By Guest Author: Andy Richardson (http://www.financial-spread-betting.com)

Most traders who I spoke to about 12 months ago were forecasting a gloomy future ahead for the UK clothing retail giants such as Next Group PLC, Debenhams or Marks & Spencer.
Let’s take the case of Next Group PLC. Although the recession was not full blown at the time, fierce competition, poor stock (clothes), the inevitable Credit Crunch and decrease in profits added up to a bearish stock. At around £8 to £9 at the time many were predicting a sub £6 by Christmas.
Here we are now and they were correct except the share price of course which has risen more than 100% now. Anyone who has opened short spread betting positions on Next must be licking their wounds by now. So what has really changed?
For one the economic outlook still looks really bad, as well as unemployment there is …

The purpose of IBOR is to protect financial markets and to create self-sufficient investors who produce economic growth instead of government deficits. IBOR standards create transparent financial markets, regulate speculation, and protect retirement portfolios. Here’s a sampling:

Section One: Product Transparency. All investors have a right to see precisely what securities are inside any investment product by accessing real time information that includes names and cost-based allocation percentages.

Section Two: Regulation and Education.

Section Three: Protection from Speculators. Investors have a right to protection from risks added to portfolios without their control, knowledge, or permission.
Naked shorting, index fund ownership of large share positions, and all naked option transactions would be prohibited.

Section Four: Controls of Hedge Funds.

Section Five: Brokerage Account Statements. Investors have a right to account statements that: 1) help manage asset allocation targets, 2) report realized gains and losses, 3) track …