2012/02/23 17:00 - FINANCE VIDEO: Clifford Bennett, Chief Economist at White Crane Group presents to Sydney Capital Markets at Investorium.tv. He gives a quick overview of the current global macroeconomic status, forecasting a robust economic growth and strong demand for commodities in 2012.
2012/01/17 12:17 - Asian Activities Report for January 17, 2012 includes: CMMB Vision (HKG:0471) has successfully developed and produced its first 6-MHz CMMB chips for CMMB signal reception designed for the existing US television channel spectrum bandwidth; Poly (Hong Kong) Investments Limited (HKG:0119) announced today that the Group's contracted sales in 2011 amounted to approximately RMB 15.8 billion and the contracted gross floor areas sold were around 2.15 million square metres; FamilyMart Co., Ltd. (TYO:8028) says that from January 17th, 200 convenience stores owned by FamilyMart will accept China UnionPay credit cards; NEC Corporation (TYO:6701) has signed a contract with SAP (NYSE:SAP) Japan to provide Cloud Computing service - Software as a Service (SaaS) to global users.
2012/01/06 09:58 - Marlin & Associates ("M&A"), the boutique investment banking and strategic advisory firm, today announced that industry veteran and Goldman Sachs alumnus Thomas V. Conigliaro has joined the firm as a partner. Tom will be based in New York.
2012/01/04 12:00 - Asian Activities Report for January 4, 2012 includes: LDK Solar Co., Ltd. (NYSE:LDK) has agreed to acquire approximately 33% increased share capital in Sunways AG (ETR:SWW) and has also offered to takeover all outstanding shares in Sunways; Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (TYO:8031) says that its joint venture company Galaxy NewSpring Pte. Ltd. will operate two new water treatment plants in China; Nomura Holdings, Inc. (TYO:8604) has reached an agreement to invest in Jiu You Quan Xing Equity Investment Fund, a private equity fund based in Shanghai; Diploma Group Limited (ASX:DGX) has achieved Practical Completion on its Eleven 78 development on Hay Street in West Perth; AEON CO., LTD. (TYO:8267) announced that its subsidiary, Petcity Co., Ltd. will be merging with AHB International Inc..
2011/11/29 09:26 - Anglo Australian Resources NL (ASX:AAR) wishes to advise that Mr Chris Fyson has retired from the Board in accordance with the Constitution. Mr John Jones will assume the role of Chairman from now on.
2011/10/14 09:10 - Crescent Gold Limited (ASX:CRE) is pleased to advise that Don Taig, Chairman of Focus Minerals Limited (ASX:FML), has joined the Crescent Board, effective immediately.
2011/09/21 12:15 - Asian Activities Report for September 21, 2011 includes: Impact Minerals Limited (ASX:IPT) has commenced a major drilling programme at its Botswana Uranium Project; Cokal Limited (ASX:CKA) has purchased an additional 10% of both the Bumi Barito Mineral and Borneo Bara Prima metallurgical coal projects in Indonesia; Manas Resources Limited (ASX:MSR) reported final results from drilling at its 100%-owned Shambesai Gold Project in the Kyrgyz Republic; Tiger Resources Limited (ASX:TGS) provided a production update for August 2011 from its high-grade Kipoi Copper Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo; Tata Consultancy Services Limited (BOM:532540) has signed a five-year multi-million contract with Deutsche Bank (NYSE:DB).
2011/08/19 09:51 - Focus Minerals Limited (ASX:FML), an Australian gold producer, has declared its recommended off-market takeover Offer for Crescent Gold Limited (ASX:CRE) (TSE:CRA) free of all defeating conditions. This means that the Offer is now wholly unconditional.
2011/08/10 09:22 - Focus Minerals Limited (ASX:FML) is pleased to announce its relevant interest in Crescent Gold Limited (ASX:CRE) (TSE:CRA) has increased to 62.12% after receiving acceptances from Deutsche Bank for its remaining holding in Crescent.
2011/08/03 09:28 - Focus Minerals Limited (ASX:FML) is pleased to announce it has received acceptances for its takeover representing a majority of the issued shares of Crescent Gold Limited (ASX:CRE) (TSE:CRA). Focus' relevant interest in Crescent has increased to 51.32%, which now places Focus in a very strong position with the prospect of a rival offer emerging considered very low.
2011/07/05 13:27 - Focus Minerals Limited (ASX:FML) and Crescent Gold Limited (ASX:CRE) (TSE:CRA) are pleased to announce that Directors of Crescent now have all provided acceptances in respect of shares held or controlled by them in respect of the recommended off-market takeover offer for Crescent.
2011/06/30 09:48 - Focus Minerals Limited (ASX:FML) and Crescent Gold Limited (ASX:CRE) (TSE:CRA) today released their Bidder's and Target's Statements for the recommended off-market takeover offer for Crescent. The Offer was announced to the market on 20 June 2011.
