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Repost: Investing for slower growth

Check out the latest investment and financial advice from the Royal Gazette:

  Tariffs challenge: Christine Lagarde, the IMF managing director, says trade disputes have added to business uncertainty

  With the US stock market averages hitting new highs, selectivity will likely be the key to successful investing in the months and years ahead. Some trends will persist but others may fade as the extended economic recovery approaches record duration.

  For one thing, investors should prepare for slower growth going forward. A recent report from the International Monetary Fund forecast world gross domestic product growth will decelerate to 3.5 per cent this year from 3.7 per cent in 2018. Longer term, the rate of forward progress will probably be much lower.

  Impediments to growth in today’s world are rising protectionism, increasing trade tensions, a decline in business confidence and questions about what the Fed and ECB will do with their stretched balance sheets and the large and growing budget deficits across the developed world.

  According to another report published by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, US growth is forecast is to decelerate to 2.6 per cent growth in 2019 and 2.2 per cent in 2020, down from the last year’s rate of 2.9 per cent. However, a US recession is not expected.

  Meanwhile, Europe is struggling with a moribund economy. Italy is in recession and Germany is very close to having one officially. European equity markets have dramatically lagged the US over the past few years and interest rates in the euro currency are still negative for most short duration bonds.

  The European Parliamentary Research Service recently published a long-ranging report on global output which listed the following megatrends:

  • A richer and older human race.

• A more vulnerable process of globalisation, with uncertain leadership.

• A transformative industrial and technological revolution.

• A growing nexus of climate change, energy and competition for resources.

• Changing power, interdependence and fragile multilateralism.

  Economic growth is simply the product of a country’s work force growth and the productivity of those workers. Financial leverage has also played a part in temporarily magnifying corporate profits and GDP in many regions. However, leverage has its limits and usually ends with a need to deleverage.

    For more insights continue reading here.

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Repost: Stocks Edge Up as Oil Slips; Dollar Ticks Higher: Markets Wrap

Here is today’s stock market updates from Bloomberg:

  U.S. futures point to positive open; Chinese stocks outperform

Earnings season continues with results from Bank of America

  Global stocks traded modestly higher Tuesday as investors digested corporate results rolling in for clues on the economic outlook. The dollar edged up while Treasuries held steady.

  The Stoxx Europe 600 Index climbed, led by retail and chemical shares. In Asia, shares in China and Hong Kong outperformed markets in Japan and South Korea. S&P 500 futures pointed to a slightly positive open after the U.S. benchmark slipped from a six-month high as the earnings season kicked into high gear. Bank of America Corp. and BlackRock Inc. results are up next on Tuesday. Treasury yields ticked lower after data showed China’s holdings rose for a third month. The yen inched higher.

    Investors have spent the holiday-shortened week so far in wait-and-see mode as conviction in the rally that’s powered stocks this year gets tested. Volumes remain muted as traders assess a complex global economic picture. Central banks are also in the frame, with Chicago Fed President Charles Evans, who currently sees rates on hold until the fall of 2020, saying that the nation’s central bank may need to cut them if inflation falls.

  “We are going into this earnings season with the most pessimistic expectations and earning revisions ratios since 2016,” Isabelle Mateos y Lago, chief multi-asset strategist at BlackRock, said on Bloomberg TV. “Obviously the markets are not expecting too much and a lot of good news are already priced in, so it makes sense for the market to take a pause.”

  Continue reading here.

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Repost: Markets Bounce in Q1

Here’s the latest global stock market and economic updates from LOM Financial:

  Image source: LOM Financial

  Global markets continued their rebound in March with the MSCI World Stock Index gaining 1.05% and the S&P 500 increasing by 1.79%. The technology sector continued to climb last month but more defensive sectors such as consumer staples and real estate also fared well as interest rates declined. Investor sentiment is currently mixed as relatively strong earnings and a decent macroeconomic environment in the U.S. has been met with weakening demand out of China, an inverting Treasury curve and the ongoing challenges to an orderly British exit from the Eurozone.

