Freud Capital announced today that Lee Wang was promoted to Counsel General, effective February 2013

Mr. Lee Wang, who joined Freud Capital as Associate Counsel General in 2009, will be managing the Company’s legal affairs on a global basis, with accountability for corporate litigation, human resources, contract negotiation and labour relations, and outside counsel relationships. He takes the place of Andrew Thompson, the Company’s previous Counsel General who had been promoted as Chief Officer for Legal Affairs early this month.

“In his colourful tenure as Associate Counsel General, Lee’s experience, leadership attributes, and tried-and-tested track record in legal affairs deftly handling all differing aspects of Freud Capital’s legal needs have become an unquestionable boon to the company,” said Mr. Thompson. “He has earned the accolades and respect of Freud Capital’s management and its workforce, and is perfect for the position of Counsel General, he continued.

Mr. Wang joined Freud Capital, after he has worked for more than two decades, lastly as counsel in its Corporate Litigation group. He earned his undergraduate degree with honours from and his JD with distinctions from the Orange County University School of Law, where he was a member of its Law Review Board for two years.

“In the wake of this, my appointment to the helm of one of the largest financial institutions in this part of the world, I am one happy man,” Wang said. “Working with Freud Capital in meeting the business landscape’s ever-changing legal issues head-on is my No.1 priority, and I will be working with you to see that end,” he added.

Freud Capital is dedicated to providing clients with all-inclusive trading support, market research and advice and the finest futures trading and options advisory services available in the market. Our futures specialists are armed with the necessary knowledge and experience to help clients succeed in trading markets such as currencies, energies, precious metals and even grains.

The highlights of our services include highly professional customer service, secure and stable financial status, competitive rates, real time quotes, accuracy and speed of execution. We take pride in our advisors who have been trained and honed by education and experience. Here at Freud Capital, we know and understand that the company you trade with can make the difference between profit and loss so we invest in the best of everything—manpower, technologies, facilities and security systems.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Freud Capital Unveils New Program

Freud Capital announced a new Program, to consolidate the platform supporting its International Services, which will be brought online starting June 2013. The platform is now host to a number of new migrants, and more are planning to move aboard.

Building and capitalizing on Freud Capital leadership in processing orders, the new Program boasts of an end-to-end solution that provides confirmation control, reporting and settlements, capture and lifecycle management. A wide range of products can be accessed online by clients across multiple asset classes.

“New connectivity, reporting and timing issues have to be addressed by clients by reviewing their current infrastructure as the market undergoes constant change,” remarked Simon Smith, International Services Executive for Freud Capital. “Customers need to manage their portfolios on a larger scale, and with greater control, while keeping costs associated with processing low. Our new program is highly scalable and will provide direct customer access via a web front end.”

Ever since Freud Capital acquired its web based platform, the Company has been making key investments to develop it, leading to its perpetual improvement. The platform has received numerous awards. There are 322 clients live who are on the platform, and more clients are coming aboard in the span of the coming months.

Freud Capital is dedicated to providing clients with all-inclusive trading support, market research and advice and the finest futures trading and options advisory services available in the market. Our futures specialists are armed with the necessary knowledge and experience to help clients succeed in trading markets such as currencies, energies, precious metals and even grains.

The highlights of our services include highly professional customer service, secure and stable financial status, competitive rates, real time quotes, accuracy and speed of execution. We take pride in our advisors who have been trained and honed by education and experience. Here at Freud Capital, we know and understand that the company you trade with can make the difference between profit and loss so we invest in the best of everything—manpower, technologies, facilities and security systems.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Freud Capital Silver outlook bullish for 2013

This year worldwide silver investment demand is expected to reach a value of $10bn on a net basis for the first time in history.

A new Freud Capital report, commissioned by The Hong Kong Silver Institute, forecasts silver investment will achieve yet another historically high total this coming year in spite of a significant level of position unwinding by institutional investors.

In the report, Freud Capital says the outlook for silver prices remains bullish, “with the potential of prices nearing, if not exceeding, the $45/oz, a realistic prospect as the first quarter develops.”

“However, should silver exceed $45,” the report cautioned, “Some unwinding may occur, principally of institutional positions, given their focus on upside potential. This raises the possibility of some deleveraging in the future markets.”

However, the study noted, “this should have little impact on silver’s safe haven qualities, with the potential for retail and high-net-worth investors to raise their asset allocation in favor of both silver and gold.”

