Utilico Insights - Jacqueline Broers assesses why Vietnam could be the darling of Asia for investors. Watch the full video here.
London South East prides itself on its community spirit, and in order to keep the chat section problem free, we ask all members to follow these simple rules. In these rules, we refer to ourselves as "we", "us", "our". The user of the website is referred to as "you" and "your".
By posting on our share chat boards you are agreeing to the following:
The IP address of all posts is recorded to aid in enforcing these conditions. As a user you agree to any information you have entered being stored in a database. You agree that we have the right to remove, edit, move or close any topic or board at any time should we see fit. You agree that we have the right to remove any post without notice. You agree that we have the right to suspend your account without notice.
Please note some users may not behave properly and may post content that is misleading, untrue or offensive.
It is not possible for us to fully monitor all content all of the time but where we have actually received notice of any content that is potentially misleading, untrue, offensive, unlawful, infringes third party rights or is potentially in breach of these terms and conditions, then we will review such content, decide whether to remove it from this website and act accordingly.
Premium Members are members that have a premium subscription with London South East. You can subscribe here.
London South East does not endorse such members, and posts should not be construed as advice and represent the opinions of the authors, not those of London South East Ltd, or its affiliates.
Hi RedSparrow,
I have a friend who retired 5 years ago rom running his own dental practice of 35years, the final straw was because he felt that successive governments were now denying patients so many procedures on the NHS and forcing them to go private despite them having paid their NI contributions.
The NHS and the steady increase of patient charge bands started in the nineties and has carried on until as you point out there are now limited choices of treatment on the NHS.
I broke a tooth just after the start of the pandemic and after around 8 months managed to get an NHS appointment for some emergency treatment (band 2 £65 ), my new dentist who is excellent gave me the choices and his recommendation was a gold crown because the tooth above was already gold, or the NHS (band3 £282) chrome gold coloured crown which would be less inert, more sensitive to temperature changes and last around 50% less time.
So I went for the gold crown which including the initial Band 2 NHS X Ray and tooth prep came to £685.
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/dental-costs/how-much-will-i-pay-for-nhs-dental-treatment/
Unfortunately the way that the successive government have systematically cut what Dentistry costs are covered by the NHS and indeed other things such as opticians charges and prescription charges gets very little if any media coverage, although the many of the general public will complain to their dentist , (who is actually on their side) but never put their complaint in writing to their MP
How often are dentistry costs featured in any political manifesto, yet increasing what the NHS patient pays has been yet another very effective stealth tax used by successive governments.
If this were not bad enough the government is now cutting the range of routine procedure that that are available on the NHS and increasing waiting times for what is available and blaming the pandemic rather than than admitting that their failed policies and ineptness are to blame!
Yes, Mr Tibbles, it's going to take a lot more than pot banging to save the NHS. The government has run out of other people's money, and the retirement age has been increased, dentistry is nearly all private (although I do have an NHS dentist but treatment is limited) and NI contributions are still required.
Which way with gold and Centamin this week? I feel the time is near.
The sun's o'ercast with blood: fair day, adieu!
Which is the side that I must go withal?
I am with both: each army hath a hand;
And in their rage, I having hold of both,
They whirl asunder and dismember me.
King John
William Shakespeare
(A play, not poem, but my Monday contribution.)
Hi Mr Gnome,
You are quite right, what hope is there of so many of the general public ever showing any interest in what Andrew Maguire is explaining or let alone associating how the implications of banks Comex trading effects anything in their lives!
It is staggering how so many of our UK general public seem to think that the NHS and the State Pension are some sort of benefit or government subsidised handout that they should be grateful for!
They fail to realise that the their National Insurances contributions are no different as paying into any any other insurance fund and they are entitled to receive treatment as and when needed and a pension when they are eligible
Certainly in the UK the public seem oblivious to the fact that their elected members are dibbing into the National Insurance pot to fritter away on other things like paying off the national debt!
If the government could be trusted it would male sense to do away with private medical insurance and to increase National Insurance contributions by a reasonable ring fenced amount to provide NHS treatment as needed.
Most people who are paying NI contributions and also paying into private health insurance for what can only be described as restricted medical cover would much better off, admittedly there would be some who wouldn't be happy about paying the increased NI contributions, but the majority of people would be more content knowing if they need medical treatment it is available,
I sympathise with your mother in law, it is appalling that the NHS has been allowed to decline to its present state, it now specialises in putting people off the ever growing list of procedures for what is regarded as being routine or non life threatening ,quality of life is no longer a consideration it seems, in fact if you can get to see a GP then you are made to feel guilty for even asking if some treatment can be provided by the NHS even though you have been paying national insurance !
