The chorus of economists and investors demanding an interest rate hike from the Fed to stimulate economic growth is getting louder. An interest rate hike to stimulate growth? Yup, it sounds counter-intuitive, but isn’t the proof in the pudding? Seven years of zero rates and a $4 trillion balance sheet and the economy is struggling to even surpass 2% growth. That’s some stimulus. You’ve read on this site before that the Fed’s prolonged period of zero rates and its big balance sheet may now be a larger drag on growth than a stimulus to it. It would follow then that removing zero percent … [Read more...]
Archives for November 2015
Survey: Wealthy Investors Fear Becoming a Burden
The #1 fear for wealthy investors is becoming a burden to their children according to a survey from UBS and described here by Financial Advisor magazine: Wealthy investors’ greatest fear could become their children’s worst nightmare. Investors with at least $1 million in assets worry most about becoming a burden to their children, but are failing to adequately plan for their own long-term care, according to a UBS survey of 1,849 investors. Burdening children, at 42 percent, topped surviving on life support (34 percent) and living in a nursing home (15 percent) as the greatest fear for … [Read more...]
The Monday Melee: The 7 Fastest Growing Restaurant Chains
It seems every time you turn around there's a new restaurant chain popping up offering burgers, shakes, burritos and every other kind of food you can imagine. Here are the seven fastest growing chain restaurants as compiled by Restaurant Business Online: Rank Chain name Systemwide Sales % Change in Sales Average Unit Volume Total Units 1 Pieology Pizzeria $44,600,000* 230.4 $1,600,000* 42 2 Blaze Pizza $33,000,000 230.0 $1,500,000 50 3 Smallcakes A Cupcakery $38,700,000* 133.1 $600,000* 88 4 Nékter Juice … [Read more...]