The Federal Open Market Committee kept its target federal funds rate steady last week in a move that was largely anticipated by markets. Markets had priced in previous rate cuts and weren’t looking for another one during last week’s meeting. With stock markets having pushed to new highs since the last rate cut, the pressure from markets for the...
The Social Security System has operated for over 80 years as a final backstop to prevent seniors from living out their last years in absolute poverty. While the system was never intended to be the sole source of retiree income, many seniors over the years have come to rely more and more heavily on Social Security in their twilight...
Gold has been a valued and cherished investment asset for centuries. It has helped millions of investors protect their assets over the years, as it provides an unparalleled ability to maintain its value in the face of economic turmoil and financial crisis. Investing in gold can be one of the best financial decisions an investor makes, as long as...
One of the big stories in financial markets this year was the huge spike in interest rates on overnight repurchase agreements (repos). Very few people outside financial analysts and market watchers pay attention to repo markets or even know what they are, but these markets provide about $1 trillion in funding per day to financial institutions to keep them...
While the United States has long been off the gold standard, the relationship between the US dollar and gold remains. The strength of the dollar is one factor that many investors take into account when making their investments, particularly when they decide to make investments in gold. Gold plays an important part in the investment portfolios of millions of investors...
Unless you follow market news really closely, you’re probably unaware of how large the corporate debt bubble in the United States is. Even if you follow mainstream financial media, very few people are talking about it because they don’t want to upset the apple cart. For many American investors, that means they won’t find out about the corporate debt...
The stock market bull run of the past few years has created more than a few 401(k) millionaires. But with economic headwinds increasing, including a trade war that shows no signs of abating, many investors are getting nervous about just how long they’ll remain 401(k) millionaires. Investors who have made their money in stock markets are aware that a...
Every day brings more and more news that market participants are warning of the risk of a severe recession. Experienced traders from both stock and bond markets are positioning themselves to protect themselves against the downturn, which they universally agree will be catastrophic. The only question now is, with stock markets still elevated, will mainstream investors heed their warnings...
There has been a lot of criticism of stock markets this year, particularly when the Dow Jones and the S&P 500 reach new highs based solely on expectations of a resolution of the trade war with China. It seems that every time President Trump, or anyone in the administration, gets in front of the cameras to say that a...
Every day seems to bring more and more news of headwinds facing the economy. Now international organizations are warning that global trade growth is slowing, an ominous indicator that the world economy continues to slow. Earlier this year, analysts at the World Trade Organization (WTO) forecast a 2.6% increase in world trade this year. Now they’ve cut that forecast by...