Barron's: Price of Rice Could Double

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Even your sushi may cost more.

Drought, floods, and historically low global inventories have rice-market experts worried that the price of the grain could come close to doubling if harvests around the world continue to disappoint.

It means futures prices for rough, or unmilled, rice could exceed $20 per 100 pounds, versus recent prices for active-month futures of $11.40 on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Speculators wishing to gain from the potential move higher should purchase rough-rice futures contracts.
Read more here.

U.S. News: Corporate Bonds Point to Continued Economic Growth

By SIMON CONSTABLE

The corporate bond market has some good news for us. The economy is set to continue growing.

It's a message that is in stark contrast to the bearish sentiment that emanated from Wall Street during the first few weeks of the year, and it has implications for the type of stocks and other securities which will do well going forward. Read more here.

Barron's: Coal Rally Won’t Last

By SIMON CONSTABLE

The coal market has been burning brighter lately. But don’t expect the glow to last too long.

That’s because the reasons for the rally aren’t sustainable. The surge in demand for coal is likely to be ephemeral, and production isn’t falling as much as would have been expected. The long-term prospects for coal aren’t promising in the U.S. and Europe, thanks to environmental concerns. But coal-generated power still accounts for two-fifths of global electricity supply. Read more here.

Forbes Video: Retiring The C-Note Is A Ruse, Says ECRI

By SIMON CONSTABLE

There is an establishment move to eliminate high denomination currency, such as the hundred dollar bill and the 500 euro note. The typical reason given is that doing so would help crime. However, not everyone is buying that logic.

It’s actually a ruse, says Economic Cycle Research Institute cofounder Lakshman Achutan. Watch, listen and learn in this video.

Forbes Video: Recession Fears Still Overblown -- ECRI

By SIMON CONSTABLE

It was only a few weeks ago when investors seemed convinced that the economy was grinding to a halt.

Few people would disagree that growth isn’t exactly robust. Still there’s a long way to go before calling a recession, says ECRI’s Lakshman Achutan . Watch, listen, and learn in this video.

U.S. News: Why Fine Art Can Beautify Your Portfolio

By SIMON CONSTABLE

For the vast majority of Americans, investments fall into broadly three categories: stocks, bonds and real estate, with the latter usually being the family home. Perhaps some people will own some commodities.

Basically, that's it. But it doesn't have to be.

For those willing to put in some effort to educated, the fine art market provides opportunities to add some return, while reducing overall risk in a portfolio. Still, it isn't without potential problems. Read more here.

Forbes Video: ECRI: U.S. Headed For 'Stagflation Light'

By SIMON CONSTABLE

If you are old enough to remember the 1970s, then you’ll know that lava lamps and disco were only two of the horrors of the era. On the economics front, the U.S. was hit with stagnation and inflation at the same time. It came to be known as stagflation.

Unfortunately, a mild version of the same is set to arrive in the U.S. economy shortly. It’s what the Economic Cycle Research Institute calls stagflation-light. Watch, listen, and learn in this video.

Chris Li chrisli, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons