Pre-amble: Immigrants, particularly the African diaspora are often viewed as a distinct entity - separate from the native population. This is a mistake, particularly, as they have become more educated and more financially established in their chosen countries. Today's report, therefore, views the diaspora in the same context. Lockdown Savings A report in this morning's Financial Times says that the UK household savings ratio rose to nearly 20% in the first quarter of this ye

MARKETS BACK IN A ‘RISK ON’ MOOD BY WEEKEND The past week has seen some sharp fluctuations in sentiment. Equities first slipped sharply but subsequently rebounded with US stocks, in particular, reaching a new record high. Government bond yields have also been volatile, first falling sharply and then rebounding. However, US longer-term yields are still below their levels prior to last week’s FOMC meeting and well below their highs for the year. In currency markets, the US doll

First Compensation Payment to White Farmers Zimbabwe has paid its first installment of USD1m of the compensation payment it committed to making to white farmers last year. The money has been paid as a shareholder dividend from the Kuvimba Mining House. The former landowners were allocated a 12.5% share of the company. The mining company has successfully turned around a number of gold mines under its ownership but still has some way to go in bringing all its mines into full o