Even a god cannot change the past,  Agathon said (in 445b.c.).  Hopefully, the Athenian poet’s musings on the future would have been more optimistic.

But since Agathon is no longer around and not up for fielding questions about his country’s problems, we turn to market strategists.

This afternoon, a note crossed our desks from David Karsbol, Saxo Bank’s chief economist. Is all the panic in the Greek markets creating opportunities?

Karsbol’s thoughts:

The Greek stock market has dropped 36% from the peak in October 2009, while MSCI World is only down by around 5%. In other words, it looks like a country-specific slow-motion panic that might threaten to evolve into a full-blown panic. And where there is panic, there are usually lots of opportunities. We have therefore screened the Greek stock market for long-term value stocks that might be getting even cheaper if more rumors or even real political action appear.

Continue reading: “Creating opportunities from Greece’s financial woes”

Alliance Trust has become the latest investment company to bring forward its annual dividend payout, to avoid investors having to pay more tax.

The company just put out an announcement – after 5pm today – that it’s paying its fourth interim dividend to shareholders on 1 April. Last year it paid this on 30 April.

This follows a number of other investment companies – and other companies in general – bringing forward their dividend payouts before the rise in income tax.

From 6 April a new higher rate of 50 per cent will apply to those earning over £150,000, while the top rate of dividend tax will go up to 42.5 per cent, from 32.5 per cent currently.

Other investment trusts to have brought forward their dividend this year include Murray Income, Caledonia and HgCapital Trust – but the list is pretty small so far. Others are likely to follow though – watch this space.