Mixed Fortunes for DRC Minerals as Copper, Gold, and Tin Prices Decline While Tantalum Gains
The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s weekly mineral price bulletin for March 23‑28 2026 shows a broad slide in several key exports, with copper falling to $12,718 per tonne and gold dropping to $164 per kilogram. Zinc, tin, silver and nickel also recorded modest declines, highlighting the sector’s sensitivity to global demand fluctuations. In contrast, tantalum surged to $717 per kilogram, driven by strong electronics demand, while aluminum posted modest gains. Cobalt remained stable at about $55,600 per tonne after the government lifted an export suspension, underscoring policy impact on pricing.
JG Summit Profit Slides After Quitting Petrochemical Business
JG Summit Holdings reported a 7% decline in net income to about $650 million for 2025, as one‑off gains vanished and the petrochemical exit triggered a $1.6 billion loss. Recurring profit rose 3% to $574 million, powered by strong travel, leisure and consumer...
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Why Preferred Stock Values Differ: A Guide for Investors
Preferred stocks blend equity and debt traits, featuring a fixed face (par) value that determines dividend calculations, while their market value fluctuates with investor sentiment and interest rates. The article explains how callable and retractable preferreds differ, noting that issuers...
Ido Berniker: Inside the World of Luxury Real Estate Power Deals
Ido Berniker, founding member of Mercer Partners International, is a leading advisor to ultra‑high‑net‑worth investors in luxury real estate. He has brokered marquee deals at New York’s 220 Central Park West and London’s 1 Hyde Park, leveraging deep insight into global...
London Lettings Market Shows Early Signs of Spring Recovery
Foxtons reports that London’s lettings market is showing early signs of a spring‑time rebound after a winter lull. While renter registrations remain below last year’s levels, they have risen from winter lows and budgets are broadly unchanged, indicating stable affordability...
Thinktank Proposes New ‘Starter Deposit’ Scheme for First-Time Buyers
The Resolution Foundation’s new report proposes a government‑funded “Starter Deposit” equity loan that would provide up to $3,800 toward a five‑percent down payment for priority first‑time buyers. It identifies roughly one million low‑ and middle‑income households that struggle to meet...
Pagaya Offers $586.2 Million in Consumer Loan ABS
Pagaya Structured Products is launching a $586.2 million asset‑backed securities (ABS) program backed by unsecured consumer loans from 11 partner lenders. The deal comprises 15 note classes, most maturing on November 15, 2033, with the senior A1 tranche extending to April 15, 2027. Credit enhancement...
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Using Profit-Sharing Funds for a Home Down Payment: What to Know
Profit‑sharing plans let employers allocate a portion of profits to employee retirement accounts, with contributions capped at 25% of compensation or $69,000 for 2024. Withdrawals before age 59½ generally trigger a 10% early‑distribution penalty, and many plans impose vesting schedules...
Dolphin Entertainment, Inc. (DLPN) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Dolphin Entertainment reported fourth‑quarter 2025 results on March 25, 2026, highlighting $112 million in revenue, a 9% year‑over‑year increase driven by its streaming‑content licensing segment. Adjusted EBITDA posted a $4.3 million loss, while the company ended the quarter with $38 million in cash and a...
Mortgage Loans From 2008 Are Back, and Collectors Want Double
Homeowners are being hit with surprise collection demands for pre‑2008 second mortgages, often called zombie mortgages, that were written off but never formally discharged. Debt buyers acquired these dormant liens for as little as four to seven cents on the...
Production Cuts, Cost Pressures Cloud War-Driven Commodity Windfall
Indonesia is seeing a surge in coal and crude palm oil (CPO) prices as the US‑Israeli war on Iran pushes oil to about $100 a barrel, prompting countries to seek cheaper coal and bio‑fuel alternatives. Newcastle coal futures have climbed...
Marchex, Inc. (MCHX) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Marchex, Inc. held its Q4 2025 earnings conference call on March 25 2026, delivering both GAAP and non‑GAAP financial results for the quarter and full year. The leadership team—including COO Francis Feeney, Executive Chairman Russell Horowitz, President Troy Hartless, and CFO Brian Nagle—walked investors through the numbers...
