Markets Demystified

Following the Fed’s last policy meeting, markets appeared to declare victory over inflation and decided only 1 more rate hike was coming. In the wake of a staggering jobs report and disappointing inflation readings, markets have now decided there will be at least 3 more hikes. Clink for print version.

During the pandemic, crypto lenders boomed, offering high returns for crypto deposits. Unfortunately, many firms went bust, leaving depositors uncertain if they will recover their funds. Now, crypto firms are facing intensifying scrutiny as, ironically, assets intended to enhance trust in markets have ushered in a tidal wave of fraud. Click to read.

Despite steeper losses during the pandemic, the current market downturn may be more noticeable, as it has been much more prolonged. Click to view print version.

After a year of relentless rate hikes from Jerome Powell and the Federal Reserve Board in a struggle to simmer soaring inflation, will the economy avoid a severe slowdown? Click to read.

Many people are curious about day trading and wonder if it's something they can do to make extra money or even make a living from. Despite success stories that get outsized attention, research shows reality for most may be far removed from happy endings. Click to view print version.

Scarcity was an essential element for Satoshi Nakamoto when designing bitcoin. The anonymous computer programmer focused nearly exclusively on scarcity when discussing potential bitcoin value, and drew parallels between bitcoin and the scarceness of gold. However, a review of precious metals and currency markets may not support scarceness as a guarantee of value. Click to view print version.

There are multiple stock indexes that are often cited by media outlets. However, the one that may be heard most often might be the least useful as a measure of the overall market. Click to view the print version of this podcast.

Although characters from Showtime’s series Billions may be in-part inspired by real people such as former hedge fund manager Steve Cohen and former US Attorneys Preet Bharara and Eliot Spitzer, how real is the show? Click to view print version.

With the highest inflation in decades, gauges of price changes have become a center of economic focus. The Consumer Price Index, the Personal Consumption Expenditures price index, and the Producer Price Index are common measures of inflation. However, the measure that may be cited most often is not the one preferred by the Federal Reserve. Click to view print version.

Bitcoin was intended to exist outside of the financial system and to end inflation. Therefore, it might be quite ironic that it is moving in lockstep with stocks, plummeting in the midst of soaring consumer prices and vulnerable to monetary moves by the Fed. Click link to view print version with charts and resources.