Such a settlement would be tidy and would not involve the sale or forfeit of any intellectual property to other firms at the expense of shareholders.

ECONOMIST: The Microsoft case

Roland Phelps of Galantas thinks over 3m ounces of gold reserves could be discovered in that period: not much by the standards of big gold-producing nations, but enough for a tidy niche industry.

ECONOMIST: The high price of gold is encouraging miners to dream

T-bonds now, not only will they net a tidy profit, there is a good chance they will get out at the top of the market.

ECONOMIST: Profits, for a change