Latest articles by Simon Nixon
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Hedge funds are no longer the preserve of the rich – they’re good for us all
Features Once, hedge funds seemed like the part of the financial system most likely to trigger a global crisis. Yet the current crisis has seen them really come-of-age.
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The greatest blank cheque in history
Features From poor regulation to inept communication, mistakes were made at every stage of the Northern Rock crisis. Simon Nixon explains why the run on the bank should never have happened - and why the Bank of England's subsequent U-turn could have dangerous consequences for us all.
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Why to buy emerging market bonds
Features There are plenty of countries in the world that offer all the characteristics you would look for in a safe haven, says Simon Nixon. And you'll find them in Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.
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There could be more squalls to come, but it’s not yet a perfect storm
Features The skies over Britain may have cleared, but in the City the storm rages on. However, whilst most believe that there is more fallout from the US housing market to come, there are also reasons for cautious optimism.
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Five reasons to remain cheerful about the private-equity boom
Features Is the flotation of asset managers such as Fortress and Blackstone a sign that we've reached the top of the market? Unlikely - this is no 'Netscape' moment, says Simon Nixon.
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Does the end of gentlemanly capitalism really matter?
Features Blue chips Barclays and Vodafone have both been badly bruised by run-ins with activist investors. But does the City's old guard have a right to complain?
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Why are levels of philanthropy in the UK so low?
Features Hazel Blears (left) made a good point when she called for the government to do more to encourage philanthropy. But what, exactly, can be done? asks Simon Nixon.
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Why this hedge fund backlash has no teeth
Features European politicians including President Sarkozy and Chancellor Merkel (pictured) are determined to reign in hedge funds. The industry has little to fear - although some better PR wouldn't go amiss, says Simon Nixon.
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Why are investors still piling into Russia?
Features Whilst relations between Russia and the West may be at the chilliest since the Cold War, economically they are hotter than ever. But Simon Nixon wonders if investors are perhaps a little too complacent.
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Who will benefit from the new breed of hedge funds?
Features There's little doubt that the next big thing in hedge funds, the 130/30 funds, will make a fortune, but for whom? Simon Nixon reports on the latest developments in the industry.
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Why the British prefer gambling to investing
Tutorials What will be on more Britons' minds this April: what to do with their annual ISA allowance or which horse to back in the Grand National? Simon Nixon reveals why FTSE falls have sent the country to the horses.
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Why London's choked transport network is bad for business
Features London's traffic jams and creaking trains are bad news for UK plc., says Simon Nixon. So why do much-needed transport projects continue to go unbuilt?
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Grab a piece of the hedge fund action
Features These are good times in hedge fund land. Not only was 2006 one of the best years ever for the industry, hedge funds have finally become respectable. So how can you get involved?
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What gilts are telling us about the UK economy
Features Yields on UK government bonds are at extraordinary lows. This has caught pension funds up in a vicious circle – and could have serious consequences for the UK economy.
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Can the new breed of hedge fund managers be trusted?
Features In the last six years, the hedge fund industry has been the most amazing gravy train for everyone involved. And now ordinary investors have the chance to joining as hedge funds join the City establishment. But if the returns on offer are so high, why are valuations so low?
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Climate change: a godsend to politicians and business
Features The exact implications of climate change may be open to debate,says Simon Nixon, but two things are certain: politicians will call for higher taxes - and business will continue to profit from lucrative new markets.
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The Iraq war: a disaster for Bush and Blair, but not for markets
Features Like the powers-that-be here and in the US, investors should be focusing on what happens next in Iraq. That's because the collapse of our military adventure could have a profound effect on markets.
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Why Tory tax cut demands are deluded
Features What is most striking about calls for tax cuts from the Tory grassroots is how little their demands relate to the real world. Simon Nixon examines how globalisation has completely changed the terms of the debate.
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How private equity went mainstream
Features The record for the world's private equity deal has been broken. But it won't be another seventeen years before it gets broken again. Private equity has gone mainstream, and investors should get in on the action.
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Why it's too late to jump on the property bandwagon
Features Forget the residential property market - over the past six years, the real excitement has been in the commercial property sector. But now it's time to take your money off the table...
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Simon Nixon's City View: why investment bankers aren't on the shareholders' side
Features Investment bankers - champions of shareholder rights? Their involvement in the recent Arcelor bid and Rosneft IPO demonstrate that they don't.
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How Brown's bungling could pose a threat to the pound
Features Granting the Bank of England its independence was a masterstroke, allowing him to present himself as a sound moneyman. But his recent actions threaten the credibility of the MPC and, with it, confidence in the pound.
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Why the UK market shake-out was long overdue
Features Most City people think that May's market shake-out was long overdue, but it was also an early warning that tougher times lie ahead. And it should prompt a rethink on emerging markets for investors.
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Is fat a threat to the food industry?
Features The food industry has played a large role in fattening us all up – up to 50% of British adults are overweight. But it could now be punished by our changing eating habits.
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