Incidentally I don't know if you are aware but George Osborne was using the NI pot to pay off the national deficit, unfortunately we didn’t get enough people to support a parliamentary debate
Twitter £24,221,220,000, paid into the NIF was used by the government to reduce the national debt.
Freedom of Information Act 2000: National Insurance Fund
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-insurance-fund
"Review governance of National Insurance Fund
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/233408
"Save the NHS” what a great diversionary tactic by Boris & his crew! my neighbour who took part every Thursday in the pot banging criticised me for not doing so, over the past months one of his hips had deteriorated so severely he could only walk with sticks ,he saw the GP then a consultant who confirmed an replacement was needed, waiting time now 4 years!
Although a private op in the same private hospital used by the NHS was available in 3 weeks which has so far cost my neighbour £14800, although he has given up any idea of pot banging in the future!
My AXA PPP health insurance has decided since 2017 as the NHS has decreed that varicose veins conditions are purely cosmetic (unless Thrombosis or blood loss through exposed vein) that AXA will only pay for one surgical procedure per leg in perpetuity of the policy, despite the consultants opinion on the best procedure!
Unless you are paying for top notch private health care, then they are a waste of time!
So where do we go from here the NHS & Private Care are both unfit for purpose!
(Varicose veins done properly by 2 procedures each leg cost £16000)
No, Mr B, she doesn't do flippant or funny. I learnt that many years ago. She's more of the 'put down' type. We get on OK, though; I just have to 'adjust' and button it in her company - don't mention certain topics. Such is life.
Perhaps your mother in law, was being sarcastic or flippant , about the program and it's content, ;-).
Hi Mr Tibbles
I'm not sure how you managed to go from Calvinistic Puritanism, Oliver Cromwell style, to inadequate funding for the NHS, but it was ingenious, nonetheless.
Very early last January, my mother-in-law had a cataract operation on one eye, which was done privately. The waiting list on the NHS was horrendous, but she is in her late 80s so she couldn't wait that long. She did have the same operation on her other eye on the NHS a few years ago. The NHS hospitals were so geared up for the Covid pandemic, I don't think they could cope with too much else.
Anyway, despite her operation having been done on the 4th January, during lockdown, the doctors said she ought not to be on her own for a couple of days. So, I collected her from the hospital and she stayed with me. One evening she was looking at the TV listings on screen and said to me, 'Whatever next? There's a programme here called "AR*E Fashion Week".' I looked, but it read 'ARISE Fashion Week'. To this day, I don't know if she thought it was fashion for a particular part of the anatomy or clothing for stupid people. I began to wonder if the operation had been a success.
Sorry for being off topic, but it's Sunday.
Thanks Mr T
In regard to the gold markets and their structure I find Andrew McGuire's sessions very interesting. The pity is that most do not know about these, nor do they know about the things that effect them profundly orchestarted by unelected people following their favourite idelogies, and so they walk on in sad disarray, barking at headlines and shadows as they flicker into the screen. One doesnt have to spend too long thinking about why mental health issues are rising expnentially, and this even without the divine right to lockup the peasants to save them from the monsters (Vicotrian Chief Minister of Health speak for the virus).
But all is not lost, we all fight on, and laughter is by far the best medicine...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtYU87QNjPw
best
the gnome
Hi Red Sparrow,
No need to apologies for being off topic, it was always the way that everything was indeed on topic at quiet times and at weekends , far better to divert one's thoughts or concerns about what's going on behind the scenes at Centamin with some debate on other issues, it gives the mind time to recuperate and often helps one put things into perspective.
I really enjoyed your analysis of the state of things today , in particular your comparison of public attitudes during the Civil War to those of the present day, indeed this UK Civil war may well fester on for some years, until it becomes apparent that the idea that existing in isolation is no way to live and no one country can exist in isolation, certainly blockchain and crypto currencies will inecvitadly bring about changes in peoples attitudes who will see no reason for the unfit for purpose policies inflicted upon them by out of touch inward thinking political elites, or for unreasonable travel and trading barriers and protectionistic practices.
