Trade wars are the equivalent of clobbering your own head with a hammer or poking yourself in the eye. U.S. economic policy these days seems to be the brainchild of The Three Stooges. While politicians bluster about “winning” these battles, investors are left scrambling for cover as markets seize up, prices soar, and businesses suffocate under the weight of tariffs.…
Recent tariffs and trade restrictions under President Donald Trump’s administration have temporarily cooled the artificial intelligence (AI)- fueled bull market. Despite this short-term volatility, however, the AI market is on track to reach an eye-catching $1.8 trillion in total value by 2030, according to industry analysts. Fueling this expansion, U.S. and Chinese tech giants are accelerating their AI development timelines and…
In response to abrupt moves by the administration of President Donald Trump, investors have been selling equities, sending the S&P 500 down 4.5% so far in 2025. They’ve also been selling the U.S. dollar, with the greenback measured against a basket of other currencies in the ICE U.S. Dollar Index dropping by a similar amount. At the same time, they’ve been…
Inflation erodes purchasing power, making it harder to maintain your lifestyle over time. Whether you’re planning for retirement or managing daily expenses, finding ways to preserve and grow your wealth without excessive risk is critical. While some investors turn to high-risk assets for inflation protection, there are safer, more strategic ways to hedge against rising prices. Here’s how to beat…
Spotting a bargain in the stock market isn’t as easy as it looks. There’s a difference between “cheap looking” and cheap. A rock-bottom price-to-earnings ratio, for example, isn’t enough on its own to make a stock a bargain. If earnings are set to tumble, ratios and metrics won’t tell you the whole story. These two stocks look like genuine bargains,…
The first three months of 2025 have been marked by higher-than-expected market volatility, with investors navigating a surge in uncertainty. As of March 17, the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) – often called Wall Street’s “fear index” – hovered around 22, after hitting a 2025 peak of 27.9 a week earlier. Despite the uncertainty, there’s no need to panic-sell. Market timing…
The mood in markets is dimming as economic growth slows, inflation persists, and market volatility worsens. What does this mean for you, the individual investor? It means opportunity if you know where to look. Don’t run for the hills; implement the following playbook instead. Even during the darkest times, you should always stay invested. Now, it would be easy to tell…
Investor interest in artificial intelligence (AI) stocks surged in 2024, but it looks to be cooling off in 2025. At the time of this writing, powerhouse chipmaker Nvidia (NVDA) was down nearly 20% and Broadcom fell by 26% since January 1. Advanced Micro Devices is also struggling, down 23%. Uncertainty about the outlook for the U.S. economy as President Donald Trump implements his tariff plans has contributed to the…
In times of uncertainty and market volatility, many investors seek the dependability of owning high-dividend stocks. Regular dividends help temper the ups and downs of the market and can act as a hedge against persistent inflation. Companies that pay consistent dividends are often viewed as more stable and financially sound than companies that don’t distribute income regularly. In the final…
Many people believe they need at least $1 million to have a comfortable retirement. But for many Americans, reaching that milestone is unrealistic. The good news? You don’t need a seven-figure portfolio to enjoy a secure and fulfilling retirement. With strategic planning and smart financial decisions, you can retire comfortably with less than $1 million. These seven steps will help…