Insights

It is BR Securities view that any fixed interest security can be purchased if the reward for the risk is there. However, not all fixed interest securities belong in your fixed interest, low risk portfolio allocation.

In this week's essential reading guide, Kohler warns of yet another year of political gridlock, while Bartholomeusz attempts to untangle the various threads contributing to the commodity markets crash.

The inflation gauge and consumer confidence index will dominate local news, while Chinese economic data will be of interest to investors abroad.

The expansion of US shale production was supposed to liberate the US from oil imports and fix the trade deficit, among other things. Has it lived up to its promise?

A new exam that ensures that the skills and knowledge of financial planners are up-to-date can only work if part of a broader framework of standards.

The plunge in oil prices has dislocated credit markets in certain subsectors of the energy industry, but has also created pockets of value.

The Shanghai Auto Museum exhibits the contradictions and occasional surreality of contemporary China.

It won't be long before cubicle farms, individual desks and even the concept of a traditional office is changed for the better.

Asset prices look set to continue to defy the odds this year, fuelled by the lowest cost debt in a generation.

2015 is set to be another testing year for Chinese policymakers who are trying to push through a host of difficult reforms without bringing about a hard landing.

Given its history of excesses and imbalances, it's difficult to categorise or identify China as a political-economic risk. But fragility could be its black swan event in 2015.

The collapse of the Swiss Franc reveals just how fragile global economies are.

The Swiss decision to scrap its cap on the franc has provided a timely lesson on the unexpected consequences of unconventional measures.

The economic implications of Switzerland's decision are staggering and one of the biggest losers will likely be the country's export sector.

With the oil plunge driving down inflation in the developed world, central banks will be in no rush to turn off the stimulus tap.

Media coverage of the Paris shootings in Mainland China actually reflects the different values of many average Chinese people.