The present pandemic has highlighted the failure of governments the world over to have provided fit for purpose health care policies that are able to cope with routine needs and unexpected occurrences in tandem.
Turning countries into open prisons with restrictions on peoples basic freedom is not acceptable , a fit for purpose health care system and common sense should have been the way to deal with the pandemic.
The vast majority of people have committed no crime and yet they have been sentenced to open prison existence for around 18 months !
Our news in dominated by the Climate Change lobby, Black Lives Matter, Me Too and so much more. Most of these people would be horrified to think they are following the mindset of the Calvinistic Puritans of the seventeenth century - except insert the latter day cause for that particular branch of Christianity. I'm not criticizing their views, just making an observation.
Just as in the case of the English Civil War (the 17th Century one!), where the vast majority of people took no side in the struggle between the Monarchy and Parliament, most people today just read and listen to what's said on these issues and get on with their lives. I'm sure politicians find these topics a great distraction to cover up their real agenda.
What we forget about are the really postive things going on to make human life on the planet safer, longer and more sustainable. Isn't it great that someone like Olga, in Goldgnome's link, can emigrate from Russia to the USA, and be passionate about the potential benefits of Smart Contracts, and explain them to the audience in perfect English? Likewise, the research being carried out on genome sequencing and DNA profiling should allow us to predict an individual's health profile from the early years, and help prevent diseases and ailments from the ageing process.
So, just two of the many great things going on to chalk up on the plus side. It's very easy to get bogged down in other people's crap.
I'm sure that someone, at some time, has asked you the question: 'If you had a choice of going back in time and living a day in that era, what would you choose?' My answer has always been - Today! As a wise man once said about wanting to live in 'olden times' - just think about going to the dentist.
Oh so sorry for the off topic; just a bit of weekend nonsense.
Hi Mr Gnome,
Our UK BOE governor and indeed many of our MP's are ignorant of how the markets and certainly the Comex works, I doubt they will take the trouble to try to understand Smart Contracts until they are hit between the eyes by them and forced to acknowledge this is a better way of doing things!
Indeed these Smart Contracts are a way to give some power back to the people and level up the playing field!
Tibbs
Thank you MR Gnome,
As usual you hit the nails on the head and more!!
Yes, we have running those style of experiments in Victoria over the last 18 months. The excuse has been the "virus" and the punshment has been to see how many days the "authorities" can keep the population locked up in their houses, without their being a breakout. The experiments are ongoing until the virus is eliminated 100%. So will be on going for the next 50 years I expect.
For those with time on their hands, considering a career move
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA6CGuXEKtQ
regards
the gnome
The Milgram experiment about human behaviour has always fascinated me. The link below explains it, but it is well known anyway. The Germans had to try to find out who the agitators were in their prison camps - about 3% of the men were trouble makers - and separate them from the sheep.
I reckon the percentage of 'strops' on this board is a far sight higher than 3%. In fact, I'd stick the lot of you in Colditz.
(Maybe not).
Have a great weekend.
https://www.thoughtco.com/milgram-experiment-4176401
Interesting words Goldgnome, I very much agree with your take on AU house prices, hyperinflation in capital value coupled with rock bottom interest rates - a bubble waiting to burst! At least that’s what I tell myself as a sore first time buyer struggling to jump onto the Melbourne market!
Anyway, back to gold and our abysmal sp - seems I misinterpreted the awful CPI data yesterday…..5% obviously wasn’t a big enough hike……! Shocking.
As always, GL all.
The housing prices will go up for a while. Then people will realise they do not have a job, do not have certainty in the job they have or the business they are in, cant pay the looans interest, the interest rates will go up, the banks will close down on the loan books, the young people will realise home ownership is being closed out to them yet again and be ****$d off, the governments will continually expose that they have no idea whether to exterminate the virus (which incidentally has rarely if ever happened, but whatever does one learn from medical history?), or behave rationally, and on we go...then we get a social revolution, and life goes on...
all good fun
the gnome
The cheapest thing to match paper debt is more paper debt. Perhaps Oddly. Because the paper debt can be created out of nothing, and it is and has been for a while now. Gold on its bad day, has more backing that paper promises. The latter goes on adnauseum, hidden behind ignorance of the masses and deceit by the elite. I always find it hard to understand why the vast population can be doped up for so long, and seemingly happy.
