Monday, December 9, 2019

WSJ: What Is Alternative Data?

By SIMON CONSTABLE

The term “alternative facts” has been roundly ridiculed since its introduction into political discourse in 2017. There is, however, a similar phrase used in finance that investors should take seriously and understand: “alternative data.” Read more here.

WSJ: ‘Funds of Funds’ Move Into ETF World

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Exchange-traded-fund providers are coming out with more offerings of what are known, a bit awkwardly, as “funds of funds.” 

While a regular ETF typically owns a basket of securities, an ETF fund of funds owns a basket of other ETFs. Funds of funds have a long history in the mutual-fund industry, and are now taking root in the ETF world. Read more here.

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Korn Ferry: The Rise of the ‘Garbage Jobs’

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Across Europe, it has become a major hiring trend. Critics say it may also become a blight for workers and crimp on corporate growth. 

Temporary jobs, once a much smaller portion of the continent’s labor pool, has grown into a significant facet of the job market. At last count, one in seven (14.2%) of all jobs in Europe are temporary positions, which is more than three times the 4% temp rate in the United States. And while the work is giving companies much-needed flexibility, it’s creating a class of what critics are calling “garbage jobs,” with poor pay and scant benefits, that are causing worker unrest and a different set of challenges for corporate leadership. Read more here.

Barron's: A Big Question Looms Ahead of OPEC. What That Means for Oil Prices.

By SIMON CONSTABLE

It’s crunch time for the oil markets.

On Thursday, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) kicks off a two-day meeting in Vienna. Traders will be watching closely to see if production quotas get extended, or cut, or whether there will be a crack-down on cheating by some member nations. Read more here.

Saturday, November 30, 2019

Forbes: Gold Prices Likely To Fall Further And That’s A Good Thing

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Gold has disappointed investors lately, and is likely to continue doing so.
Here’s what’s happening and why you should be happy about it. Read more here.
Photo by Invalid Account on Unsplash

Friday, November 29, 2019

Barron's: How Iran's Antics Could Boost Oil

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Growing populist unrest in Iran, a weakening U.S. dollar, and possible production cuts could prompt a rally in oil prices in the next few months.

Investors wanting to profit from the likely surge should consider buying February-dated oil futures contracts on the Chicago Mercantile ExchangeAlternatively, try the United States Brent Oil exchange-traded fund (ticker: BNO), which tracks the price of oil futures and is up more than 27% this year. Read more here.

Photo by Peter Olexa on Unsplash