The Big Picture

DECEMBER 13, 2023

Tyler Cowen and his colleague Alex Tabarrok write some interesting posts over at Marginal Revolution. Sometimes I agree with them, sometimes I disagree with them. Recently, a post utterly perplexed me: “One doesn’t get a favorable impression of crypto from Number Go Up but in fact one doesn’t learn much about crypto at all. Indeed, Faux’s book isn’t really about crypto it’s about the rise and collapse of a bubble and the consequent madness of crowds.

Hedge Funds 122

Hedge Funds Assets Capital Funds 122

A Wealth of Common Sense

DECEMBER 17, 2023

After suffering drawdowns of 21%, 25% and 35% in the bear market of 2022, the Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 all broke even on a total return basis this week: Sure that means these markets went nowhere for nearly two years but just look at the returns since the start of 2020: Considering everything we’ve lived through those returns are not bad at all.

Returns 132

Returns Investing 132

Financial Times: Moral Money

DECEMBER 26, 2023

France’s stipulation for its sustainable ISR label could lead to billions of euros of divestments by pan-European vehicles

Funds 144

Funds 144

Private Equity Insights

DECEMBER 15, 2023

EQT AB is leading the bidding as private equity firms compete for a stake in the media rights business of the Bundesliga, Germany’s main football competition, people with knowledge of the matter said. The Nordic investment firm has so far presented the highest offer with an initial proposal valuing the unit at about €12.7bn ($14bn), according to the people.

Bidding 276

Bidding Private Equity Firms Private Equity Firms Stakes 276

The Motley Fool

DECEMBER 16, 2023

Image source: Getty Images For many people, a new year is a time for growth. It's also a popular time to make resolutions. Research from The Ascent shows that 67% of Americans hope to tackle financial resolutions next year. Now is the perfect time to sit down and plan what goals you want to reach. You can do it no matter how big or small your goals are.

Debt 271

Debt Financing Finance Funds 271

Blackstone News

DECEMBER 7, 2023

JV will deliver approximately 500 megawatts of IT capacity across three Tier 1 metros in Europe and North America Austin, TX and New York – December 7, 2023 – Digital Realty ( NYSE: DLR ), the largest global provider of cloud- and carrier-neutral data center, colocation and interconnection solutions, and Blackstone Inc. (NYSE: BX) announced today that Blackstone-affiliated funds led by Infrastructure, Real Estate and Tactical Opportunities have agreed to establish a joint venture with Digital Re

Legal 132

Legal Asset Management Assets Capital 132

A Wealth of Common Sense

DECEMBER 15, 2023

Robert Kiyosaki wrote one of the most-read personal finance books of all time — Rich Dad, Poor Dad. I read it early on in my career. It never really did it for me but I can see why people latch onto the allegory he shares about learning the right financial habits. It’s a good thing to get people interested in personal finance because no one teaches you this stuff.

Financing 142

Financing Finance 142

FinSMEs

DECEMBER 31, 2023

The rise of the digital nomad lifestyle has revolutionized the way we work and travel. Combining the freedom of travel with the ability to work remotely, digital nomads need to be equipped with the right technology and tools to ensure productivity and connectivity. From high-speed internet solutions to portable workstations, the right gear can make […] The post Digital Nomad Essentials: Tech and Tools for Working Anywhere in the World appeared first on FinSMEs.

126

126

Financial Symmetry

DECEMBER 11, 2023

When having conversations with individuals approaching retirement, but who have yet to reach age 65, one primary concern is often in the forefront of their mind: What am I going to do about health insurance before I reach Medicare age? … Continued The post Health Insurance Options to Consider When Retiring Pre-Medicare Age, ep #205 appeared first on Financial Symmetry, Inc.

111

111

The Motley Fool

DECEMBER 31, 2023

For most retired Americans, their Social Security benefit represents an indispensable source of income. Over 20 years of annual surveys from national pollster Gallup have consistently shown that between 80% and 90% of then-current retirees lean on their monthly payout in some capacity to cover their expenses. Considering how vital Social Security is to the financial well-being of our nation's aging workforce, it's ideal to get as much out of America's top retirement program as possible.

Accounting 264

Accounting 264

Blackstone News

DECEMBER 21, 2023

TOKYO – December 22, 2023 – Blackstone (NYSE: BX) today announced that Private Equity funds managed by Blackstone have entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a majority stake in Sony Payment Services Inc. (SPSV), one of Japan’s leading payment service providers, from Sony Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Group. Sony Bank will roll over a certain portion of its equity and will continue to support the growth of SPSV as a minority investor.

Portfolios 119

Portfolios Banks Asset Management Assets 119

The Big Picture

DECEMBER 1, 2023

The chart above shows that 84% of CEOs are forecasting a recession over the next 12 months, 69% of Consumers saying the same thing, with the yield curve predicting a 61% chance of a contraction. The problem is those sets of forecasts is already 2 months old, dated October 3, 2023. It was before the very encouraging CPI, Unemployment, and GDP data releases.

