U.S. News: How Taking a TV News Fast Makes for Better Investing

By SIMON CONSTABLE

The terrorist attacks in Brussels, Paris and Pakistan are reminders that we live in a dangerous world. While we mourn the loss of the victims, it's important to make sure that emotional responses don't harm our investment decisions. 

That advice is good not just in the face of terrorism, but all the time. Rash investment decisions usually don't pay off. 

Here's one way to avoid a mistake – take a TV news fast. Or, limit what type of television you consume and how much of it. Try the same thing with other media, too. Read more here.

OZY: Can Anyone Bring American Companies Home Again?

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Trumpisms, verbal attacks and aggressive stances for taking down ISIS have all been shared on Republican debate stages of late. But one sentiment has largely been missed: that time when GOP candidates tried to knock out their opponents using a serious While there’s little agreement across party lines on personal taxes, there may be some consensus on the business front. 

“Corporate taxes are the one area [where] there could be tax reform,” says Bill Cobb, CEO of tax preparer H&R Block. Cobb should know. He routinely roams government hallways, keeping his finger on the policy-change pulse. And it seems that this election cycle some candidates are pushing to fix a unique U.S. tax wrinkle: the double taxation of offshore corporate profits, even though the companies have already paid local taxes in other countries. Read more here.

Photo by Kevin Lanceplaine on Unsplash

WSJ: Do College Students Pick Majors Based on Potential Earnings?

By SIMON CONSTABLE

“If only I knew then what I know now,” is a common lament among some workers about their (perhaps suboptimal) choices at college.

It relies on the rather dodgy idea that you could somehow have the insights of a 35-year-old when you’re only 19.

But what if you could? That is, what if while you were young, you were exposed to real data that called into question some of your beliefs? A couple of researchers tried it with a group of New York University students who had misinformed views about wages in various fields. Read more here.

Barron's: Wheat and Corn Prices Could Head Higher Soon

By SIMON CONSTABLE

If you truly believe in the investing maxim “buy low, sell high,” now is the time to chew on some grain. Unfavorable weather conditions and increased global grain consumption are expected to lift prices for wheat and corn out of a slump that has lasted for years.

Wheat prices have been cut in half in the past four years, to a recent $4.63 a bushel from more than $9 in mid-2012. Corn prices have fared similarly, falling to $3.70 a bushel recently from more than $8 in the summer of 2012.

Growing conditions were so favorable in the past few years for both wheat and corn that production outstripped demand, sending stockpiles higher. But the likelihood of bad weather in the future could dramatically change this dynamic. Read more here.

U.S. News: Buying Spree Ahead for Regional Banks

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Never mind the glamour of Wall Street's enormous institutions – the real banking action is in the heartland. 

Larger regional banks are already gobbling up smaller rivals as the business suffers from reduced profitability, increased red tape and the hefty cost increases. It's a trend that looks likely to continue indefinitely. Read more here.

TheStreet: What CarMax and Google Have in Common: Hennessy Fund Stock Picks

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Spare auto-parts, used cars, and the world's biggest search engine might seem to have little in common. Yet all are top picks at the $2.2 billion  Hennessy Focus Fund(HFCSX) . 

Its performance over the decade through December is in the top 2%, when compared with other midcap funds. How's it done? TheStreet asked one of the portfolio managers, David Rainey, who works for the fund's sub-adviser  Broad Run Investment Management. He and two others pick the stocks.  

Here's what Rainey said.

OZY: The Economics Of Wall Street's Exodus

By SIMON CONSTABLE

For decades, many top grads wanted to be wolves of Wall Street, residing in trading rooms where vast sums of cash flowed in and out. And if they were lucky enough to land a position, they’d likely end up watching multiple blinking screens of asset prices all day while juggling two or three phones — and probably earning a hefty paycheck.

But something has changed. Read more here.