Gold prices reached their highest level in eight years on Wednesday, while market shares saw a dip in investor enthusiasm.
Spot gold XAU= rose by 0.6% to $1,777.53 per ounce. Earlier, it hit its highest going rate since October 2012 at $1,779.06 per ounce.
MCX Gold futures also saw a price increase, and the SPDR Gold Trust announced that its holdings had risen 0.28% to 1,169.25 tonnes on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the pan-European STOXX 600 index fell by 1.6%, indicating a potential three-week low.
Investor concerns can largely be attributed to rising COVID-19 infection rates in some areas of the world, with Latin America’s death toll recently having reached 100,000 and record single-day infection rates being recorded in some US states.
However, broad political concerns have added to anxiety. Reports that the United States is considering placing tariffs on $3.1 billion of exports from western European nations, and that the EU may bar US travellers due to surging COVID-19 case figures, have not aided market positivity.
Neil Wilson, chief market analyst at Markets.com, commented that “Gold is a clear winner from this pandemic,” noting that the commodity was initially sold off in March as investors rushed to acquire cash immediately.
“Since then gold has made substantial progress in tandem with risk assets since the March lows because of central bank action to keep a lid on bond yields. The combination of negative real yields and the prospect of an inflation surge due to massively increased money supply is sending prices higher,” Wilson continued.
Ultimately, investing in yourself is what is going to lead to success. Here are some easy ways to invest in yourself so that you can run a successful business.
Take Online Courses
Learning is a lifelong process and even if you have been to college, there is still plenty you can learn. You are going to be constantly learning when you are starting a business. In some ways, you will be entering uncharted waters. You can prepare yourself for this task by taking online courses. Investing in your own education will help you be a better business owner. There are lots of options online and they are accredited so that you can obtain a certificate. With the right skills, you can learn ways to improve your business for the long term.
Enjoy a Holiday
A lot of business owners, especially in the early days of the brand, will not take a holiday. They focus all of their time in building their company. However, everybody needs to take time off work from and this includes the owners. This means that you need a holiday to avoid overworking yourself. If you continue to work long hours and feel stressed, this can lead to burnout. Taking a holiday allows you time away from a busy environment so that you can relax and recharge. When you return to work you can feel reenergized and refreshed, ready to take on the next challenge.
Work on Your Relationships
Personal relationships can often be neglected when you are trying to build a business. But spending time with your loved ones is a good way to relieve stress. You can also use this time to network and build good working relationships too. This will allow you to find the right partners and those who are going to benefit your business. Relationships with clients are also important and time should be spent interacting with them. This can make you feel good too.
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Look After Your Health
When you are spending a lot of hours in the office, it is easy to neglect your health. You may grab takeout food when you get home or skip meals without noticing. But this will take a toll of your health after a while. You may start to feel tired and lack energy. Not eating the right foods can affect your mental health too. Therefore, you have to invest in your overall health so that you can feel good and do the best for your company.
Start by enjoying a nutritious diet, making healthier choices when it comes to meals and snacks during the day. In addition, cut down your coffee intake and stay hydrated. You will be surprised how good you feel. Exercise is also important in this equation and a simple walk everyday can release endorphins to improve your mood.
Do not forget to visit the doctor and enjoy regular health checks. Even if you are investing all of your money into your business, you can use vision care loans online to help you look after yourself.
Skiathos
If being in proximity to gorgeous beaches is your top priority when choosing the best Greek island for your trip, then look no further than Skiathos. With its 60 white-sand and pebble beaches lapped by an almost Caribbean-coloured sea and backed by lush pine forests, the island guarantees a mixture of truly unspoilt beauty and vibrant nightlife around its bustling harbour. The island also offers an excellent selection of trails and every summer, it becomes a hub for cultural events, concerts and art exhibitions.
Where to stay: Olivia’s Villas of Luxury
Zakynthos
With its rugged cliffs, sea caves and clear azure water paired with exquisite Greek tavernas and an abundance of water sports to try, Zakynthos offers much more than the crazy nightlife it’s famed for. Wildlife lovers also flock to the Ionian island to see the endangered sea turtles, which lay their eggs on Zakynthos’ white sands every year.
