A new threat to the global commodity markets has emerged. The White House has stated its desire to wrest control of Greenland’s extensive metals and mineral reserves by any means necessary, including military force if a financial deal cannot be made. If the USA gains controls of Greenland’s most valuable commodity reserves, then that will trigger repercussions in the global…
Over the weekend, the United States removed Venezuela’s long-standing political leader, abruptly reopening questions investors have not seriously asked in years. Chief among them: could Venezuela’s oil sector finally begin to recover, and if so, which companies stand to benefit? It’s an important question, because on paper Venezuela has the largest proven oil reserves of any country. This analysis is…
2025 will be remembered as a year of political upheaval, trade turbulence, and market resilience. Investors endured a spring shock, witnessed a historic rally in gold, and watched equities finish at record levels despite widespread uncertainty. Oil’s slump and the Fed’s easing cycle added complexity to the landscape, but the overarching lesson was familiar: markets adapt—often faster, and more forcefully,…
Markets rarely turn on a single headline. More often, trouble builds through small inconsistencies, subtle shifts in behavior, and signals that do not quite line up with the optimism embedded in asset prices. As we close out 2025, a growing number of those cautionary signals are flashing simultaneously. None of this guarantees a downturn. But taken together, the risks heading…
Most investors use the Dow Jones Industrial Average or the S&P 500 as shorthand for “the market.” These two benchmarks dominate headlines and shape daily sentiment. But together, they still represent only a narrow slice of the global equity landscape. Understanding how major indexes differ—and what drives their long-term returns—can give investors a much more accurate picture of how wealth…
I spent most of this morning perusing the National Retail Federation’s latest monthly sales report. It’s not exactly light reading – give me a Clive Cussler novel any day. Still, this spending barometer reveals quite a bit about the general state of the economy and carries broad implications that ripple far beyond the retail sector. In any case, the NRF…
Last week, a reader asked me a deceptively simple question: “How are ordinary people supposed to invest with so much economic uncertainty looming?” It’s a fair concern—and one I think about every day. There is no shortage of potential triggers. The federal debt is rising at an exponential pace. Foreign governments are slowly diversifying away from the U.S. dollar. Those trends won’t…
The final weeks of the year are the perfect time to give your finances a tune-up. Taxes, investments, and savings all come with deadlines — and missing them could mean lost money or missed opportunities. A few strategic adjustments before December 31 can strengthen your portfolio and set you up for a better 2026. Here are eight key moves worth…
No one enjoys seeing red in their portfolio—but turning paper losses into tax savings is one way to make the most of a volatile year. November’s seasonal strength may even give you better exit points before year-end. I’d rather be feasting on gains than harvesting losses, but smart tax strategy is still part of successful investing. Don’t wait until the…
After nearly two years of interest rate hikes aimed at cooling inflation, the Federal Reserve has officially changed course. In September, the Fed cut its benchmark rate by a quarter point to a range of 4.00%–4.25%, citing softening labor markets and growing risks to the broader economy. Core inflation is now running near 3%—well below its 2022 peak—and markets are…