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Very superstitious: Finding ways to get the best grade possible without studying Binghamton University Pipe Dream This good luck charm can come in the form of a lucky pair of pants, a battered old hat or even some “lucky” underwear. Christine Tuohy, a sophomore in the ... |
Lucky Charm Passes From Vietnam to Afghanistan Freepress Online The lucky charm is taped to a card that reads: "Good luck always, Don. From the Norwoods. March 1967." Hills laminated it before passing it on to Kaler, ... |
Lotto Max prize still up for grabs Toronto Sun With the odds of winning the Lotto Max jackpot from a single ticket sitting around 28633528, gamblers might want to consider some of the lucky charms and ...and more » |
| Select Lucky Charms, Honey Nut Cheerios, Reese Puffs, Trix & Cinnamon Toast Crunch have a banner across the box letting you know you can purchase 2 boxes ... See all stories on this topic » |  The Birmingham News - al.com (blog) |
| Lucky Charms, Cocoa Puffs and Count Chocula will now have 10 grams or less of sugar, down from 11 and 12 grams. The move is to address childhood obesity, ... See all stories on this topic » |  Baristanet |
| Kara, 27, looks like the perfect lucky charm in the saucy adverts, which show her don stockings, suspenders, a skimpy waistcoat and black pants. ... See all stories on this topic » |  The Sun |
The word shamrock comes from the Irish word "seamrog" which means "little clover".The shamrock was traditionally used for its medical properties and was a popular motif in Victorian times. A four-leaf clover is a lucky clover, a sign of good luck. It is believed that a lucky clover occurs only once in about 10,000 shamrocks. Many people confuse the four- leaf clover with the traditional Irish Shamrock which has only three leaves.
It is believed that St, Patrick used a Shamrock to teach the Irish people about Christianity The three leaf represents the Holy Trinity - The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. If an extra leaf is found. It stand for God's grace. While everyone associates the lucky clover with Saint Patrick's Day. The good luck clover origins are actually thousands of years older. In the Old Testament of the bible, Eve is said to have picked a lucky clover from the Garden of Eden for good luck. In Celtic tradition the lucky clover protected them against malevolent spirits. while the Druids considered find it an omen of good things to come. Other popular interpretation is said to stand for faith, hope, love, and luck or fame, health, wealth and love.
Lucky clover has magic to attract all things positive. It is blessed with good luck and fortune. It make a great Irish jewelry gift such as four-leaf clover pendant, bracelet, necklace chain and earrings. They are attractive and lucky. A great gift welcome by any Irish man or woman.
Four leaf clover jewelries are the most popular Irish jewelry gifts. Wanna Get Lucky? Find out everything about luck and choose from a selection of four leaf clover jewelries and gifts. Four Leaf clover Good Luck Charm and Encyclopedia of good luck. Learn everything about luck and learn how to get lucky in life. Visit Now To Get Lucky Instantly...
Four Leaf Clover Necklaces
The four-leaf clover is one of the best known good luck charm in the West. A lucky clover only occur once in about 10,000 shamrock or three leaf clovers. Each leaf on a clover has a special meaning representing faith, hope, love, and luck. Other thought the leaves stands for fame, wealth, health, and love. In Irish tradition, a Shamrock supposedly represents the Holy Trinity - The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. If a lucky clover is found, then the fourth leaf is considered to bring God's Grace. According to legend, and folklore these lucky clovers bring good fortune to their finders.
Since the ancient time necklaces have been worn as a way of displaying status and wealth. It is believed that wearing a necklace as luck charm will attract positive vibe and great fortune. Self-confidence is the most powerful influence on success. If you believe that you are going to be successful, you're more likely to be so. The luck charm works by directing our sub-conscious minds to focus on what we wish to create so that we will effectively draw more positive energy toward us. Just as positive thought and visual imagery improve sports performance. "A study conducted by a British University showed that more than 30% of those who carried good luck charms felt their luck had genuinely improved."
Luck is a major factor in life. Real four-leaf clover necklace makes a perfect good luck gift for everyone. Anyone experiencing a major change in life would definitely appreciate a boost of luck.
