A bond is a long term debt security, which can be issued by a government, company or even a charity. This post describes the main features of bonds. * A bond is a debt security for which the term (maturity) … Continued
Financial services are provided mainly in two ways: by banks and by markets. Here we outline the key features of financial markets * A market is a very general concept of any arrangement which brings together users for mutual advantage. … Continued
One of the three purposes of a financial system is to join savers to investors, to allow funds to flow from people who have a surplus to those who have a deficit (the others are to manage risk and to facilitate … Continued
Another way to classify funds that are provided by a saver to an investor is whether they are in the form of debt or equity. These are the two main forms of contract through which one person or company can provide funding to … Continued
Securities are a very important and useful piece of financial technology, including bank notes, shares and bonds. They make possible a wide range of financial transactions and provide competition to the other main source of funding, banks. * A security … Continued
http://www.cambridge-tv.co.uk/dr-simon-taylor-nuclear-power/
The story of the proposed Hinkley Point C new nuclear power station in the UK has turned into a soap opera: a long running drama in which new plot developments occur regularly. The latest twist was that on the same … Continued
August 27, 1956: All systems glow – Simon Taylor on the opening of Britain’s Calder Hall nuclear power station It’s nearly 60 years since the UK switched on the first full scale nuclear power station in the world, Calder Hall, in … Continued
Exchange rates are among the most important macrofinancial prices, influencing many aspects of an economy. This post introduces exchange rates and their importance for macroeconomic adjustment * What is an exchange rate? An exchange rate is a ratio, the price … Continued
The second week of my recent China trip was spent in the hot, green and rapidly developing southern province of Guangxi. * My trips to China are usually to the Tier 1 cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and more rarely to … Continued
I’m writing this in my hotel room in Shanghai. Being seven hours ahead of the UK meant that I had the doubtful privilege of watching the events unfold which led to the decision of a small majority of the British … Continued
The last time I was in Dublin, a few years ago, it was in the company of a woman I was in love with, the sun was shining (at least in my memory) and we were on holiday. My latest trip, … Continued
The BP Statistical Review of World Energy was published last week. It contains two pieces of particularly encouraging information. First. in 2015 coal demand fell sharply. Second, carbon emissions from energy rose at the slowest rate for 25 years (other than … Continued
Here is the main version of the talk I’ve given about my book on the history of nuclear power in Britain. I’ve given (or will give) versions at: China Center for Energy Economics, Xiamen University; Pangoal think tank, Beijing; Cambridge … Continued
The Dragon Boat Festival is one of the traditional Chinese holidays. As there are now many Chinese people around the world, it’s celebrated in many places outside China, including Cambridge. A feature of the festival is dragon boat racing. These … Continued