Customized managed portfolio strategies involving low-cost exchange traded funds (ETFs) are continuing to attract advisors and investors in 2014. A recent report from Morningstar revealed that ETF-managed portfolios saw a 40% increase in assets last year, reaching $96 billion. Other strategies with more than half of their assets in ETFs had similar results. ETFtrends.com explains… Continue Reading
American Express recently announced its plans to sell 50% of its Global Business Travel division for $900 million. Though American Express will hold on to a 50% stake, the venture will split from the rest of the company and be managed by an investor group led by Certares LP. Other group members include Qatar Holdings,… Continue Reading
Investment tycoon Warren Buffet recently shared an exclusive clip from his letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders, in which he lists the “fundamentals of investing”. Fortune Magazine shared Buffet’s points with the following bullets: You don’t need to be an expert in order to achieve satisfactory investment returns. But if you aren’t, you must recognize your… Continue Reading
MtGox, the online home of what was one of the largest Bitcoin exchanges, was left blank yesterday morning. The unavailable content revealed that the exchange is on the verge of collapse- in fact, a number of Bitcoin companies stated that MtGox intended to file for bankruptcy after an apparent major theft and technical problems. The… Continue Reading
US stocks had an extremely positive year last year, but 2014 has already begun to shows signs of unpredictability. Reactions are mixed, with some claiming a correction is imminent while others believe the market can still improve. A more recent concern is of contagion from emerging markets. CIO at JP Morgan Private Bank Richard Madigan… Continue Reading
GoldieBlox, a small business that makes toys for young girls, is thrilled to have won the grand prize in a small business competition by Intuit. Now, the business is preparing to launch a 30-second Super Bowl commercial during the game’s third quarter. GoldieBlox toy sets include a book, blocks, wheels, cranks and additional parts for… Continue Reading
Cities across the United States have been struggling with frigid temperatures, snow and ice, and the unusually harsh weather has had an impact on numerous industries and markets across the continent. According to Morningstar‘s Jamie Katz, the weather may also have a negative effect on retail this spring if retailers are forced to offer discounts… Continue Reading
Intel, a long-time veteran in the personal computer industry, recently surprised analysts by missing their projections. The company’s apparent struggle is yet another sign that the traditional PC is being overshadowed by newer mobile devices such as tablets. Greg Bryant of Reuters.com recently discussed Intel’s approach for 2014: Continue Reading
Bitcoin is likely to experience a burst now that online retailer Overstock.com accepts the payment method. In fact, many speculate that Amazon may soon follow suit. According to Overstock.com CEO Patrick Byrne, the company saw Bitcoin orders worth $130K on the first day alone. Byrne discussed the new development in an interview with CNN International:… Continue Reading
General Mills recently announced that its regular flavored Cheerios are soon to be free of genetically-modified ingredients. The decision comes after a particularly difficult year for the brand, during which Cheerio sales dropped nearly 7 percent. According to General Mills, the elimination of GMOs from their cereal would be “beneficial to the consumer.” They said:… Continue Reading