Four leaf clover necklace is most popular good luck gift Wanna Get Lucky? Find out everything about luck and choose from a selection of four leaf clover jewelries and gifts. Four Leaf cLover Good Luck Charm an Encyclopedia of good luck. Learn everything about luck and learn how to get lucky in life.
Visit Now To Get Lucky Instantly...
The four-leaf clover is one of the best known good luck charm in the West. A lucky clover only occur once in about 10,000 shamrock or three leaf clovers. Each leaf on a clover has a special meaning representing faith, hope, love, and luck. Other thought the leaves stands for fame, wealth, health, and love. In Irish tradition, a Shamrock supposedly represents the Holy Trinity - The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. If a lucky clover is found, then the fourth leaf is considered to bring God's Grace. According to legend, and folklore these lucky clovers bring good fortune to their finders.
Since the ancient time necklaces have been worn as a way of displaying status and wealth. It is believed that wearing a necklace as luck charm will attract positive vibe and great fortune. Self-confidence is the most powerful influence on success. If you believe that you are going to be successful, you're more likely to be so. The luck charm works by directing our sub-conscious minds to focus on what we wish to create so that we will effectively draw more positive energy toward us. Just as positive thought and visual imagery improve sports performance. "A study conducted by a British University showed that more than 30% of those who carried good luck charms felt their luck had genuinely improved."
Luck is a major factor in life. Real four-leaf clover necklace makes a perfect good luck gift for everyone. Anyone experiencing a major change in life would definitely appreciate a boost of luck.
Four leaf clover necklace is most popular good luck gift Wanna Get Lucky? Find out everything about luck and choose from a selection of four leaf clover jewelries and gifts. Four Leaf cLover Good Luck Charm an Encyclopedia of good luck. Learn everything about luck and learn how to get lucky in life.
Visit Now To Get Lucky Instantly...
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wes_Huang
WHen it comes to Love Keyring
sometime there is more than just one, so it would be Love keyrings It is awesome to have those
Love Earringsto go with that lovely
Love Necklaceswhich has a beautiful
Love Pendant attacked with a very interesting celtic symbol of good luck which is know to be
Celtic Love Knot Necklaces that they make an
Keyring Charmwhich to go with the
Cute Rings. It is very lovely.
Luck! A definite factor is life. We all need a bit of luck from time to time, but how do you get more and better luck?
Four leaf clover is one of the world's best known good luck charm. It is believed that finder of a lucky clover will soon come to great luck and fortune. A lucky clover is believed as a rare occurrence to happen only once in ten thousand of a shamrock.
The legend of four-leaf clover is believed to be dated back to when Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eve. It is believed that Eve took a four-leaf clover with her for good luck and protection. In Ireland, according to the Legend of St. Patrick, the shamrock represents the Holy Trinity - The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. If a fourth leaf is found, then the it is considered to bring God's Grace. The Celtic believed it protected them against evil spirits while the Druids considered it an omen of good things to come. People from all over the world believed the clover is a lucky find, a symbol of good luck and great fortune ahead. French Lotto uses the symbol of as their logo.
Double your luck with a pair of lovely lucky clover earrings. Lucky clover earring will bring you luck in all aspects of life. Could you use better health, wealth, or romance? Your odds will improve with a pair of four-leaf clover earrings. The leaves is also thought to represent fame, wealth, health and love. It will improve your life with all your endeavors.
Lucky clover earrings will not only make you lucky, they are also very attractive accessory. It is perfect present for St. Patrick's Day or any Irish man or woman.It also an excellent gift for birthday, graduation, anniversaries, good luck, get well, and good-bye or any Hallmark moments. Who do you know that could use a little LUCK today?
Clover earrings are the most popular good luck gift ideas for any gift occasions. Wanna Get Lucky? Find out everything about luck and choose from a selection of four leaf clover jewelries and gifts. Four Leaf clover Good Luck Charm an Encyclopedia of good luck. Learn everything about luck and learn how to get lucky in life.
Visit Now To Get Lucky Instantly...
