Category: investing

3 Simple Steps to Make Sure You Don’t Fall for Investment Fraud

Reportedly, billionaire oil tycoon Robert Belfer has been impacted by investment fraud in three major scandals: Enron’s corruption, Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme and now the collapse of cryptocurrency exchange FTX. Belfer, 87, has survived multiple financial frauds, including losses of tens of millions from Madoff and billions from Kenneth Lay’s energy company. As reported by…


What I Got Wrong (and Right) This Past Investment Season

Commentary One of the most important disciplines in investing, whether personally or professionally, is to look back on investments made and take stock not just of how they performed but why. What decision-making or other avoidable errors led to bad outcomes? What lessons can be learned so that any future mistakes are new and better…


Closing Prices for Crude Oil, Gold and Other Commodities (Feb. 17)

Benchmark U.S. crude oil for March delivery fell $2.15 to $76.34 a barrel Friday. Brent crude for April delivery fell $2.14 to $83 a barrel. Wholesale gasoline for March delivery fell 3 cents to $2.41 a gallon. March heating oil fell 10 cents to $2.71 a gallon. March natural gas fell 11 cents to $2.28…


Closing Prices for Crude Oil, Gold and Other Commodities (Feb. 16)

Benchmark U.S. crude oil for March delivery fell 10 cents to $78.49 a barrel Thursday. Brent crude for April delivery fell 24 cents to $85.14 a barrel. Wholesale gasoline for March delivery fell 6 cents to $2.44 a gallon. March heating oil fell 3 cents to $2.81 a gallon. March natural gas fell 8 cents…


Closing Prices for Crude Oil, Gold and Other Commodities (Feb. 15)

Benchmark U.S. crude oil for March delivery fell 47 cents to $78.59 a barrel Wednesday. Brent crude for April delivery fell 20 cents to $85.38 a barrel. Wholesale gasoline for March delivery rose 1 cent to $2.50 a gallon. March heating oil fell 10 cents to $2.84 a gallon. March natural gas fell 10 cents…


Closing Prices for Crude Oil, Gold and Other Commodities (Feb. 14)

Benchmark U.S. crude oil for March delivery fell $1.08 to $79.06 a barrel Tuesday. Brent crude for April delivery fell $1.03 to $85.58 a barrel. Wholesale gasoline for March delivery fell 4 cents to $2.49 a gallon. March heating oil rose 3 cents to $2.94 a gallon. March natural gas rose 17 cents to $2.57…


What Mortgage Company Changes Mean for Your Home Loan

It’s been a bumpy ride for mortgage companies lately. Some lenders have gone out of business, merged with other companies or narrowed their focus. And more changes are likely in 2023. What does all this mean for borrowers? Here are answers to common questions, whether you’re shopping for a mortgage or paying off a home…


Closing Prices for Crude Oil, Gold and Other Commodities (Feb. 13)

Benchmark U.S. crude oil for March delivery rose 42 cents to $80.14 a barrel Monday. Brent crude for April delivery rose 22 cents to $86.61 a barrel. Wholesale gasoline for March delivery rose 3 cents to $2.53 a gallon. March heating oil rose 5 cents to $2.91 a gallon. March natural gas fell 11 cents…


Let’s Rethink Stock Buybacks—and Drop Biden’s Proposed Excise Tax

Commentary Bloomberg, citing private newsletter publisher Birinyi Associates, reports that “announced buybacks more than tripled (in January) to $132 billion from a year ago, reaching the highest total ever to start a year.” For those of us who follow these things, it’s not surprising: the record level of stock buybacks comes amid an earnings season that has been…


Closing Prices for Crude Oil, Gold and Other Commodities (Feb. 10)

Benchmark U.S. crude oil for March delivery rose $1.66 to $79.72 a barrel Friday. Brent crude for April delivery rose $1.89 to $86.39 a barrel. Wholesale gasoline for March delivery rose 5 cents to $2.50 a gallon. March heating oil rose 4 cents to $2.86 a gallon. March natural gas rose 8 cents to $2.51…