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Weekly Financial Wrap: Jobs, Stocks, Govcoin, Food Prices, Office Perks

May 15, 2021 By Max Erkiletian Leave a Comment

Why Did Stock Explode When Jobs Bombed?

April’s jobs report was lower than expected, but Wall Street didn’t care.

The U. S. economy produced only 266,000 new jobs in April. The private sector added 218,000 jobs. Meanwhile, government employment rose by 48,000. As a result, unemployment moved from 6 to 6.1 percent.

Stocks React

Following the release of the jobs numbers, all the major exchanges posted gains. The Nasdaq moved up 1.1 percent, the S&P 500 gained .7 percent, and the Dow rose .4 percent.

The jobs report had no impact on the markets. So, what caused them to move up? Inflation fears were eased. However, since that time some inflation concerns have increased stock volatility.

Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Jerome Powell said he would want to see several strong jobs reports back-to-back before reducing Fed treasury purchases. As a result, the 10 year Treasury yield fell three basis points to 1.54 percent immediately after the jobs report.

Why Jobs Did Not Meet Expectations

Some speculate that federally enhanced unemployment benefits have caused unemployed people to shun work. So far, 11 states, Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Wyoming, have announced they will bar residents from accepting federal unemployment checks in June or July. The program is scheduled to terminate on September 6.

However, economists and Biden administration officials discount that argument. They cite a shortage of workers with qualified skills for some jobs. In addition, some employees may still be concerned about safety.

“It’s clear that there are people who are not ready and able to go back into the labor force,” Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told reporters, citing parents whose children are still learning remotely. “I don’t think the addition to unemployment compensation is really the factor that is making a difference.”

A Closer Look

Data released in the Labor Department report shows some interesting causes for the modist jobs performance.

Automobile and parts manufacturers cut 27,000 jobs last month. This has been linked to the semiconductor chip shortage and supply chain problems.

There were significant gains in the hospitality industry. Hotels added 54,400 jobs. In addition, bars and restaurants hired 187,000 people. However, food and liquor stores dropped 49,400 jobs. Both may be the result of the easing of pandemic restrictions.

Delivery services is another area where the reduction in COVID-19 fears made an impact. Currier and delivery service reduced employment by 77,400.

Bottom Line

According to the Labor Department, 9.8 million Americans are out of work. That is a high number, but far below the 23.1 million in April last year.

As President Biden said following the report, “Our efforts are starting to work. But the climb is steep and we still have a long way to go.”

Grocery Prices Rising

The old question was – which came first the chicken or the egg? Now, it might be – which costs more?

SA will look at why the cost of groceries is going up in Sunday’s focus article.

Govcoins Coming

The sustainability of cryptocurrencies and their challenge to the currencies of central banks is forcing national governments to enter the world of digital money. As a result, we are in the middle of history that will likely be studied for centuries.

The New Money

The rise of cryptocurrencies is creating a decentralized world of finance. However, since they also challenge conventional currencies, more governments are planning to issue their own cryptocurrencies.

Called Govcoins, these state-produced cryptocurrencies promise to make digital currencies work more efficiently and reliably. However, they may dramatically change how retail banks operate or threaten their existence.

Central Banks

Govcoins would be created and processed through central banks, such as the Federal Reserve Bank, Bank of England, or other national banks. That would give such institutions control over the digital currency. The influence of networks and individuals would be reduced or eliminated.

Instead of having a checking or savings account with your local bank, your Govcoin would be in a central bank. Transactions would be processed through a payment app.

That could lead to individuals and businesses leaving their digital funds in the central bank. As a result, your local bank might not have money to make loans.

Threat to American Influence in the World

Today, the world’s reserve currency is the U. S. dollar. That is strengthened by America’s open capital markets. However, cryptocurrencies have the potential to upend the dollar’s dominance by offering an alternative means of moving payments across borders.

If U. S. policymakers want to preserve that dominance, they may have to establish an American Govcoin.