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wes_Huang
Trend Micro is running a sweepstakes that is giving away prizes to people from both the US and from the United Kingdom. Enter the Titanium Power Up Giveaway Sweepstakes for your chance to win a $4,000 computer prize package or other prizes.Two grand-prize winners will be chosen, one from the UK and one from the US. Each will receive an Ultimate Computing package including a Toshiba laptop, a set of Bose speakers, and a large monitor. In addition, one winner each day will be chosen to receive a one-year subscription to Titanium Maximum Security worth $80.
Entry into Trend Micro's Titanium Power Up Giveaway Sweepstakes is open to residents of the US and UK above the age of 18. Enter daily through December 31, 2010.
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Catch a four leaf clover
Maybe we'll get over
Try and love might come your way
Here I am, on a cloud
If you want me take the chance try love out loud
As I drift through the sky
Shooting cupid's arrow you just might try
So don't miss baby, take your time
You only got one chance, yes
ChorusCatch a four leaf clover
Maybe we'll get over
Catch a four leaf clover
Love my getcha over
Catch a four leaf clover
Maybe we'll get over
Try and love might come your way
Like the way I am free
Going places, being things I wanna be
Settle down, is oh so hard
But I will pray you that one chance
So pick the one right one
And don't miss it, take your time
You only got one chance, do wee ooh wee ooh
Repeat chorusFree as a bird, yeah, yeah
To catch me is to catch a leprechaun
Hold on to your rabbit's foot
I just might be yours forever
Repeat chorusCatch a four leaf clover
(Catch a four leaf clover)
Catch a four leaf clover
Love might getcha over
Catch a four leaf clover
(Catch a four leaf clover)
Try and love might come your way
Maybe we'll get over(repeat til end of songLyrics was added by atblatex
4 H Club Gift is a good luck gift ideafor anyone that is involve in the 4 H Club of America,
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How much could i sell a 4-leaf clover COLLECTION for?
I started collecting last week and now I have about 60 4-leafs and 5 or 6 5-leaf clovers. My goal is to get my collection to 100 before it gets too cold here in Kansas. How much could I sell a colle...
I started collecting last week and now I have about 60 4-leafs and 5 or 6 5-leaf clovers. My goal is to get my collection to 100 before it gets too cold here in Kansas. How much could I sell a collection of 100 for? How much could i possibly sell a collection of 1000 maybe in a couple of years?
Additional Details
first of all they are worth something because of tradition and legend. these things are rare and people put energy into them because of this. i do not believe in luck but i would pay a couple of bucks for a four leaf because of the energy and pride people put onto finding these things.
why are old baseball cards valuable? BECAUSE OF THE HISTORY!
there is a lot of history in the myths of four leaf clovers and for this reason this makes them valuable. most collectors don't even believe in luck, they just like them because they are rare!
its estimated that one in every 10,000 3-leafs you will find a 4-leaf
the 4-leaf is likely a mutation of the 3 and the 5-leaf is likely a mutation of the 4.
Its not luck that makes them valuable. Its the history, energy, myths, and hard work that surrounds them.You know, most people don't believe in luck, but upon finding a 4-leaf clover, they feel pride in finding something so rare.
Ed Atun
OMI JEN
A new Chinese program will allow users to keep lucky cell phone numbers
In China, where many people pay a premium for an auspicious number combination, changing your number can bring bad luck. China's government announced a solution: a pilot project that will allow Chinese to keep their phone numbers even if they change carriers. Rob Schmitz reports.
A cell phone and bill. (Patrik Stollarz/Getty Images)
More on International, Asia, Technology
TEXT OF STORY
STEVE CHIOTAKIS: Used to be, one of the big hassles of changing wireless phone carriers in this country was having to also change cell phone numbers. That was fixed a few years ago. In China though, they're still dealing with the issue. And there, changing numbers could lead to all kinds of bad luck. So the government's announced a pilot project that'll allow people to keep their numbers even if they change carriers.
Marketplace China Bureau Chief Rob Schmitz reports.
