Middle East Eye: Double-whammy of Middle East geopolitics may add fuel to oil-price rally

By SIMON CONSTABLE

A double-whammy of Middle East geopolitics threatens to propel oil prices higher.

The first whammy is the growing military conflict between Iraqi forces and the Kurds that may interrupt energy supplies.

A second punch revolves around increasing tensions between the Trump administration and the Islamic Republic of Iran. It may lead to the reintroduction of harsh US sanctions, including a ban on buying Iranian crude oil. Read more here.

StreetFight: Brand-building Expert Norty Cohen to Marketers: Consumer Engagement Is Key

By Simon Constable

Some local marketers have the wrong end of the stick. That’s the message from veteran brand expert, Norty Cohen CEO of St. Louis-based ad and creative agency Moosylvania. The company produces an annual report on the Top 100 global brands.

What he learned from that research has now been made into a book on the matter of how to market in what amounts to a brand new world for brands. Its titled “The Participation Game: How The Top 100 Brands Build Loyalty In A Skeptical World,” and was published last month by Ideapress Publishing. Read more here.

P.J. Media: Another Reason for Investors to Fear Unions

By SIMON CONSTABLE

When it comes to jobs growth, legal protections for organized labor may be something of a curse particularly when there is a union election.

That’s bad news for any company with a union that also wants an influx of cash to help grow. Read more here.

U.S. News: If Precious Metals Rally, Then Pick Silver

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Precious metals could be just the right thing to put a shine in your portfolio. But which metal should you pick – gold, or its scrappy sidekick, silver?

There's a case to be made for silver over gold, at least for people looking to hold the commodity for at least a year or two. Read more here.

Photo by Ramiro Pianarosa on Unsplash

Forbes: Why The Market Has Surged Under Trump

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Some people aren't going to like this, but the market seems to love President Trump.

Since election day last year through last Friday, the SPDR S&P 500 exchange-traded fund, which tracks the S&P 500, is up more than 17%, not including dividends. By most standard measures, that's a phenomenal return. It is also multiple times the gains shown in the same period a year earlier.

The overarching thing about the market is that it is amoral. It cares about little except future profits, dividends, and cash flows. Other stuff, not so much. When it comes to the money matters, there are specific reasons that investors feel more confident about stocks now. Here are some:

P.J. Media: A Race to the Bottom in Britain as Parties Offer Plans for Housing Crisis

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Fall is political party conference season in Britain. This year, it's also the scene of a race to the bottom for dismal economic policies.

All the major parties have offered up some economic ideas that are worse than useless, but winning by a mile is the ultra-left Labour Party, led by Jeremy Corbyn. Read more here.

Forbes: Could Hurricane Ophelia Cause A U.S. Market Crash?

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Mother nature could have a nasty surprise in store for investors.

A market crash just like we saw in 1987 could be triggered this weekend if Hurricane Ophelia hits the British Isles.

If it happens, it will be just in time for the 30th anniversary of the crash of 1987. Read more here.