Where to stay: Olea All Suite Hotel
Mykonos
Mykonos needs no introduction. Loved by countless celebrities and famed for its beautiful beaches, glitzy bars and quaint old town, it is one of the most glamourous islands not just in Greece, but in the entire world. In addition to its lively nightlife, the island also offers an array of stylish restaurants, amazing boutique shops and ultra-chic hotels.
Where to stay: Cavo Tagoo Mykonos
Santorini
As one of the most popular destinations for weddings abroad and honeymoons in the world, Santorini is the perfect destination for a romantic getaway. With its iconic white buildings and endless views of the deep blue Aegean Sea, the island is a truly special place that should be on everyone’s bucket list.
A little-known fact is that Santorini is also a great destination for wine-tasting. Its crisp dry whites and an unfortified dessert wine called Vinsanto could be sampled at several local vineyards which host tastings.
Where to stay: Katikies Kirini Santorini
Rhodes
With its Unesco World Heritage-listed medieval old town and the Acropolis of Lindos, it’s safe to say that Rhodes is the best Greek island for history lovers. It’s a place where the Byzantines, Greeks, Venetian and Turks all left their marks, but the island offers much more than well-preserved ruins. From stunning beaches and postcard-worthy vistas to traditional tavernas, there’s something for everyone in Rhodes.
Where to stay: Lindos Blu Luxury Hotel & Suites
Tuesday morning trading saw shares in airlines and retailers increasing across the UK and EU, apparently symptomatic of growing hopes that international travel restrictions will ease as summer comes about.
London’s FTSE 100 surged by 1.9%, and the more UK-centric FTSE 250 by 3%. Pubs, cinema groups and retailers also saw share price growth.
The gains followed a Monday evening announcement from Prime Minister Boris Johnson that car showrooms and outdoor markets will be allowed to reopen from next week, with high street shops, department stores, shopping centres and other non-essential retail premises being able to resume business from 15 June.
The greatest earners in Tuesday trading were air travel and hotel companies, with airline conglomerate and British Airways owner International Airlines Group (IAG) seeing a 15% surge while Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) jumped by 14%.
Meanwhile, European shares leaped to an 11-week high, with investor sentiment likely boosted by the German government’s recent €9 billion bailout of Lufthansa.
Markets.com chief market analyst, Neil Wilson, commented on the stock price surges: “Strength in this sector underscores confidence among investors that economies are reopening, and consumers are keen to travel.”
“There is a lot more hope that travel restrictions across Europe will be eased in time for the summer holidays. If the summer holiday season can be saved it would be a big plus after most of us wrote it off.”
While it’s typical for the government to come after you for under-declaring your business income, you can bet it won’t give back money that should have been deducted from the corporate taxes you paid.
So, when paying corporate taxes to the IRS, you need to make sure you're calculating the right amount by keeping an eye out for these four tax credits:
1. Document expenses
Running a business requires managing a lot of paperwork. The good news is that the amount you pay to get documents printed can be deducted from your taxes. Acquiring or processing legal documents such as business plans and proposals is also tax-deductible. You might want to keep receipts for your document expenses and include the professional fees for attorneys or accountants tasked with preparing these documents. You will be surprised by how much you can save.
2. Cost of using vehicles
If you have a car you use to attend meetings with clients or transfer from one work location to another, your vehicle expenses are considered deductible. For this, you only need to measure the mileage the car has covered. There are apps that can help you measure your mileage so you have a better estimate of your deductibles. Take note that this is applicable only for business purposes, so personal travel should therefore be calculated as personal expenses.
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3. Research costs
Developing a new solution requires a lot of research and testing, which can drive up the cost of coming up with a new product. Luckily, you can offset these costs by using tax credits for research, especially if it is scientific. Under R&D credit rules, you can choose to deduct research costs immediately or amortize them. It is important to point out, however, that not all research activities are deductible. To be sure, you will need to refer to the IRS’s list of qualified research activities.
4. Miscellaneous fees
There are also other items you can write off. It’s this category that is the most neglected. You will have to be very detail-oriented in order to find these deductions, ranging from bank charges to payments in petty cash, from journal subscriptions to website maintenance expenses. It becomes manageable when you track your expenses closely using tools like tools like Hurdlr. The app can help you keep tabs on all your deductibles in real-time so you don’t have to waste time reviewing your expenses come tax season.
These are just some of the tax breaks you should look into if you want to save a lot of money. There are more than we’ve listed here, no doubt, so be sure that all your expenses are accounted for. You never know what routine expenses for your business can get you some money back on your tax return!