  Equity markets have mostly recovered from last year’s Q4 correction, with the S&P 500 rallying 13.1% since the beginning of the year and 20.6 % from the December 24, 2018 bottom. The MSCI World Stock Index has gained 11.9 % this year and is up 16.9% from the market bottom. Despite positive equity market performance in Europe last month, the region continues to exhibit economic weakness. Italy fell into recession (two consecutive quarters of shrinking growth) while Germany narrowly avoided a recession as it has struggled with falling industrial output, driven largely by the automotive sector.

  Britain, struggling to find consensus on an amicable exit from the EU, has secured a short extension to the original deadline on the condition of another meaningful Brexit vote. That vote has since failed as British Parliament was unable to agree on any of the eight proposed terms of Brexit. Donald Tusk, the President of the European Council, called for an emergency EU summit after UK Prime Minister May’s proposal was defeated for a third time.

  The United States and Canada have been relative safe havens during the past quarter. Macroeconomic indicators still appear to be strong on a relative basis. However, economists expect slowing GDP growth in the U.S as the short-term boost from the Trump tax cuts begins to run off. Importantly, the Federal Reserve’s shift to a more dovish stance has been well received in the equity markets. At the start of the year, the Fed was looking at one to three rate hikes, but they have recently indicated they may do none at all. The shift in stance has helped the equity markets regain most of last year’s lost ground. However, the ongoing trade war and return to more protectionist policies around the world continue to keep equity markets on edge.

  Continue reading here.

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It is common for most beginner investors to often ask if it is really necessary to hire someone who are well-versed in dealing with financial matters – like financial advisors. Although, they find it costly, however worth it. Now, if you’re planning to hire one, here’s a helpful and feasible tips from businessinsider.com to consider:

  Image source: PhotoAlto/Eric Audras/Getty Images

  Choosing a financial advisor is a big decision.

Being aware of these seven common blunders when choosing an advisor can help you find peace of mind, and avoid years of stress.

  1. Hiring the first advisor you meet

While it’s tempting to hire the advisor closest to home or the first advisor in the yellow pages, this decision requires more time. Take the time to interview at least a few advisors before picking the best match for you.

  2. Choosing an advisor with the wrong specialty

Some financial advisors specialize in retirement planning, while others are best for business owners or those with a high net worth. Some might be best for young professionals starting a family. Be sure to understand an advisor’s strengths and weaknesses — before signing the dotted line.

  3. Picking an advisor with an incompatible strategy

Each advisor has a unique strategy. Some advisors may suggest aggressive investments, while others are more conservative. If you prefer to go all in on stocks, an advisor that prefers bonds and index funds is not a great match for your style.

  4. Not checking references

Most advisors are happy to offer references to prospective clients. Calling references only takes a couple of minutes, and it can help put you at ease when handing over the keys to your bank account.

    Continue reading here.

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Basic social media marketing tips for small-scale businesses: How to build your brand to reach your target market

With the advent of social media itself, most brands across the globe heavily rely on this powerful marketing tool. It has created a huge impact in the business world, making every life of entrepreneur relatively easier and convenient. Here are the basic, meanwhile, helpful tips you might want to consider:

  Image source: pixabay.com

  Establish business goals

  Social media – a business platform that has a lot to offer in terms of business ideas and marketing schemes. In which you must certain your goals and objectives, beforehand. Realistically, the business may rise and fall every now and then, but having a clear direction to where your business is heading in, can help you achieve a positive outcome and reap future rewards.

    Optimize social media presence

  Being the most efficient and effective marketing tool in terms of cost and convenience nowadays, it becomes relatively easier to make your brand visible to your customers worldwide. Optimizing social media presence may take time, but let it be the large chunk of your entire investment without putting your money at risk.

  Understand your customer’s behavior

  Apart from learning the demographics of your targeted customer, it is vital to understand their buying behavior online, which includes their habits, needs and wants. Customer satisfaction is highly important. It can also be a key to establish a long-term relationship with them.

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Repost: How elite investors use artificial intelligence and machine learning to gain an edge

Many large financial firms are eyeing AI because of it’s significant potential in the industry. According to Christine Qi, Domeyard’s co-founder and partner, “We rely on the help of machines to make easier and faster predictions of what will happen in the next second or minute.” Find out on CNN Business for more insights:

  Artificial intelligence and machine learning might sound like the stuff of sci-fi movies. But hedge funds, major banks and private equity firms are already deploying next-generation technologies to gain an edge.

