Motif

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have become all the rage on Wall Street in recent years. But have you ever had your own themed investment idea and wondered what it would take to start your very own ETF? In the past, it would typically cost between $700,000 and $1.25 million for an individual or...

In a recent report coming from Reuters, Jack Kim wrote that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has commanded his military to be ready to fire nuclear weapons at a moment's notice. This comes as North Korean state media officials have noticed growing threats from neighboring countries. While many...

Late last month, McDonald’s Corp (NYSE: MCD) smashed Wall Street expectations for quarterly same-restaurant sales as the launch of all-day breakfasts proved a hit with diners in the US and demand continued to recover in China. The performance has helped a revival at the Golden Arches, after...

Key Takeaways The decline in oil prices has investors betting on a relatively safer haven in US shale gas stocks, a few of which sat atop the S&P 500 gainers last week. Gas drillers are ahead of oil producers in slimming down after two years of price declines. Motifs mentioned:...

For those who follow this sort of thing, it came down to the year’s final trading day as to whether the S&P 500 would finish in the black or the red for 2015 (total return with dividends, however, was already assured of a positive finish). In the end, stocks came up just short,...

Facebook Inc (NASDAQ: FB) founder Mark Zuckerberg made headlines recently with his announced plan to eventually donate 99% of his wealth to charity. While the current value of that gift — $45 billion in shares of Facebook – seems plentiful enough, it’s possible that Zuckerberg...

While there were many casualties of the 2008-9 financial crisis, some of the more benign behaviors from the “good old days” have returned as healthy as ever. This year, for example, publicly traded companies are on track for their highest level of stock repurchases by dollar volume...

A deal that’s on track to be the year’s biggest corporate tie-up has made a splash beyond its $140 billion price tag. Earlier this month, Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) and Allergan PLC (NYSE: AGN) announced they’re looking to merge in a deal that actually calls for the smaller...

If you've ever moved across state lines or to a new city, you've probably experienced a change in your cost of living expenses. Depending on where in the U.S. you're located, your city could be hurting or helping your chances at getting rich. In your quest to save, invest and build...

Believe it or not, some stocks have enjoyed rather bullish returns over the past six weeks, largely resisting the volatility and downward pressure seen elsewhere. Online trading appears to be thriving, if the stock market returns in this subsector are any indication. Our motif reflecting the...

A possible plan to combine two of the world’s biggest brewers has the beer industry on notice for a seismic shift. Earlier this month, SABMiller, the world’s second-biggest brewer, confirmed that it is being courted by Anheuser Busch Inbev SA (ADR) (NYSE: BUD). InBev could bid as...

Investing and giving to charity do not have to be mutually exclusive. Not only can you do both at the same time, but it’s gotten easier than ever to combine the two. So-called cause-driven investing aims to generate social and environmental change alongside getting a financial return on...

Investing mistakes can be costly—yet educational, if you can learn how to avoid them in the future. With that in mind, here are some common missteps to watch out for. Fat Fingering Ever have a slip of the finger while ordering online, and end up having to cancel an accidental...