In a surprise announcement, Virgin Atlantic has announced that it will cut upwards of 3,000 jobs in the UK, citing the effects of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and its impact on travel as the cause.
Virgin Atlantic chief executive Shai Weiss said in a statement that “now is the time for further action to reduce our costs, preserve cash and to protect as many jobs as possible.”
In addition to cutting jobs, the airline will also discontinue its operations at Gatwick Airport, focusing exclusively on its Heathrow flights.
Virgin Atlantic, majority owned by Virgin Group tycoon Sir Richard Branson, has been seeking a government-backed loan for several weeks. This latest move follows warnings of massive redundancies by rival companies Ryanair and British Airways, with BA indicating that upwards of 12,000 jobs could be lost – and that it, too, may soon end its services at Gatwick.
Virgin’s latest announcement has been met with shock, particularly among the British Airline Pilots Association (Balpa), whose general secretary, Brian Strutton, described it as “devastating”.
“Our members and all staff in Virgin Atlantic will be shocked by the scale of this bombshell. We will be challenging Virgin very hard to justify this,” Strutton said.
The cutbacks by Virgin Atlantic come less than a fortnight after the collapse of its sister airline, Virgin Australia, which employed 15,000 people.
Give yourself something to look forward to by browsing these dream spas across Europe!
Hotel Villa Honegg, Switzerland
Nestled in the heart of Switzerland, Hotel Villa Honegg is one of the most stunning spa destinations in Europe! In addition to its outstanding facilities, the spa in this exquisite hotel offers an outdoor pool which boasts truly jaw-dropping views of the Swiss Alps and Lake Lucerne. The pool is heated at 34ºC, allowing Hotel Villa Honegg’s guests to enjoy it all year round. The spa also offers a Finnish sauna and a steam room, as well as a fully equipped gym and an extensive list of massages, facials and beauty treatments.
Aqua Dome, Austria
Skiing followed by a trip to the sauna… In Austria, the most popular country for skiers, many hotels and holiday rentals offer this service for their visitors. The combination sounds like an absolute dream! Our top spa recommendation in Austria is the Aqua Dome in Längenfeld, Tyrol where you can experience many spectacular saunas and go for a swim in its stunning thermal pools.
Löyly, Finland
The Finnish are considered to be the inventors of the sauna, they even have one up in their Parliament House in Helsinki! With saunas considered as an integral part of Finnish culture, it is clear that this is the dream destination for a spa break. Löyly (meaning steam in Finnish) is located on the Helsinki coast and offers a beautiful setting with saunas, a restaurant, a bar, and a beautiful terrace, where you can also enjoy some live music. This is an authentic hot-spot in an environment fully respectful of nature.
Sanduny Bath House, Russia
Cold in Russia? This is a well-known fact. And maybe that's why in this country the traditional sauna, known as banya, reaches up to 100 degrees at least. The Sanduny Bath House is the oldest sauna in Russia. With its magnificent architecture and fairytale decoration, you will feel like royalty whilst enjoying all the benefits of the sauna and the thermal pools.
Vabali, Germany
Germans are also addicted to spas, which is reflected in the tremendous amount of public saunas available, especially found linked with swimming pools and gyms. To escape the hustle and bustle of Berlin, take a sauna session at Vabali, which is within close proximity to the central station, but feels isolated at the same time. Once there, you will find different types of saunas, from a Russian banya to a panoramic sauna that will transport you into a perfect setting with its unbeatable garden views.
Managing a household budget is not always easy. Some months, there may not be enough money coming in to meet all of your needs. In other circumstances, you may have big plans or big projects on your mind that will require more funds than you currently have access to. In these cases, knowing where to find the financing you need is important.
Personal loans are a great choice for accessing extra funds in a completely straightforward way. Depending on your ability to take on new debt or your current plans and needs, a personal loan may be just what you need to move forward. If you want to make an informed decision about whether this kind of financing is right for you, then it can be helpful to know how personal loans are commonly used.
Let’s look at five specific reasons why you need to consider a personal loan.
1. Home Renovations
Home renovations are a great way to use the funds from a personal loan. Usually, home renovation projects can rapidly spiral over budget and quickly overwhelm the ability of homeowners to pay for everything. To see your projects through to fruition, and to avoid leaving your property in a half-completed state, then it is prudent to apply for a personal loan. Best of all, home renovations can actually add value to your home which makes a personal loan even more affordable in the long run.
