- United States of America. USA owns the largest gold deposits which are around 8200 tonnes. Even though USA decoupled its gold reserves from its currency in 1971 and made the dollar value to depend upon economic trade, its gold amounts for 75% of forex reserves.
- Germany. Germany's gold reserves are around 3400 tonnes which are 65% of its forex reserves.
- France. France has 2500 tonnes of gold reserves.
- Italy. Italy has 2400 tonnes of gold reserves.
- China. China has recently announced that it has accumulated gold over several quarters and become the 5th largest gold reserve country beating Switzerland, Japan and Netherlands. China's gold reserve stands at 1054 tonnes.
Showing posts with label finance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label finance. Show all posts
Friday, April 24, 2009
China Gold Reserve Among Top 5 Countries
China Gold Reserve is now officailly the 5th largest in the world. Here is a list of Countries with largest gold reserves:
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
QuickBooks Payroll Software for Your Small Business
QuickBooks is an amazing payroll software specifically designed for self-employed or small business owners. QuickBooks is so easy and convenient to use that you can easily cut a check for your employees at the click of a button.
QuickBooks allows you to calculate taxed for employees before you pay them. This helps to keep your tax calculation up-to-date. You can even file for taxes using QuickBooks. Although it does not include tax forms but it automatically updates for the current tax rates through a net connection.
Its very easy to generate payrolls and tax information using QuickBooks once you have daily employee working hours logged in. This software is a must have for all small businesses and individuals having a small setup.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Price to Earning Ratio of Stock - PE Ratio
Price to earning ratio of any stock is simple calculated by dividing the current price of the stock by the total earnings per stock after tax and other liabilities are taken into account. PE ratio is an indicator of investor sentiment regarding a company's future prospects. Usually, a high PE Ratio depicts a faster growing company and investor confidence in such company is high. However, while comparing two companies in the same sector with similar capital base and earnings, a higher PE ratio would indicate an overvalued stock.
PE ratio can be used very effectively while picking stocks. The basic idea is to catch a stock before it gets overvalued (high PE ratio) and thereby has a tendency to reverse and fall back. This can be acheived by looking at historical data for a stock and calculating and average PE ratio. If the stock is below or close to the average and market conditions are favourable, then it would be a good strategy to buy into such a stock.
PE ratio can be used very effectively while picking stocks. The basic idea is to catch a stock before it gets overvalued (high PE ratio) and thereby has a tendency to reverse and fall back. This can be acheived by looking at historical data for a stock and calculating and average PE ratio. If the stock is below or close to the average and market conditions are favourable, then it would be a good strategy to buy into such a stock.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Income Tax - What is Personal Exemption
Income Tax exemption reduces the taxable income. There are two types of tax exemptions - Personal Exemption and Exemption for dependents like your spouse or children. For the year 2009 if your taxable income was below $3650, you pay no taxes. Personal Exemption depends on the Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) and deductions lower your taxable income.
You can claim further exemption if you have dependents. There are certain criteria which define a dependent which have to be met before you can avail a dependent personal exemption. Any child under the age of 19 years is a dependent provided that you bear 10% cost of support and the dependent did not pay more than 50% of the support.
You can claim further exemption if you have dependents. There are certain criteria which define a dependent which have to be met before you can avail a dependent personal exemption. Any child under the age of 19 years is a dependent provided that you bear 10% cost of support and the dependent did not pay more than 50% of the support.
Real Estate Market Growth in 2009
The long standing jinx about the real estate market prices rising year after year has broken with the current credit crisis. Since the last recorded data in the 19th century, the last three-four years have hardly seen any appreciation in real estate prices. Most commercial and housing real estate is currently in a depression with reduced demand and rental rates falling.
What comounds the problem is non-availability of attractive loan programs which would otherwise help pull in customers. Several banks have been hit hard due to the credit crisis. AIG being the hardest hit which required a $150 bn bailout. There is a lot of bad credit in the market which needs to be cleaned and recycled before seeing any change in the real estate market.