Portfolios 110

Portfolios Investors 110

A Wealth of Common Sense

DECEMBER 31, 2023

2022 was one of the worst years ever for financial markets. Over the past 100 years: It was the third worst year for a 60/40 portfolio. It was the seventh worst year for the S&P 500. It was the worst year ever for the Barclays Aggregate Bond Market Index. It was the worst year ever for the 10 year Treasury bond. Here’s what I wrote last year at this time: Expected returns are now higher.

Portfolios 128

Portfolios Returns 128

FinSMEs

DECEMBER 23, 2023

Labrys Technologies, a London UK-based defence technology startup, raised $5.5M in Seed funding. The round was led by Project A Ventures, with participation from international DefenceTech focused investors including MD-One, Offset Ventures, Marque Ventures and Expedition Fund. The company intends to use the funds to scale its engineering team, grow its commercial team, and focus […] The post Labrys Technologies Raises $5.5M in Seed Funding appeared first on FinSMEs.

Funds 122

Funds Startups Investors Companies 122

AltAssets

DECEMBER 20, 2023

Vital Capital managing partner Nimrod Gerber looks at why many private equity heavyweights have failed to make serious inroads in Africa, despite the huge opportunities on offer on the continent – and explains what firms need to change in their strategies for dealmaking, exits and understanding the hugely varied regional and country-specific markets.

Capital 105

Capital Buyout Investing 105

The Motley Fool

DECEMBER 30, 2023

Whether you realize it or not, Social Security is an essential source of income for most retirees. It's responsible for pulling roughly 21.7 million people out of poverty each year, including almost 15.4 million adults aged 65 and above. If America's top retirement program didn't exist, the senior poverty rate would be an estimated 38%, as compared to 10% with Social Security (as of March 2022), according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

Accounting 264

Accounting Companies Investing 264

Top 1000 Funds

DECEMBER 19, 2023

Helmsley Charitable Trust is meeting new investment managers on the hunt for new exposures and allocations in the new economic regime. On the eve of her departure Rosalind Hewsenian explains how she approaches new manager relationships.

Investing 105

Investing 105

The Big Picture

DECEMBER 24, 2023

Billie Eilish may be only 22, but she sings like a chanteuse with decades of hard living behind her — a world-weary angel. Her version of this little tune gives it an entirely different read than the original Judy Garland take from Meet Me in St Louis. I imagine this version has some studio exec suggesting she do an album of Christmas songs; but not only is it way too early in her career) for that, it’s a bit lightweight and ephemeral for her wonderful voice and phrasing; instead, sh

107

107

A Wealth of Common Sense

DECEMBER 26, 2023

In late-2019, The Economist put out a 150 page report called The World in 2020 that offered some predictions for the coming year in geopolitics and the economy. The issue was full of thoughts and ideas from CEOs, economists, scientists, politicians and business leaders about what was coming in the year ahead. These thought leaders were worried about the lasting impacts of Brexit, the upcoming U.S.

125

125

FinSMEs

DECEMBER 17, 2023

CurbWaste, a New York-based provider of a waste management payments software platform, raised $10m in Series A funding. The round was led by Flourish Ventures, with participation from TTV Capital, Mucker Capital, and B Capital. The company, which has raised a total of $20m, intends to use the funds to continue to expand operations and its business reach. […] The post CurbWaste Raises $10M in Series A Funding appeared first on FinSMEs.

Funds 119

Funds Capital Companies 119

AltAssets

DECEMBER 22, 2023

Private equity placement agent Triago is being bought by investment bank Houlihan Lokey in a major expansion of its private funds group. The post Private equity placement agency pioneer Triago bought by Houlihan Lokey first appeared on AltAssets Private Equity News.

Investment Banking 105

Investment Banking Investment Banks Banks Funds 105

The Motley Fool

DECEMBER 27, 2023

After a dismal performance last year, growth stocks came roaring back in 2023 thanks to several tailwinds such as cooling inflation, the Federal Reserve's pause on interest rate hikes, a strong economy, and the reduced probability of a recession. That rally is expected to continue in 2024 as well. Personal finance news provider Kiplinger estimates that S&P 500 companies could witness an 11% increase in earnings in 2024, up significantly from this year's growth of 2.3%.

Financing 264

Financing Finance Returns Stock Market 264

Dear Mr. Market

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Dear Mr. Market: Can you imagine how you would be feeling if you had acted upon the advice from all the doom and gloomers the past year? How some of these financial “gurus” and economic pundits still have an audience is fascinating!?! Want to know why they still have a platform and hold many people’s attention? Fear sells. That’s it.