2. Debt Consolidation
Personal loans can be a great way to consolidate your outstanding debts. If you are having a hard time keeping track of your debts and cannot manage to pay back numerous loans to numerous lenders, then simply the situation. Pay back all of your outstanding debts with a large personal loan. This way, you will only have one loan to worry about, and usually at a much more reasonable interest rate.
3. Emergency Medical Expenses
Sometimes, life throws us into situations that we did not expect. Whether your health has suddenly declined or the health of someone in your household is threatened, then the bills can add up quickly. Since health is far more important than anything else, it is worthwhile to take out a personal loan to finance your medical bills.
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4. Boost Credit Score
If you have big plans in your future such as securing a mortgage to buy a home, then you will need a good credit score. If your credit has suffered in the past, however, you will need to improve it first. Taking out a personal loan and then diligently repaying it allows your credit score to rise and will leave you with more options for credit in the future.
5. Travel
It is not generally advisable to use personal loans for discretionary spending. Purchases that are not truly needed are better afforded through diligent saving rather than relying on credit. This is because the interest payments you will make on a personal loan make the overall cost of this spending more expensive.
However, in some cases, discretionary spending on credit can be justified. Indeed, the choice is a personal one. For example, if you are offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take a dream holiday, then a personal loan can be useful. Nevertheless, be sure to weigh the pros and cons carefully.
Find Financing With Personal Loans
Beyond the five reasons outlined here, there are many more reasonable uses for the funds you can receive from a personal loan. If you have projects or expenses that you need to cover quickly, then find a reputable personal loan provider and start the process of securing this funding right away.
Colmar, France
Famous worldwide as a leading destination for wine tourism, Colmar offers more than just wine! With its cobblestone streets, markets, festivals, scrumptious food and picturesque buildings, Colmar promises to quickly become one of your favourite French towns!
Where to stay?
For a true taste of Colmar, stay at La Maison des Têtes. Housed in a lavish 17th-century mansion, it offers chic rooms, creatively prepared food and unmatched luxury.
What to do?
Visit Unterlinden Museum, La Petite Venise, the numerous amazing châteaus in the area (don’t miss Château du Hohlandsbourg which dates back to the 13th century), and obviously - drink all the wine.
Athens, Greece
Although it’s the capital of Greece, Athens is not necessarily the first destination that springs to mind when thinking about a holiday to the land of quaint island villages of squashed-together white houses, olive trees and endless sunshine. However, with its vibrant streets, ancient wonders, booming art scene and electrifying nightlife, Athens is definitely a city worth adding to your travel bucket list.
Where to stay?
Located in close proximity to the Acropolis and Plaka (the Old Town), AthensWas Hotel is a boutique hotel offering amazing views, modern decor and five-star luxury.
What to do?
Visit the Acropolis, the Pantheon, wander the streets of Plaka and Monastiraki and indulge in all the feta cheese and dips Greece is famous for.
Rijeka, Croatia
Named European Capital of Culture for 2020, Rijeka is Croatia’s third biggest city and is the perfect answer to those who don’t want to have to choose between a beach holiday or a city break. Combining history, pretty beaches and trendy restaurants, Rijeka is the ideal destination for travellers who have toured all major European cities and are looking to experience something different.
Where to stay?
Hotel Bonavia Plava Laguna benefits from a super central location and offers everything you could desire!
What to do?
Visit Trsat for breathtaking views of the city and Kvarner Bay, go to The Peek and Poke Museum, go shopping on Korzo and don’t forget to check what exhibitions, shows and concerts are on this year before your visit.
Plovdiv, Bulgaria
The second biggest city in Bulgaria and the oldest continuously inhabited town in Europe, Plovdiv is an ancient city built around 7 hills, which offers a lot to history and art lovers! With its history, architecture, funky bars and restaurants and delicious Bulgarian cuisine, Plovdiv will be sure to exceed your expectations.
Where to stay?
Residence City Garden Hotel is a stunning five-star hotel close to central Plovdiv, which guarantees elegant decors, fine dining and utmost luxury.
What to do?