  Citigroup (C) uses machine learning to make portfolio recommendations to clients. High-frequency trading firms rely on machine learning tools to rapidly read and react to financial markets. And quant shops like PanAgora Asset Management have developed complex algorithms to test sophisticated investment ideas.

  “It takes emotion out of it. Everything is rational,” Mike Chen, an equity portfolio manager at Boston-based PanAgora, told CNN Business from the sidelines of the Cayman Alternative Investment Summit in Grand Cayman.

“We’re not crazy pointed-hair scientists,” said Chen, whose quantitative investment firm manages about $43 billion in assets.

  Much of the technology that elite investors use isn’t really new. Financial firms are just better able to harness the power of AI and machine learning because today’s computers can process information much faster. And there now exists vastly more data than there did years ago.

  The rise of machine learning

  Still, technology is rapidly disrupting the financial industry — and will continue to do so.

  “The rise of machine learning will really make our industry unrecognizable in the future,” said Anthony Cowell, head of asset management for KPMG in the Cayman Islands. His clients include some of the world’s largest asset managers, hedge funds and private-equity firms.

  For instance, Citi Private Bank has deployed machine learning to help financial advisors answer a question they’re frequently asked: What are other investors doing with their money? By using technology, the bank can anonymously share portfolio moves being made by clients all over the planet.

  “Traditionally that kind of information was sourced from your network. You might have had a few coffees or heard about it over a cocktail,” Philip Watson, head of the global investment lab at Citi and chief innovation officer at Citi Private Bank, told CNN Business. “Now, we can share insight that is very valuable.”

  Citi also built a recommender engine that uses machine learning tools to advise clients. The platform recommends tailored research reports, solutions and even alerts clients of major events such as the maturity of a bond in their portfolio.

    Continue reading HERE.

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Repost: February’s Market: Volatility, Geopolitics And Earnings Are On Watch

Here’s the latest global stock market and economic updates from Forbes:

  Brexit, Shutdown Add to Uncertainty

Earnings Season Kicks Off on Mixed Note

Fed Takes a Backseat in Investor Concerns

Treasuries Buck Economic Trends

It’s not too early to prepare for Tax season

  Michael Nagle/Bloomberg© 2019 Bloomberg Finance LP

  February could bring a heaping plate of geopolitical drama to markets around the world, potentially helping to end a brief calm that settled over January.

  As the month starts, markets were basking in the Federal Reserve’s decision to hold interest rates steady, along with better than expected earnings results from Boeing and Apple. In fact, many Wall Street analysts have indicated they now expect no interest rate increase at all this year after the Fed said it will remain “patient.” So stocks begin February propelled in part by the ongoing earnings season and the Fed’s dovish tone.

  Still, several question marks hover over the next few weeks. First, the U.S. and China only have about four weeks until their self-imposed early March deadline to get some sort of trade agreement in the books, or we could see tariffs jump. Of course, any more trade tension could likely put the market in a tailspin in both countries and perhaps around the world. As of late January, optimism seeped in around positive developments, but there was no word of an imminent deal.

  That’s just one reason why volatility—which surged in December as investors fretted about a possible global economic slowdown—could once again become a factor into February. The markets spent January recovering from December’s sell-off, but as a new month begins nothing is certain. Even the government shutdown—which ended with stopgap funding through Feb. 15—could resurface if lawmakers don’t agree on an immigration and border security deal.

  As of late January, the S&P 500 Index was up approximately 7% year to date, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up about 7.2% and the Nasdaq was up 8.2%. At the end of last year, key sectors like info tech, financials, and transports had remained under pressure, signs that investors apparently had doubts about U.S. and global economic growth. But those sectors showed much more buoyancy throughout January. The fact that COMP is leading the major indices might be an early sign of investors starting to embrace more risk, since it’s dominated by tech and biotech names. In addition, the small-cap Russell 2000 had the best start to a year since 1987.

  Continue reading HERE for more insights.