Stock Market 105

Stock Market Stock Market Debt Portfolios 105

The Big Picture

DECEMBER 6, 2023

 Investing Skill vs. Luck with Michael J. Mauboussin, Counterpoint Global (Dec 6, 2023) Is it better to be lucky or good? How much of a role does luck pay in investing? And how can you tell the difference between chance and skill? In this episode of At the Money, I speak with Michael Mauboussin. ~~~ About Michael J. Mauboussin: Michael Mauboussin is head of Consilient Research at Counterpoint Global, Morgan Stanley Investment Management.

Investing 106

Investing Capital Returns 106

A Wealth of Common Sense

DECEMBER 14, 2023

A reader asks: Ben in your recent blog post you said $1M investable wealth makes you rich. I would like to provide a counterargument to that. When you retire, $1M basically gives you $40,000 per year to live off of, assuming the 4% rule of thumb is a reasonable starting point to think about retirement income. So is $40k spend a year really rich? I would argue that it is middle class at best; probably lower middle class.

Investing 119

Investing Financing Finance 119

FinSMEs

DECEMBER 17, 2023

Totus Medicines, an Emeryville, CA-based small molecule drug discovery and development company using covalent libraries and AI tools, closed a $66M Series B financing. The round was led by DCVC Bio with participation from North Pond Ventures, Camford Capital, and the Regents of the University of Minnesota. Proceeds from the Series B financing will be used to advance Totus’ […] The post Totus Medicines Closes $66M Series B Funding appeared first on FinSMEs.

Funds 119

Funds Financing Finance Capital 119

AltAssets

DECEMBER 1, 2023

Blackstone has raised $2.6bn for its latest real estate secondaries fund - about a third more than for its predecessor vehicle in the strategy. The post Blackstone brings home $2.6bn for biggest real estate secondaries fund yet first appeared on AltAssets Private Equity News.

Funds 105

Funds Buyout Investing 105

The Motley Fool

DECEMBER 31, 2023

Image source: Getty Images A personal loan can be a great way to borrow for essential purchases you have to finance over time. With a lower interest rate than your typical credit card plus a fixed schedule for repayment, you can go into a personal loan knowing how much you'll pay over time. Plus, your financing charges will likely be affordable. But while taking out a personal loan can be a good financial move if you're doing it for the right reasons, there are also some circumstances where you

Debt 263

Debt Financing Finance Accounting 263

Top 1000 Funds

DECEMBER 6, 2023

Geeta Kapadia, CIO of Fordham University’s $1 billion endowment is rolling out a suite of changes that include paring back the fund's 50 or so manager relationships, introducing new passive allocations, testing the water on internal management in fixed income and preparing the ground for an inaugural sustainability strategy.

Funds 105

Funds Hedge Funds Investors 105

Private Equity Wire

DECEMBER 18, 2023

SCIO, a lender specialising in European asset-based credit, focuses on providing long-term value to investors and borrowers alike. Partner & CIO Greg Branch chats to Private Equity about some of the current challenges and opportunities in the space and the outlook for special situations and asset-based finance. How are current economic conditions affecting the private credit market?

Debt 105

Debt Banks Assets Financing 105

A Wealth of Common Sense

DECEMBER 12, 2023

Let’s walk through a quick thought exercise: How many homeowners could afford the monthly payment on their house at current levels of mortgage rates and home prices? Take the current value of your home, subtract 20% for a down payment and slap a 7% mortgage rate on it. Could you afford it? I did this for my house. The monthly payment would be nearly three times what we’re currently paying!

119

119

FinSMEs

DECEMBER 12, 2023

Essential AI, a San Francisco, CA-based company which specializes in building partnerships between humans and computers, raised $56.5M in Series A funding. The round was led by March Capital with participation from AMD, Franklin Venture Partners, Google, KB Investment, NVIDIA, and Thrive Capital. The company previously raised an $8.3M seed funding round led by Thrive […] The post Essential AI Raises $56.5M in Series A Funding appeared first on FinSMEs.

Funds 119

Funds Capital Companies Investing 119

AltAssets

DECEMBER 6, 2023

Zurich-based venture capital firm Collateral Good has launched the first fund in its sustainable fashion strategy anchored by retail giant Hugo Boss. The post Swiss VC firm targets fashion industry with Hugo Boss-backing first appeared on AltAssets Private Equity News.

Collateral 104

Collateral Venture Capital Capital Funds 104

The Motley Fool

DECEMBER 24, 2023

According to the official definition of the "Santa Claus rally," the time of year when it occurs hasn't even happened yet. The Santa Claus rally refers to gains in the market that frequently occur during the last five days of a calendar year and the first two days of the following year. However, investors may have gotten an early present from Santa Claus this year.

Stock Market 264

Stock Market Stock Market Financial Services Capital 264