Expect the UnexpectedThe bears confidence is strong and the recent downturn is only strengthening that confidence. The bears conviction has been strong for months though and the markets have just kept going up.Thats why, as contrarians, we should be looking at the what ifs that no one is expecting. Remember, the market has a tendency to do the exact opposite of what most market players are expecting. Thats why, in the short-term, we could see the...more
When to Buy Gold StocksA few months ago we looked at the three stages of market sentiment. After all, if you pay close attention to sentiment, you can significantly increase your upside potential and reduce your risk. Youll achieve that by focusing on the micro-cycles within the long-run bull cycles.Just like in the long-run gold bull market, there are three stages in the shorter cycles as well. For instance, back in July we identified how the...more
An annuity is an investment you make through an insurance company. It represents a contractual relationship between you and the company. And, although offered by only the insurance industry, annuities have little, if anything, in common with insurance coverage. Annuities are marketed and sold through insurance agencies, banks, savings & loan (S&L) institutions, brokerage firms, financial planners, and investment advisers.When you purchase, or invest in, an annuity you are given certain assurances by the insurance company. These promises depend on the company issuing the contract (the investment) and the type of annuity chosen. There are three ways to categorize an annuity: (1) how the money is invested (fixed-rate or variable), (2) when income is desired (immediate or deferred), and (3) if additional monies can be added to the investment (flexible-premium or single-premium).How the money is invested-------------------------A fixed-rate annuity is very similar to a bank certificate of deposit (CD). The investor is assured of a guaranteed rate of return for a specified period of time. Usually, the longer the period of time, the greater the rate of interest. Just like a bank, an...more
Entrepreneurs develop ideas for new business models, products, and services, but often have problems finding financing for their ventures. Innovations fail to create value when they cannot attract the resources required to develop them. Venture Capital Investment serves as an important element behind innovation and wealth creation. Venture...more
With the world in recovery mode, many people are still questioning how the markets got so out of control. They are also questioning something a little closer to home; their own finances.Some people will be looking for more tax efficient investments. Others will want to diversify their existing portfolios as well as look at new investment...more
As the world slowly recovers from the credit crunch and we look back at what went right and what went wrong, people are increasingly looking to take control of their finances.Trying to be more tax efficient with your savings and investments is always a good starting point. Of course, looking at existing stocks and shares portfolios is another area to review.I am sure we all appreciate that we could benefit from planning more. But not everyone is sitting on their hands. Many people actively pursue new investments. Others regularly review their banking and mortgage arrangements.A more common form of trading that people are turning to is spread trading. There are downsides to all forms of investing and with spread trading you need to be careful because you can lose more than your initial investment.If there is potential for incurring losses, why should you consider trading? Put simply, spread trading can be useful when it comes to easy access to the markets, investments with little or no tax* and the variety of risk management tools.There are many potential benefits exist. Importantly, profits from spread betting are tax free*.Also, the London Stock Exchange may close at 4.30 local...more
As the major economies start to stabilise and the risk of a depression fades into the distance many are reflecting on a few important points. Firstly, how did it all happen? Secondly, how can they better protect themselves in the future?If we were to...more
At certain times in your business cycle, whether you are a start-up business or a well-established veteran, cash flow is critical. Whether times or tough, or business is booming, cash flow challenges can cause unwanted stress and limit your growth...more
In the current economic climate, banks are hesitant to offer loans. Relief may be on the way from government bailouts and efforts to stimulate lending, or business may want to consider accounts receivable factoring as a solution to meet their cash...more
Whether you are simply going through a rough period, or are attempting to expand your business, invoice factoring is a unique and effective way for a company to increase their cash flow. This unique financing method has been around for thousands of...more
Lets face it; you didnt start your business for the thrill of placing collections calls or faxing multiple invoices. A non-paying customer is one of the most common nightmares for business owners that can waste time and man power. Businesses can...more
A sale is not a sale until you collect the money. The time between issuing an invoice and collecting on it can be a sparse financial time for any company. During this time, the business has fit the bill for the supplies, time, and resources used to...more