All posts by admin

Market Analysis

How to Analyze Money Market Rates

A money market account combines the thrill of a short-term, high-yield investment with the security of a savings account, which often intrigues new investors. Much like a savings account, this type of account is accessible – meaning you can transfer money from your checking and savings accounts to it, and you can even write checks against this account. Yet it still offers higher interest – or money market rates – than a standard savings account. If you’re considering this investment tactic, you’ll want to be sure you comprehend the basics about rates on money market accounts:

Understand why money market accounts offer higher rates. This is because unlike with a savings account, the financial institution you’re partnering with is able to use your funds to invest in its own capital. Although you’re in a low-risk situation, the banks may wager your money in higher-risk gambits, such as federal securities and bonds. The bank owes you only the money market rates discussed on top of your initial investment, regardless of how much money it makes (or loses) in this time. Because you give the bank the chance to make money for itself with your money, in turn it pays favorable interest rates for this type of account.

Compare an array of rates from top banks. You’ll want to assess at least five banks’ rates to be sure you’re getting a competitive rate that accurately reflects the current market. Most sites offer calculators that can help you determine how much money you stand to make during the length of an agreement – typically about a year – given the current money market rates.

Know the money market rates are not the bottom line. In addition to figuring out the best annual yield (with compounded interest over time, if the length of term allows it) and how much money you’ll walk away with, there are other factors to compare. For example, some banks require a higher original deposit than others. Or you may need to sustain a certain minimal balance at all times. Some may have steeper fees if you need to cancel your account or if you accidentally withdraw more times than allowed per term (typically 3-6 per month). Start-up fees may simply be higher at some banks, negating the high money market rates offered. Look at the big picture and total costs before settling for what seems like the best money market account offer.

Market Analysis

Best Street Market in Valbonne Area France

Valbonne has the most fantastic Provencal market which takes place on a Friday morning and is a focal point for the villages and its inhabitants. Then on the first Sunday of each month there is an antiques market which is well worth a visit.

The Friday market takes place right through this picturesque village. 12th centuryun spoiltfacades are the feature of this bustling lively village. There is a large parking area to the west of the village with a short walk across a new square, which also has some parking but it is often difficult to find a place. Even before you get to the end of the new square (going past the best fruit and vegetable shop I have ever seen, but they know how to charge!), the stalls begin before you go down the stairspast Cafe Latin, and before reaching the old village proper.

Once across the road into the ancient centre, you will find stalls littering the main drag andmanyof the tiny cobbledsidestreets which crisscross this old village. The main drag opens up into the central square, which is surrounded by half a dozenrestaurantsand cafe’s which are busy at all times of the year but especially the Friday market days.

One can find a wide range ofjewellery, much local produce with many seasonal items, ranging in fruit and vegetable terms from peaches, figs, grapes, walnuts, carrots, fennel, pate, bread, mirabelle plums, strawberries raspberries and mushrooms of many types depending on the season I have even seen truffles for sale in season.

Muchlocal produce is available, one often finds a wine producer and a purveyor of cheeses alongside ceramics and localglasswareand some other locally crafted items.The normal market offerings of clothing, footwear and sunglasses areinevitablywell covered, but there is also a knife maker, lines andtableclothsfor sale plus handcarved wooden items.

The village is a perfect way to set up your day. Awanderaround the market can take over an hour to doproperly, and then, with a thirst on board you can get acoffee, or something stronger such as apastisor a glass of rose and sit and watch the market life go on whilst you people watch or read a paper. There are severalnews agentsin the village, all stocking a good range ofEnglish speakingnewspapers.

Lunch is of course eminently possible, indeed some would say necessary. A visitor to this region willalmostinevitably be aware of the Provencal, indeed French reverence for lunch. PeterMaile,authorof “A Year In Provence” when asked to describe Provence on one word said “lunch”

On the first Sunday ofeachmonth, averydifferentmarkettakes place, the Antiques market. It ids a colourful affair withhundredsof stands, with an incredible array of items offered for sale, ranging from coins and oldjewelry through ceramics,glassware,furniture, in fact very little of interestanantique houndwill not be found here. This market, unlike the Friday weekly markets,continuesthroughout the day and isslightlyless frenetic than its weekly counterpart.