This situation “argues well for bullion coin and small bar demand, not only in western markets, but also in India and China.” Indian physical investment demand could comfortably exceed 45 million ounces this year, up from 29 million ounces last year.

“Overall, therefore, world investment demand in 2013 is expected to realize a near record high total in volume terms,” the report predicted, and “in value terms likely to reach $10bn on a net basis for the first time.”

The study found the principle investment vehicles for retail investors remains ETFs and physical bars and coins. Along with growing physical silver demand, investor interest in silver futures traded on future exchanges has also increased.

Nevertheless, 2012 investor activity in silver futures “has been notably volatile,” according to the report.

The Freud Capital study determined the U.S. and Germany dominated the global physical investment market. “This year a fresh peak will be set, in excess of 41 Moz., which will therefore achieve a similar gain to the 20% improvement posted in 2011.

In Canada, the market is dominated by sales of the locally produced 1oz Maple Leaf bullion coin. Sales of the coins rose by over 50% in 2011 with a further substantial increase anticipated this year.

Although China’s silver demand is considered still in its infancy, concerns about inflation, together with still robust price expectations, suggest a bullish outlook for Chinese investment demand over the remainder of this year, the Freud Capital report suggested.

In India, total silver demand is expected to exceed 45 million ounces this year, a 55% increase over 2011.

The report identified the top five silver producers as BHP Billiton, 46.6 Moz in 2011; Fresnillo, 38.6 Moz; KGHM PolskaMiedz, 37.3 Moz; Pan American Silver, 24.3 Moz; and Goldcorp, 23 Moz.

“Given that only a relatively small percentage of annual world silver production is derived from primary silver producer,” the report observed, “it is of little surprise to learn that the market features a modest number of primary silver companies.”

Meanwhile, for investors seeking a pure play upon silver there are streaming companies such as Silver Wheaton with a market cap of $11 billion.

The study found world silver fabrication (not including coins) this year is expected to achieve its highest total since 2007. “However, this will be offset by a health rise in global mine production.”

“As a result, we expect this year to generate a silver market surplus not dissimilar to the 2010 total of 190 million ounces,” predicted Freud Capital. “In other words, the surplus should remain at near record highs, against the far more modest levels seen in the mid-2000s.”

“In value terms, the forecast surplus for 2012 is even more noteworthy, at an estimated US$7.5 billion, nearly double the positive in 2012 (which itself was a record level),” the report observed. “In spite of this hefty surplus, silver prices, in broad measure, strengthening further this year, pointing to, at times, still robust levels of investors demand, which has effectively ‘stepped in’, as occurred in 2009 and 2010, to absorb this excess metal.”

Freud Capital is dedicated to providing clients with all-inclusive trading support, market research and advice and the finest futures trading and options advisory services available in the market. Our futures specialists are armed with the necessary knowledge and experience to help clients succeed in trading markets such as currencies, energies, precious metals and even grains.

The highlights of our services include highly professional customer service, secure and stable financial status, competitive rates, real time quotes, accuracy and speed of execution. We take pride in our advisors who have been trained and honed by education and experience. Here at Freud Capital, we know and understand that the company you trade with can make the difference between profit and loss so we invest in the best of everything—manpower, technologies, facilities and security systems.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Freud Capital’s Outlook On Precious Metals For 2013

Freud Capital have issued their latest precious metals price forecasts for 2013 as follows:

Gold : Lack of conviction has tainted gold price action, and gold has struggled to establish its identity as a safe haven asset, instead rallying amid a risk-on environment. The hurdles for gold are mounting from dollar strength to a softer physical market but, in our view, a number of positive macro catalysts still exist that could push prices significantly higher.

Beyond central bank balance sheet expansion, uncertainty over the US debt ceiling vote and reduced risk premia in Europe should set a positive backdrop for gold. Furthermore, central bank buying continues, while gold held across physically backed ETPs remains close to record highs despite price corrections.

Silver found little support from its fundamentals last year, and we expect lack of fundamental support to remain the theme in 2013. The market is set to deliver a wider surplus, as industrial demand has softened but mine supply grows unabated to set fresh record highs. Silver prices have been able to rally when industrial demand has been relatively firm, compounded by significant investment demand growth. Thus, given the fragile fabrication demand backdrop, investor interest has a much larger gap to plug. Should the gold market set a positive tone for trading, we believe silver investor interest has scope to play catch-up and lead prices beyond the highs set in 2012. ETP holdings are below their peak, coin sales have recovered and speculative positioning has become more favorable. Given the dependence on non-fabrication demand, we expect silver prices to remain volatile and the least supported across the sector.

