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Author: robert

PB Video Analysis: The Future’s Bright. The Future’s Not Coal.

PB Video Analysis: The Future’s Bright. The Future’s Not Coal.

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You flick a switch, and there’s light. Few of us think about how electricity is generated, and how strange and wonderful ubiquitous power is. But beneath that steady service, changes are happening. Coal, which used to dominate electricity production worldwide, is now in retreat almost anywhere, replaced by renewables and natural gas. Some blame overzealous environmental legislation. Others blame subsidies for solar and wind. The truth is… shocking… (And please click the funny YouTube button above to subscribe!) Robert Smithson…

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PB Video Analysis: Brexit – What Does “No Deal”Actually Mean?

PB Video Analysis: Brexit – What Does “No Deal”Actually Mean?

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The UK is due to leave the EU on March 29th 2019. With Mrs May’s Chequers deal rejected by the Commons, and no obvious alternative on the table, leaving the EU with No Deal and previous little preparation is looking increasingly likely. In this video, I ask ask what the consequences would be. Would food become scarce? Would the economy collapse? Or is this just another example of Project Fear? (And please click the funny YouTube button above to subscribe!)…

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PB Video Analysis. Brexit: How We Got Here & What We Want

PB Video Analysis. Brexit: How We Got Here & What We Want

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So: Brexit. I’ve artfully avoided addressing it in my videos so far, but the time has come. Today’s video is about Brexit. Specifically, it addresses the process through which Britain joined the EEC, and then asks what the UK government actually wants from negotiations. Why have there been all these gyrations, when the EU has proposed a CETA/South Korea type relationship already? Be warned: this video will be equally annoying to Remainers and Leavers. Robert Smithson Robert tweets as ‘@MarketWarbles’…

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PB Video Analysis: UK Property – What’s It Worth?

PB Video Analysis: UK Property – What’s It Worth?

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In my last video – Castles of Sand? – I discussed the specific drivers behind UK, and specifically London, property prices. This video is a little different. In this, I ask how properties should be valued, and how they have been valued, looking at rental yields, income multiples and other factors. I also ask whether London, as a “Global City” is simply different. Robert Smithson Robert tweets as ‘@MarketWarbles’ Follow @MarketWarbles Tweet

PB Video Analysis: UK Property wealth could rest on Castles of Sand

PB Video Analysis: UK Property wealth could rest on Castles of Sand

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Only in the UK is the phrase “property porn” a real thing. Home prices dominate polite conversation. And little wonder: housing dominates UK personal balances sheets. In no other country does it make up such an enormous share of assets. Why? Because UK property has outperformed that in other developed countries in the last 38 years. This video asks why that is, and asks if the UK property wealth rests in castles of sand. Robert Smithson Follow @marketwarbles Tweet

So, this errr… Target2 thing. What is it, and why is it spiking, and should I care?

So, this errr… Target2 thing. What is it, and why is it spiking, and should I care?

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https://youtu.be/yLTg1aatqHs With the election of the Lega Nord and Five Star Movement in Italy, Target2 imbalances are growing again. The gap between the creditor nations (mostly Germany and the Netherlands) and the debtors (the PIIGS, less Ireland) is now back at levels last seen at the height of the Eurozone crisis. But wait. What are Target2 balances? Are they the result of Germany’s enormous current account surplus, or is there something else at work? More importantly, should you care about…

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The Worst Economic Statistic?

The Worst Economic Statistic?

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There are many economic statistics, some broadly useful, others bizarrely esoteric. Only one manages to be both useless and dangerous. Worse: it’s trumpeted by journalists, so you may even have been taken in yourself. Welcome to the worst economic statistic. Robert Smithson Robert tweets as MarketWarbles follow him by clicking the follow button below Follow @marketwarbles Tweet

It’s The Start of The New Football Season

It’s The Start of The New Football Season

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Hi All, It’s Robert (rcs1000) here, and I’m using the Politicalbetting soapbox to promote a venture that OGH and I are involved in: Crowdscores. The goal of Crowdscores is to crowdsource sports data. So, instead of buying offical data from Opta, we get fans at the game (or watching TV) to tell us what the score is, who scored etc. We’re getting a lot of traction with this model: more than 10,000 people use our app each week, and it…

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