By SIMON CONSTABLE
Going green is gaining ground on Wall Street.
Surging interest in bonds intended to encourage sustainability means investors likely will hear the term “green bonds” used more often. While similar to traditional bonds, these fixed-income securities are different in at least one important way: Funds raised via green bonds must get used for projects that benefit the environment. For example, the cash could finance the purchase of solar panels to power office buildings. Read more here.
By SIMON CONSTABLE
Expect more violence in the middle east following the assassination of Iran’s most prominent and proficient General.
The killing is likely to provoke a significant response from the Islamic Republic towards U.S. interests and could mean more interruptions of oil supplies. Read more here.
By SIMON CONSTABLE
Investors who didn’t own gold in 2019 could be kicking themselves after an 18% rise in prices for the year. But it might not be too late to join the rally.
Some gold bulls even see the price of bullion breaking the record high set in 2011, when it topped $1,900, roughly 25% higher than current levels. Robust buying by central banks, a weakening of the U.S. dollar, and growing political tensions could combine to fuel further gains. Read more here.
By SIMON CONSTABLE
Last Friday's Iranian-backed attack on a U.S. military facility in Iraq is a direct consequence of the stringent sanctions imposed on Iran, experts say.
What's more, it likely won't be the last such event as Iran’s economy spirals into oblivion. Read more here.
By SIMON CONSTABLE
Oil traders should look out below for the next 12 months.
Next year, the energy market faces a double whammy of a supply glut and lackluster demand that could send prices for crude oil down more than 10% from current levels.
While that might mean lower gasoline prices at the pump, it could put the squeeze on countries in the middle east that rely on oil revenues. Read more here.
By SIMON CONSTABLE
Investors can’t seem to get enough of mutual funds and exchange-traded funds that specialize in fixed-income securities.
That’s happening even as stocks continue to soar, and the U.S. economy looks set to roar louder in 2020 than this year. Investors usually prefer stocks to bonds when the economic outlook is good. Read more here.
By SIMON CONSTABLE
China Beige Book, which studies independent data on the Chinese economy, recently reported a significant increase in the phenomenon, accompanied by the intertwined issues of slowing economic growth and high levels of debt.
Given the inherently fragile nature of shadow banking and the importance of the Chinese economy to the global economy, the rise bears examination. Read more here.
