BertieBee

RICS comes in at -26, a small improvement from last month's -31.

 

all areas are negative except London - I wonder how much of an effect the new 5% stamp duty on +£1m purchases is having. There is a very important point here - the deadline is 6th April on completion (not on exchange as other recent changes have been). Therefore there is an almighty rush at the moment to get things done and dusted before the deadline.

It must be having an effect. Interesting timing too, with it coming just after bonus season.

It's going mainstream.

Bernanke Unfazed By Gold Standard, Currency History Queries

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110301-714533.html

For several years running I have been asked at precious metals conferences about the possibility that government will confiscate gold as did FDR. My response has always been "Physical confiscation will never happen again . However, they may tax the hell out of it."

 

That possibility looks increasingly likely, and the end result is essentially the same"

I wonder how this would affect paper gold?

Apart from the collapsing spot price of course.

"Japan’s ruling party has called for drastic monetary easing to devalue the yen by 30pc and halt the slide into deflation, putting it on a collision course with the Bank of Japan"

I wonder who has the most power, the puppet government or the Central Bank?

Hello BTW. First post, sorry for the formatting. And yes, I'm holding Yen.