Visit the Ancient Theater of Philippopolis, the Regional Ethnographic Museum and the Old Town. The vibrant Kapana District is the best place for a drink and a meal after a day of exploring Plovdiv’s colourful streets.
Early trading on Thursday morning saw global share prices go into free-fall as the continued spread of coronavirus threatens to greatly impact international trade. The crash also followed a Wednesday-night speech by President Donald Trump announcing that “all travel from Europe to the United States” would be suspended for 30 days.
Though the Trump administration quickly clarified that only “human travel” from Europe would be restricted, and not trade, Thursday morning’s share price downturn indicated a lack of investor confidence in the new measures’ effectiveness.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by around 8.2 %, driving US indexes further into bear market territory, while Nasdaq fell by 6.5% and the S&P 500 by 7%.
The widespread losses triggered the market’s “circuit breaker”, automatically halting trade for 15 minutes to interrupt the steep decline in prices. Once trading resumed, however, stocks continued to plummet.
Every share in the FTSE 100 was trading lower before markets closed, with the UK’s main share index having suffered a fall of more than 9% in value.
Indexes in Frankfurt and Paris also fell, as did Asian markets, as Japan’s Nikkei 225 index closed 4.4% lower than previously.
While companies have suffered worldwide, travel companies saw some of the worst blows to share prices, with airline conglomerate IAG facing a 10% drop.
After Flybe’s Wednesday talks with the government failed to secure a deal for a rescue package, the company has declared that it will cease trading with immediate effect. The Civil Aviation Authority has announced that all Flybe flights and those operated by its franchise partners Stobart Air, Eastern Airways and Blue Islands, have been cancelled, and advised customers to make their own alternative travel arrangements.
Flybe’s collapse follows several months of financial troubles related to rising fuel costs and competition from larger airlines, compounded by a downturn in demand for flights due to the ongoing spread of novel coronavirus.
Flybe chief executive Mark Anderson said in a statement that the company had been “unable to overcome significant funding challenges”.
“The UK has lost one of its greatest regional assets,” he added, thanking Flybe employees for “their incredible commitment and dedication.”
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps tweeted his disappointment in seeing Flybe go out of business after four decades of service. He assured his followers that the government is "urgently working with industry to identify how key routes can be re-established by other airlines as soon as possible", and will also be working to help Flybe staff find new jobs.
Flybe is the second major British airline to face bankruptcy in six months, following the collapse of Thomas Cook last September that saw the loss of around 11,000 jobs.
Capri by Fraser Barcelona offers a sleekly modern stay in a quiet residential enclave within a walking distance from the beach on the one side and Sagrada Familia on the other. Nestled in the up-and-coming 22@ business district within the Sant Martí area of the city, this intimate hotel offers 97 exquisitely designed apartments, perfect for both corporate travellers and tourists. The vibe is laid-back and modern, with lots of colour and cool art. Whether you’re staying in a studio or a one-bed apartment, you’ll enjoy a spacious living space with a 32” LCD TV offering a range of international channels, a kitchen equipped with a microwave, a fridge and tea and coffee facilities, and a dining area. Each bathroom comes with a rain shower and a selection of luxurious Malin and Goetz toiletries. For the business traveller, the apartments in Capri by Fraser Barcelona also have a designated workspace, where you can tick off some work tasks before going to bed or first thing in the morning.
The lounge and lobby spaces are inviting and classy, with funky art and oodles of comfortable seating tucked right up against the wall of street-level windows. Service is smart and top-notch - you’ll get to know the staff within a day, and they will know your name within five minutes. The shared amenities are impressive as well – there’s a children’s playroom, a laundry room, a rooftop solarium, as well as a fully-equipped 24-hour gym.
What makes Capri by Fraser perfect for business travel is its excellent conference facilities. Its four meeting rooms can be used for boardroom meetings (up to 48 pax), seminars with classroom-seating (up to 135 pax), theatre-style presentations (up to 110 pax), training courses and banquets. A business centre where you can check your email, prepare for a meeting or catch up on the news is available too.
Breakfast is served at Caprlilicious and consists of an extensive buffet. Tuck into a selection of continental classics and Spanish favourites prepared with fresh, local ingredients. The restaurant also offers an a la carte lunch menu, whilst drinks and snacks can be enjoyed at the lobby bar, where guests can sit down and unwind at any point of the day.
For more information and to book your stay, please go to https://barcelona.capribyfraser.com/en