There is a hotel in the centre of the village which is quite quirky but can be very noisy in the evenings, especially in the summer so many people opt to stay in a private villa. These can be rented very easily and Valbonne is a brilliant springboard to visit other villages in the area or take a trip down to the beaches of Cannes or in winter to drive up the mountain for a days skiing.

Easily reached from Junction 42 or 44 of the A8 motorway and 20 minutes drive to Nice airport, this is a wonderful base to enjoy a visit to the area.

General Business

Company Formation : Choosing The Right Jurisdiction

In today’s global economy, an increasing number of companies are setting up offshore operations. Today, a sizable number of MNCs and small to medium sized companies are based offshore. Likewise, numerous self-employed consultants hold offshore companies and offer their services to clients across the world. There are several reasons behind why businesses are choosing to incorporate offshore companies such as low taxes, ease of company formation and ongoing compliance, transparent and efficient legal system, and access to world-class financial institutes.

A number of factors need to be considered and deliberated upon while setting up an offshore business. In order to choose the right business jurisdiction, critical elements such as the business environment, costs involved, ease of company formation, ease of ongoing compliance, bureaucracy levels, and tax regime need to be taken into account.

Ease of company formation, minimal statutory compliance, and low bureaucracy levels

Incorporating an offshore entity holds many benefits for a company; easier business administration being one of the key advantages. Businesses that are constrained by the convoluted legislation, red tape and compliance-related hurdles in their own countries often choose to incorporate an offshore company. Tax rates, regulatory requirements, and economic incentives differ greatly from country to country. Choosing the right jurisdiction for incorporating a business should therefore be done keeping these considerations in mind. Business incorporation takes very little time these days and the administrative tangles are minimal with most of them being handled by a company agent. All you need to do is make use of the company incorporation services offered by a consultancy that specializes in the field.

Conducive business environment

The general business climate should be pro-business and pro-talent and this is usually reflected in a country’s immigration policies, regulatory environment, and the openness of its people. It is important to choose a jurisdiction that not only ensures the availability of excellent infrastructure but also enforces policies and laws that promote entrepreneurship and commerce.

Higher profitability

Offshore business incorporation can be highly profitable as a wide-variety of shares, bonds, commodities and other financial instruments can be held and managed through a single offshore company. Moreover, investments made through an offshore company are generally exempted from tax on the income from the investments.

Low taxes

Many leading jurisdictions that cater to global investors offer low tax rates and minimum reporting requirements. This means that the company benefits not only from low corporate tax, but also from lesser compliance and other regulatory costs. Moreover, many such countries offer no inheritance tax or capital gains tax.

Singapore as your destination for business incorporation

Singapore offers numerous advantages which makes it one of the best places to start a business.

According to the Doing Business 2010 Report Singapore retained its ranking as the world’s easiest location to do business, due to its low import and export costs, well-framed laws for protecting investors, and labour regulations that favour employers. Due to its low and simple tax regime, Forbes rated Singapore as having the 11th lowest tax misery in the world. Singapore is also the most competitive country in Asia according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report. Unlike other jurisdictions, there is no requirement to rent or purchase a physical office in Singapore for company incorporation. Singapore’s corporate tax rate is a flat 17%. Additionally, there are tax exemptions for startup companies. There is no capital gains tax in Singapore. Furthermore, incorporating a company in Singapore only takes one day. All these factors make the country an ideal jurisdiction for business incorporation.

Hong Kong as your destination for business incorporation

Like Singapore, Hong Kong is one of Asia’s major economies and a preferred choice for business incorporation. Hong Kong is ranked as the world’s freest economy and also ranked third in the World Bank’s ‘Ease of Doing Business Report’, 2010. Hong Kong has the lowest tax rates in Asia and one of the lowest rates in the world. Taxes in Hong Kong are levied on the “territorial principle”. In other words, taxes are only levied on income “derived from or arising in” Hong Kong and not on income sourced outside Hong Kong. No tax is levied on profits arising abroad, even if they are remitted to Hong Kong.

Market Analysis

Some Important Things You Need to Know About The Office Furniture Market That You Intend to Target

Growth is a never-ending process. A real entrepreneur is one who is never satisfied with what he has achieved. In fact, he is always aiming for more. He works with considerable effort to expand his business in different corners of the world. If you are one such businessman intending to take your office furniture brand to the office furniture and office interiors market in the UK, Australia, Japan, Turkey, North America, and to other parts of the Europe, you must know some crucial things about the office furniture market out there.