ROB SCHMITZ: There's a lot to think about when you sign up for a phone number in China: most people want an eight. It's synonymous with wealth. A nine's good too. It means longevity. Stay away from four. It sounds like the word 'death' in Chinese -- that's why many buildings here don't have a fourth floor. Having one-four in your number is even worse. The combination sounds like 'I want to die' in Chinese. When Wang Baoping first signed up for a number, she noticed a four, so she paid a little extra for a safer number. But she might as well throw in a horseshoe and a four-leaf clover to help her with her phone bill-rates have gone up, but she can't switch phone companies without changing her number.
WANG BAOPING: I paid for this number! There's no way I'm going to change it now. I've always had this number, and I love it.
The government's new program will give Wang what she wants. It'll make phone numbers more permanent. That's good news for everyone from Wang to a popular restaurant reservations line that has the number 57575777 in Chinese, that sounds like: I eat, I eat, I eat, eat, eat. In Shanghai, I'm Rob Schmitz, for Marketplace.
irish-4-leaf-clover
four-leaf-clover-necklace
three-leaf-clover
four-leaf-clover-pendant
rish-four-leaf-clover
IRELAND, a country that accounts for less than 2 per cent of eurozone gross domestic profit, has caused big trouble for the entire region.
The once healthy country, which went into the global financial crisis with a budget surplus and a 27 per cent debt-to-GDP ratio, left the GFC as one of the world's richest countries.
But this year Ireland is expected to report a huge budget deficit.
Its debt-to-GDP ratio could reach 150 per cent by 2014, leading many investors to wonder how the tables turned so quickly.
At the time, Ireland felt so confident about its economy that it guaranteed the liabilities of all its banks. Now Ireland is paying for that handsomely.
The country is fully funded well into next year, which means it needed a bank, not a sovereign bailout.
Now it has accepted a loan from the International Monetary Fund worth up to E90 billion.
For currency investors, the important question is what this means for the euro, which lost 5 per cent of its value on mere speculation of a bailout.
Some experts believe the euro will now stabilise.
But based on how the euro reacted to the Greek bailout, that may not be the case. Trading in the euro since the IMF bailout was announced last week bears out these fears with the currency falling to two-month lows.
On the first trading day after Greece received a record-breaking bailout in May, the euro gave up 1c, and during the next week it lost 7c.
Between May 3 and June 7 the euro-US dollar fell about 10 per cent. Eventually, the currency stabilised when Greece faded from everyone's minds.
Kathy Lien is director of currency research at GFT.
IRELAND, a country that accounts for less than 2 per cent of eurozone gross domestic profit, has caused big trouble for the entire region.
The once healthy country, which went into the global financial crisis with a budget surplus and a 27 per cent debt-to-GDP ratio, left the GFC as one of the world's richest countries.
But this year Ireland is expected to report a huge budget deficit.
Its debt-to-GDP ratio could reach 150 per cent by 2014, leading many investors to wonder how the tables turned so quickly.
At the time, Ireland felt so confident about its economy that it guaranteed the liabilities of all its banks. Now Ireland is paying for that handsomely.
The country is fully funded well into next year, which means it needed a bank, not a sovereign bailout.
Now it has accepted a loan from the International Monetary Fund worth up to E90 billion.
For currency investors, the important question is what this means for the euro, which lost 5 per cent of its value on mere speculation of a bailout.
Some experts believe the euro will now stabilise.
But based on how the euro reacted to the Greek bailout, that may not be the case. Trading in the euro since the IMF bailout was announced last week bears out these fears with the currency falling to two-month lows.
On the first trading day after Greece received a record-breaking bailout in May, the euro gave up 1c, and during the next week it lost 7c.
Between May 3 and June 7 the euro-US dollar fell about 10 per cent. Eventually, the currency stabilised when Greece faded from everyone's minds.
Kathy Lien is director of currency research at GFT.
4 H Club Gift is a good luck gift ideafor anyone that is involve in the 4 H Club of America,
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- Take pleasure in doing your own thing this season. (QMI Agency files)
Single for the holidays? Lucky you!
Every year around the holidays, zillions of sad stories start making the rounds about how to survive the cheery, chocolate-filled days even if you're (boo-hoo) single.
