The whole M&A process is becoming very politicized now and it is becoming very protectionist.
Except for copper, which is influenced by speculation on China, global demand for commodities shows no sign of abating.
Market nerves are ragged. Its like Chinese water torture. We thought we'd have resolution from Blix, then we thought (U.S. Secretary of State Colin) Powell was going to give the definitive statement and now its dragging on until next Friday.
Economic data is currently pointing to a double-dip recession. ... Investors are feeling bullet-proof at the moment but with most professionals away on holiday we expect the selling to begin again by the end of the month.
It's hard to be enthusiastic about the consumer goods sector in Europe, which is being squeezed by global competition and flagging consumer demand.
This is a one-off boom. From here on, there will be a bigger diversification of investments.
All I am hearing is that they are getting cooperation from Iraq,
They've spent the last five years trying to de-politicize the whole oil price setting mechanism, getting rid of the image of OPEC as a politically driven cartel, trying to portray themselves as central bankers and they are being asked to make a tough political choices now,
The world rally is looking very stale now.
Banks have laid off so many people, and now they're getting hit with pretty heavy volumes. At end of the day, there's a labor bottleneck.