Viatris Inc. (VTRS) Discusses Long-Term Growth Outlook and Portfolio Strategy Across Generics, Established Brands and Innovative Medicines Transcript
Viatris Inc. outlined its long‑term growth outlook, emphasizing a balanced portfolio that spans low‑cost generics, established branded products, and a pipeline of innovative medicines. Management highlighted strategic investments in R&D, geographic expansion in emerging markets, and cost‑efficiency initiatives aimed at...
Snowy 2.0 Budget to Be Exhausted in Coming Months, Ratings Agency Says, as Gas Plant Hit by New Delays
Snowy Hydro’s flagship Snowy 2.0 pumped‑hydro scheme, a 2,200 MW storage project, is projected to breach its $12 bn AUD (≈$7.9 bn USD) capex by fiscal 2026, with the work only 70% complete. The federal government has already supplied $5.98 bn AUD (≈$3.9 bn USD) in...
The Oil Price Shock Could Make Italian Ice More Expensive
The U.S.-led war in Iran has sent oil prices soaring, pushing gasoline costs for a heavy‑duty pickup in Houston from about $70 to $90 per tank. Phrostibe Italian Ice, a family‑run mobile vendor, is feeling the squeeze, redesigning delivery routes,...
Fund Fees Hold Near Record Lows as Investors Keep Shifting to Cheaper Options
Mutual fund and ETF expense ratios remained near historic lows in 2025, with equity mutual funds averaging 0.40% and bond funds 0.36%. The shift toward no‑load share classes accelerated, capturing 92% of long‑term mutual‑fund sales. Passive vehicles now represent 52%...
Recent Geo Political Events Have an Impact on Food and Gas Prices
Economists note February CPI showed modest food price shifts—beef remains high while chicken and eggs fell. A new conflict with Iran has driven Texas gasoline up 90 cents, a 38% jump, foreshadowing higher March CPI. The war threatens the Strait...
JBS Reports Record Revenue of US$ 86.2 Billion and Closes 2025 with US$ 2 Billion in Net Income
JBS announced record full‑year 2025 revenue of $86.2 billion, a 12% increase over 2024, and net income of $2 billion, up 13%. Earnings per share rose 15% to $1.89, while adjusted EBITDA reached $6.8 billion with a 7.9% margin. Strong contributions came from...
Trident Provides Financing for Future Tesla Supercharger Site
Trident Capital Partners has extended a $3 million, 18‑month full‑recourse loan to finance a future Tesla Supercharger station in Los Angeles. The loan, structured at a 55 % loan‑to‑value ratio, enabled the acquisition and redevelopment of a 0.52‑acre site in Studio City...
Asia Is Getting Crushed Between Oil Prices and the Dollar
Asian economies from India to South Korea are feeling a double squeeze as oil prices spike and the U.S. dollar reaches its strongest level against regional currencies in two decades. The war in the Middle East has choked the Strait...
Buy on the Dip Prospects: March 25 Edition
The March 25 “Buy on the Dip” prospects list flags 150 ETFs that meet a dual‑trend screen—50‑day moving average above the 200‑day average and price below the five‑day average—while also clearing a one‑million‑share liquidity threshold. The selection mirrors the recent U.S....
How Much Will America’s Oilmen Benefit From the Iran War?
At CERA Week in Houston, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm told U.S. oil executives that the ongoing Iran‑Israel conflict is likely to keep crude prices elevated, creating a favorable market for American shale producers. The war has already pushed Brent above $90...
Social Security: How Delaying Just One Year Can Transform Your Payouts
Delaying Social Security benefits by just one year can boost payouts by roughly 8% per year of deferral, while also allowing higher‑earning later‑career wages to replace lower‑earning years in the benefit formula. The Administration calculates benefits using average indexed monthly...
Higher Moves in Soybeans, Corn, and Wheat
Soybean futures rose on fund buying and anticipation of the EPA's upcoming blending mandate announcement, buoyed by optimism from Middle East peace talks and a scheduled Trump‑China meeting. A recent Brazil‑China phytosanitary agreement is expected to smooth soybean shipments that...
