January 8, 2020
2019 will go down in history as one of the strongest years in the history of financial markets.
US indexes continued to break new records as the Dow Jones Industrial Average saw nearly 25 percent growth, while the S&P 500 is up 30 percent and the NASDAQ saw a roughly 40 percent gain on the year.
It has never been easier to invest and financial education continues to come into focus with the rise of fintech firms enabling investors to access opportunities that were previously unavailable to the investing public.
Here at DiversyFund, we wish you all a safe and prosperous New Year and we will continue to deliver you the most pertinent and up to date investment news and information to help make you a better, more educated investor.
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Here’s your weekly highlight.
New Sanctions Coming For Iran: U.S. State Department officials said on Monday that its maximum pressure campaign on Iran will intensify in 2020, with more economic sanctions to come. The Trump administration has already sanctioned nearly 1,000 individuals and entities with links to Iran, including the nation’s largest airline and shipping company, in an effort to curb the country’s pursuit of nuclear infrastructure.
A Recession-Free Decade: With the year coming to an end, the 2010s mark the longest expansion in U.S. history. The decade marks the first time the U.S. economy has started and ended an entire decade without entering a recession, seeing expansion for 126 straight months.
Record Executive Departures: Looking for a CEO position? There may be an opening. 2019 saw a remarkable amount of CEOs step down from their posts. From January to October, 1,332 top executive spots were vacated. Some of the most notable departures include Alphabet (Google)’s Larry Page, Nike’s Mark Parker, and Dennis Muilenburg of Boeing.
Apple Ends A Monster Decade: Few companies saw a greater meteoric rise this decade than Apple. The tech giant was the first company to ever surpass the $1 trillion market cap milestone in 2018. A $100 investment in Apple stock in 2010 would be worth more than $1,110 today.
Top Stock Of The 2010s: Streaming has fundamentally changed the way the world consumes content over the past 10 years. Netflix was the best stock of the decade in the S&P 500, returning over 4,181%. The next decade will certainly be tougher for Netflix however, as it is now facing significant competition in the space as nearly every legacy media company looks to launch its own streaming platform.
From Brick And Mortar To Click And Order: The business news story that dominated the decade was Amazon’s onslaught of traditional retailers. The E-commerce giant’s disruption was certainly reflected in its stock price, a $100 investment in Amazon stock in 2010 would be worth over $1,450 today.
Uber Is Pooling With Rival: The ride-sharing giant’s $3.1 billion bid to acquire middle-east rival Careem Inc has been approved by Egyptian Authorities. The acquisition deal is expected to be signed in January.
A World Of Opportunity: Several major tech firms are looking to Africa to fuel growth in the next decade. Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey recently said the continent will define the future, and he plans to move to Africa part-time. Microsoft, Google, and Facebook all have accelerator programs in Africa. Visa, Mastercard, and Salesforce are also making venture investments in the region, according to CNBC.
One Stop Shop: Target Date Funds are investment packages that will change according to set dates or life events. They are a simple way to automate many investment decisions you’d otherwise have to make. Learn all about them and who they work for in Target Date Funds: What They Are & How to Make Your Own
Declutter For Retirement: Between tiny homes and Marie Kondo-ing, minimalism had a big moment in 2019. Practicing minimalism in your life goes a lot further than your junk drawer, see how in Minimalism and Retirement: Getting More From Less
The $2.7 Trillion Industry: Commercial real estate is booming. And if you’re ready to join those investing in real estate, it’s important to know what you’re talking about. We’re breaking down the different sectors within commercial real estate as well as Different Property Classes
When an investor is in the news for ‘making it big in the stock market’ they’ll often credit being in the right place at the right time, giving the impression…
The S&P 5? The world’s biggest companies are leading the market to new all-time highs. The S&P 500 hit a new all-time high on Tuesday, led by Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, and Facebook, who collectively make…
Virgin Galactic, Richard Branson’s space flight company is going parabolic, with shares nearly tripling year-to-date. The company is quickly becoming a favorite stock among retail investors, as Fidelity said it…
You may finally be able to get your hands on the Popeye’s chicken sandwich. The chain launched arguably the hottest food item of 2019 with its own chicken sandwich, and…
