I don’t like guaranteed equity bonds (GEBs). I’ve written before that such structured products are risky, opaque, and often bad performers.
We can also add ‘mean’ to the list, with the launch of the latest UK Government backed GEB.
The world’s stock and debt markets originated with individuals (often farmers) going to others to raise money for their ventures.
Originally such deals took places in private houses, coffee shops, and even on the roadside.
Over time these early markets matured and were formalised and regulated. Together with the invention of limited liability companies, we got the financial system we enjoy (or otherwise!) today.
So why would a company want to set back 700 years of history to offer its own bonds directly to the public? And who want to buy them?
Some interesting financial and investing posts I ran across this week, plus a few decent articles from the newspapers.
People are again looking for the best way to invest in oil, as the price has bounced back from its lows.
Oil certainly tends to be one of those investments that goes in and out of fashion.
However there are legitimate reasons why you might want to invest in oil:
- To hedge the cost of petrol
- Because you think the rising price could hurt stocks
- You think supplies are running out and so it will get more valuable
- You believe inflation is a threat, so want to buy real assets
- When you were little, J. R. Ewing was your idol