After a recent update to its iTunes policy for developers, Apple (AAPL) has decided to include Bitcoin-related applications, specifically those that promote in-app purchases, in its App Store. Apple was initially skeptical about iOS-based Bitcoin apps, but the newly implemented bylaws permit apps to use the virtual currency so long as they adhere to regional state and federal laws (click here to read more about why Apple must evolve to survive).
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The World Beyond Wall Street
If you have been paying attention to international news over the last few weeks, you are most likely aware that the Middle East is once again heating up. While the civil war in Syria continues to rage, militant Islamic fundamentalists have risen up in Iraq (a group known as ISIS), and are slowly trekking toward Baghdad.
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The Investor Balancing Act
This week I’ll shift away from the cognitive biases and irrational behavior that affect our decision-making, and instead shift my focus towards one of the most important aspects of investing: portfolio theory. Modern portfolio theory (MPT) focuses on building a portfolio of assets that maximizes the risk-adjusted return—that is, maximizes the expected return of an investment portfolio while minimizing its risk (learn more about how to avoid risk here).
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The Voice Of Reason
Despite being one of the most basic ideas of microeconomics, “sunk costs” are deceptively easy to understand; yet, they lead even the most rational people to make irrational decisions. The basic idea of a sunk cost is quite simple: once a cost has been incurred, it should have no bearing on future decisions (it is “sunk”). The classic example of this phenomenon is the advance purchase of a movie ticket for which one cannot receive a refund.
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Dividends For Dummies
Entering the world of investing can seem like a daunting endeavor. With so many different stocks, bonds, ETFs, and mutual funds to choose from, how can one ever figure out where to start? For new investors, I believe the answer to this question is large, proven companies that pay dividends.
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Stock Talk
If you’ve been following the market lately, there is no doubt that you have encountered the term “earnings season.” In this article I will explain what earnings season is, as well as dissect the important terms that accompany this time of year. Additionally, I will examine how analysts and investors react to financial information released during this period, and the way in which stock prices are influenced by these data.
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5 Stocks Under $10
Nokia (NOK) is an established cellular phone producer. In 2007 the stock soared up to almost $40 per share, and the company was the largest cell phone producer in the world. However, as Apple (AAPL) and Google (GOOGL) both entered the cellular devices market, producing smart phones, Nokia lost ground. By February 2009, the stock price dipped below $10, as the iPhone and Android devices gained tremendous popularity.
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