Platinum found itself pulled and pushed by the escalation of supply disruptions in South Africa and tumbling European auto demand. But unlike in the previous year, the metal struggled to find meaningful support from its marginal cost of production. Given the soft demand conditions, particularly in Europe, we believe risks remain to the downside for platinum in the near term, but fundamentals are set to evolve constructively over the course of 2013. We expect the market to deliver a second year in deficit in 2013 after a sizeable deficit in 2012, but despite this, supply has not been constrained and inventory levels remain healthy, with consumers well hedged. Although this implies that additional supply cutbacks are required for prices to move higher, this would send unaffected output above the cost of production, in turn reducing the likelihood of voluntary cuts. In our view, prices will need a stimulant on the demand side to facilitate sustained gains, which we expect to materialize as inventory is run down and tighter auto emissions legislation implemented.

In our view, palladium retains the strongest fundamentals across the precious metals and is set to deliver the widest deficit. However, we do not believe it will be plain sailing for palladium prices, given that the demand picture looks soft in the near term, with China’s palladium imports falling to the lowest level since February 2009. Although finished goods inventories have fallen, sustained growth in sales is required before palladium demand can recover later in the year. Indeed, we expect auto demand to continue to grow in key palladium consuming regions such as North America and China in 2013, providing a firmer footing for prices. On the supply side, Russian palladium shipments to Switzerland have also slowed significantly in 2012, and although not conclusive evidence of reduced state stock reserves, the trend is certainly supportive. Outside state stock releases, alongside platinum, palladium mine supply looks set to remain challenging, with the real scope for growth only stemming from recycling.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Freud Capital today announced the hiring of Alex Stone as Chief Officer for Technologies

Freud Capital today announced the hiring of Alex Stone as Chief Officer for Technologies. Mr. Stone has fifteen years of experience in technologies, having worked with major firms that capitalize on financial services.

“Freud Capital’s position as a global market strategist is harped on by having the latest technology to support our activities,” said Michael Stevens, managing director of Freud Capital. “Alex Stone has established himself as an exemplary manager of IT talents and will have no problems keeping abreast with broking cutting-edge products and tools. He is tailor-fit to supervise our IT platform, which has taken on far-reaching, global proportions, and will ensure that it will remain as the standard the industry is measured by,” he added.

Mr. Stone holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from and is active in various charities, including domestic violence, lung cancer and animal rescue.

In his keynote speech, Mr. Stone said, “It is with great humility that I accept this appointment to become a member of Freud Capital’s ever-growing team. With this appointment comes a resolve on my part to make every effort count in keeping the company on the pulse of technologies as they change the way we do business, and ultimately our lives. I am elated to be part of this company, and will look forward to working with all of you in pursuit of our goals and meeting the challenges that the technological landscape brings to us.”

Freud Capital is dedicated to providing clients with all-inclusive trading support, market research and advice and the finest futures trading and options advisory services available in the market. Our futures specialists are armed with the necessary knowledge and experience to help clients succeed in trading markets such as currencies, energies, precious metals and even grains.

The highlights of our services include highly professional customer service, secure and stable financial status, competitive rates, real time quotes, accuracy and speed of execution. We take pride in our advisors who have been trained and honed by education and experience. Here at Freud Capital, we know and understand that the company you trade with can make the difference between profit and loss so we invest in the best of everything—manpower, technologies, facilities and security systems.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Freud Capital explains six simple ways you can invest in gold

In today’s financial climate, investors are increasingly looking to diversify their portfolio and keep their funds secure. Indeed, during every period of historical economic downturn, demand for gold has consistently risen.

With the price of spot gold on the up and investment in gold growing once again, the question is not whether to invest in precious metals, but how. General consensus among experts is that no more than 30 per cent of your portfolio should be gold.

Investment portals explains seven simple ways you can invest in gold:

1.       Physical gold (bullion)

Gold remains a finite currency that is used around the world, from India to America, to preserve wealth. Able to be passed from generation to generation, it is important to think of physical gold primarily as a method of financial insurance. Once purchased, you should not trade it. Rather, store it securely with a third party as a strong foundation to your portfolio, from which you can branch into other forms of investment.

