3 Blue-Chip Biotech Stocks Hitting New Highs

A basket of biotech stocks have surged to new highs in recent weeks, lifting the iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology Index Fund ETF (IBB) within 15 points of 2019 resistance. This positioning bodes well for additional gains that could underpin the sector’s rise to market leadership in coming months. While small speculative stocks have consumed a big…

How to Help Clients in or Nearing Retirement Weather a Market Downturn

For those who are nearing retirement or already retired, market downturns and periods of volatility can present particular challenges. These can include a loss of retirement savings and decreased liquidity. The key to helping clients face those challenges is to ensure that they have the right asset mix to help them absorb the shock of…

How Does Specialization Help Companies Achieve Economies of Scale?

Adam Smith is considered to be the father of modern economics. He laid out many economic theories that are studied and used to this day. One of his theories was that the division of labor through specialization will lead to growth. He described this idea as far back as 1763, in his book, An Inquiry…

Capitalized Cost Reduction Definition

What Is a Capitalized Cost Reduction? A capitalized cost reduction is any upfront payment that reduces the cost of financing. A capitalized cost reduction is generally associated with the purchase of a home or automobile. Reductions can be made from cash, the value of a trade-in vehicle, or through rebates. Key Takeaways Capitalized cost reductions reduce the…

What Factors Influence Competition in Microeconomics?

From a microeconomics perspective, competition can be influenced by five basic factors: product features, the number of sellers, barriers to entry, information availability, and location. Each factor hinges on the availability or attractiveness of substitutes and, when no alternatives exist and the company is a single seller of a unique product, a monopoly exists and…

Americans Focus on Improving Their Homes As They Stay There

142%. That’s the increase in demand for professionals to mow and trim lawns during March, according to data released by Thumbtack, an online platform that connects over 10 million customers with local small businesses. The company says there’s been a dramatic drop in activity last month, especially in San Francisco (-61%), San Jose (-60%) and New…

What the Next Trillion Dollar Stimulus Bill May Look Like

Pelosi wants a bill bigger than $1 trillion to fund and expand coronavirus assistance programs A targeted approach with health care as priority is what McConnell advocates Trump supports direct payments, more loans for small businesses and infrastructure spending White House officials discuss tax cuts, 50 Year bond, liability waiver for businesses Growing calls for…