October Retail Sales and Producer Price Index (PPI) Report: Signs of a Soft Landing in US Economy

October Retail Sales and Producer Price Index (PPI) Report: Signs of a Soft Landing in US Economy

The summer consumption boom came to a halt in October, and inflationary pressures eased. This suggests that the economy may gradually stabilize as expected by the US financial authorities. US retail sales in October decreased by 0.1% from the previous month. Figures for August and September have been revised upward. The US Producer Price Index … Read more

Analysis and Market Reactions to October US Consumer Price Index (CPI)

Analysis and Market Reactions to October US Consumer Price Index (CPI)

The U.S. consumer price index (CPI) generally slowed in October, a positive sign for the U.S. Federal Reserve as it seeks to rein in inflationary pressures. Market participants’ views on the October US CPI are as follows. ◎Bryce Doty, Senior Portfolio Manager at Sitt Investment Associates: The reason why U.S. bond yields have fallen significantly … Read more

ICBC Ransomware Cyberattack Impact on U.S. Treasuries Trading

ICBC Ransomware Cyberattack Impact on U.S. Treasuries Trading

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), one of the world’s largest banks in terms of assets, was hit by a cyber attack by ransomware, a computer virus that demanded ransoms, and was unable to carry out clearing operations for a wide range of transactions. This forced customers to change their trading routes, and traders … Read more

Estate Planning: Protecting Your Assets and Blended Family

Estate Planning: Protecting Your Assets and Blended Family

My husband and I just created a trust with the help of an attorney. I’m 68 and he’s 76, and we’re both in good health. I have a 26 year old married daughter. My partner has no children. He and my daughter don’t get along, and so far neither has been able to mend the … Read more

Berkshire Hathaway’s Cash Pile Hits Record $157 Billion Amid Scarce Deals

Berkshire Hathaway’s Cash Pile Hits Record 7 Billion Amid Scarce Deals

Berkshire Hathaway, the investment and insurance company led by famous American investor Warren Buffett, announced on the 4th that its cash on hand has reached a record high of $157.2 billion (approximately 23 trillion yen). In addition to rising interest rates, the lack of meaningful deals for Buffett to put his money into has contributed … Read more

Co-Signing a Mortgage: Should I Have Done It?

Estate Planning: Protecting Your Assets and Blended Family

I went through a terrible divorce 15 years ago. I will finally finish paying my ex-husband in July. My divorce was so costly that I never remarried. My boyfriend of 14 years was having financial problems and needed to refinance his house to pay off his debt. It could not be approved without a co-signer. … Read more

The Unlikelihood of Repeating U.S. Stock Market Performance in the Next Decade: Goldman Sachs’ Peter Oppenheimer

The Unlikelihood of Repeating U.S. Stock Market Performance in the Next Decade: Goldman Sachs’ Peter Oppenheimer

The extremely strong performance of U.S. stocks over the past decade is unlikely to be repeated over the next decade, said Peter Oppenheimer, chief global equity strategist at Goldman Sachs Group. Oppenheimer said in a note that the strong stock performance partly reflects America’s leadership in technology and the market dominance of a handful of … Read more

Understanding the Risks: Co-Signing a Mortgage and Potential Consequences for Parents

Estate Planning: Protecting Your Assets and Blended Family

My mother and stepfather just co-signed a mortgage for my brother. My mother said their house was used as collateral. If my brother can’t pay his mortgage, our mother will have to pay it for him, or the bank will take his house, right? Also, what happens if my mother and stepfather both pass away … Read more

Israel-Gaza Conflict Escalates as Ground Operations Increase and Negotiations Progress

Israel-Gaza Conflict Escalates as Ground Operations Increase and Negotiations Progress

The Israeli military is increasing its ground operations in Gaza, a military spokesperson said. Internet and phone connections have been lost in Gaza, and Israel has stepped up airstrikes. Qatari satellite television station Al Jazeera reported that Qatar-mediated negotiations between Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire agreement and hostage exchange deal are progressing “rapidly.” … Read more

Can I Get a Loan to Purchase a Quadplex with No Income?

Can I Get a Loan to Purchase a Quadplex with No Income?

First of all, I’m a complete beginner, I know almost nothing and I expect to be made fun of. Here’s my question: I currently live with my girlfriend. I was looking for houses and found a very nice quadplex that was just renovated. I run two businesses, but I personally have no source of income. … Read more