However, there is some good news for the real estate industry. Certain states like Montana, North Dakota, Texas and Georgia were immune to the current credit crisis and managed to see some real estate business generated. Several states have published foreclosure data as business but this actually is an overall loss to lending banks. Foreclosure rates have been peaking since the current credit crisis which is not a very good sign. According to estimates nearly 4 million foreclosure were filed and the number is expected to touch 7 million by 2010. This will but the whole economy into a loop where on one hand lending banks will lose money due to foreclosures and non-recovery of loans, and on the other hand people in bulk will lose jobs due to falling profit margins.
Overall, 2009 will not see a substantial growth in the real estate sector. Whatever business will be generated would be a salvaging effort of failing home loans.
What comounds the problem is non-availability of attractive loan programs which would otherwise help pull in customers. Several banks have been hit hard due to the credit crisis. AIG being the hardest hit which required a $150 bn bailout. There is a lot of bad credit in the market which needs to be cleaned and recycled before seeing any change in the real estate market.
However, there is some good news for the real estate industry. Certain states like Montana, North Dakota, Texas and Georgia were immune to the current credit crisis and managed to see some real estate business generated. Several states have published foreclosure data as business but this actually is an overall loss to lending banks. Foreclosure rates have been peaking since the current credit crisis which is not a very good sign. According to estimates nearly 4 million foreclosure were filed and the number is expected to touch 7 million by 2010. This will but the whole economy into a loop where on one hand lending banks will lose money due to foreclosures and non-recovery of loans, and on the other hand people in bulk will lose jobs due to falling profit margins.
Overall, 2009 will not see a substantial growth in the real estate sector. Whatever business will be generated would be a salvaging effort of failing home loans.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Information About Common Cold - Causes and Treatment
Common Cold is caused by a type of virus known as Coronavirus. Just like any other virus Coronavirus is just a packet of DNA information in a dormant state until the virus enters its host. Thats when the Coronavirus infects the host cells with its DNA and grows rapidly. The host in turn fights back kick starting its defence system. The effects of this defence is Common Cold.
Common Cold is characterised by all or some of these symptoms like running nose, sinusitis, head ache, body pains, lethargy, fever, nausea, itching in eyes etc. These symptoms are just a reflex action of the body against the Coronavirus. And the reason why the Common Cold is so common is because there are more than 150 different types of Coronavirus. Rhinovirus is another cause of Common Cold. More viruses are being found nearly every year. Common Cold symptoms should not be taken lightly because several deseases have similar symptoms during their early stages.
Common Cold is generally caused by infection spread throught the air like when somone sneezes, coming in contact with bodily fluids like nasal discharge of someone affected with Common Cold, not washing hands after coming in contact with a Common Cold patient etc.
There is no defined timeline or cure for coming out of Common Cold. The human body automatically fights and takes its time to fend of a Common Cold attack. However, there are certain to dos which can be used to help ease the discomfort of Common Cold. Two of the most important are getting plenty of rest and driking lots of warm fluids. Along with this use anti inflamatory drugs and painkillers if you have headaches. Antibiotics will not help during Common Cold.
Common Cold is characterised by all or some of these symptoms like running nose, sinusitis, head ache, body pains, lethargy, fever, nausea, itching in eyes etc. These symptoms are just a reflex action of the body against the Coronavirus. And the reason why the Common Cold is so common is because there are more than 150 different types of Coronavirus. Rhinovirus is another cause of Common Cold. More viruses are being found nearly every year. Common Cold symptoms should not be taken lightly because several deseases have similar symptoms during their early stages.
Common Cold is generally caused by infection spread throught the air like when somone sneezes, coming in contact with bodily fluids like nasal discharge of someone affected with Common Cold, not washing hands after coming in contact with a Common Cold patient etc.