Well, forget that. This year, we're turning the whole woe-is-me Bridget Jones' idea on its tired, old head. I mean, come on, that's so 2001!
Here's the thing - if you're flying solo this season, you ought to be celebrating, if only for the fact you don't have to be perfectly charming for an entire agonizing night at the in-laws' house or get dragged to your mate's office party where, through gritted teeth, you smile and nod through five hours of nauseating small talk and bad corporate speeches.
So, if you're running wild and free this season, go ahead and make your married friends jealous with our seven top reasons why being single during the holiday season rocks.
No spending time with the 'faux' relatives:
Forget Aunt Bertha. She was never your aunt anyway.
Oh, the beauty of solo navigation! As your friends are being dragged to their partners' relatives homes for egg nog, you don't have to budge. Probably the best thing about being single is that you don't have to do anything you don't want to do. Even better, you don't have to worry about finding the in-laws the perfect (read: non-offensive) present or eating a second round of some horrible family recipe.
It's your party:
Sure, you can cry if you want to, but only once and only for a day. Newly single or just feeling lonely under the mistletoe? OK, take an ice cream and pajama day if you must, but then pull yourself out of your H�agen-Dazs-infused slumber, trash the rom coms, call up the other single cats in your crew and hit the town. Take pleasure in making your own schedule!
"You just have so much freedom," says Anne L. Fritz, co-founder of the lifestyle website TheJetSetGirls.com.
"You don't have to worry about going to their relatives ... you won't necessarily have a New Year's Eve date, but you might have a hot date lined up in January and you get to collect all kinds of phone numbers."
Forget 'The One:'
If we all just had only one person in the entire world that suited us, likely no one would ever hook up. Time to recognize those illusions and get on with your lives, people. According to Toronto-based dating coach Christine Hart (YourDateCoach.com), the irritating fantasy of perfect love and perfect couples can lead to pure, utter misery. Time to pop the bubble, she says.
"Stop yourself from assuming that people who are in a couple are super happy," says Hart.
"You really don't know what's happening in other people's relationships."
Explore yourself:
Use your extra holiday time utterly selfishly. Read those books and magazines that have been sitting on the night table for months, get around to installing that new shelving unit or just indulge in your laziest desires and sit on your couch watching the first four seasons of Mad Men.
Me, me and more me:
"Enter the holiday season with a totally different attitude," says Hart. "You're going to have fun and decorate your apartment however you want to. You can have five days in a row where you sleep 14 hours if you want to. You can come and go as you please! Use the time to get refreshed and renewed for the new year."
Gift yourself:
Instead of dealing with the pressure of trying to find the perfect gift for someone else, save some serious cash, or go ahead and pamper yourself instead. And don't skimp either. Indeed a mini mani-pedi combo is nice, but a full spa day is even better. Hoping for a piece of jewelry instead? Well, you're in charge of the purse strings.
"There are so many affordable pieces," says Fritz.
"Sweet charm necklaces like a four-leaf clover would be a great gift to give yourself because it's meaningful and it will last."
Why are you still single?
There will always be some irritating sod at every party who will ask you something dumb like, 'You're such a great catch - why are you still single?' Hart says it's helpful to prepare an answer before getting stuck in a relationship inquisition.
"Always have a stock answer ready in your back pocket," says Hart.
"Try, 'Yeah, I am having such a great time. I am learning so much about myself!' That way they won't be able to feel sorry for you."
Party circuit dress code:
You're single so you might as well look your hottest, right? You're not dressing for anyone's preferences but your own. For gals who don't want to go unnoticed, think sequins, says Fritz.
"I am such a huge fan of sequins," says Fritz.
"Just don't wear too many. Don't wear top and bottom sequins. Do a sequin mini, but you don't want to go out wearing something too short and tight."
Meanwhile, snap up some attention by wearing a festive colour, she says.
"I love wearing colour," says Fritz, noting that this in itself goes against the grain of regular somber black ensembles worn by so many partygoers. "I think red would be a classic colour choice or a pretty purple or green."
