This article reviews the latest 1.9% devaluation of the Chinese yuan (CNY) reference rate and identifies the three factors that prompted the currency move and the potential long- and short-term implications for Chinese and global asset classes.
Today even very young companies are often international — many entrepreneurial ventures are “born global” in terms of their supply chain or customer base. However, there comes a time when an entrepreneur will decide to make the push into an overseas market in a more formal way, working to establish a presence in that jurisdi...
It has been called one of the “greatest technological breakthroughs since the Internet.”1 It also has been called “a black hole” into which a consumer’s money could just disappear.The subject at hand is cryptocurrency—a medium of exchange created and stored electronically, and using encryption techniques to contr...
It’s a bit early for Halloween, but the equity markets have been scary over the past few weeks and months. Fear is problematic, particularly when it comes to investing in equities.There are currently two macro-driven events affecting the equity markets: the impact of the Greek debt crisis on the Eurozone’s recovery and implication...
The Export-Import Bank was created in February 1934, as part of the New Deal, to finance trade with the newly established Soviet Union. A second bank was created a month later to finance trade with Cuba and shortly thereafter expanded to include all countries with the exception of the Soviet Union. Congress passed legislation to combine the two ban...
This useful guide describes everything young and first-time investors would want to know about mutual funds, from selecting a fund, sales charge and other costs to identifying the right fund manager and more.
Rising interest rates late in 2016 took a toll on bond prices, and were the catalyst for one of the worst quarters for bonds in recent decades. Current expectations are for interest rates to move gradually higher in 2017. While rising rates can be a headwind to bond performance in the near term, they don’t impact the coupon rate or cash flow ...
The economy is relatively healthy, but history has taught us that growth cycles don’t last forever. It’s not if there will be an economic downturn—it’s when. Knowing that there’s a cyclical pattern to many markets, savvy owners and executives figure out how to take advantage of business cycles to create a continuing gr...
Strategy is a crucial area of focus, but one area that’s often overlooked is planning for an unforeseen event. For example, what would happen to your business—and your family—in the event of your premature death or disability? How can you ensure a successful ownership transition and protect your family in the event of such an occu...
Since the election, investors have focused on the positive aspects of President Trump’s surprising electoral victory and the end of U.S. legislative gridlock. There will likely be times in the year ahead when the more worrisome, controversial initiatives pushed by the Trump administration will rattle investor confidence—at which point w...
The Brexit vote and Donald Trump’s unexpected 2016 election victory have kicked off a wave of pro-nationalist sentiment across the globe. With several key Eurozone countries facing elections in 2017, leading economists and investors envision a possible reshuffling (and even a potential demise) of the European Union. Volatility typically accom...
Given the uncertainty after the 2016 presidential election, it is critical to implement the best strategies to minimize taxes come April 15, 2017 (and beyond). While it is unclear which tax reforms will be pursued and what order, there are considerations and informational points—broken down by tax areas in a summary of planned changes—t...
Wealth does not build itself, but it can be built, nurtured and preserved—not just for you and your generation, but for generations to come. In an unprecedented study into the insights of wealthy families, clear evidence of new wealth management strategies has emerged. There are signs of more inclusive decision-making within the family. Many ...
Cyber threat is as old as the internet itself. While some attacks are politically motivated, the majority are carried out for financial gain. The potential profit to be made with someone’s personal information, particularly if the individual is of high net worth, is great—in fact, it’s a more lucrative industry than the illegal dr...
Statistics show that teenagers are more likely than any other age group to be in an automobile accident. In several tragic incidents, the use of a cell phone was involved. Some accidents, however, simply reflected the teenagers’ lack of driving experience. As a parent, you can help your teenager become a safe and skilled driver by setting a good ex...