Investing News

In 2021, a little over seven million acres were burned by nearly 59,000 wildfires. Last year, about the same number of wildfires burned over 10 million acres, constituting the second most acreage affected by wildfires in a single year since 1960. Since 2000, an annual average of seven million acres has burned, reflecting the rapid

Large oil companies in the United States have been paying taxes at a significantly lower rate than most other corporations. The chief reason is that there are provisions in the U.S. tax code that allow energy companies to defer and avoid federal income tax payments. The 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act also slashed the

Blockchain exchange-traded funds (ETFs) own stocks in companies that have business operations in blockchain technology or profit from it in some way. Blockchain is made up of complex blocks of digital information and is increasingly used in banking, investing, cryptocurrency, and other sectors. Although blockchain is a relatively new technology, many of the companies that

Marijuana exchange-traded funds (ETFs) provide investors with exposure to equities of companies that engage in the cultivation, distribution, and sale of marijuana and related products. Products of marijuana companies include dried flowers, oils, seeds, edibles, and more. Still prohibited as an illegal substance in many parts of the world, marijuana is gaining wider acceptance for

The impact of unemployment has far-reaching consequences. Even those who don’t suffer layoffs in an office may find that their jobs (as well as their personal lives) have been negatively impacted. And for those who have lost their jobs, hopes for a timely retirement may be dramatically altered. Employees Work Harder but Earn Less Labor

Candlestick charts are a technical tool that packs data for multiple time frames into single price bars. This makes them more useful than traditional open-high, low-close bars or simple lines that connect the dots of closing prices. Candlesticks build patterns that predict price direction once completed. Proper color coding adds depth to this colorful technical tool, which dates back to 18th-century

On Tuesday, August 16, the United States Department of Education issued a press release stating its intent to discharge all federal student loans that borrowers received to attend ITT Technical Institute from Jan. 1, 2005, through its closure in September 2016, amounting to $3.9 billion in full loan discharges between 208,000 borrowers. This is the

Having a baby can be an expensive prospect. A study by the Kaiser Family Foundation estimates the average cost of pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care at $18,865. The same study found that for mothers who give birth via C-section, the average cost climbs to $26,280. Then there’s the cost of raising a child to adulthood,

The cracks in the nation’s housing market continue to grow. Yesterday, the government reported that U.S. homebuilding sank to its lowest level in over a year, with housing starts plunging 9.6% as higher construction costs continue to weigh on builders. Earlier this week, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) said its sentiment index dropped for the eighth straight

The U.K. left the European Union (EU) on Jan. 31, 2020. As such, it’s no longer a member state. But prior to its exit, it was the most notable member of the European Union that elected not to use the euro. Rather, the U.K. continued to use the British pound sterling as its national currency.

The healthcare sector is comprised of companies that offer medical services, manufacture medical equipment or drugs, provide medical insurance, or engage in activities that facilitate the provision of healthcare to patients. The most recent data available from 2020 show that spending on healthcare in the U.S. reached $4.1 trillion, representing close to 20% of the

The floor of the stock exchange was once the main location for market transactions. It was home to traders and brokers who did the actual buying, selling, and negotiating on the physical exchange floor. Of course, this was before the evolution of electronic trading platforms.  Those same brokers and traders are now surrounded by computers that manage

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) announced that it has passed the Pet Insurance Model Act, a model law that establishes clear rules for pet insurance sales and requires disclosures for pet owners. The new regulation comes on the heels of sharp growth in annual premiums and new policies in the U.S. Key Takeaways

The U.S. Federal Reserve has announced its final guideline that might allow crypto banks to enter the banking system. The central bank will set up a three-tiered system for determining whether financial institutions have access. As part of the final guideline, institutions with novel financial products will have access to the fed’s “master accounts” and

What Is the S&P 500 Index? Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (S&P 500) is a market-capitalization-weighted index of 500 leading publicly traded companies in the U.S. While it assumed its present size (and name) in 1957, the S&P actually dates back to the 1920s, becoming a composite index tracking 90 stocks in 1926. The average annualized return since

Homeowners who want to add energy-efficient features to their home can save substantial money in utilities bills, but they have other costs to consider. Along with the potential for savings on energy costs, energy-efficient features can provide a number of benefits for the environment and for the occupants’ health. However, the technology that helps a

When planning a wedding, choosing the right venue matters. A destination wedding is something you may consider if you’d like to tie the knot someplace memorable. Destination weddings are ceremonies that are hosted away from the couple’s hometown and usually require travel for the wedding party and guests. Key Takeaways A destination wedding takes place

House and Senate Democrats and staff celebrated the signing into law of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 by President Joe Biden on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022. “For a while, people doubted whether (this) was going to happen, but we are in a season of substance,” said the president. “Today offers further proof that the

The electric auto industry is comprised of companies focused on the manufacture of electric cars, trucks, vans, and commercial vehicles, as well as companies that offer electric automobile parts and services. While some traditional automakers also produce electric vehicles (EV), this article focuses on companies considered to be largely pure-play electric vehicle manufacturers. The electric

Mortgage rates had a quiet day Monday, with most averages dipping just slightly lower or remaining flat. It follows a week-and-a-half period of dramatic up and down swings for the 30-year average. Today’s National Mortgage Rate Averages The 30-year average took a relative breather Monday, with only its second day in 12 registering a minimal