Tips for new daters during the holiday season:
- Never bring a date to the office party. For one thing, you can’t control bad behaviour that could reflect poorly on you.
- Never organize a first date for New Year’s Eve. If you don’t hit it off, you’re stuck with each other for the night. Plus the midnight kiss will be awkward.
- Enjoy your single status while it lasts while reveling in family and friendships.
- Confidence booster! During the holidays, it’s easy to over-indulge in rich food, alcoholic drinks and late nights but remember to take care of your health to help maintain that healthy glow.
(Source: Lavalife dating Expert, Kim Hughes)
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What are the most popular Irish Jewelry for this Holiday Season? Irish 4 leaf clover good luck charms such as four leaf clover necklace, four leaf clover bracelet, four leaf clover earrings makes a great a good luck gift ideas.
Will we see a breakup in the European Union?
Jozi, Jozi. Whoa...stocks globally started to sell off, I guess you could point the fattest finger at the Chinese and their hot economy and now a bit of an inflation pickle and you would probably have the answer that you are looking for. Although what few people are talking about is the root of the inflation problem, the fact that adverse weather conditions have seen food prices run unnaturally ahead. Part droughts, part floods, but natural disasters are more common in China than in many other places around the world. In fact the worst three natural disasters recorded from a loss of human life are all Chinese events. And then the Chinese have recorded two other top ten spots, so you know what I am talking about here.
And, to add in an Irish problem that is gripping the media, and "a will they or won't they" accept EU help is starting to weigh on markets. Sure it is a big problem, but is it a new problem? No. Resource prices weighed on the majors in our index, that sector down over two and a quarter percent, the diversified stocks taking most tap. The overall market, the Jozi all share index closed down at 31419, down 396 points or 1.25 percent, a drubbing for the bulls.
Spar good for you. Results for the full year this morning. I must admit, I quite like the model. I quite like the brand. I used to like the share price. Turnover of 34.8 billion ZAR, which is a 9 percent increase on last year. Whilst operating expenses seem to have been kept in check, a rise of only 6.7 percent (I say only), operating profits are better by 14.2 percent. Net income of (perhaps insert only) 915 million ZAR. Phew, you work so hard, nearly 35 billion ZAR turnover for less than a billion ZAR of profits.
That translates to EPS of 536 ZA cents. With an annual dividend of 362 cents per share, hey, that is good. The stock trades at 99 ZAR a share. So take the yield part, 3.6 percent is not bad, that is pretty decent bearing in mind that cash rates are going to fall further, perhaps as early as tomorrow afternoon again. The analyst community has the company making nearly 7 ZAR a share worth of earnings in 24 months time, and paying a dividend of over 450 cents a share. So on that basis, the stock trades two years forward on 14 times earnings and has a yield of four and a half percent. Is that good value? And I guess you should be paying a little more if the company has managed to grow that fast.
I guess this is the tricky part that everyone is struggling with, how do you value these companies? Revenue has doubled in five years. HEPS has grown at 23 percent per annum over the same time. Dividend payments have grown from 123 cps back in 2006 to 362 cps now. Margins have actually been maintained, although they look a little "light" for my liking, with net margins below 3 percent. But, they have crept up over the last five years. Operational cash flows are strong. Gearing is low. Did I mention that net margins are low? But then again it is a franchise business.
I get the sense that companies are starting the thaw to the idea that consumers are starting to feel more comfortable, check out the prospects column: "We anticipate that consumer spending will remain under some pressure, however the impact of lower interest rates, improving economic activity and a gradual increase in food inflation are positive signs for an improvement in trading." Ahhh, light at the end of the tunnel for the battered (embattled?) consumer.
A rental car business? The Sub-Saharan, Siberian and Iberian (Spain and Portugal) Caterpillar franchise? Bulk Handling? Logistics? Second hand cars? This of course is a business called Barloworld, who reported full year numbers this morning. A shadow of their former self, the business used to be a South African icon a mere thirty years or so ago, and were one of the biggest back then. Nampak, Tiger Brands (and all the subsequent unbundlings including Spar, Astral foods and Adcock), Reunert, any mine with a Rand name back then, that included JCI (with the significant current Anglo Platinum assets). Phew, add those all up and this would be a giant conglomerate, if it still existed. One that Punch Barlow envisaged.
