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DOF Online Blogs

• EU block on stock exchange merger is a lucky escape for London

• By Richard Northedge
• Phew! What a lucky escape for the world’s stock exchanges and the companies that use them. The planned merger of the French, German and New York exchanges caused panic among their rivals that made them consider some very silly deals.
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• Vocational qualifications should not be regarded as an easy option

• By Richard Northedge
• There’s nothing wrong in qualifications for horse care or hair services. It is not the subject matter that makes such certificates worthless, but the depth of the course. You can take PhDs in these subjects, but you need to work hard for them.
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• Japan’s trade is in the red: Beijing should take note

• By Richard Northedge
• Remember when Japan had China’s role in the world? A manufacturer of cheap goods, a giant trade surplus and enough finance to support the western world? Well for the first time in 30 years, Japan is importing more than it exports.
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• The shameless hounding of Stephen Hester: Should we bring back Fred Goodwin?

• By Richard Northedge
• Stephen Hester has let himself down and all other directors on giving in to the lynch mob and declining his £1m bonus. That only stores up problems for the future.
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• Private individuals (and companies) are entitled to their privacy

• By Richard Northedge
• Tony Blair introduced the Freedom of Information Act but later called it dangerous legislation. It is there to expose government workings but in publishing the names of people who have rejected honours, the law is intruding into private lives.
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• Return to recession – but for how long?

• By Richard Northedge
• Britain is back in recession. The only question is whether the slump is limited to the minimum two consecutive quarters or extends into the summer of 2012.
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• High dividends mean the business outlook is bad

• By Richard Northedge
• If companies are so cash-rich why are they handing out dividends instead of spending or investing? But having pushed up the yield on shares with increased payments, why are share prices not higher? Companies have got their balance sheets in order far quicker than governments or consumers.
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• Sir Fred’s knighthood was fair at the time

• By Richard Northedge
• No-one would give Fred Goodwin a knighthood now, but that’s not a reason to take away the one he’s got. If the ex-banker loses his gong, then a lot of athletes, actors and artists should be ready to return theirs too.
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