In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. Friedrich Nietzsche
Gold, gold futures and gold-based ETFs. The precious metal went on a roller-coaster ride in 2016 rising to a high of $1,366.54 an ounce on July 7, but falling to a low of $1,128.90 on December 20, 2016. That is likely to be reported in 2017 with many investors taking big losses. Sinking currency prices in India and China are likely to drive gold prices by reducing the buying power of gold investors in major markets.
Read More
What is even more worrisome is that the number of bank repossessions, or REOS, increased by 49% between February and March 2015, RealtyTrac reported. The bank repossession rate hit a 17-month high and rose to a rate that was 25% higher than for March 2014. These statistics indicate that the foreclosure crisis has returned with a vengeance, folks.
Read More
This could indicate that traditional banking might no longer be a viable business because of the alternatives available. Things could soon get worse because PayPal is about to get spun off from eBay Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY) and transformed into an independent financial services company that will compete directly with banks.
Read More
• Abolish the payroll or withholding taxes, which take a percentage of a person’s salary. These hit the working poor heavily, and they do not raise enough money to cover the costs of programs like Social Security and Medicare.
Read More
Hiltzik and The Baffler’s Helaine Olen pointed out that some of those conditions no longer exist. Today’s would-be Millionaire Next Door would likely graduate from college with a mountain of student loan debt, leaving him with little extra money to start a business and a strong incentive to stay in the cubicle farms. Low inflation, a booming stock market, and high real estate values also make it difficult for working stiffs to accumulate income earning assets.
Read More
If Intuit can avoid more security problems with its software and marketing stumbles, it could be a good long-term software play. I say this because it looks like Intuit has a winner and a potential huge moneymaker with QuickBooks Online Self-Employed
Read More
One reason why the poor stay poor is that they often lack the opportunities to save money that middle and even working class Americans enjoy. By save I don’t mean put money in a bank account, which is obviously important, but simply pay less to live.
Read More
The effect of falling oil prices should have us wondering about other commodities and energy in general. As modern technology makes increases the supply of commodities, prices will drop making industries and enterprises unprofitable with devastating effects on employment and the greater economy.
Read More
Nor was Chesapeake alone in growing revenues. EOG Resources (NYSE: EOG) reported a TTM revenue of $13.75 billion in September 2013 that grew to $17.14 billion in September 2014, another increase of nearly $4 billion. Devon Energy (NYSE: DVN) reported an even bigger increase. Its TTM revenue grew from $10.35 billion in September 2013 to $16.2 billion in September 2014, an increase of nearly $6 billion.
Read More
The political implications of this are obvious: Wall Street is going to be a major issue in the 2016 presidential campaigns. Economic issues, such as income inequality, financial regulation, student loans, jobs, etc. will be the defining ones in the election. Those who want to win elections, or at least Democratic primaries, will have to be the most vocal in attacking it.
Read More