But now they are a business that turned over 40.8 billion ZAR last year. Discontinued operations made a wider loss per share than last year, whilst continuing operations per share were much lower too. I don't know, they seem pretty upbeat about the outlook, their heavy duty franchise business will benefit from growing markets in mining here in Africa, they make specific reference to growing copper output from Zambia, and increased excitement in Siberia, both markets took a whack as commodity prices imploded. Spain is still set to struggle as government expenditure in the great age of austerity (or call it a return to what your grandparents would refer to as the norm) is toned down on infrastructural projects.
And in fact this is the division that they will look mostly to in the coming year: "Equipment southern Africa is entering the new year with a strong order book particularly from mining customers." But..... "The anticipated recovery of the construction market in South Africa and Angola driven by governmental infrastructure spending is not expected before mid 2011 calendar year."
And the same, as mentioned previously is the outlook in Spain and Portugal: "The austerity measures introduced by the Spanish government mean that the public works sector will remain subdued for most of 2011." But it is a completely different story in Siberia (note, not Russia), a good story: "In Russia, order books have increased significantly on the back of a recovery in mining activity and we expect a strong first half of next year" Excellent.
Fleet services business looks fine and the year ahead is all good. The automotive business is set to recover here locally, led by better consumer access to credit and rising consumer confidence. You know, it is time to buy a car. A new one. You will probably find that this time next year we are talking about a much improved performance, but I am not too sure that a geared investment to the credit cycle is predictable enough to make me comfortable.
Reunert full year numbers this morning too. It has been a busy morning here. A four percent change in revenue to 10.6 billion ZAR with a bottom line of 911 million ZAR. So, you would have to say, decent net margins, although in the world of Warren Buffett I think anything below ten percent is a no-no, that is quite hard to achieve. Nashua is two thirds of overall revenue and 52 percent of operating profits. What is quite (or very interesting) is CBI-Electric is a 45 percent operating profit contributor but only contributes 28 percent to total group revenue. So clearly the operating margins in the CBI-Electric businesses are double that of the more talked about Nashua business.
I guess cables and low voltage equipment are much more exciting to engineers than the mobile business, with around three quarters of a million customers. Although the same could be said for office equipment, they try their best with those adverts, but darnit, a printing solution is boring, whichever way you look at it, regardless of your geniuses at Nashua. And then of course there is a separate third division which is related with defence systems, perhaps the SANDF used to be a bigger customer in years gone by.
And how do the geniuses at Reunert see the outlook? "The economy is in a delicate state with lower interest rates encouraging growth. However, the strength of the rand is of serious concern with increased imports and reduced export opportunities hampering growth. Subject to the prevailing economic conditions remaining unchanged, the group predicts an increase in earnings for the year ahead." I would venture to say that again, this time next year as is the same for Barloworld, "things" will be better. Disclosure: I am an optimist and no, we don't own any of these shares in our client longs.
Ye olde world Ireland was actually running a surplus a mere four years ago. Public debt now tops 35 thousand Euros per man, woman and child, according to Bloomberg. WHAT!!?? How did this happen? Well, most folks think that the root of the problem was the root of most of the problems, easy money (easy lending criteria) led to massive speculation in the Irish property market. Fuel was added to the hot property flames in the form of lax laws surrounding the flipping of primary properties. And of course, access to easy money, did I say that already? I heard an American property commentator say something along the lines, "well this time around if you want to obtain a mortgage you actually have to HAVE A JOB!" You get the point he is trying to make.
"Ireland built half as many homes as the UK in 2007 despite having one thirteenth the population" is what I read on Candid Money. In fact, you should read the whole article ---> The Irish problem. I don't agree with his conclusion and do believe that he is way too bearish. And that is probably because in 18 months time problems like these will be less problematic for the EU and for the global economy.