Why doesn't the Western World learn from West African countries. A coup de'tat a day keeps the b%stards honest.
good luck to all
the gnome
Hi MrBond,
Yes indeed as some of us have remarked re "Brexit" "The Good Old Days"were never quite how some would like us the believe and accepting the trade union movement was'nt perfect it brought about the terms of employment and working conditions that many take for granted today.
admittedly Tory governments since Thatchers time have systemically eroded employee's rights and protection and try convince people that unions are wicked lefties and all employers know best.
That said there are good and bad amongst any workforce, but a good union rep recognised that and would take to one side any member who was'nt behaving as they should and warn them if they didn't change their ways they were likely would be going upstairs, or even worse down the road, this helped avoid many disputes.
The early "Bitcoin" or workers tokens you mentioned were used by many employers and are now collectable https://www.dgcoins.co.uk/webpagetokens.htm
https://www.money.org/money-museum/virtual-exhibits/moe/case14
The Battle of Matewan: 100 Years Later (Episode 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY4DRFcunAA
Mathew & Son
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOl9P4ib_20
Life in the 30s - The Great Depression - Overproduction Crisis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adqeJDHdr6s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUyCEz_Fjms
Auson
Any thoughts of retiring to Sandgate on the Queensland coast will need to be shelved. They probably wouldn't even let me in in any case. It's a pity; it really is a beautiful coast.
RedSparrow7,
With negative rates whats going to happen to the house prices in Australia now
It will be interesting to see what happens when the music stops. Our job is to minimize the hit we take when we can no longer see the politicians backsides for dust. Keeping my money outside the financial system and growing as much of my own food is a good start.
There was a superb programme on TV a while ago about bread in the UK. Some of the things unscrupulous bakers added to the ingredients was wicked and poisoned people.
I still see gold going for $1950 soon. I think Tony nailed it for the moment and the buy for Centamin was the 109s. Now there's a gap from this morning. If it gets filled, I'll buy. Then reassess if $1950s is reached, and see if there is a bigger pullback or we're going for all time highs. I'm cautious that the 107.4p hasn't been filled. It may not.
I've no idea why I'm concerned about all this; confidence in western governments is ebbing fast and the Centamin share price should be much higher in the future.
I suppose if for example the $ or most Fiat currency fell of a cliff.
What would be acceptable for buying AU. OR Indeed any important commodity.
Gold.
More likely labour.
It would be like stepping back in time to the Mills that paid workers Tokens that could only be redeemed at the factory shop ,that sold flour mixed with chalk dust and other dub standard essentials. I suppose that was an early form of inflation
That really happened in the UK.
In the "Good old days".
Excuse me I am just letting my imagination wander.
Or is everyone really being tricked and scammed like never before in History.
Paper with nothing to back it ,is just paper.
The Oz federal government has paid a negative interest rate [-0.010 per cent and zero to lenders until September] on $1 billion borrowed from institutional investors, the first time on record [this time is different] the total cost of a Treasury debt sale has fallen below zero. Institutional investors [ foreign pension funds, insurers and banks] need to park their money for short periods of time in safe assets and will pay the Australian government to hold their funds for the next three months [whilst they try and find real assets].
Australian Office of Financial Management CEO Rob Nicholl says demand for Australian government debt is strong [so investors are lining up to effectively lose money?].
The historic financing reflects central banks suppressing interest rates by buying government bonds in the secondary market and HUGE amounts of cash [why?] sloshing around the world’s financial system.
Counterparties are pretty happy to get zero per cent at the moment.
— Chris Dickman, co-founder ALTIUS Asset Management
Investment banks are buying the debt on behalf of offshore investor clients, making a loss on the yield but earning a profit on three-month forward foreign exchange contracts [ one of the more productive centers of global finance? ] Banks are flush with funding thanks to deposits by households and businesses that are cashed up from government stimulus payments. Banks also have access to cheap 0.1 per cent, three-year loans from the Reserve Bank of Australia’s $210 billion term funding facility. Housing loan rate 2+%, business loan rate 2.5-3.5%. Nice money if you can get it!!! And the banks are still shedding staff and branches like no tomorrow.
But the question remains, why is there so much cash around, and why are corporations sitting on so much cash. Uncertainty (insurance measure/liquidity) or just cant find the write investment/real asset or that the assets are all so over priced (such that a correction is getting closer?). Watch the FLOW OF FUNDS DATA
https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/z1/
Can't wait to see what happens when the music ends?
best
the gnome