Stagflation is the occurrence of both stagnation, which is slowing growth and production levels, and inflation, which is the increase of the average cost of goods. If production costs rise for some reason, such as higher oil prices, it can cause economic growth to slow down and the supply of goods in the market to drop. This is known as stagnation. The weakened supply of goods in the market and the higher production costs of the goods will cause the retail prices of the good in the market to go up.
B+ — S&P / Fitch B1 — Moody’s B+/B1 is within the range of ratings given to High Yield Bonds, also known as Junk bonds. B+/B1 is the 14th rating rating from the top rating of AAA/Aaa in the scales used by the Big Three credit ratings institutions, which are Fitch, Moody’s and S&P. They evaluate the fundamentals of companies, municipal entities, and their bond contracts to determine how much risk of default is present. The limit for the category of Investment Grade bonds is BBB-, and there are a few categories of BB above B.
Gold can provide diversification in a simple way, since it has a history of being generally non-correlated with most other asset classes. It is not necessarily a hedge against anything specific, as some claim, since its price movement is too random. Conventional wisdom says that investing in gold might be a good hedge against inflation or market cataclysms. Some of these beliefs are unfounded. The price of gold appears to go up only when it is in high demand (such as when the price has gone up some already), rather than in tandem to any specific market force such as inflation or interest rates. If investors have some idea of when other investors are going to pile in, such as during times of uncertainty, they will likely be able to ride an uptrend in gold prices for a while.
Dividends are a critical aspect of a company's financial landscape, impacting both its shareholders and the company's balance sheet. As a financial analyst, it's essential to understand the intricacies of how dividends affect stockholder equity and how these effects vary based on the type of dividend issued. In this article, we will explore the impact of dividends on stockholder equity, emphasizing the differences between cash dividends and stock dividends.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is a cornerstone of the U.S. financial regulatory framework, established in response to the devastating stock market crash of 1929 that led to the Great Depression. This article explores the SEC's core functions, structure, historical significance, and its role in safeguarding the integrity of the U.S. securities markets. The primary mission of the SEC is to protect investors and maintain the fair and efficient operation of the securities markets. To achieve this, the SEC enforces a set of rules and regulations that promote transparency, ensure the provision of accurate information, and combat fraudulent practices.
In the world of Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), where investors have access to a wide array of investment strategies, the ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ ETF (SQQQ) stands out as a unique and intriguing option. Launched in February 2010 by ProShares, this inverse-leveraged ETF has garnered attention for its focus on delivering results that move inversely to the Nasdaq 100 Index. In this article, we will delve into the details of SQQQ, examining what it is, how it operates, its performance, advantages, disadvantages, and the best use cases for this specialized investment vehicle.
In October 2024, U.S. stocks surged, led by the Dow and NASDAQ. Discover how AI-powered swing trading bots are transforming the market, using advanced technical analysis to capitalize on dips in sectors like industrials, real estate, and tech, offering traders precision and risk management.
Discover key market insights across top sectors like healthcare, automotive, and tech with a spotlight on CVS Health, Toyota, Qualcomm, and more. Get the latest on stock trends driving these industry leaders.