The BBs Finance

Damn china , GOLD PLATED IPHONES!

As gold-colored iPhones sell out, some luxury companies are selling gold-plated iPhones in China. The prices of ZG High Ticket’s 18-karat gold and rose-gold iPhones range from about $5,513 to $6,282. http://on.wsj.com/18SDmO7


Credit: ZG High Ticket Item Co.

Pretty much just as predicted

most expensive vs cheapest place to buy an ipad :D

Ever wondered where the cheapest—and most expensive—place to buy an iPad is? Here's a list: http://on.wsj.com/1dCBY3O

Forbes Rishest 400 Americans. No1 related to sports is PAUL ALLEN , owner of the SEATTLE SEAHAWKS!

Forbes: U.S. richest includes 32 sports owners The Forbes' Richest 400 Americans list published Monday features owners of 32 professional sports teams. It's a group led by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen of the Portland Trail Blazers and the Seattle Seahawks.

is this the end of the emerging market era? all signs points to it ;)

For the first time since mid-2007, advanced economies, including Japan, the U.S. and Europe, are contributing more to growth in the global economy than emerging nations, including China, India and Brazil. http://on.wsj.com/14H5ZQb

Is this the end of an era for countries like China and India? How can they bounce back?

A rating downgrade is said to be possible with Italy due to political turmoil. Coalition government proves elusive since the general elections in late February. The president, aged 88, will leave office in mid-May. The biggest political uncertainly may involve who will succeed his post and whether new elections have to be called. The country is well worth our attention.

France, another key eurozone member, is ridden with debt as well. According to the statistics bureau INSEE, French public debt increased to 1.83 trillion euros by the end of 2012 or 90.2% of GDP, higher than the government estimate of 89.9%. Last year, budget shortfall was cut to 98.2 billion euros or 4.8% of GDP but still failed to match the government estimate of 4.6%, let alone the EU target of 3%. Poor job data pose considerable pressure on the economy. As employment market is expected to remain sluggish in 2013, rising unemployment may become a major challenge to economic growth and deficit cutting.

After Cyprus, it is at least evident anxiety is growing with capital in face of the debt crisis as both 10-year bond yield and credit default swap of PIIGS countries went up. Given what happened to the island, deposits in PIIGS banks are definitely looking less secure. Should any of these countries need another bailout, it is now more likely for the debts to be covered in part by depositors. Therefore, a capital flight from Southern to Northern Europe is expected and the interest rate differential may again widen.

The euro plunged to 1.28 against the greenback due to the ongoing Cypriot debt crisis, which has inflicted massive losses to big depositors in its second largest bank. The surprisingly calm reaction from Moscow seems to be a hint of changing politics in Europe. Many commentators put Russia as the main victim, while some go further by claiming the incident is mastermind-ed by Germany in a bid to oust Russian capital from Cyprus or even the entire eurozone.