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Repost: Global Markets Rally February

For the latest global market and economic updates, check out LOM Financial:

  Image source: LOM Financial

  Global markets rallied last week. The MSCI World Index gained 1.43% while the SPX Index gained 1.62%. The ex-US markets were a bit more subdued. The Nikkei was flat 0.08% (in local currency), and the FTSE Euro ETFs (reported in USD) gained 0.95%.

  Weakness in China

The week opened down as weakness in China caused chipmaker NVIDIA (-9.63%) and construction company Caterpillar (-4.35%) lowered profits forecasts. A sizeable portion of revenues, 70% and 22% are attributable to the Asian region for NVIDIA and Caterpillar, respectively.

  United States Government Shutdown Ended

The longest government shutdown in US history ended after a 35-day standoff. The Congressional Budget office estimated the shutdown cost $11 Billion in economic activity. ABC News polls showed the average American was disproportionately blaming Trump and the Republican party. Unsurprisingly, this was split along party lines with independents explaining the difference. Ending the shutdown backfired amongst the President’s base, who view this as an outmanoeuvring by the opposition. We should see some makeup on spending since paychecks have been restored, though some of that spending will not be recovered. This is unlikely to have an impact on the 2020 elections as we are too far out.

  Macroeconomic Data

Macroeconomic data was generally positive, beating or meeting expectations in 73.5% of key global metrics. This should reinforce the notion that part of this rally is justified.

    Continue reading here for more insights.

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Repost: 11 best safe investments with decent return in 2019

Choosing the right and safe investments is quite tricky, especially during volatile times in the market. These low-risk investment recommendations from Bankrate might help you decide which investment you must consider to meet your financial goals.

  Runstudio/Getty Images

  Why low-risk investments?

After a volatile end to 2018, wary investors may be searching for stability in 2019. Even for aggressive stock market fiends, an investment portfolio that’s diversified with less-risky assets is vital to ensure your earnings see growth over time.

What to consider

The trade-off, of course, is that in lowering risk exposure, investors are likely to see lower returns over the long run. That may be fine if your goal is to preserve capital and maintain a steady flow of interest income. But if you’re looking for growth, consider investing strategies that match your long-term goals.

Risk tolerance and time horizon play big roles in deciding how to allocate your investments. Conservative investors or those near retirement may be more comfortable allocating a larger percentage of their portfolios to less-risky investments to minimize risk. These are also great for people saving for short term (about five years or fewer) or intermediate (around a decade) goals.

Those with stronger stomachs and workers still accumulating a retirement nest egg probably can fare better with riskier accounts, as long as they diversify. Be prepared to do your homework and shop around for the accounts that fit both your short- and long-term goals.

If you’re looking to minimize your portfolio’s risk, here are a few of the safest investments to consider.

Overview: best investments in 2019

1. Certificates of deposit

Certificates of deposit, or CDs, are issued by banks and generally offer a higher interest rate than savings accounts.

  These federally insured time deposits have specific maturity dates that can range from several weeks to several years. Because these are “time deposits,” you cannot withdraw the money for a specified period of time without penalty.

  The financial institution pays you interest at regular intervals. Once the CD matures, you get your original principal back plus any accrued interest. Today you can earn as high as nearly 3 percent interest.

  Risks: CDs are considered safe investments. However, they do carry reinvestment risk — the risk that when interest rates fall, investors will earn less when they reinvest principal and interest in new CDs with lower rates. The opposite risk is that rates will rise and investors won’t be able to take advantage because they’ve already locked their money into a CD.

  Consider laddering CDs — investing money in CDs of varying terms — so that all your money isn’t tied up in one instrument for a long time. CD returns are inching up as interest rates are on the rise, but it’s important to note that inflation and taxes could significantly erode the purchasing power of your return.

  Liquidity: CDs aren’t as liquid as savings accounts or money market accounts because you tie up your money until the CD reaches maturity — often for months or years. It’s possible to get at your money sooner, but generally you’ll pay a penalty.

    For more investment ideas, continue reading HERE.

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Repost: Oil CEO says prices are more likley to hit $90 than $40 during 2019

Here’s more update from CNBC for Oil prices:

  Image source: pexels.com

  Oil prices should sit around the $60 to $80 a barrel range throughout 2019 with volatility set to remain in the energy markets, Crescent Petroleum’s chief executive told CNBC Thursday.

  Speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Majid Jafar, CEO of the United Arab Emirates-based oil and natural gas producer, said prices were subject to huge fluctuations and predicting prices was as hard as it had ever been.

  “(Prices are) the most volatile in 30 years. That’s partly because of certain tweets but also because there isn’t much spare capacity and that’s where you see volatility,” he said.

    Jafar said he remained optimistic of a trade deal between the U.S and China and that the global economy was still growing “pretty well.” The CEO said that should provide a decent base for oil prices across the 2019 calendar year.

  “It will be in this $60 to $80 range. It will be volatile, but $90 is more likely than $40,” he said.

    Continue reading HERE.

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Repost: 2019 Real Estate Forecast: What Home Buyers, Sellers And Investors Can Expect

Real estate is arguably the largest industries in most developed countries across the globe. Thus, many investors are considering real estate as a great long-term investment option. If you’re planning to invest this year, learn more on Forbes:

  An illustration of a house sinking into the water.Getty

  There’s no doubt about it: the 2018 housing market has seen its ups and downs.

The year started with sky-high home prices, historically low mortgage rates and a definitive upper hand for sellers. In recent months though, home price growth has faltered, rates have risen to their highest point in nearly eight years, and favor has started to shift from seller to buyer.

  Will these trends continue? Will housing experience the same wild ride in the new year? Here’s what experts predict will happen in 2019 real estate market:

  Mortgage rates will continue rising.

  “Despite steady climbing for the past two years, mortgage rates remain lower than they were during most of the recession and below average for the type of strong economic growth we’ve been experiencing. That will change in 2019, as the 30-year, fixed rate mortgage reaches 5.8% — territory not seen since the dark days of 2008 when rates were racing downward in response to the housing crisis.” — Aaron Terrazas, director of economic research for Zillow

  Millennials will keep buying homes — despite those rising rates.

  “The housing market in 2019 will be characterized by continued rising mortgage rates and surging millennial demand. Rising rates, by making housing less affordable, will likely deter certain potential homebuyers from the market. On the other hand, the largest cohort of millennials will be turning 29 next year, entering peak household formation and home-buying age, and contributing to the increase in first-time buyer demand.” — Odeta Kushi, senior economist for First American

  “Millennials will continue to make up the largest segment of buyers next year, accounting for 45% of mortgages, compared to 17% of Boomers, and 37% of Gen Xers. While first-time buyers will struggle next year, older Millennial move-up buyers will have more options in the mid-to upper-tier price point and will make up the majority of Millennials who close in 2019. Looking forward, 2020 is expected to be the peak Millennial home buying year with the largest cohort of millennials turning 30 years old. Millennials are also likely to make up the largest share of home buyers for the next decade as their housing needs adjust over time.” — Danielle Hale, chief economist for Realtor.com

    Continue reading HERE.

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Repost: The 8 Best Retirement Plans to Use in 2019

The best thing to kick off your 2019 is to create a financial plan – especially for your future retirement. Here’s a few recommendations from The Balance:

Image source: pexels.com

  If you want to retire with the same standard of living in your golden years, it is important to studiously save for retirement. Consistently putting away at least 10% to 15% of your income every payday should put you on track to a great retirement.

  The best type of retirement plan for a large number of Americans is the 401(k) plan. This type of retirement plan is named for its section of the IRS code that explains how it all works. Most importantly, you should understand your investment options, how your retirement plan influences your taxes, and how to get the biggest impact from every dollar of retirement savings.

  Depending on your employer, you may or may not have access to this type of retirement plan. Many education workers rely on a 403(b) plan, which has similar rules. Public employees of government agencies typically have a 457 plan in addition to a pension. But 401(k) plans are the biggest and most common employer-sponsored retirement plan.

  If you are a small business owner, an HR manager evaluating 401(k) providers, or an in-demand worker comparing multiple job offers, it helps to understand the criteria that make a retirement plan the best retirement plan.

  When looking at 401(k) plans, try to find one that minimizes fees while maximizing investment choices across diverse, low-fee mutual funds and/or ETFs that align with your needs. For this reason, some of the biggest investment brokerages and mutual fund providers set the standard for the best retirement plans available today. And the difference between expensive plans and low-cost plans can easily lead to tens of thousands of dollars in your retirement, if not more. A recent study found the average fee is around 1% of assets, but high-quality plans charge significantly less.

