FEATURES:
Andrew Smithers correctly identified the bubbles of 2000 and 2007. Dominic Picarda asks him whether QE and corporate buybacks have merely started the formation of another bubble about to pop.
Mark Robinson looks at the relative merits of the Anglo-Australian mining giants for income seekers.
It's an asset class that's riddled with risk and traps for the inexperienced. Mark Robinson explains how to get wine investing right.
SEVEN DAYS:
■ All you need to know about investing in the past seven days: what's rising, what's falling and what's making the headlines.
CHARTS OF THE WEEK:
■ Our selection of the most interesting charts published this week.
NEWS:
■ "Look to Hong Kong for value."
■ Mortgage lending heading towards £200bn.
■ Andor in Oxford Instruments tie-up.
■ Onshore wind left out in the cold.
■ Whitbread smells the coffee.
IC/COPPOCK INDICATORS:
■ Further to run - November was yet another quiet month on the Coppock front. The few buy signals that appeared were almost all unofficial, and even though many indices continued to make new highs, there were nevertheless only a smattering of sells on minor indices and sectors.
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK:
■ The shrinking state: Chris Dillow says the Office for Budget Responsibility expects government consumption to fall as a share of GDP. This might not be sustainable.
■ Next week's economics: 16-20 Dec: The UK economy has become less consumer-driven, next week's numbers could show.
COMMENT:
Our columnists offer in-depth analysis and investment ideas:
■ The Editor: Here are the customers' yachts - The Volcker rule should first and foremost remind banks that it's about time they put their customers' interests first.
■ Simon Thompson has written the following articles this week:
- A fair wind: A developer and operator of clean energy projects has been ramping up capacity and profits too.
- High risk, high reward resource play: The market price indicates that the possibility of a bid appears a long shot, but it could be far shorter than many believe.
- A rating too sweet? Shares in a leading chocolate manufacturer and retailer have soared this year, but is it time to bank profits?
- Fuelled for more growth: Soaring shares in a consultancy and software provider look fuelled for further growth.
Read more articles by Simon Thompson on his comment page.
■ Mr Bearbull: Frontier life: Emerging markets equities are as volatile as ever, but frontier markets are where the best action is likely.
■ Trader: What bear scarcity really means.
The Trader, Dominic Picarda, publishes his outlook for ten major equity, currency and commodity markets on a regular basis. You can view his articles on his comment page, or sign up to The Trader's market outlook emails.
■ Chris Dillow: The savings shift - Savers have been switching out of long-term deposit accounts this year and into instant access ones. This could portend a big rise in household spending. Also see:
- The hidden influences: Our investment decisions are shared by factors of which we are unaware.
- How to invest like Warren Buffett: Warren Buffett's success is down to two things: leverage and discipline.
Read more articles by Chris Dillow on his comment page.
■ Chronic Investor Royal Mail - what is it worth?
■ From the outside looking in: In his new monthly column, pay expert Paul Jackson explains why management quality matters and how to assess it.
YOUR MONEY:
Financial planning, tax and investment wisdom:
■ Portfolio: Isa portfolio needs more protection.
■ Worked less than 35 years? Boost your state pension: Good news for those who've had a career break or gone part-time - you can now boost your state pension with extra contributions. And it looks like a great deal.
■ Financial planning: Action points from Autumn Statement 2013.
■ Reform MPs' pensions: If the proposed pay rise for MPs goes ahead, after eight years' service, MPs would get a pension worth £423,000.
SHARE TIPS OF THE WEEK:
■ Traditional bookmakers are under pressure and this one looks a prime candidate for a bid after a miserable attempt to establish a profitable online gaming business.
■ We can't ask for much more than this junior explorer is offering: a large cash pile, busy programme ahead, fully funded and mouth-wateringly cheap shares.
■ A strong market, great track record and good growth prospects have made us focus again on this real estate company.
■ An opportunity has arisen to tap into the long-term growth prospects of one of global agriculture's strongest brands.
FUND TIP OF THE WEEK:
■ The solid performance at this value-focused smaller companies investment trust looks set to continue.
BROKERS' TIPS:
■ AG Barr
SHARE TIP UPDATES:
FUNDS:
■ Fund news: Japan trusts 50.
■ Shares I love: Richard Watts, the manager of Old Mutual UK Mid Cap Fund, says Spirit Pub Company could unlock attractive shareholder returns in 2014.
■ Top 100 funds: Unicorn Income manager optimistic on UK recovery.
■ ETFs: The Autumn Statement and ETFs
■ Interview: Jeremy Tigue on when to get back into emerging markets.
SHARES:
■ Stock screen: A momentum year.
■ Sector focus: Grocers to put on your Christmas list.
The lowdown on the latest company results:
■ Anite
■ Ashtead
■ Berkeley
■ CareTech
■ DS Smith
■ iomart
■ Mulberry
■ RWS
■ Sage
■ Victrex
■ Directors' dealings: Notable transactions at Entertainment One, plus a table of all boardroom share trades.
■ Week ahead: A summary of key company announcements expected in the coming week.
TAKEOVERS:
■ Download this week's takeover tables as a PDF.
