TheStreet: Central Banks Going Gaga Over Gold

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Central banks are going gaga over gold.

They are snapping up the metal at the fastest rate in almost half a century in a trend that looks set to continue. Read more here.

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WSJ: What is Divergence in Markets?

By SIMON CONSTABLE

When market analysts use the word “divergence,” it often isn’t clear what they mean. That’s a problem because how it is used and in what context has implications for investors. Read more here.

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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.