Saturday, November 19, 2016

Barron's: Corn Prices Look Ready to Pop

By SIMON CONSTABLE
The prolonged bear market in corn could soon end. the grain’s price has been mired in a multiyear slump, trading as low as $3.16 a bushel in August, down from more than $8 in the middle of 2012. 
The bullish case is pretty straightforward: Supply may be reaching a peak while demand is still growing.
Traders wishing to benefit from a run-up may want to consider buying active-month corn futures on the CME and rolling them forward to later-dated ones as each contract nears expiration. Alternatively, it might be worth considering the Teucrium Corn exchange-traded fund (ticker: CORN), which holds corn futures. 
Increases in supply have been dramatic in the last decade, but there are no obvious ways for that to continue with prices so low. Global production hit 1.03 billion metric tons in the current growing season, up from 716 million tons a decade ago, according to estimates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Read more here.

Friday, November 18, 2016

Forbes Video: The Election's Craziest Social Media Moments

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Yes, the election was crazy, but maybe social media was more so. Socialfly co-founder & co-CEO, Courtney Spritzer shares her thoughts in this video.

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

U.S. News: Inflation Is Going to Rise; Here's How to Protect Yourself

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Something ugly is set to make a comeback: inflation.
It won't be like that seen in the 1970s when lava lamps and polyester suits only added to the hideous economic malaise.
This time it will be subdued in comparison, but still higher than it has been in recent years. Read more here.

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Forbes Video: No, A Global Recession Isn't Imminent

By SIMON CONSTABLE
Many were shocked by Donald Trump beating Hillary Clinton in the race for the White House. Still, there is no need for hysteria. Unfortunately, some people couldn’t contain themselves.
Notably, there have been claims that the result of the vote will be instant economic disaster, not just for the U.S., but for the entire world.
Fortunately, things are rarely so simple. When assertions seem extreme, it is often best to ask a level-headed expert. I picked one of the best in the business: Lakshman Achuthan, co-founder of the Economic Cycle Research Institute.Read more here.

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

U.S. News: Why Knowledge is More Important Than the Name of Your College

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Does it make sense to pay big money to attend a fancy college? Maybe not. But as with so many things, the devil is in the details.
First, here's a reminder of how much a top name college can cost. Tuition for an undergraduate degree at Harvard University is $43,280 for the current school year. Plus, there are some hefty fees and the cost of housing, eating, books and other things. The total comes to as much as $72,100, according to Harvard's website.
Of course, the degree program will take four years, and tuition costs will likely increase if history is anything to go by. So figure on around $300,000 when all is said and done; in other words, the price of a nice house. Read more here.
Photo by Pickawood on Unsplash