Here’s a quick, executive summary of stories from this trading week, with a link to the full articles online.
World Peace or World War III?
On the blood-stained battlegrounds of Eastern Ukraine, a new cease-fire officially went into effect this week. All of Europe heaved a deep sigh of relief at the prospect of peace. The world rejoiced. And global investors sprang into action. They assumed — or at least harbored the hope — that the worst of the conflict between the East and West was over. Are they right? Martin D. Weiss takes a look. Click here to get his take on the global situation.
How Are You Spending Your ‘Reverse Tax’?
Economists and investors are dying to know what consumers are doing with their gasoline savings windfall. Will they save it, invest it, or upgrade their mobile phones? Jon Markman looks at the issue, and Money and Markets readers respond — click here to read more and add in your response.
Has Gold Bottomed? No Way!
A lot of investors want to know why Larry Edelson is not screaming from the rooftops, “Buy Gold!” The reason is simple: Gold has not bottomed yet, not by a long shot. Read more from Larry by clicking here.
Where are Global Funds Going Now?
In recent years the U.S. economy and stock market have been viewed by global investors as the best game in town, but now that story may be changing. Mike Burnick takes a look at where global funds are heading. Click here to read more.
Now: A Turnabout Investment Strategy
So far in 2015, Mike Larson has been advocating a new strategy. You could sum it up as: “Buy what you sold, sell what you bought!” He has  been doing so because he’s seeing a “Big Reversal.” Click here to get the full picture.
This Week’s Hot News …
Money and Markets columnist Mike Larson takes a look at key financial and political events around the globe after the market close. Here are the week’s highlights:
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| Wal-Mart warned that the slowdown at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will increase logistics challenges. |
Ship Shape? Not Exactly
The shipping containers are stacked up, row after row, on the docks in Los Angeles. The number of ships sitting at anchor offshore is growing by the day — so much so that Long Beach looks more like a floating parking lot than one of the nation’s premier ports. Mike takes a look at the costs of the West Coast port strike. Click here to get a take on what it all means.
Making Money Overseas? Here’s How!
“America First” was the mantra when it came to investing last year. But these days, that’s starting to change. Mike takes a look at how to make money by investing in overseas assets. Click here to read more.
Wal-Mart Boosts Wages! Will Others Follow?
The economic recovery’s missing link is wages. Now Wal-Mart is doing something about it. The nation’s largest private employer shocked Wall Street by announcing a $1 billion plan to boost pay. Some 500,000 workers — or around 40% of its 1.3 million-strong workforce — will get raises in the next few months. Will others follow? Mike takes a look — click here to read more.
Best wishes,
The Money and Markets Team
{ 2 comments }
Hi All
A huge amount of political capital is being spent trying to rescue a sinking ship. The debts as they stand will never be repaid. In a currency crisis the banks lose, in a market collapse the investors take a hit. Trying to prepare for this without a seat at the table leaves many of us left in the dark. Oh by the way, have you noticed that sky scraper in Dubai that is on fire has not collapsed in its own footprint. Maybe I’m just a over analysing this?
Just to add
Ask yourself who lost in the 2008 plunge. The banks are only interested in coming out of this smelling like a rose. They don’t care whether you win or lose as long as they don’t. The privately run FED is in charge of rolling the dice right now.