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: March 25, 2026
U.S. grain futures closed higher on March 25, with May corn edging up to $4.67 per bushel and soybeans climbing to $11.71. Livestock prices slipped, as April live cattle fell to $234.42 and feeder cattle slipped modestly, while lean hogs...
Oil Instability Calls for Diversified Natural Resource ETFs
Oil markets have been jolted by the 2026 Iran war, with prices swinging sharply on each new development. The volatility makes pure‑play energy exposure risky for investors and advisors. FlexShares Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources ETF (GUNR) offers a diversified...
Ilan Bracha Scoops up Scribner Sidekick After Thor Flop
Ilan Bracha’s IB Global closed on the 15,000‑square‑foot Scribner sidekick at 3 East 48th Street for $9.5 million after the property fell into a lender‑driven foreclosure. The sale follows Thor Equities’ 2020 default on a $105 million CMBS loan that once financed...
GAMR Rebalance Highlights Gaming Stock Rotation
The Amplify Video Game Leaders ETF (GAMR) executed a major rebalance in March, adjusting 22 holdings. The fund swapped the U.S.-listed NetEase for its Hong Kong‑listed counterpart and added Bilibili, both at 2.5% weights, while boosting exposure to EA, Unity,...
Saudi Arabia Looks to Africa as It Spreads Its Economic Wings
Saudi Arabia has accelerated its push into Africa, pledging $41 bn of investment through Vision 2030 to diversify away from oil. The focus centers on logistics hubs like Djibouti, large‑scale renewable energy and desalination projects, and securing food and mineral supplies....
Futures Settle: Natural Gas Prices Gain as War Risks Offset Mildest March in 14 Years
Natural gas futures rose on Wednesday after earlier declines, driven by heightened geopolitical risk following Tehran's rejection of a U.S. peace proposal. The market also absorbed bullish signals from rising LNG feed‑gas demand and expectations of tighter storage balances. Despite...
The Bizarre Trick That Might Help You Save Money At The Grocery Store
Research shows that in‑store music subtly steers shopper behavior, influencing how long customers linger and what they buy. Studies reveal fast‑paced tracks speed movement and curb impulse purchases, while slower or minor‑key tunes encourage lingering and higher spend. By wearing...
Seriously Delinquent Loans Hit Highest Level Since 2022
The national mortgage delinquency rate ticked up to 3.72% in February, driven by a 3% rise in seriously delinquent loans—the highest level since June 2022. Pre‑payment speeds accelerated as rates fell, yet cure activity for loans 90 days or more...
This Corner of the EM Bond Market Is Worth Checking Out
Emerging‑market corporate bonds are delivering yields well above U.S. benchmarks, and the WisdomTree Emerging Markets Corporate Bond Fund (EMCB) exemplifies this trend with a 5.07% SEC yield. The actively managed ETF holds a 3.97‑year effective duration, positioning it as an...
No Escape From the Energy Shock for UK Business. A Long-Term Strategy Is Still Essential | Nils Pratley
UK businesses are confronting an energy price shock, with the nation already holding the highest industrial electricity rates among G7 nations. Cornwall Insight forecasts electricity could jump 10‑30 % and gas 25‑80 %, pushing a typical 12‑month electricity contract to about £578,000...
Bunker Fuel Shortages in Asia at Tipping Point as War Disruption Continues
Asian ocean carriers are currently managing bunker fuel supplies, but tightening inventories signal a looming shortage if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked. Global fuel suppliers warn that prolonged closure could trigger worldwide deficits. To cushion the impact, operators are...
How Advisors Are Leveling Up With 351 ETF Conversions
Section 351 ETF conversions are emerging as a growth engine for registered investment advisors, allowing them to bundle existing client assets into a new exchange‑traded fund without triggering immediate capital‑gains taxes. The process streamlines trading, rebalancing, and compliance while preserving the...
Torsten Slok: $14 Trillion in IG Supply Coming to the Market
Torsten Slok warns that roughly $14 trillion of intermodal (IG) capacity will hit the market over the next two years, driven by a wave of new rail, truck and terminal assets. The surge could outpace demand, creating excess supply in freight...
Citigroup's Seasoned Mortgage Pool Secured $1 Billion in RMBS
Citigroup’s Mortgage Loan Trust issued a $1 billion residential mortgage‑backed securities (RMBS) transaction, CMLTI 2026‑RP1, backed by seasoned loans originated in 2019 or earlier. The pool shows strong performance, with 90.3% of loans maintaining a clean payment history and a low delinquency...
Holding Cash in Money Market Funds? You May Be Missing Out
Investors have been parking cash in money‑market funds for attractive yields, but T. Rowe Price warns that the opportunity cost of this approach is rising. Their analysis shows that a systematic 60/40 portfolio with $12,000 annual contributions outperforms a cash‑only strategy over...
M&T Bank Deploys $138M for Philly Affordable Housing Project
M&T Bank is providing a $62.1 million construction loan and a $30.2 million tax‑credit equity investment as part of a $137.5 million financing package for the Philadelphia Housing Authority’s Westpark Redevelopment. The project will deliver 327 mixed‑income units, including 190 affordable apartments for...
Bond Yields Fall After Promising Iran News, Offering Relief Following Latest Mortgage Rate Jump
Mortgage rates surged to a 6.43% 30‑year fixed level as the Iran conflict intensified, pushing borrowing costs higher. Ten‑year Treasury yields fell to around 4.32% after reports of U.S.–Tehran de‑escalation talks, offering a modest relief for mortgage pricing. The Federal...
Millennium Hires Former JPMorgan Credit Trader in London
Millennium Management has hired a former JPMorgan credit trader to join its London office, bolstering the firm’s credit trading desk. The move comes as Millennium expands its European footprint and seeks to deepen its credit research capabilities. The hire underscores...
Italian Looks to Receive LNG From Algeria, Strengthen Energy Cooperation
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced plans to deepen energy cooperation with Algeria during a visit to Algiers, aiming to increase LNG supplies to Italy. The move comes as Italy grapples with prolonged disruptions in Qatar LNG deliveries, which previously...
‘This Is a First-World Problem’: I Can’t Roll over My $800,000 401(k) From My Prior Employer. What Did I Do...
A 72‑year‑old with an $800,000 Fidelity 401(k) discovered that required minimum distributions (RMDs) must be taken before any rollover to a new employer plan. Under the SECURE Act 2.0, individuals age 73 are subject to RMD rules, and a 401(k)...
Office Pain Eases as Builders Pause and Conversions Pick Up
US office market shows early stabilization as new construction slows and adaptive‑reuse conversions rise. Vacancy fell to 17.6% in February, a 200‑basis‑point improvement, while average asking rents slipped to $32.79 per square foot. Manhattan topped sales with nearly $1.6 billion year‑to‑date,...
UTF: Deep Discount And Monthly Pay Was Just Bumped Up
Cohen & Steers Infrastructure Fund (UTF) trades at an 8.78% discount to its net asset value, offering investors broad global infrastructure exposure. The fund announced a higher monthly distribution, largely funded by capital gains with a contribution from net investment income....
Nvidia’s Stock Is Cheaper than Exxon’s. Are Investors Ditching Tech for Energy?
Nvidia’s shares now trade at a lower forward price‑to‑earnings multiple than Exxon Mobil, marking an unusual valuation crossover between a leading AI chipmaker and a major energy producer. Exxon has surged 36% year‑to‑date while Nvidia slipped 3%, narrowing the earnings multiple...
WEBINAR: Saudi Gigaprojects 2026 & Beyond
MEED and HKA are hosting a live webinar on 31 March 2026 to dissect Saudi Arabia’s accelerating gigaproject pipeline. The session will outline the $200 billion‑plus contract backlog across infrastructure, tourism, real‑estate and energy, and examine shifting financing models. Ed James...
Thrift Savings Plan Participation at an All-Time High
Thrift Savings Plan participation hits a record, with nearly 90% of Federal Employee Retirement System participants contributing enough to receive the full government match. Customer‑service satisfaction with the TSP remains around 94% for more than a year. At the same...
From Tracking to Saving: What Personal Budget Application Really Does
Personal budgeting applications have evolved from simple expense logs to proactive financial planning tools. Modern apps automatically import transactions, categorize spending, and provide real‑time alerts, helping users identify hidden costs and adjust behavior instantly. Integrated savings trackers and visual reports...