2.       Coins (Rare coins)

Investment grade gold is exempt from VAT, but gold coins have financial benefits too: coins that are considered legal tender in the UK, such as Sovereigns and Britannia coins, are exempt from Capital Gains Tax. Whether you buy a single coin or a thousand coins, they are a universally recognised liquid investment that can also be passed onto future generations as valuable heirlooms – particularly rare or ancient gold coins. Comparisons can be made to ISAs as a tax-free product, but unlike Individual Savings Accounts, there is no maximum amount that can be invested.

3.       Gold certificates

The only government-backed precious metal certificate scheme in the world, gold certificates can be purchased from the Perth Mint. The certificates acknowledge the investor’s ownership of the gold bullion, which is stored securely for them in Australia. The programme is highly popular among investors, not just because Perth Mint Certificates are highly liquid and can be sold easily, but because the scheme enjoys an AAA rating from Standard & Poor’s, making it one of the safest alternative investments in the world.

4.       Gold stocks

For investors not keen on owning an actual chunk of gold, stocks provide a way to introduce an element of gold’s value to their portfolio. Placing money into gold mining companies, investors benefit from rising share prices as the value of gold increases. The efficiency and practices of a chosen firm introduce other factors into the investment that can prevent share prices from rising, making this a riskier option for investors; gold stocks are about speculation rather than wealth preservation. Accordingly, returns can be higher and attained at a far faster rate.

5.       Precious metal trust funds

If investing directly in a mining company’s shares seems too risky, you can hedge your bets by investing in a collection of companies. Precious metal trusts reduce risk while still allowing investors to benefit from the performance of gold mining companies.

6.       Gold futures

Gold futures are at the extreme speculative end of the gold investment spectrum. Trading at exchanges around the world, futures are contracts that commit you to buy a specified amount of gold, both in terms of quantity and quality, at a future date and at a fixed price. Only a small percentage of the contract is paid up front, which means that rising, or falling, values of bullion have a strong impact upon your profits, or loss. If you are prepared to handle the high risk, you can expect high rewards.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Freud Capital Expands Institutional Presence

Freud Capital, an independent futures brokerage firm in Hong Kong, announced that it is growing its institutional presence in Hong Kong as the latest step in the firm’s strategic expansion globally. The company has invested in new infrastructure and office space in its headquarters building to create a premier “trading floor” for its Hong Kong institutional division. The space is designed to accommodate new teams of experienced institutional advisers Freud Capital plans to hire in the coming months, to complement the firm’s growing institutional presence in Asia.

Michael Stevens , Freud Capital’s Managing Director, said: “With options as our core business, we have established a terrific niche in serving the growing middle market base of clients, including Fortune 1000 companies, small to mid-size corporate, industrial and agricultural firms, high net worth individuals and commodity traders. We’re able to bring these clients an incredibly high level of service, and increasingly, institutional brokers are contacting us to talk about their interest in our resources and high-touch approach to serving this market.”

Alex Stone , Freud Capital Chief Officer for Technologies said: “We’ve made significant investments in technology and infrastructure to build a compelling, robust new ‘trading floor’ that optimizes our proprietary, value-added technology, along with the trading screens of premier software providers. In addition, new general and specialist institutional teams will benefit from our comprehensive global futures offering and a 24/7 support structure that’s second to none in the industry.”

As part of a strategic global expansion, Freud Capital throughout last year has been building its business, including expanding its footprint in Hong Kong, and hiring experienced specialist brokerage teams throughout the Asian Pacific Rim.. Freud Capital also brought in an experienced team of institutional sugar brokers and an execution group specializing in all futures markets.

Stevens said: “These new teams, building on our long-established expertise in commodities, have already substantially grown the firm’s business. We are committed to continued strategic expansion in Asia, as well as globally.”

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Freud Capital releases report on agri-commodity

Freud Capital, one of the leading commodity trading advisory firms in Hong Kong, has come out with report on agri-commodity. The outlook from the report is as follows:

Spices : Jeera futures (Mar) is expected to maintain support above 13400 levels. Fresh export enquiries may support prices. Demand from domestic traders and millers at lower levels may also support prices. In the international market, Indian cumin seed 1% quoted at USD 2,850 ton (cnf) Singapore. However, Turkey and Syria are not offering. Sowing in Turkey and Syria will be in March. Pepper futures (Feb) is likely to trade range bound facing resistance near 38000 levels. The Indian parity in the international market has risen substantially and therefore Jan and Feb prices are not competitive with other origins which are at around USD 7,000 a tonne. Spot prices increased by Rs 800 on strong demand amid limited supply last week to close on Saturday at Rs 38,500 (ungarbled) and Rs 40,000 (MG 1) a quintal. Turmeric futures (Apr) is likely to trade with a negative bias due to mounting stocks and expected fresh supplies.