2011/06/20 09:37 - Focus Minerals Limited (ASX:FML) and Crescent Gold Limited (ASX:CRE) are pleased to jointly announce that they have agreed to merge the companies by way of a conditional off-market takeover bid by Focus for all of the issued shares in Crescent.
2011/05/10 12:10 - The establishment of a construction machinery leasing company will meet the demand for the rapidly increasing requirement for construction machinery in China,and further increase of sales in this area.
2011/04/20 14:53 - Chief Economist, Clifford Bennett, is widely recognized for his often market leading and insightful economic and financial market forecasts. Clifford has 25 years international experience with some of the world's leading investment banks, and was named the "world's most accurate currency forecaster" by Bloomberg News NY. Clifford is the author of "Warrior Trading" published by John Wiley & Sons New York, and frequently appears in the financial print and television media.
2011/03/04 13:21 - Global markets continue to unfold according to our "Grand Bull Market" says Clifford Bennett of Herston Economics. The US dollar remains on the main stage, although the Euro has grabbed the centre, and is likely to continue to make strong gains throughout the year. ECB President Trichet may well follow through on yesterday's comments and hike by 25 points at the next meeting.
2011/03/03 14:11 - Clifford Bennett of Herston Economics says equity markets are stabilizing, before resuming a bullish trajectory in coming days. As expected equity markets will be moving higher alongside a higher oil price. Underlying all this will be a falling US dollar which is good for equity markets, the US economy and commodities. Clifford Bennett suggests caution regarding some commentators who keep suggesting doom and gloom which risks people missing out on what is still a very strong bull market and period of global economic prosperity.
2011/03/02 15:20 - The US market really got worried by the oil rally, and Bernanke's comments were exaggerated to good effect by the bears. The Australian market has been immediately marked lower in typical follow the leader fashion out of New York. As we approach what was our 'worst case' scenario near ASXSP200 4,785, think opportunity.
2011/03/01 12:30 - Markets are starting to move as expected, in a very bullish pattern, says Clifford Bennett of Herston Economics. In fact he believes the next two weeks could be among the more interesting periods of the year, as equity and commodity markets begin to accelerate higher. Oil and Gold continue to look good for further gains, and so do the Euro, sterling and Australian dollar.
2011/02/28 13:26 - Equity markets were marked lower last week on the back of continued geopolitical tension in the middle east. Yet by Friday the Dow Jones was showing signs of already having bottomed, and the US dollar was consolidating after failing to go on with the usual safe haven rally.
2011/02/24 12:54 - We were looking for a possible better low today, and we certainly have that, said Clifford Bennett of Herston Economics. The outlook is for a major low to be put in place today Bennett said. While many are bearish equities because of higher oil prices, the reality is that businesses will have to adapt, because oil is going a lot higher, to US$145 perhaps this year. Global growth will remain strong nonetheless and the sell down in the equity market simply represents a great buying opportunity.
2011/02/22 12:35 - The upheaval in Libya has only intensified the caution that equity markets were taking, according to Clifford Bennett at Herston Economics. He makes the point that these developments are in some ways unfamiliar to us in the west, in that they are for the long term benefit of the region. This is a sharp adjustment in the political landscape toward greater democracy and capitalism. As such oil flows are unlikely to be effected other than for a very short period of time.
2011/02/21 13:58 - The equity market has started the weak with a heavy tone. While a return to bullish sentiment can be expected at some point through the week, the increased public outcry against several governments in the Middle East over the weekend are bound to cause investors some pause. It is most likely that any down turn in prices over Monday Tuesday are an opportunity to buy, as the global economy will not be slowed by these geopolitical developments.
2011/02/17 12:35 - The equity market still represents remarkable value at current levels, and can in fact be described as cheap, say Clifford Bennett of Herston Economics. While company balance sheets are healthier, and profits higher than pre GFC, their stock prices are still only half what they were back then. With the world growing faster than others had forecast or expected, leaner corporations will reap the dividends.
2011/02/16 14:20 - Despite some hesitation or consolidation generally in markets, Clifford Bennett of Herston Economics still believes equity and commodity markets have further to go on the upside. While some suggest US retail sales were weak, they were actually up 0.8% over December/January when the north was experiencing terrible snow storms.
2011/02/15 12:16 - While president Obama's speech on reducing the deficit is an impressive suggestion, it will never actually happen. The US has a long history of strong talk on deficit reduction, but very poor form on real implementation. The US budget deficit this year is expected to be 10.9% of GDP, far worse than the largest economy in the Euro-zone, Germany, where the budget deficit is expected to be 3.7%. While the US may complain about the budget deficits of a few small economies in Europe, it has neglected its own far worse situation. Fed New York President William Dudley further exasperated the outlook for the US dollar with a speech claiming virtually full credit for the current recovery was due to QE2.
2011/02/14 12:26 - Clifford Bennett notes that the Egypt pound and equity market are strong buys and will probably continue to rally throughout the year. Also good news such as superb inflation number from Germany and strong consumer confidence data from US are likely to lead a strong week for equities and commodities.
2011/02/11 12:48 - Clifford Bennett notes the current state of anxiety in Egypt, but suggests market hesitation is more about acceptance and consolidation of recent strong gains. Given there was also broad market over reaction to Cisco's caution on earnings, he does not expect any significant market pullback. In fact commodities continue to show the way, pointing to the world being caught short during a period of great economic expansion.
2011/02/10 11:36 - We have been bullish oil since below US$40, and our US$145 target for next year remains in place says Herston Economics' Clifford Bennett. The recent selling of oil on the basis that things will calm down in Egypt, the Saudi's will pump more oil, and higher US reserve levels, all miss the two most important points. China and India will add millions of vehicles this year and there are indications global oil production is about to hit peak level beyond which it cannot go.
2011/02/09 11:33 - China raises interest rates and equity markets continue to climb, as do commodity prices. Clifford Bennett of Herston Economics says this is the new paradigm, at last one that fits more accurately with the underlying reality of a strong global economic boom that no one can stop, not even China. Herston Economics continues to highlight that this is a "bottom up economic revolution" driven by individuals and small businesses all around the world.
2011/02/08 12:07 - Clifford Bennett of Herston Economics makes the point that the news just gets better and better. Even the usually of recent years bearish mainstream media cannot find anything but bullish stories to report. US equity markets continue to strengthen, and global growth looks set to accelerate as expected. Herston Economics, among the highest of any forecaster, expects global growth to reach 5.4% this year. This includes 4.3% in the USA, 2.6% in Europe, and 10.7% in China.
2011/02/07 15:20 - The outlook for global equity markets, and especially the Australian market continues to improve. Australian equity markets in particular are still far below their correct fundamental value. Gold and oil, like other commodity markets, appear ready for further strong gains. The Australian dollar is comfortable in this higher band but is still targeting US$1.0800 this year, according to Clifford Bennett of Herston Economics.
2011/02/04 11:50 - After some very strong gains the US equity market continues to cling to recent highs, and can be expected to move higher next week, according to Clifford Bennett of Herston Economics. Clifford remains bullish on equity, commodity and currency markets except for the US dollar. The overnight fall in the Euro is a stand out buy, and not even Egypt concerns can keep Gold down.
2011/02/02 12:53 - It is important to recognize that markets have yet to factor in any of the good news regarding robust growth, not just in china, but Europe and the USA as well. Expect the rally we had forecast to continue and even at these levels Australian stocks represent great value.
2011/02/01 13:28 - Building on our comments yesterdayt that markets would rally back just as hard as they initially fell on Egypt, Clifford Bennett of Herston Economics believes there is almost no reason on the horizon for any further declines. Perhaps the last of the pullbacks in equity markets, commodities and the Australian dollar have now been seen. Expect aggressive rallies in all asset classes from here.
2011/01/31 12:01 - Murchison Metals Limited (ASX:MMX) (PINK:MUMTF) is pleased to announce that Wayne Zekulich has been appointed Chief Financial Officer of Oakajee Port & Rail (OPR), developer of port and rail infrastructure for the mining industry in Western Australia's mid-west. OPR is jointly owned by Murchison and Mitsubishi Development Pty Ltd.
2011/01/31 11:40 - All the economic news that matters, is good. China is performing strong, USA and Europe are improving all the time. There is no doubt after the great rally we have seen from last year that a correction was due, but the fear mongers have been served a great opportunity with Egypt, and are making the most of it. The thing is, I don't see China slowing because of a change of government in Egypt, i really don't, buy this dip, its a gift comments Clifford Bennett of Herston Economics.
2011/01/27 13:39 - Equity markets continue to climb, gold may well have bottomed for the year, and the RBA is sidelined. Clifford Bennett of Herston Economics talks about why higher food prices do not mean rate hikes, and the outlook for Australian equities remains very favourable.
2011/01/25 11:55 - This rally is just the start of something much bigger, says Clifford Bennett of Herston Economics. While Gold and Oil speculators unwind their holdings, the real world is experiencing a rapid economic expansion of the likes we have never seen before. The dominant risk in equity markets is upward acceleration, no correction in sight. The Australian dollar has spent enough time near parity, time to move up.
2011/01/24 12:07 - The US has stitched up some good export deals to China, so now we should get less of the US research houses fictionally suggesting China is a bubble. US, European and China/Asia outlooks all positive at the same time as we expected, and this should see markets accelerate sharply higher this week, Clifford Bennett of Herston Economics said.
Australian Economy