A Long Way To Go

Over 50 countries are researching and some are implementing digital currencies. China has introduced a limited version of the e-yuan; the European Union is planning an e-euro by 2025 and America is exploring an e-dollar.

The technical challenges of a nation issuing a cryptocurrency are relatively simple. The great questions are how to preserve individual privacy and what role central and retail banks will play in the future. Historic times indeed.

New Office Perks

Most major employers are offering vaccines and changing workspaces to increase employee safety and promote a return to the office. However, some companies are going a leap further.

CoStar, an analytical and research service company. is offering workers who return to the office the chance to win a Tesla Model S. However if cars are not that enticing, they are also offering $10,000 in cash and a trip to Barbados.

The incentive program was conceived soon after CoStar offered COVID-19 vaccines to employees. Even with the vaccine, many employees were reluctant to get back in the office. However, with the chance to win one of the big prices, over 30 percent of the workforce has returned to CoStar offices.

Cash Bonus For Taking Vacation

Another weird new employee benefit arising from the pandemic has employees getting a bonus to take vacation time.

Many employees working from home have not made use of vacation time. That has created a logjam of time off for many employers. As a result, some have resorted to unusual measures to induce employees to take a break.

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), a global assurance and consulting firm, is paying employees $250 for every week of vacation they book for the next year up to $1,000. Meanwhile, other companies, such as Google, are giving employees an additional vacation day for booking time off.

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Inherited Stocks and How to Handle Them

April 15, 2021 By Kathryn Vercillo Leave a Comment

Are you going to receive an inheritance from a loved one when they pass away? Obviously this is a generous gift from someone who wants you to do well in the future. However, there are many different types of inheritance. Some of them are easier to understand than others. For example, if investments aren’t your strong suit, then you might face confusion if you receive stocks as inheritance. How do you handle inherited stocks?

What Are Inherited Stocks?

A person can leave anything they own to almost anyone they want through use of a will. Therefore, if someone you love owns stocks, then they can leave those to you as an inheritance. At the basic level, it simply means that when the person passes away, the stocks pass on to you. They become your stocks. There are, of course, many different types of stocks. And now they’re all yours. So you have to learn how to handle inherited stocks if you want that money to be a good thing, rather than a burden.

Managed vs. Unmanaged Inherited Stocks

The first thing you’ll learn when trying to handle inherited stocks is that they may or may not be managed investments. If the person who left them to you outlines in the will exactly what you’re to do with them, then they are managed stocks. If not, then they are unmanaged stocks. A majority of inherited stocks are unmanaged stocks. Therefore, what you do with those stocks is up to you as soon as they pass into your hands. In order to know how to handle inherited stocks without any instruction from the person who left them to you, you need to make sure that you understand the stocks that you’ve received.

Tax Losses and Gains on Inherited Stocks

You can sell your inherited stocks at any time that you wish. However, it’s important to understand that you’re going to have to deal with this come tax time. Timing could be everything if you want to pay the least in taxes or get the most tax benefit out of them. Kiplinger explains that typically how you handle inherited stocks has to do with the value of the stock at the time of the person’s death (when you received the stock) and at the time of sale. The value at the time of purchase doesn’t matter.

Your tax amount depends on the difference between the value at the time that you received it and the value at the time that you sell it. So, for example, let’s say that you receive $10000 in stocks through an inheritance. It doesn’t matter that the person giving it to you spent $1000 (or for that matter $100,000) at the time of purchase. All that matters for tax purposes is that it was valued at $10000 on the day that person died.

You sell the stock and the difference is your tax information. If you gain money, then you pay taxes on those gains. So, if you sell the stocks for $15,000, you’ll pay taxes on $5000. (That’s the difference between the $10000 value at time of death and the amount you sold it for.) On the other hand, if you sell it at a loss, let’s say for $7000, you’ll be able to deduct the loss on your taxes. In that instance, you could deduct $3000, which is the difference between the $10000 value at time of death and the amount you sold it for.

