Category: News

A good options trading system involves strategies that will work in bullish as well as bearish and sideways markets. Trading in bearish markets can seem counterintuitive to many traders, and while it’s definitely always a good idea to thoroughly assess the risks, there are ways you can make money in a bear market.

The Business Roundtable (BRT) has sparked vociferous debate, releasing a breakthrough statement on the overall purpose of corporations, and why maximising shareholder returns is perhaps no longer the main goal. A statement signed by nearly 200 of America’s biggest CEOs, including JPMorgan’s Jamie Dimon, forecasts the beginning of the end for shareholder primacy and says companies should focus on all stakeholders, including employees, customers, and local communities. 

Known either as the Silver City or the Oasis of the West, Broken Hill is the historic epicentre of Australian mining, with a rich history stretching back into the 1840s. The modern town was founded in 1883 by a man who thought he’d discovered tin, but had actually struck upon a silver and lead orebody.

The RBA’s mandate is to target inflation within a 2-3% band over the course of the economic cycle. This target was established in 1993, formalised in 1996, and we have not seen double digit cash rates since then. Prior to the 90’s there was no inflation target in Australia.

It’s unlikely that you’ve ever thought of sustainability and tourism in the same realm, let alone working symbiotically. But, like most things in life, even a holiday can leave a lasting impact on others. And not just others, but the very earth that sustains us. It’s no secret that as the population continues to grow, we’ll continue to see rises in tourism all around the world. In 1960, there were around 25.3 million international tourists –fast forward to 2008 and that number blows out to 982 million. It’s not surprising when we’re welcoming over 228,000 new faces to our planet every single day. 

Australian-born and Madagascar-bred Graphite mining company BlackEarth Minerals (ASX: BEM) announced earlier this month that, after rigorous testing, the concentrate obtained from their flagship Maniry Graphite project passed with flying colours, confirming its consistency with the meticulous criteria and specifications required for lithium-ion anode material manufacturing. 

With recent market corrections, there is a growing concern about big miners maintaining high-grade Iron Ore for key steelmaking commodity. This has led major players such as BHP, Rio Tinto, and FMG to provide price discounts amid a softening outlook on the country’s biggest export.

Last Wednesday was the first time since 2005 that the US ‘FRED Spread’ has inverted – this is traditionally seen as reliable, and an early indicator for economic recessions. In basic terms, investors are better compensated for loaning in the US over two years than over ten years (which highlights short term economic risk being priced into two year bonds).

Australia remains a world-class location for agricultural production due to the relatively low cost of land and natural grazing systems.

Is it all just technology hype? We are hearing a lot about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the reality is that it’s finally begun to deliver on the promises, some made more than 60 years ago.

When we think of investment, there is one element that will always spring to mind: risk. Markets are volatile and unpredictable, and it can be difficult to make the most informed decisions when tips and recommendations often contradict each other.

The humble lock began life in ancient Assyria, where the earliest mechanism was made of wood. The device was discovered in the Palace of Khorsabad in Iraq, which is also the location of the discovery of the world’s oldest known key. Remarkably, the lock and key system dates back to 4000 B.C. Perhaps more astounding is that the fundamental principle of the lock and key that you use to secure your bicycle today, or to lock your baggage closed before you fly hasn’t changed in six centuries of human development. Whilst this suggests that the underlying idea had at least some merit, it also begs the question, where to next? But first, let’s explore the journey of the simple lock and find out how we got to where we are today.