Four leaf cloverAgain, the same questions are starting to be asked, will we see a breakup in the European Union. The biggest problem for the Irish is that they cannot weaken their currency, they share one with a whole lot of bigger economies and they can't tap lines of credit from the IMF, they have to ask the other union members first. They apparently need around 20 percent of their GDP just to bail out the local banks. To put that into local terms OK, would mean that we would need 60 billion US Dollars, or 420 billion Rands to help our banks out, if we got into the same pickle. To answer that question, will they exit the EU, well first things first, there is no mechanism to implement such a mechanism and politically it would lead to civil unrest, as I no doubt think the masses would view this as a step backwards.
Christine Lagarde, the French Economic minister said in an interview last night that if Ireland needs help, they will help. But, she said, they have not asked for help. So everyone seems to think that Ireland needs help, except the pride of the Irish. Politicians I tell you. And did you know that the 1 in 5 people in the Irish workforce is a civil servant. A bloated civil service no doubt. This seems to have been a global trend over the last decade, to add more people to the government payrolls and not fewer.
It is not all doom and gloom though. Remember Latvia? Remember the nearly one fifth contraction of their economy overnight because of the over extension, housing and consumer led economy? Well, not that things are fixed, but they took their medicine and now the economy is growing slowly again. Perhaps there are some hard knock lessons in there for Ireland and Greece. Take all the pain now. But I don't think that they will.
New York, New York. Trounced. Thrashed. Irish debt problems in their banking system and the Chinese inflation problem were blamed. Oh, and if you want, Austria and their school of economics and attitude towards Greece. Because, if the Austrians want to withhold a payment to Greece is that any different from the Greeks having broken the rules in the first place? Methinks not.
good luck gift ideaBut that has nothing to do with what is happening or happened in New York last evening. There is of course a small matter of a General Motors IPO. And everyone is going gaga for that. Not like meat dress gaga, but rather a forward multiple at the thought current pricing is less than seven times. Cheap. And the US government in order to get back their bail out of the motor vehicle manufacturer, their remaining or residual stake will have to increase 50 percent. Hey, remember when they were not going to get anything back at all? Morons, yes, turns out that the government might get all of it back.
Silk road, riced and diced What do you make of the Chinese setting out on price controls again? Is this a step backwards? Or is this a step in to control what could lead to violent protests, elevated food prices? Because food prices impact more on poor people and poor people have to turn to violence (as history shows us) when they are desperate. So this is not an economics move from Beijing central, but rather a political move. Although, this Marketwatch piece suggests that the price controls could have the opposite effect: China controls may do little to curb prices.
This line I guess will spook almost everyone, except the growers: "Data released this week by the Ministry of Commerce showed that average wholesale prices for 18 key vegetables in 36 Chinese cities soared 62.4% year-on-year in the first 10 days of November." I guess that is the other issue, what might not be good for urban consumers is good for rural farmers. Who, just remind everyone, feel marginalised anyhow. I do not know enough about Chinese politics to know what Beijing central is up to. All I know is that their approach to many matters economic and political is seemingly VERY WELL thought out.
Chinese stocks continued to take a thrashing, down nearly two percent, Hong Kong down 2 percent too. Japan bucked the trend though, a weaker Yen is good for exports, excellent. And of course this is having a negative impact on all of the commodity prices.
Commodities corner Which are: the gold price last at 1338 Dollars per fine ounce. I thought a crisis was good for the gold price? There were CME margin requirements raised yesterday too, some folks thought that might have led to some selling in commodities too. My favourite currency guy, Ashraf Laidi said he thought that the gold price would retrace to 1320 Dollars per fine ounce. I think based on currencies of course. The platinum price is lower at 1640 Dollars per fine ounce. Jeepers the copper price has been bashed, down to 368 US cents per pound. The oil price is lower at 82.05 Dollars per barrel. The Rand is about steady at this time, 7.03 to the US Dollar, 11.20 to the Pound Sterling and lastly 9.50 to the Euro.
Up periscope. We started off on a poor note, but have improved through much of the day. There are of course housing numbers a little later.
*Sasha Naryshkine is from Vestact Asset Management