Should You Sell Inherited Stocks?

If you’re in need of the money, it’s not a terrible thing to take a loss. After all, this was “free money” and you still get that cash plus the tax deduction. In fact, if you’re in a position where you need to offset capital gains, it could make sense to take the loss. But obviously if you believe the stock will rise in value, and you’re in the position to hang on to it, then you might want to hold off and sell later. In that sense, you handle inherited stocks just like any other stocks you have.

Step One: Figure Out what You Have in Stocks

The most important thing for you to do when you receive inherited stocks is take stock of what you now own. Whether or not you’re already skilled at investing, this is now your money. Therefore, it’s your responsibility to make the most of it. And before you can do that, you have to get a good working grasp on what you have.

Grief can complicate this process. Let’s say that your mother leaves you a stock inheritance. That means your mother has recently passed away. Hopefully if she had the foresight to take care of this inheritance for you, then she also made arrangements for her own end-of-life costs. But your mother might have accrued a lot of end-of-life medical debt or other expenses. Therefore, you could have immediate financial concerns to deal with as well as the grief of trying to cope with losing your mother. All of this can make it hard to think clearly when it comes to how you want to handle your inherited stocks.

Therefore, if at all possible, wait until you have a clear mind to deal with them. Once you’re ready, sit down and review everything. Get clear on all of the stocks that are now in your name. What kind of stocks are they? How much money are they valued at? Do they reflect your personal investment values and goals? Once you know what you’re working with, it will be a lot easier to decide what to do. What if you find that you don’t understand what you have? Then, it’s worth it to invest in a personal finance advisor to guide you.

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5 EV Stocks You Should Look Into Buying Now

February 26, 2021 By Tamila McDonald Leave a Comment

Electric vehicles (EVs) have become a hot topic in recent years. There has been a significant movement away from the nation’s dependence on oil, and interest in greener technologies continues to grow. As a result, many investors would if adding EV stocks to their portfolio is a good idea. If you’re interested in taking advantage of the current interest level by investing, here are five EV stocks you should buy now.

1. Workhorse Group (WKHS)

On the consumer level, Workhorse flies under the radar. Unlike many other EV companies, Workhorse isn’t looking to hop into the consumer market. Instead, the company plans to focus more on delivery vehicles, giving it a bit of a unique position within the larger marketplace.

In 2020, Workhorse had a solid sales record, and it’s expected to have significant growth in the coming years. Plus, it isn’t just limited to ground vehicles. The company also produces a UAV for package delivery, and although they weren’t awarded the USPS contract for their new mail trucks, they are still a company to watch.

Workhorse has potential. It fits into a niche that isn’t as competitive as consumer vehicles, and that could work in the company’s favor.

2. NFI Group (NFI.TO)

While NFI’s story has had some ups and downs, it’s one of the EV stocks worth keeping in mind. The company is focused on the motorcycle and bus space, so it isn’t competing directly with many of the well-established consumer EV producers.

Plus, while there were some cash flow issues, the company has managed to reduce its debt load. While there is still some speculation involved here, it could be an interesting opportunity for investors who are open to a bit of risk.

3. Lordstown Motors (RIDE)

Unlike many EV producers, Lordstown Motors is focused more heavily on the truck space. Since trucks are a popular form factor, and EV options in that segment are limited, it gives the company a somewhat unique position.

While full production isn’t slated to begin until 2022 and the approximately 100,000 current reservations are non-binding, that doesn’t mean you should automatically write off this EV stock. The revenue potential from the reservations is significant, and its business plan has potential.

It is true that jumping in now could be a risk. However, if you’re open to taking a chance on an EV stock, this one is worth watching.

4. Nio (NIO)

Nio has had its fair share of troubles. Not long ago, bankruptcy rumors were swirling, leading many investors to give up on the EV manufacturer.

