Investments and Business

Europa frena su impulso económico: el BCE adopta una postura cautelosa en los tipos de interés

01

Feb

Investments and Business

Interest Rate Hikes: A New Playbook for Portfolio Management

Interest rates that remain high for longer are transforming the investment environment, as central banks indicate they are prepared to sustain elevated policy rates to restrain inflation and preserve financial stability, even if economic expansion weakens. For portfolio design, this shift represents a decisive departure from the low-rate period that favored leverage, long-duration holdings, and aggressive growth strategies. Investors are now adjusting to conditions in which capital carries a persistently higher cost and risk-free yields hold genuine significance once more.Repricing Risk and the Return of CashOne of the most noticeable shifts is the refreshed importance of cash and cash‑equivalent instruments,…

Job Market Jitters: Private Sector Adds Meager 22,000 Jobs in January

31

Jan

By Harper King

Investments and Business

Job Market Jitters: Private Sector Adds Meager 22,000 Jobs in January

The year’s initial employment indicators suggest a labor market that appears to be slowing instead of building strength, as federal reports arrive late and private-sector hiring makes only modest progress, offering early hints of a more restrained and less energetic rebound.These results spark doubts about how durable job creation may truly be at the start of 2025.As the year began, it brought an unforeseen shift in expectations regarding the resilience of the US labor market, and although the official January employment report has been delayed by a short government shutdown, early signals from private data indicate that hiring momentum fell…

,000 car loan payments are on the rise, stressing household budgets

24

Jan

By Harper King

Investments and Business

$1,000 Car Loans: A New Financial Pressure Point

The expense of financing a new car has climbed sharply, pushing numerous families to cope with tighter monthly budgets. Escalating interest rates along with increasing vehicle prices are sending auto loan payments to record highs.Americans are confronting an escalating financial burden as the typical monthly car loan payment nears $1,000, a rise that is putting significant pressure on household budgets, prompting many families to reassess their spending habits and, at times, postpone other crucial costs, while analysts caution that steep vehicle prices combined with elevated interest rates are driving this persistent trend with little indication of relief ahead.Auto loans, long…

Tired of AI, people are committing to the analog lifestyle in 2026

16

Jan

By Harper King

Investments and Business

Analog Lifestyle Trend: Escaping AI in 2026

As AI-powered tools increasingly manage our daily tasks, more people are seeking ways to unplug and engage with the physical world. The movement, often called the “analog lifestyle,” focuses on slowing down, enjoying hands-on activities, and reclaiming moments from screens and generative AI.The trend keeps accelerating, though its exact scale remains difficult to pin down. Pastimes once viewed as outdated, including knitting, painting, and various crafts, are experiencing renewed momentum. Arts and crafts retailer Michael’s has noted a 136% jump in searches for “analog hobbies” over the last half-year. Purchases of guided craft kits climbed 86% in 2025, with forecasts…

Americans are paying more than ever for cars. Cheap models are disappearing

16

Jan

By Harper King

Investments and Business

US Car Buyers Face Record Costs as Cheap Options Fade

For many Americans, owning a new car under $20,000 has become a thing of the past. As entry-level models disappear from dealer lots, the average cost of a new vehicle has skyrocketed, leaving lower-income buyers with fewer options and reshaping the automotive landscape.In 2024, US shoppers could still find a small selection of vehicles listed for under $20,000, but today not a single new model falls beneath that price point. Recent estimates from Kelley Blue Book indicate that buyers paid an average of $50,326 for a new car in December 2025, setting a new record, while Edmunds reported a slightly…

brown cardboard boxes on gray steel rack

08

Jan

By Harper King

Investments and Business

Fixed and Variable Costs Explained for Businesses

Every business, regardless of size or industry, encounters a wide range of expenses in its daily operations. An essential part of managing these expenses effectively lies in understanding how they behave as a company’s production volume changes. To this end, costs are most commonly classified into fixed costs and variable costs. This distinction is fundamental for budgeting, pricing strategies, and overall financial planning.Clarifying Fixed CostsFixed costs refer to those expenses that remain constant over a given period, regardless of the business's level of production or sales volume. These costs are incurred even if a business produces no goods or services…

The Role of Precious Metals in the Green Transition - ESGold Corp ...

08

Jan

By Harper King

Investments and Business

Business Savings: A Foundation for Enduring Sustainability

Every organization, from an emerging startup to a global corporation, needs to thoughtfully evaluate how it manages its finances. A central pillar of any company’s financial strategy is business saving. In contrast to personal saving, business saving involves intentionally setting aside a share of net profits or cash flow, reserving it for uses beyond immediate spending or reinvestment. These savings can take the form of cash buffers, short-term investment vehicles, long-term capital funds, or other types of retained earnings.Strong business saving practices provide companies with a crucial financial safety net, enabling them to stay agile when markets shift unexpectedly. Such…

Corporation for Public Broadcasting votes to shut itself after funding cuts

02

Jan

By Harper King

Investments and Business

Corporation for Public Broadcasting to Close Due to Funding Issues

The decision to dissolve the Corporation for Public Broadcasting closes a chapter that shaped American public media for nearly six decades. What began as a congressional effort to support education, culture and civic life now ends amid political division and questions about the future of public broadcasting in the United States.The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, widely known as CPB, has voted to formally dissolve, marking the conclusion of an institution that for decades served as a central pillar of the U.S. public media ecosystem. Established in 1967, CPB functioned as a conduit for federal funds to reach Public Broadcasting Service…

US stocks are set for a third-straight year of stellar gains

27

Dec

By Harper King

Investments and Business

Third Consecutive Year of Stellar US Stock Gains

As the year draws to a close, global markets stand at an unusual turning point, with U.S. equities posting remarkable gains even as volatility, political uncertainty and evolving economic dynamics continue to challenge investor sentiment. The past twelve months have revealed a multifaceted narrative marked by resilience, risk and ongoing adjustments across multiple asset categories.U.S. markets near a historic milestone after years of remarkable advancesThe U.S. stock market now stands close to accomplishing a milestone witnessed only rarely in contemporary finance: logging three straight years of robust double-digit gains. As the year winds down, leading indexes showcase a persistent upswing…

24

Dec

By Harper King

Investments and Business

India Welcomes ISEEN’s Expanded Corporate Education

The European Institute of Business and Economics (ISEEN), a European business school specialized in online executive education, is strengthening its position in India and the wider Asian market through a growing portfolio of corporate education initiatives for companies seeking measurable impact on leadership, productivity, and organizational performance.With a solid footprint throughout Europe and the Americas, ISEEN is expanding its corporate learning model across Asia, addressing the rising need among mid-sized and major organizations for adaptable, high-caliber training that aligns with international business expectations.European heritage, worldwide delivery approachISEEN delivers executive and corporate programs through a robust virtual campus and a faculty…