First and foremost, before you venture in to any office furniture market, you must familiarise yourself with the office furniture trends that prevail in that market. You must find out the popular office furniture designs in that market, the typical office furniture products that people buy the most in that market, and the specific features that people look for in the office furniture in that particular market. All this knowledge is essential to determine the market suitability and relevance of your individual office furniture brand.

Next, you must know the extent of competition in that office furniture market. You must find out the top players of the market, their product lines, the unique features of their office furniture products, their pricing policies, the annual sales that they make and the profits that they generate through the sale of their office furniture products. The more you know your competitors and the office furniture market the better will be your business prospects. It will help you adopt cutting-edge manufacturing, pricing, marketing, and distributing strategies. You will be able to carve a niche for your office furniture brand in the new office furniture market quite easily and successfully.

You must introduce yourself to office furniture dealers, manufacturers, traders, suppliers, office furniture designers, mail order companies, wholesalers, buying groups, and to others in the office furniture market. Having an extensive network of contacts is the key to a successful office furniture business. With the help of all these contacts, you will be able to carry the trade smoothly and efficiently.

Last but the most important, you must know the real business opportunities in the office furniture market that you are intending to target. Look out for strategic alliances, acquisitions and mergers to ensure your sustenance and growth in the dynamic UK business furniture market and elsewhere.

For expert, in-depth, information advice and guidance as to how to exploit successfully the office furniture and interiors markets in Europe, North America, Australasia and Japan, visit @jsacs.com

General Business

Benefits of Buying Insurance Through a Reputed Brokerage Firm

From carpet to car, man to machine everything needs insurance in today’s litigious and uncertain world. And when it comes to buying a policy, consumers are often confused as where to start and how to choose a perfect one for their requirements. Shopping around for insurance, whether it is personal or commercial, is always a bewildering task even for the most sophisticated buyer.

The best way to cope with this situation is to go for a reputed insurance broker. Besides making the process easier, experts from the brokerage firm will work on your behalf to provide you the best coverage available in the market from the most trusted and federally regulated insurance companies. Go through the article to know more about the benefits of buying insurance through a reputed brokerage firm.

Saves time and effort: A reputed insurance broker will have access to many national and multinational insurers, and hence will have ample knowledge about the policies offered by those companies. With enough knowledge on the products available, the broker searches the market in a more professional and sophisticated way to offer you the policy that suits your requirement. This avoids you to spend hours on the phone or online looking for quotes. With the help of an independent insurance broker, you can effectively make someone else do all the shopping for you, by which you can save a considerable amount of effort and time which you can productively invest in your business.

Professional advice: When you directly approach an insurance company, there are chances of not getting the best insurance policy for your requirements as they generally try to push the one that gives them more profit. Also, all insurance policies from one company may not be good. A reputed broker on the other hand provides unbiased inputs on what is good and what is not. He tells about the best policies from various companies. He will design/tailor a policy to your exact requirements.

Access to special rates: Many people directly approach the insurance companies trying to avoid the broker fee. They generally will spend more trying to avoid the marginal amount a broker charges. Brokers will purchase large number of policies from the insurance companies, and thus they will be able to get bulk discounts. Conversely, insurance companies will offer great concessions to brokers as they bring in a lot of business. These special rates will not be available to the general public. Hence, buying insurance through a reputed broker is always cost effective.

Faster service: Many insurance companies outsource their customer service to third-party call centres where the staff does not have enough knowledge. As a result documentation requests and other queries will be resolved slowly, which results in poor customer service. Whereas, the brokers are proven to be more efficient in these areas making timely suggestions and faster service to the customers. Brokers generally maintain this speed and efficiency throughout your policy life cycle to maintain their customer base.

Peace of mind: Approaching a reputed brokerage firm, you can be rest assured about your policy as an expert in the field is always there to look after it. And when it comes to making a claim, the brokerage firm will never hesitate to fight from its side. In addition to offering a best deal, a reliable broker always cross checks the policies, educates the customers, feels pleasure in explaining them about the available policies and resolves their queries 24/7 – does all it needs to provide peace of mind to the customer.

Now that you are clear about the benefits provided by a reputed brokerage firm, start looking for a good one that can offer the most professional insurance service you can buy. Remember to look for the firm that has good experience and proven track record of serving customers.