However, Nio ultimately bounced back, outperforming many estimates and keeping its numbers in order. Plus, its “battery-as-a-service” platform was viewed by many as revolutionary, pushing the stock up fast.

If it keeps up with deliveries and continues to innovate, Nio could be a real contender in the EV space. As a result, the stock has the potential to keep rising, which may make it a solid option for investors looking to capture some earnings.

5. Lucid Motors

While the investment landscape for Lucid Motors is incredibly speculative today, as the company hasn’t gone public (though it is one that path), it should still be on your radar. There are no sales yet, but the company’s CEO is a former Tesla chief engineer who worked on the Model S, so he certainly has some clout in the industry.

Additionally, Lucid may be producing a vehicle with a 500 mile per charge rate, a number that certainly drums up interest. The Churchill Capital IV merger rumor is also intriguing and could be a signal of the stock’s potential.

What other EV stocks you should buy now? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Here’s What You Should Know About Nikola Stock

July 8, 2020 By Tamila McDonald Leave a Comment

Nikola – the second alternative energy vehicle company to enter the mainstream named after inventor Nikola Tesla – began making waves early this year. Investors believe that the company is worth adding to their portfolio. The stock has had several jumps since trading began on June 4. However, many people aren’t overly familiar with Nikola stock. Nor are they aware of the company as a whole. If you’re considering investing. Here’s what you should know about Nikola stock.

Nikola’s Offerings

Founded in 2015, Nikola focuses on the production of alternative energy vehicles. mainly zero-emission hydrogen-powered trucks. These range from pickups to semis. The potential impact on the transportation sector is significant. There are also possible positive effects on the environment due to a reduction in carbon emissions.

Initially, three trucks were developed. Two of the trucks were intended for potential mass production within the United States and European markets. However, the company did branch out. They added battery-powered variants to its lineup.

The Hydrogen Fuel Battle

By and large, hydrogen-fueled vehicles didn’t appeal to the masses when it came to passenger vehicles. There was very little headway when it came to adding fuel stations, for example. While electric vehicle charging stations were also an uphill battle. More progress was ultimately made in that arena.

But Nikola feels that hydrogen power makes sense. at least from a commercial perspective. By focusing on main trade routes, refueling stations could be placed strategically. The company also believes that for long-haul trucking, it’s superior to battery version due to faster refueling times. Plus, battery packs are heavy. The added weight harms a battery-powered truck’s efficiency.

Existing Deals and Projections

Nikola has already received some sizeable orders for their vehicles. For instance, in 2018, Anheuser-Busch requested hundreds of alternative energy trucks. The company also partnered with Nel to get fueling stations in place. Bosch is working with Nikola to develop truck parts.

Last year, Nikola and European truck manufacturer Iveco settled on a joint venture. This move added more fuel to the fire. By next year, Nikola expects to have at least 600 trucks delivered. They also have a plan for doubling output for the next few years following.

By 2024, Nikola expects revenue numbers near $3.2 billion. That’s based on selling 7,000 battery-powered and 5,000 hydrogen-fueled trucks.

Nikola Stock Prices

Nikola (NKLA) hasn’t been available for long. But it’s already made some headway. After starting with a price in the mid-$30s, the stock’s value jumped. It crossed the $83 mark at one point. Although, it has mainly been drifting between the upper $50s and low $70s.

When the company received its first rating in mid-June. It was quickly labeled a buy. However, the company isn’t expected to make any money during the upcoming year. Many of its truck designs are still in the prototype phase. This includes the newly hyped Badger pickup.

But many believe the company has a significant amount of potential. Particularly since it plans on tapping the transportation, consumer vehicle, and even Powersports markets.

New Ventures Come With Risk

As with all new ventures, there is a risk involved. It isn’t clear whether Nikola will meet its targets. Particularly those associated with production and presales on the consumer vehicle end. This is especially true while the COVID-19 pandemic is still in play. An event that’s created financial hardships for many and put limits on production facilities, group gatherings, and more.

Plus, it’s hard to determine what a reasonable price for Nikola stock looks like. As the company seemed to enter the market at a smart point and may have already reached an ideal zone in the eyes of investors. At least at this stage.

Ultimately, Nikola stock is fairly new. So there isn’t much history to review to figure out whether it’s a wise buy. But, for investors who have faith in alternative fuels or enjoy green investments. It’s worth keeping on the table. If the company can live up to the hype (and its projections). It could be, as some experts put it, “the next Tesla.” However, there is no guarantee. So risk-averse investors may be better served heading in a different direction.

Is there anything else people should know about Nikola stock? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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How Savvy Investors Are Reducing Portfolio Expenses

April 8, 2020 By Susan Paige Leave a Comment

Modern investors are constantly looking for the best ways to reduce expenses on their portfolios. Investment portfolios incur fees for a number of reasons. Traditionally, portfolio fees were viewed as a necessary cost for investing. However, many modern social trading platforms offer low or zero-fee investment options. When properly practiced, these options can substantially reduce your fees and maximize your overall returns. The quicker you begin practicing expense minimization strategies, the sooner you can begin collecting larger returns. If you are interested in how to optimize your portfolio and reduce fees, read on to learn about how other investors are reducing portfolio expenses.

Be Aware Of Fund Expenses

In order to reduce investment expenses across your portfolio, ensure you are aware of all the fees your portfolio incurs. The funds you purchase and companies you buy stock in greatly impact the fees you will have to pay. Many traders frequently pay so much in fees simply because they are unaware of their portfolio expenses. Before selecting any investment, it is essential to adequately research all the fees it requires. Many funds incur a sales load or commission if they are purchased through a broker.

This can either be in the form of a front-end or back-end load. Some funds additionally require surrender fees if shares are sold prior to a specified date. Furthermore, depending on the platform you choose, you may even have to pay a transaction fee. In some cases, these fees can be as high as $20 to $50 whenever an investment is traded.

Invest On Social Trading Platforms

Social Trading platforms are an excellent way for investors to reduce portfolio expenses. Social platforms offer a diverse array of investment tools to help traders reduce expenses and maximize returns. Most platforms offer a series of investment strategies that model the methodology of experienced investors. At the same time, they link traders with a social profile consisting of news feed, market stats, investor portfolios, and charts for investment yields.

These features help traders like yourself consistently monitor the stability of your investments and reduce management fees. Some of the best social trading platforms even offer stocks without broker commissions, administration, management, or ticketing fees. For investors looking to expand and diversify their financial portfolio while simultaneously reducing expenses, consider trading on social platforms.

Hire A Financial Advisor

Consider hiring a financial advisor in order to reduce your overall portfolio expenses. Financial advice fees are a major component of your total portfolio expenses. Some advisors charge upwards of 1% for portfolio management and financial advice. However, in many cases, investment advisors only offer reasonable fees to significantly larger investment portfolios.

In order to reduce expenses, consider finding an advisor that does not operate on a percentage-based scale. Many certified financial planners charge reasonable hourly or flat fees for their services. With this, you can only request financial services when you are in need of assistance. Otherwise, you are being charged an annual retainer for potentially infrequent advice.

Take Advantage Of Automated Technology

Take advantage of reliable, automated tools in order to reduce your overall portfolio expenses. Some of the largest expenses your portfolio incurs are that of management, financial advice, and account maintenance fees. Historically, these fees were accepted as part of trading securities. However, modern platforms offer automated tools that can assist in these responsibilities.

Automated technology deploys a number of robo-investing and robo-advisory tools to secure your investments. These systems offer computer-driven services to manage your portfolio, ensure investment stability, and recommend profitable instruments. Compared to traditional brokers, the fees required by automated tools are considerably lower, allowing you to expand your portfolio while simultaneously reducing expenses.

