Research And Development Tax-Breaks Increase, Says OECD
A new OECD report says that more and more member governments are giving firms tax breaks to drive innovation while cutting their direct spending on business research and development, and are also encouraging public research organisations to commercialise their inventions. According to the OECD Science, Technology and Industry Scoreboard 2007, two thirds of the 30 OECD member countries offered businesses tax subsidies in 2006, up from 12 in 1995, and most have tended to make them more generous over the years.
Barclays Wealth Survey Shows Increasing Appetite For Alternative Investment
New research published this week by Barclays Wealth has suggested that successful entrepreneurs are more likely to take risks in creating their wealth. A report, entitled 'Barclays Wealth Insights: Risk, Return and Reward', revealed that some 60% of those with assets of more than $1 million said a high appetite for risk had been a big influence in generating their wealth, compared with 36% of those with less than $1 million of assets.
China’s economic boom goes on
China’s economy is on target this year to achieve its fastest annual growth rate since 1993 after continued strong expansion in the third quarter in spite of a raft of government measures to control investment and credit growth.
EU To Cut Fiscal Barriers To Cross-Border Share Trading
The European Commission’s Fiscal Compliance expert group (FISCO) has issued a report setting out solutions to fiscal compliance barriers related to clearing and settlement of cross-border securities transactions, also known as 'post-trading'. According to the Commission, the proposed solutions are expected to lead to improved, simplified and modernised procedures, adapted to the way EU financial markets operate today.
Credit Suisse Tremont Issues Report On Hedge Fund Indices
A Credit Suisse/Tremont Hedge Fund Index 'white paper' issued this week, 'Gaining Efficient Hedge Fund Exposure through Passive Investing' offers a new perspective on hedge fund investing, describing hedge fund indexation as a cost efficient, transparent and diverse solution to capture the broad market performance of hedge funds.According to the paper, passive investment strategies have become well established in the traditional asset management arena, and believe the same will hold true in the hedge fund market. The report finds that in fact, the core benefits offered by indexing— ease of management, capturing broad market performance, diversification, transparency and cost efficiency — directly address many of the challenges facing hedge fund investors today.
First North American Company Lists On DIFX
Unigold Inc., a Canadian gold exploration and mining company, on Monday listed on the Dubai International Financial Exchange (DIFX). It is the first North American company to choose the DIFX for a listing. “This first listing by a North American company underlines the international appeal of the DIFX, which now has 12 equity listings from issuers in five continents," announced Per E. Larsson, Chief Executive of the DIFX, adding that: "Our issuer base offers unique opportunities to investors in our region and beyond.”
You Say ‘Tax Reform’, I Say ‘Tax Hike’
Republicans wasted no time on Thursday responding to a proposal to overhaul the tax code by Representative Charles B. Rangel, the New York Democrat and chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. “Dead on arrival,” declared Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader.
Asian Stocks Rise, Led by Sony on Higher Profit; BHP Gains
Asian stocks rose to a one-week high after Sony Corp. and Honda Motor Co. reported earnings that beat analysts' estimates and Microsoft Corp. raised its profit forecast. Sony, the world's second-largest consumer electronics maker, jumped the most in almost 21 months. BHP Billiton Ltd. and Cnooc Ltd. gained as crude oil rose above $91 a barrel for the first time and after metals prices climbed the most in two weeks
