give it a go, or you’ll never know until you try!

As the recession deepens and the credit crunch continues to bite income and profits in the UKs financial services sector continues to depreciate. Profitability in the sector is declining at a record rate with around 55% of city firms reporting a fall.

The CBI have said that there is a ‘clear sign that tightened credit markets are hitting the wider economy’ as the amount of business conducted with manufacturers, retailers and other commercial firms also shrank at a record rate, job losses increased and investment plans were curtailed.

The economic downturn is, of course, adversely affecting service providers like London City Airport. The airport has experienced record passenger figures during 2008 with 3.3 million passengers passing through the terminal. This represented a significant increase of 12% on the figures for 2007. But this continued growth is not likely to be reflected in the figures for 2009.

The increase in passenger figures at London City Airport is underpinned by a number of significant airport developments that took place during 2008. In October last year the airport received approval to increase the flight movements from 80,000 to 120,000 per year.

From autumn 2009 British Airways intend to offer the first long haul flights from the airport headed for New York from Autumn 2009. Passengers bound for new york will conveniently be able to go through customs and immigration checks while on stopover at Shannon airport in Ireland. Shannon will be the first European airport to be granted pre-clearance facilities for transatlantic flights to North America.

But even with the addition of new services like this and new routes the airport is remaining cautious about the prospects for 2009. By the end of the year the airport will host no less than nine airlines servicing 33 destinations in the UK and Europe and with the 2012 Olympic games just around the corner they are poised for great success. But this is very much dependent upon stability returning to the financial services industry.

For great deals on London City Airport Parking I recommend that you check out the comparison services provided by Gosimply.com.