Forbes: Why China's Leaders Should Start Freaking Over Pork Prices

By SIMON CONSTABLE

China's leaders should feel uneasy right now. The reason comes down to the economics of food.

The price of pork jumped recently in the communist country, up 7.1% in January, according to a report from Reuters. While that may not seem like a reason to worry, those Chinese party officials who understand what was really behind the 1989 Tiananmen Square uprising will likely start shifting in their seats nervously. Read more here.

U.S. News: Embrace Anxiety and Invest in Stocks

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Some people still aren't getting the message when it comes to saving for retirement.

They are avoiding the stock market like it's the plague. Sure, stocks can go down as well as up and that might make you nervous. But now is the time to get over the anxiety.

Data shows that on average people know that stocks are a better investment over long periods of time. But averages hide the behavior of some people that is detrimental to long-term investing. Read more here.

WSJ: What to Do When Your ETF Shuts Down

By SIMON CONSTABLE

The exchange-traded-fund industry is quickly becoming a dog-eat-dog world.

While ETFs have enjoyed explosive growth over the past decade, a record number of them—127—closed up shop last year, and liquidations are showing no sign of slowing.

Here is a look at what is fueling the closure trend and what happens to investors when the plug gets pulled on an ETF.

WSJ: What Is the Shadow Economy and Why Does It Matter?

By SIMON CONSTABLE

The shadow economy is perhaps best described by the activities of those operating in it: work done for cash, where taxes aren’t paid, and regulations aren’t strictly followed.

Most of the businesses operating in the shadow economy aren’t what most people would think of as criminal enterprises, says Cristina Terra, professor of economics at Essec Business School in France, and author of the book “Principles of International Finance and Open Economy Macroeconomics.”

Read more here.

Forbes: Why It Might Be Time to Bet On Foreign Stocks

By SIMON CONSTABLE

It's time to get your investing passport. Foreign stocks look ripe for a rebound, at least based on history.

Read more here.

Why It Might Be Time to Bet On Foreign Stocks from Constable Confidential on Vimeo.

Forbes: Why Emerging Markets May Go Limp

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Strong emerging markets stocks and a strong dollar don't usually go together too well.

That's why anyone considering investing in places like Argentina, Brazil, Thailand, and South Africa, might want to get ready for a bump in the road.

Read more here.


  Why Emerging Markets May Slump from Constable Confidential on Vimeo.

U.S. News: Emerging Markets Are Full of Investing Risk and Reward

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Emerging market stocks have been on a tear lately, and some say the rally could continue, but there are reasons to be cautious. Anyone wanting to invest in the sector should understand the risks and potential rewards.

The MSCI Emerging Markets index, which tracks stocks in a variety of emerging market countries, has shot up more than 10 percent this year versus where it ended last year.

That's a sizable move, especially when an annualized stock return of 10 percent is considered healthy, never mind such a move in less than two months. Will it continue? Maybe not. Read more here.