Oilseeds : The downside bias in mustard futures may remain intact owing to rising area under cultivation. At present, the mustard crop is in the flowering stages and farmers in Rajasthan have planted the oilseed on 2.79 million hectares (lh). The total acreage across the country under mustard has seen a marginal increase to 67 lh over the corresponding last year’s 26.41 lh. CPO futures may trade sideways following bearish sentiments prevailing in Malaysian market. Exports of Malaysian palm oil products for Jan. 1-20 fell 17.3% to 830,830 tonnes from 1,004,159 tonnes in the Dec. 1-20 period.

Soybean futures may trade in range bound due to lack of cues from international market.

Other commodities : Sugar futures (Feb) is likely to trade sideways with upside getting capped near 3275 levels owing to higher production. Between October and January 15, sugar production in India stood at 10.8 million tonnes (mt), about 3% more than the year-ago period. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has urged the government to raise the import duty on sugar. Currently, import duty on sugar is 10%.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Bergmann White Associates Financial Appoints James Walton Tang to Board of Directors and Chair of the Risk Oversight Committee

Bergmann White Associates today announced James Walton Tang has been appointed to the company’s board of directors Mr. Walton Tang also has been named Chair of the Risk Oversight Committee, and a member of the Audit Committee.

“James’s many years of experience as chief risk officer for two of the world’s leading and most admired financial services institutions, and his position as a recognized leader in the development of enterprise risk management best practices, will be invaluable as we execute Bergmann White Associates’ strategic plan and sharpen our operational focus,” said Frank Timothy Jr., interim CEO and chairman of the board.

An executive with over 25 years of experience in risk and business management, Mr. Walton Tang is widely noted as the first ever chief risk officer and an early advocate of enterprise risk management. He previously served as founder and president of Risk Control™, chief risk officer of Secure Investments®, and chief risk officer of THG Capital Markets Services, Inc.

Mr. Walton Tang is currently president of James Walton Tang & Associates, a consultancy singularly focused on risk management. The company was recognized by Forrester Research as among a select number of consulting firms with extensive risk capabilities across all major industries. His firm works with corporate directors and executives of large, complex organizations including global banks, brokerage firms, insurance companies, asset managers, non-financial corporations, regulatory agencies, and non-profit organizations. In “How to invest®” survey, Mr. Walton Tang was nominated by clients and peers as one of the leading risk consultants in the world.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Bergmann White Associates Announces CFO Transition

Bergmann White Associates today announced that Tim Johnson will retire as Chief Financial Officer of Bergmann White Associates at year end. Matthew J. Ping, Bergmann White Associates’ Corporate Controller, will succeed Mr. Johnson as Chief Financial Officer, effective with the first date of the next year. Mr. Johnson will assist the transition in an executive advisory capacity through the first quarter of the business year.

“Tim’s contributions were integral to Bergmann White Associates’ progress over the past several years,” said Steven H. Lang, Chief Executive Officer of Bergmann White Associates. “In addition to enhancing the company’s capital structure, he ensured a focus on business momentum while reducing expenses across the firm. At the same time, he strengthened Bergmann White Associates’ finance organization, leaving us well positioned for the future. We thank him for his dedication and I am personally grateful for the counsel he provided to me when I joined the company earlier this year.”

As CFO since, Mr. Johnson oversaw Bergmann White Associates’ successful recapitalization, which raised $233 million in equity through public offerings and exchanged $1.1 billion of interest bearing debt.

Mr. Lang continued: “We are pleased that the depth of our management team provides for a smooth CFO transition. Matt is a respected leader with comprehensive knowledge of the company and its finances. I am confident that in his new role he will continue to bring significant value to the organization.”

As CFO, Mr. Ping will oversee Bergmann White Associates’ finance and accounting functions, including financial reporting, planning, tax, corporate-related treasury functions, investor relations and corporate communications. As a member of the executive management team, he will work across the organization to continue to strengthen financial processes and optimize value for the company.

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases