Hugo Dixon: EU’s three big problems all linked 1 Sep 2014 The stagnant euro zone economy is one reason the EU is reluctant to take action against Russia. It also increases the risk that Britain will quit the EU - which, in turn, would diminish its power and ability to stand up to Moscow. The EU really needs to get its act together.
Gold’s geopolitical ledge won’t hold up 1 Sep 2014 International tension has helped stabilise the gold price after a 2013 plunge. But the fundamentals are bad. ETF redemptions persist while bar and coin investment has dropped heavily. Jewellery demand remains soft. Consumers want cheaper gold. They are likely to get it next year.
Democracy snub leaves Hong Kong only bad choices 1 Sep 2014 Citizens in the former colony have two options: choose between Beijing-approved chief executive candidates, or don’t vote at all. The new ruling leaves little room for compromise and risks a showdown with protesters. China’s leaders seem to care ever less what the world thinks.
China tech shows there’s value in being number two 1 Sep 2014 Chipping away at giants like Baidu and Alibaba means finding a niche. The rapid growth of JD, VIPShop, Qihoo, and YY shows there’s room for new models, and foreign investors are happy to fund them. But the line between healthy competition and profit-eroding rivalry is thin.