Monthly Archives: July 2015

GBP Weakens On Soft Retail Sales Data

Forecasts of a strengthening UK economy were dealt a noteworthy blow on Thursday after the release of weak sales data, and forced the pound to record losses. The UK retail sales data report for June, released on Thursday by the Office of National Statistics (ONS), revealed that the volume has declined by 0.2% in relation…

The Disappearing Retirement Fund

As a general principle, I’ve always tended to avoid entrusting others with my money. I’ve avoided funds, as they are often based upon investments that are peaking or close to peaking. I’ve avoided pension funds, as they’re often structured in a similar manner. And whenever by law I’ve been required to be invested in such…

In These 13 US Cities, Rents Are Skyrocketing

Seven years ago, the American homeownership “dream” was shattered when a housing bubble built on a decisively shaky foundation burst in spectacular fashion, bringing Wall Street and Main Street to their knees.  In the blink of an eye, the seemingly inexorable rise in the American home-ownership rate abruptly reversed course, and by 2014, two decades…

Plummeting Chinese Stocks Take Toll On Dollar

From a technical perspective, the US dollar looked vulnerable to start the week, but the 8.5% drop in Chinese shares in Shanghai provided additional fuel. The linkage between the two is that global headwinds may intensify and keep the Fed from raising rates in September. This seems like a premature judgment, but market pricing was never…