  It’s also important to consider employer matching. This is up to your employer, not the plan provider, but it’s an incredibly valuable piece of the total compensation puzzle and you’ll want to keep it in mind. Many large employers match around 3% to 6% of an employees gross pay.

  Now that you know more about what to look for in a 401(k) plan, which is very similar to a 403(b) or 457 plan for education and government workers respectively, here is a list of the best retirement plan providers you can choose today.

Continue reading HERE.

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Repost: A Volatile Start to 2019

The stock market had a rough year ender just last month. Check out today how the market kick off 2019 on LOM Financial:

    We started 2019 with a rollercoaster in the stock market. The S&P ended the week up 1.90% while the MSCI World Index gained 1.81% in the shortened trading week. Emerging markets were up 1.15%.

  Apple Cuts Guidance

Apple cut its revenues forecast for the first time in 16 years as the Chinese market slowed and demand for the iPhone dropped off. There may be a bit more going on here. Apple products have been a status symbol over the past decade. Part of this was well deserved. Apple was one of the first companies to implement a touch screen display and helped innovate the $0.99 song (compared to buying a collection on a CD). Their innovation had allowed them to charge a premium for their phones. At this phase in development, the company has innovated less. The Apple Watch and various minor changes to the phone and tablet space are not providing the same levels of growth for the company.

  Apples decision to push off 5G integration makes sense for the US markets. The infrastructure is still being developed state side. Internationally, this strategy places Apple at a disadvantage. For those looking to replace their phones, a 5G ready device should be more desirable as it can operate at 10x the speed of a 4G network. The average life of a cell phone is a little over 2 years. Why would someone buy a phone that costs more and is 1/10th the speed of a generic brand? Apple is aiming to transition into a more services driven brand though it is unclear what that will look like.

  Continue reading HERE.

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Today’s Most Dominant Tech Giants in the Stock Market

Historically, Technology is one of the largest sectors based on its economic growth globally. In fact, its profitability continues to rise in recent years, generating billions of revenue each year. And, who would have thought that these tech companies will become the world’s largest stock markets, today? 

  Image source: pexels.com

    Apple

This iconic technology company has made a large impact in history. With its greatest innovations from devices to software products, Apple is now considered as one of the largest and most valuable publicly traded corporations across the globe. In addition, Apple was able to reach $1 trillion dollar market cap valuation in early August.

  Amazon

Amazon plays a significant role in both technology and e-commerce industry. Apart from being a relatively huge online retailer, this tech company became a favorite shopping destination by most consumers especially in the U.S., nowadays. In 2017, Amazon’s revenue has skyrocketed to $177.9 billion.

    Microsoft

A well-known Washington based Technology Company that focuses on developing advanced computer software, for decades. With over $110 billion in revenue as of this year. Despite the constant market volatility lately, Microsoft has remained robust and firm to continuously attract many investors.

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Repost: While the Fed Fumbles, Look at Emerging Markets

Here’s the latest global economic update from LOM Financial:

    Despite market turbulence, the Fed decided to go ahead with the fourth rate hike of the year, while reducing expectations for next year to two hikes. All risky assets prices declined after the rate decision, as investors fear that higher interest rate will be a burden to economic growth. As the Fed contemplates its new reality and U.S. markets struggle to regain balance, we think Emerging Markets are worth a look at these levels.

  It seems fitting that 2018 was the year of the Dog in the Chinese Zodiac. Most asset classes fared poorly this year as investors hit the panic button, but the pain has been particularly acute in the emerging market (EM) sector. Notwithstanding a few weeks of recent relative outperformance, EM’s as a whole have dramatically underperformed the broader averages this year. For example, while the S&P 500 stock index has declined by 8% year-to-date, the MSCI emerging market stock index is down 15.6%, representing underperformance of 7.6% as of this writing.

