BlackRock is preparing to introduce a new exchange-traded product (ETP) tied directly to Bitcoin in Europe, following the success of its US$58 billion US-based cryptocurrency ETF. Sources familiar with the matter suggest that the fund will likely be domiciled in Switzerland, with BlackRock potentially beginning its marketing efforts as early as this month. However, as these individuals were not authorised to discuss the details publicly, they remained anonymous. A...
Read More »The Role of Annuities in a Retirement Income Plan
Planning for retirement involves building a diverse and stable income strategy that ensures financial security throughout your golden years. Among the tools available, annuities in retirement planning offer a unique advantage: the ability to create a reliable, guaranteed income stream. However, understanding their types, benefits, and potential drawbacks is essential to determining whether they fit into your retirement plan. What Are Annuities? Annuities are...
Read More »The Birth Death Adjustment: Trade With Caution
When formulating its monthly employment data, the BLS includes an adjustment for the net number of new jobs coming from new businesses and those lost by companies that have shut down. This adjustment is logical, as neither new nor closing firms are included in their surveys. While the so-called birth death adjustment is rational, the number of net jobs added due to the estimate can be incredibly flawed. The latest example is in the latest BLS Business Employment...
Read More »DOGE Deficit Reductions
The newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed up by Elon Musk, is tasked with reducing government waste and increasing efficiency and productivity. The big question bond investors are keying on is how effectively DOGE can reduce the deficit. Tracking DOGE savings is now easy. As we share below, the US Debt Clock shows a running total of cumulative DOGE savings. Thus far, in less than a month, DOGE has saved $56 billion, as shown below (box in...
Read More »Where Does Money Come From?
All money is lent into existence. The Federal Reserve or the government does not print money. Those two facts are vital to understanding our lead question: where does money come from? Furthermore, knowing who does and doesn't print money and the incentives and disincentives that change the money supply are critical to inflation forecasting. Some so-called bond vigilantes are running around like Chicken Little, warning that the Fed's recent rate cuts will...
Read More »Tariffs Roil Markets
Over the weekend, President Trump announced tariffs of 25% on both Canada and Mexico, as well as a 10% tariff on China. Such was not unexpected, as contained in the Trump tariff Executive Order {SEE HERE}. Specifically, that order stated: "[Sec 2, SubSection (h)]: Sec. 2. (a) All articles that are products of Canada as defined by the Federal Register notice described in subsection (e) of this section (Federal Register notice), and except for those products...
Read More »New Tariffs Torpedo Global Markets
Investors woke up Monday morning to a sea of red. On Friday, after the markets had closed for the weekend, President Trump announced a new series of tariffs levied against Mexico, Canada, and China. Moreover, he threatened that those tariffs could increase and that new tariffs would be announced for the Euro-region. Cryptocurrencies, technology, and the currency markets took the brunt of the initial selling reaction. For our latest thoughts on the tariffs, please...
Read More »Bitcoin, Ether & Co.: VanEck zieht Bilanz zu Krypto-Prognosen für 2024
• VanEck lag mit vielen Krypto-Prognosen für 2024 richtig<br> • Prognosen betrafen z.B. Bitcoin, Ether, Solana und Stablecoins<br> • Einige Erwartungen sind aber auch nicht eingetreten, z.B. ein NFT-Revival <!-- sh_cad_1 --> Das Asset Management-Unternehmen VanEck hatte Ende 2023 verschiedene Prognosen zur Entwicklung des Kryptomarkts im... [embedded content]...
Read More »The Comprehensive Approach to Crafting a Future Financial Plan
Securing your financial future begins with a comprehensive plan. This guide explores the fundamentals of financial planning, building a holistic strategy, and effective retirement techniques. Readers will learn how to navigate financial statements, manage tax planning, and engage with a financial advisor for wealth planning. Whether dealing with a single audit or seeking to enhance your financial strategy, RIA Advisors offers the insights needed to address these...
Read More »Can Musk Be The Bond Whisperer
The media holds bond vigilantes out as do-gooders looking to force the government to be fiscally responsible. In reality, these vigilantes are traders who are short bonds, and use the fear of deficits and inflation to drive yields higher. While the term has been around for 25+ years, their recent success is unlike any past. As we wrote in Why Are Bond Yields Rising?, and show below, the term premium, or additional yield on Treasury bonds, is the highest since at...
Read More »