Corroboration is generally defined as evidence which confirms or supports a statement, theory or finding. We now live in a world where almost anyone, can say almost anything, about anything or anyone, often on social media. Investors should be careful to assess commentary and seek corroborating information that might affect an existing or potential investment. … Continued
We have previously commented on the importance of regulations that are clear, concise and broadly acceptable (see our blog posted 14 Sep 2016). A new Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rule requires brokers and financial advisors to describe their services, fees and conflicts of interest in “plain English” in a maximum of four pages. This … Continued
How about that for an advertising slogan as the world’s automobile manufacturer’s roll out a broad range of electric vehicles (EV)? Potential EV buyers have to face two clear issues. Battery charging time and charging station availability are problems that owners of gasoline powered vehicles do not have to deal with. It is generally accepted … Continued
Wikipedia defines cryptocurrency as a digital asset designed to work as a medium of exchange that uses strong cryptography to secure financial transactions, control the creation of additional units, and verify the transfer of assets. Cryptocurrencies use decentralized control as opposed to centralized digital currency and central banking systems. The decentralized control of each cryptocurrency … Continued
According to Wikipedia, a beggar-thy-neighbor policy is an economic policy through which one country attempts to remedy its economic problems by means that tend to worsen the economic problems of other countries. The term, beggar-thy-neighbor, was originally devised to characterize policies of trying to cure domestic depression and unemployment by shifting demand away from imports … Continued
According to InvestorWords.com, talking your book is an investing expression which means arguing for a scenario that, if true, would end up making you money because it follows your investing strategy. In other words, when investment professionals publicly express their views regarding an investment opportunity, in which they hold a position, they are “talking their … Continued
Ethanol is a renewable, domestically produced alcohol fuel made from plant material, such as corn, sugar cane, or grasses. In the U.S., corn is the primary source of ethanol, while other countries, particularly Brazil, use sugar cane. Using ethanol can reduce oil dependence and greenhouse gas emissions. Ethanol use in the U.S. has increased dramatically … Continued
Investors should recognize that news is intended to be a money making industry. Instead of simply reporting the news in a straight forward manner, most media reporting has morphed into editorials, with an emphasis on the spectacular, the stirring, and the controversial. The emphasis is no longer on getting the facts right, but rather, a race … Continued
According to Wikipedia, dynamic scoring is a forecasting technique for government revenues, expenditures, and budget deficits that incorporates predictions about the behavior of people and organizations based on changes in fiscal policy. A dynamic scoring model may include expectations as the population adapts to the new policy. Alternatively, static scoring makes simpler assumptions regarding behavior … Continued
The importance of corporate governance and shareholder rights has recently made headlines with the implosion of the proposed initial public offering (IPO) of WeWork. We discussed this issue in our blog, “Corporate Governance/Shareholder Rights,” posted 15 Mar 2017. It is evident that investors have now become somewhat more discriminating in evaluating potential IPOs. While governance … Continued
“You Need to Calm Down” is the title of a recently released song by singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. While this is probably good advice for all of us, it is particularly appropriate for investors. With a constant drum beat of conflicting investing and political commentary, markets tend to be subject to frequent, short-term, and often ill-advised, … Continued
The global auto industry is scrambling to meet carbon-emission mandates and, currently, EVs appear to be the solution of choice. Unfortunately, advances in battery technology and cost are not cooperating. Cutting the cost of batteries is probably the industry’s most urgent challenge. Batteries are estimated to account for 35%-45% of EV total costs. Unless EV … Continued
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