Latest articles by Adrian Ash
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Why a recession won't push down the cost of living
Features With growth slowing in Europe and the US, can we expect inflation to ease? Unlikely, says Adrian Ash. Stock and house prices may be falling, but money supply and commodities continue to surge.
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The Bank of England's real inflation target
Features The BoE's sole purpose in life is to target inflation. But what's really driving today's decision: the fact that CPI has edged above the 2% mark, or house price inflation slowing to less than the 'magic' 9% mark?
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After the equity bubble - the litigation bubble?
Features The New York Times guesses that the number of post-housing lawsuits could dwarf what followed the Enron collapse. Who to sue first: central bankers, ratings agencies, or fellow investors who joined in the frenzy?
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What's going on with the gold price?
Features Stocks and bonds are going down at the same time. The dollar has bounced despite some very dodgy fundamentals. And 'safe haven' gold sank to a two-week low last week. Adrian Ash unravels some decidedly odd market conditions.
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Why is the US prolonging subprime misery?
Features Hope Now has ostensibly been set up to support US subprime borrowers facing a huge jump in mortgage repayments. It looks more like a misguided policy destined to prolong the US-housing led slump forever, says Adrian Ash.
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Why central bankers can't have it both ways
Features History has shown that you can either bail out the big banks with a flood of cheap money, or you can keep a lid on inflation. But right now, central bankers are struggling to achieve either.
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The gold price indicator you should be watching now
Features Gold investors are often accused of being ghoulish as they wait to cash in on stock market upsets. But history has proven that it isn't necessarily stocks and bonds they should be watching.
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South Sea bubble, Northern Rock bust
Features In 1720, the Bank of England's attempts to rescue the overstretched South Sea Company nearly brought it to its knees. History has much to teach us, says Adrian Ash.
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Has the banking sector purged the subprime poison?
Features A frightening array of Q3 results will have taught banks a valuable lesson: don't lend to people with no income. But is this earnings season the final chapter of the subprime story. Don't count on it, says Adrian Ash.
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How mortgage banks magically create money
Features UK households and businesses now owe banks 39% more in debt than actually exists in cash, near-cash equivalents and bank savings combined. How exactly did this situation come about?
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Who can you trust with your money now?
Features Few people seem to remember that all investments carry some level of risk. Even fewer realise that the scheme safeguarding their savings contains nowhere near enough money to cover UK bank deposits.
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Why the Bank of England's not so 'independent' after all
Features If 'Helicopter Ben' has sent you running for a bolt hole outside the dollar, be sure to avoid the pound. Adrian Ash looks at why compromising Bank of England independence could spell disaster.
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Why banks are getting back to basics
Features Remember when banks lent money using the cash deposited with them? Banking has come a long way since then but, with the credit market turning, is old-fashioned banking about to make a comeback?
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Daily gold report: Thursday 26th July
Features Spot gold prices held flat from last night's US close by lunchtime in London on Thursday, pulling back $2 from an overnight spike to trade at $675.50 per ounce.
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Daily gold report: Wednesday 25th July
Features Spot gold prices fell below $680 for the first time in four sessions early Wednesday, sinking 1.3% from Tuesday's peak to dip beneath $677 per ounce – the current trendline of the rally starting in late June.
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Gold: Insurance or risk asset?
Features Gold up, everything else down? Stranger things have been known...such as the four years of strong correlation between gold and the stock market starting in 2003.
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Is there any way to save the Yen?
Features Ben Bernanke once said he'd throw dollars from helicopters in the name of tackling deflation, whereas it seems the Japanese authorities' preferred strategy is leaving cash in public conveniences.
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Daily gold report: Friday 20th July
Features Gold pulled back from a fresh nine-week high overnight to hold steady above $676 per ounce during the Asian and early London sessions on Friday...
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A “table banging” opportunity to buy gold
Features Any internet search will reveal a wealth of options now available to retail investors wishing to buy gold, but which one's right for you? Adrian Ash looks at the top three ways to get into gold.
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Daily gold report: Thursday 19th July
Features Gold prices rose nearly 1% by mid-morning in London on Thursday, reaching $673 per ounce by the Morning Fix – the highest fix in US Dollars since May 14th...
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Daily gold report: Wednesday 18th July
Features Spot gold prices rose steadily throughout the Asian session on Wednesday, hitting a new high for the week above $669.90 before slipping to $667.75 per ounce at the AM Fix in London...
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Daily gold report: Friday 13th July
Features GOLD RECOVERED an overnight dip in Asia during the first half of London trade Friday, reaching back above $668 for the fourth time in two days as the US open drew near.
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We've reached the top of the global debt market - what next?
Features The impact of the credit crunch on homeowners is becoming apparent, but what about the financial institutions who make up around 78% of the world's debt issuance? Adrian Ash reports.
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Daily gold report: Thursday 12th July
Features Gold prices rose steadily through the Asian and early London sessions on Thursday, touching $665 per ounce for US investors as the US open drew near.
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