Barron's: How to Use ETFs to Invest in Commodities

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Commodities are soaring this year, reminding investors of their potential to fortify a portfolio. The S&P GSCI commodity index, which follows a basket of commodity prices, including crude oil, industrial metals, precious metals, and foodstuffs, gained 15% in the first quarter, versus 13.1% for the S&P 500 index.

If you’re looking to increase your exposure to the asset class, consider doing so through exchange-traded funds instead of playing the futures market—or by purchasing physical bars of bullion. ETFs are simple, and they can help reduce overall risks and add to returns. Read more here.

Darden: Crowded Out? Government Spending and the Private Sector

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Does government spending pull resources away from the private sector?

It’s a question that has long vexed economists. 

One widely held theory, the crowding-out effect, asserts that yes, government spending eats up resources that otherwise would be available for businesses.

However, new research shows that crowding out doesn’t necessarily happen, as long as the economy isn’t running at full capacity, producing to its full potential. Read more here.

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Darden: Bad Medicine? The Side Effects of Central Bank Mispricing

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Big medical problems often require significant doses of strong pharmaceuticals. Unfortunately, the medicines often come hand-in-glove with unwanted side effects.

The same is true in economics. Read more here.

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Korn Ferry: HR Is (Still) Battling #MeToo Challenges

By SIMON CONSTABLE

The MeToo era may have laid bare how many organizations have a long way to go to create a harassment-free workforce, but the last few days has shown where some of the toughest challenges lie: the human resources department. Read more here.

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TheStreet: Defense Company L3 Technologies Smashes Expectations With Q1 Results

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Defense company L3 Technologies smashed analysts' expectations with its first-quarter results Wednesday.

L3 reported earnings of $2.71 a share in the first quarter. Earnings adjusted for non-recurring items were even better at $2.89 a share, up from an adjusted $2.34 a share in the same period a year before. 

Analysts expected the company to earn $2.51 a share. Read more here.

TheStreet: Amgen's First-Quarter Earnings Slump as Expenses Jump

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Amgen posted first-quarter earnings that fell from a year earlier but the results beat analysts' expectations. 

The biotech company reported earnings per share of $3.18 for the first three months of the year vs. $3.25 for the same period in 2018. Adjusted earnings in the quarter were $3.56 a share, above forecasts of $3.48. Read more here.

TheStreet: Massachusetts Hits Wynn Resorts With $35 Million Fine

By SIMON CONSTABLE

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission hit Wynn Resorts with a $35 million fine and slammed CEO Matt Maddox over his mishandling of the sexual misconduct allegations against founder Steve Wynn.

The casino company, however, will get to keep its gaming license in the state. Read more here.

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