In no man’s land
August 7, 2015
Buying land has been a favourite proxy to investing in real estate, thanks to the lower investment requirement and scope for higher returns compared with a constructed property. Many sellers are now offering land on monthly instalments with promotional gifts thrown in, to attract buyers. If you are lured by these schemes, remember that they are unregulated and are hence a risky proposition for buyers. Little protection for buyers The schemes let you purchase a plot of land by paying a fixed sum every month, over a period of two-five years. The land owner and the buyer enter into an agreement stating the terms, such as specifications of the plot, payment terms and penalty clauses. The buyer makes monthly payments
More »
How hormones can destabilise financial markets
August 7, 2015
Can hormones be instrumental in destabilising financial markets? Yes, says a study. The hormones testosterone and cortisol may spur traders to take more risks, thereby hiking the risk of destabilisation of financial markets. “Our aim is to understand more about what these hormones do. Then we can look at the environment in which traders work, and think about whether it is too stressful or too competitive,” said lead author Dr Ed Roberts from department of medicine at Imperial College London. “These factors could be affecting traders’ hormones and having an impact on their decision-making.” Researchers simulated the trading floor in the lab by having volunteers buy and sell assets among themselves. They measured the volunteers’ natural hormone levels in one
More »
