A phenomenon consistent with the belief stock markets only go up is the ‘hold forever’ passive funds. At the end of 2021 these passive funds accounted for 16 per cent of US stock market capitalization. This overtook the 14 per cent held by active funds, according to the Investment Company Institute, an industry body. Significantly the all-time high of the US markets was seen at the end of 2021 and since then we have seen sharp selloffs. What I we … Continue reading “At US Stock Market Top Passive Funds Overtook Active Funds Ownership for First Time”
Norway Raised Interest Rate with More Hikes Likely Depending on Coronavirus Impact
Norway’s central bank, the Norges Bank’s Monetary Policy and Financial Stability Committee unanimously raised the policy rate from 0.25 percent to 0.5 percent on Thursday as widely expected. The bank and said more hikes were likely next year although that would depend on the impact of a surge in coronavirus infections and the emergence of the Omicron variant. Norges Bank’s action was its second hike in three months, as predicted economists polled by Reuters and in line with the central … Continue reading “Norway Raised Interest Rate with More Hikes Likely Depending on Coronavirus Impact”
Norway Sovereign Wealth ‘Oil’ Fund Hits $US 1 Trillion
Norway’s sovereign wealth fund ‘The Fund’ just reached a massive $US1 trillion in value. The so called ‘oil fund’ is the envy of most countries, particularly countries with large commodity resources such as Saudi Arabia and Australia. Norway is a lesson in foresight and saving for the future and taking account of finite resources and their limitations. This is the antithesis of the US Federal Reserve and Bank of Japan who live in hope and kick the can down the … Continue reading “Norway Sovereign Wealth ‘Oil’ Fund Hits $US 1 Trillion”