HighTable Insights: Legal, Economic & Regulatory Affairs

China: New antitrust regulation aimed at transactions commences

Matthew Murphy — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:16:42 EST

China's new anti-monopoly law has taken effect

BP Trial 2/27/12?

Martin Alpert — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:36:16 EST

Will BP risk going to trial?

Only 3% of the affluent are "under water" with their home mortgage

GLG Expert Contributor — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 11:33:03 EST

About 3% of America’s affluent are “under water” with the mortgage on their primary residence, according to a fall 2011 survey by the American Affluence Research Center (AARC). An additional 5% of the affluent report that the debt on their home is equal to the market value of the home. In total, 8% of the affluent have a mortgage that equals or exceeds the value of their primary residence.

Affluent consumers head online to shop

GLG Expert Contributor — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 11:25:01 EST

When asked to name the top two sources, based on dollars to be spent, for buying holiday gifts, affluent consumers favored the Internet over six other options, according to a Fall 2011 survey by the American Affluence Research Center (AARC) of the wealthiest 10% of U.S. households. The Internet was named by 63% of the men and 55% of the women. This is consistent with recent reports of November and December online sales increasing by as much as 15%, well above the overall increase in retail sales.

Holiday spending by affluent may be a pleasant surprise for retailers

GLG Expert Contributor — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 11:07:38 EST

With many different organizations providing predictions and estimates of holiday sales, it is difficult to determine what the consumer is actually doing. While retail sales from November 1 through December 15, particularly on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, were encouraging for retailers, there is a risk that these positive comparisons to 2010 primarily reflect a change in purchase timing rather than in volume or total value.

The future of sourcing in Asia

GLG Expert Contributor — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:31:25 EST

The growing sophistication of Asia based sourcing and manufacturing is a triumph of logistics that would make an army general green with envy. Not only do all the materials required for a typical production line have to come together correctly, they have to come together at a precise moment in time. This is business in today’s international era, and it demands constant upgrading of processes, materials, and workforce.

What is the most useful website for Brazilian economic data?

GLG Expert Contributor — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:26:10 EST

Ipeadata is one of the most useful websites for investors looking for data on Brazil, including economic and financial models and market area studies.

German Constitutional Court issues injunction against EFSF parliamentary subcommittee

GLG Expert Contributor — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 16:06:41 EST

The interlocutory injunction against the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) parliamentary subcommittee may enhance public debate and increase political obstacles to Germany’s activities within the EFSF framework.

Where are Brazil's highest income households living?

GLG Expert Contributor — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:47:30 EST

We have determined that almost half of Brazil's 2.9 million highest income households live in 10 municipalities. The 1.5 million high income households living in municipalities ranking below the top 10 were spread much more evenly than one might have expected given the high concentration in the top 10.

Who's who in Spain's PP party

Sebastian Mariz — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:10:34 EST

Spain’s conservative People’s Party is leading the polls with a 14-point advantage over the incumbent socialist party (PSOE). Such a lead would give the PP an absolute majority in the Parliament if it wins the elections on November 20. If Mariano Rajoy wins the elections his cabinet could be made up of the following people.

Asbestos: Billions yet to be Paid!

Martin Alpert — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 12:09:28 EST

How much will actually be paid out for asbestos claims and when will it end?

Understanding value in commercial legal services

GLG Expert Contributor — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:08:44 EST

Law firms face a major challenge in how to deliver value and convey that value to corporations. This article addresses those challenges.

Small Businesses Lead In New Job Creation

Mark Mariotti — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 17:55:59 EST

U.S. nonfarm private employment highlights for September 2011 indicate a gain of 91,000 jobs, with 60,000 of those coming from small businesses. It appears the adage of small businesses leading the U.S. job growth stays intact. Why do small businesses continue to flourish with very little assistance ffrom the U.S. government, while the big corporations receive bailouts?

Will more jobs cure consumer confidence?

Richard Curtin — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 10:08:00 EST

Today’s employment report was no surprise to consumers. Confidence plunged in July and August precisely because consumers have seen that job gains have vanished. Even if in the months ahead the jobless rate tumbles, consumer confidence won’t soar. When jobs are more plentiful, rather than again becoming the spending engine of the global economy, consumers will spend less, save more and use less debt. For the economy to accommodate this newly thrifty consumer, exports will need to grow to offset weaker consumer spending. Otherwise, restrained consumer spending will limit job growth and act to frustrate consumers’ attempts to get back on their feet and rebalance their finances.

TANZANIA—RESURGENT RESOURCE NATIONALISM, BUT MINING FDI KEEPS COMING

GLG Expert Contributor — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 14:10:57 EST

Tanzania, an aid-dependent, sisal-exporter is fast becoming a mining haven. Its coal to cobalt, copper, diamonds, gold, nickel, silver and uranium produce 2.8% of GDP; govt's goal is 10% by 2025. As Africa's 4th largest gold producer, it has attracted significant FDI lately. It's also a hot-bet of resource nationalism. The Mining Act 2010 & other recent legislation seek more wealth owned by Tanzanians with increased regulation in key sectors whilst continuing to encourage inward investment.

The Rise and Fall of Dubai

GLG Expert Contributor — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 10:43:10 EST

An integral part of Dubai’s strategy of encouraging foreign companies from East and West to establish their presence in Dubai was the adoption of much more liberal policies towards dress, drink, and other matters of personal decorum This approach proved to be a dramatic success, turning an already thriving city-state into an international financial center. But on November 25, 2009, Dubai World announced that it would ask its creditors to extend the maturity of its obligations to them.

BP INVESTIGATES OIL SHEEN IN GULF OF MEXICO

James Garner — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 17:44:54 EST

On August 18, 2011, BP admitted to investigating a new oil sheen in the Gulf of Mexico.

India Macro & Financial System: Deviations from classical/ general economics-IV

GLG Expert Contributor — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 21:20:23 EST

India is a unique country, both from a structural perspective and in its various idiosyncracies related to diversity (both geographical and people), race/ casteism issues, geopolitical idealogies and financial inclusion issues. There are various areas where general and classical economic theories (as applicable to Western countries) may not be applied to India. This series of articles covers macroeconomics in India and offers explanations and insights into India macro & financial systems.

The Outcome of Syria's 2011 Revolt will be Different than that of 1982.

GLG Expert Contributor — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 10:38:35 EST

With Syrians demonstrating peacefully to gain freedom and democracy, the brutality meted out by their government to crush the revolt raised concerns of violence, similar to that of Hama in 1982.Today's technologies of Internet, Cable TV, cellphones and social networks exposed the systematic killings taking place and led to pressures from neighbors, regional, and world powers to address people's demands. The prospects for a peaceful outcome are slim.Two implications are highlighted for investors.

Libyan rebels seek to project image of unity as they advance on Tripoli

GLG Expert Contributor — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 06:24:50 EST

With NATO-backed rebel troops closing in on the Libyan capital Tripoli, Col. Moammar Qaddafi’s opponents are desperate to project a façade of unity, brush aside internal rifts and assure Libyans and the international community that they are capable of managing transition in a post-Qaddafi era.