Consider Different Investment Types

In order to reduce your portfolio expenses, consider the different investment types. Each financial instrument has a unique set of fees, management expenses, and tax requirements. Be sure to research the best financial securities for your capital investment. Options like stock trading, online investing, or crypto-trading have fees completely different than other financial instruments. In order to balance taxes and management expenses, consider indexed-funds like ETFs or mutual funds.

If you are unsure about which investment types to select, consider social trading platforms. These platforms act as a one-stop shop for various investment types and financial tools. Consider selecting various investment types in order to reduce your overall investment portfolio expenses.

There are several ways for modern traders to reduce their overall portfolio expenses. The first step in reducing your portfolio fees is to remain aware of your fund expenses. Consider investing on social trading platform to reduce your total fees considerably. Take advantage of automated technology for your investing whenever possible. In addition, consider selecting different types of financial securities for your portfolio. Furthermore, consider hiring an hourly or flat-feed financial advisor. Consider the points above to learn about the essential ways for investors to reduce portfolio expenses.

For more great Savingadvice articles on investing, consider these:

What You Need to Know About FANG Stocks

Great Marijuana Stocks To Invest In Now

Is It Too Late To Invest In Cannabis?

How to Choose the Stocks to Buy Right Now

February 3, 2019 By Susan Paige Leave a Comment

So you’ve decided to invest in stocks and have mastered the fundamentals of investing. The big question now is how do you choose the stocks to invest in?

Figuring out which stock to invest in can be challenging, especially if it’s your first time. With tens of thousands of stocks in the market, narrowing down to a few stocks can be overwhelming. However, with the right tools and information, you can confidently pick stocks. Remember that when you buy a stock, you become a part owner of that company hence the value of your stock will largely depend on the health of the business.

Consider Your Investment Goals

Different people have different investment goals. Some are looking for an income stream while others want to build wealth for a long-term purpose such as retirement or a child’s college fund. Some want to make big gains while others just want to preserve money. Basically, there are two investment strategies – growth and income. Income investors prefer low-priced stocks with a stable growth rate and dividends. Growth investors, on the other hand, buy high-priced stocks with high growth rates and potential. Therefore, choose a stock depending on the purpose of investing. If you’re an income investor, choose dividend stocks as they provide an immediate return on investment and some measure of protection in market downturns.

Invest in Business You Understand

It’s always good to start with an industry or company that you’re familiar with. This will make it easier for you to choose the stock to buy based on the information you already know about the industry. If you know a company’s products or even use them, then you probably have an understanding of how the company works. Companies in the industries where you work are also a good choice. On the other hand, avoid investing in companies you don’t understand.

Consider Price and Valuation

Investment experts often look for stocks that are cheap or undervalued. Underpriced stocks are stocks that are selling at a price significantly less than its intrinsic value, and you can use the Benjamin Graham Formula to find such stocks. Investing in underpriced stocks is a great strategy, especially if you identify the stocks that are moving in the right direction. As you will see in The Intelligent Investor review, Graham argues that investing in such stocks has little downside risk but great potential for upside. However, you must be careful because sometimes a stock is cheap because the business is slowing down. Also, do not be deceived by stock market gyrations; instead, look at the long-term trends of stocks.

Evaluate Financial Health

All public companies release quarterly and annual financial reports. Find the official reports on their websites or the SEC. Look for revenue growth, check the company’s debt, and look at the companies’ profit margin. Stock prices increase when companies are growing and making more money. Compare a company to its competitors to see their profits and size of debts. If a company is paying a dividend, check the history of their payments. Are they increasing or decreasing?

Diversify

It’s very important to diversify your portfolio. Though you want to invest in industries you understand, it’s important to ensure you don’t overload your portfolio with stocks in the same sector. For instance, if you work in IT, don’t overload your portfolio with tech stocks. Industries are subject to ups and downs in the market hence it’s not advisable to invest in one industry.

What are your tips for choosing stocks? Share with us in the comments below!

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