There is no defined timeline or cure for coming out of Common Cold. The human body automatically fights and takes its time to fend of a Common Cold attack. However, there are certain to dos which can be used to help ease the discomfort of Common Cold. Two of the most important are getting plenty of rest and driking lots of warm fluids. Along with this use anti inflamatory drugs and painkillers if you have headaches. Antibiotics will not help during Common Cold.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
What is Capital Gains Tax
Capital Gains Tax is levied on any asset which you may liquidate or sell for profit. The asset could be anything from a property, fixed deposits, bonds, stocks etc. Capital Gains Tax is taken as a net income during financial assesment and any capital gain comes under the purview or being taxed. Basically there are two types of Capital Gains.
- Long Term Capital Gains. They are capital gains which are made by holding any asset of more than a year before selling to make a profit. For example, you could own 100 shares of xyz corp. and sell the 100 shares for a net profit after 1 year. Then the capital gains through this transaction would be taxed under Long Term Capital Gains Tax. At present IRS Long Term Capital Gains Tax rate is 15% if you are in the 25% income bracket and only 5% if you in less than 25% income bracket.
- Short Term Capital Gains. Any capital gains made by selling an asset within 1 year of purchasing that asset is classified as Short Term Capital Gains. IRS has prescribed a rate of full 25% on any Short Term Capital Gains.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Treasury Bills - A Safe Investment Opportunity
Treasury Bills or T-Bills are securities provided by the US Government as an investment instrument which can be bought at a discounted price and sold for profit at the end of its maturity period. For example a T-Bill issued at discounted value of $9800 and a maturity period of 4 weeks could have a face value of $10000. At the end of the 4 week maturity period one can earn a profit of $200 on such a T-Bill.
Treasury Bills are a very safe investment instrument as they are backed by the government which pledges to pay the face value in any adverse circumstance. T-Bills are also immune from any negligence as maybe the case in mutual funds or other managed assets because the government properly manages the investments.
T-Bills are released in the market by government auctions but they can also be bought in the open market. They are easily transferable in exchange of other securities. The return on investment of a T-Bill is much higher than a fixed bank deposit for the same maturity period. Also, they are much safer than investing in mutual funds and stocks which fluctuate during market movements. T-Bills on the other hand change very little due to such volatile movements.
In todays volatile and undecided market situation, T-Bills can be a very powerfull investment instrument which can give you good returns over a short period of time.
Treasury Bills are a very safe investment instrument as they are backed by the government which pledges to pay the face value in any adverse circumstance. T-Bills are also immune from any negligence as maybe the case in mutual funds or other managed assets because the government properly manages the investments.
T-Bills are released in the market by government auctions but they can also be bought in the open market. They are easily transferable in exchange of other securities. The return on investment of a T-Bill is much higher than a fixed bank deposit for the same maturity period. Also, they are much safer than investing in mutual funds and stocks which fluctuate during market movements. T-Bills on the other hand change very little due to such volatile movements.
In todays volatile and undecided market situation, T-Bills can be a very powerfull investment instrument which can give you good returns over a short period of time.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Turbo Tax - Tax Filing Software
Turbo Tax is an amazing application if you are looking for filing your personal or professional tax returns. Purchasing Turbo Tax gives to 2 options to access its features. First is a web based online product which you can log onto and fill your information. The other way is to install a local application on your PC or Mac system and either print and mail your tax return or submit them online through the applications web interface. The software version gives more flexibility to work and tools at hand than the online version.
Turbo Tax boasts some very powerful features which caters to several class of individuals who have different modes of income. For example, if you are an active investor or own a property and generate income through that property, Turbo Tax offers a Premier product designed solely for such individuals. Turbo Tax also acts like a personal tax advisor. You can type in questions regarding a tax information and Turbo Tax will answer those. A Free Edition of Turbo Tax lets you file simple tax returns like 1040EZ and 1099.
If you are a bigger firm and looking for audit support then Turbo Tax is the best option available. It has an Audit Support Center which helps you deal with any problems arising during audits. Also, it has Audit Risk Meter which enable tax filers to be aware of tax returns to be files during audits.
Turbo Tax tools include a tax rebate calculator and tax estimator which help you pinpoint the amount of tax due on you. You can even access data from previous years returns.
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