  To a large extent, 2018 has been a perfect storm against the EM’s. The strengthening greenback, rising trade war tensions, geopolitical upheaval and collapsing oil prices have been major headwinds. China, by far the largest of the EM countries, has lately been the whipping boy of American politicians and the clear target of Trump’s aggressive trade negotiations. Looming uncertainties over trade policies and growth have curtailed business investment creating poor sentiment for investors. Also, China and the other EM’s are experiencing slower rates of GDP growth than they have enjoyed in the past.

  Despite modestly decelerating growth in the world’s second largest economy, economists expect China’s gross domestic product (GDP) to advance at a rate of about 6.6% in 2018 and 6.2% in 2019, more than double the rate expected for the developed world as a whole using Bloomberg consensus data. Next year, aggregate emerging market GDP is expected to advance at a rate of 4.7%, compared to 2.1% for developed countries, as forecasted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    Continue reading here for more insights.

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Repost: Here are 5 ways to control your stress during a volatile market

Investing in Stocks is like gambling, according to many investors. A volatile market is indeed inevitable and investors are losing money including their hopes and focus. During volatile times in the market, this wonderful investment advice from CNBC might help relieve and control your anxiety:

  Kane Skennar | Photodisc | Getty Images Getting stressed out may point investments in the wrong direction, so learn to control stress in a volatile market.

  While I can’t give you any investment advice or help you ignore the current market conditions, I can teach you how to manage stress so that “volatile” describes the market and not your mindset.

  Emotions can help influence decision-making, but when it comes to considering investment decisions in a volatile market, getting stressed out may point your investments in the wrong direction.

  The high level of stress in today’s financial market is not only threatening retirement accounts and portfolios, it’s depleting an investor’s greatest resource: brain power.

  The signs of the strain on your brain are sleeplessness, increased conflict, decreased energy, memory struggles, difficulty focusing and/or increased use of food, alcohol or drugs to reduce anxiety. Any of these symptoms mean you will be less able to make your best personal and professional decisions.

  Let’s get very real for a minute. Unless you already have yoga, exercise, meditation or a “work/life balance” in practice, it can feel overwhelming to think about adding something new into your day if you are feeling stressed right now. With that said, here are five “don’ts” that might surprise you and that will also help you discover some easier “dos” for stress-management.

  Don’t strive for work/life balance. That’s right. Work/life balance is typically defined in such a way that trying to maintain it creates more stress through shame and guilt. My approach to work/life balance is the same as with evaluating weight loss. Just as you will likely be frustrated if you step on the scale every day, don’t look at how you balance work and home life or extracurricular activities on a daily basis. Rather, look at a whole week or even month to gauge how you are doing with either.

    Continue reading HERE for more insights:

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REPOST: A year-end checklist for your investments

Before this year ends, CNN has got some important and helpful tips for you investments:

  What do I need to do before the end of the year, to be ready for tax-time and whatever next year may bring?

  Even if performing a check-up on your investments isn’t typically on your list of things to do before the end of the year, this is one year you don’t want to skip.

  Markets have been unusually volatile and investors may be leery about the year ahead. The 2018 tax year will also mark the first year in which the tax reforms took effect. That means there are several variables and new factors to consider as you close out the year.

  Here are some important details to check in on before the end of the year.

Reallocate and rebalance

  With the market on a tear for the past nine years, many investors’ portfolios have become stock heavy and may no longer reflect big picture goals, says Samuel Wieser, CEO and investment advisor for Northman Financial.

  Asset allocation is a significant driver of portfolio performance, he says, and periodic rebalancing is a critical part of ensuring you are sticking with your investment strategy.

  “If your portfolio has a bloated stock allocation, you are likely exposing yourself to excess risk,” Wieser says. “Many experts believe we may see a significant downturn in the economy and stock market in the coming months after the longest bull market in history. If you haven’t rebalanced lately, now would be a great time.”

  A common mistake when rebalancing, he says, is to only focus on your IRA or brokerage accounts. Make sure you also look at your 401(k) or any other employer sponsored plan. Usually, the allocations in your account are completely up to you even though there may be a third party investment manager looking after the plan as a whole.

  As a guideline for asset allocation, advisers recommend holding equities in the amount of 100 minus your age. So a typical 40 year old will hold 60% in equities. But consider that guideline alongside the fact that Americans are living longer and earning fewer rewards from low-risk investments. Your risk tolerance may be higher.

  Continue reading HERE.

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