The premise behind the OPEC oil monopoly is a simple one. Developed nations need oil to fuel their economies, so the oil-producing members of OPEC collude to restrict output in order to drive oil prices up. For decades that relationship held up well, with OPEC restricting production to raise prices and increasing production to lower […]
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The 1980s saw a slew of new gold and silver coins developed, with one of the most popular coin series, the American Silver Eagle and American Gold Eagle, first produced in 1986. Not to be outdone, the United Kingdom responded in 1987 with the introduction of the Gold Britannia, a bullion coin containing one ounce […]
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One of the most perplexing things about stock markets today is that, while most people understand that they’re bound for a correction some point soon, they continue to keep climbing near their all-time highest levels. That’s despite all the pessimism surrounding the trade war with China, the worsening business climate, and an overall gut feeling […]
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According to Chinese sources, the People’s Bank of China is pulling out all the stops in an effort to develop its own digital currency. In the aftermath of a crackdown on cryptocurrency trading and cryptocurrency mining, many analysts thought that the country was intent on controlling the digital currency space within its borders, although it […]
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The 1986 Miami FBI shootout left an indelible mark on the psyche of police officers in the United States. They came to the realization that revolvers and 9mm pistols were insufficient armament against criminals who were increasingly using high-powered weaponry. This spurred the development of pistol cartridges that would be capable of being used effectively […]
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The bizarro world of negative interest rates continues around the world. This time it’s Denmark making headlines with negative interest rates on mortgages. Yes, that’s right, a Danish mortgage lender will actually pay you to take out a mortgage to buy a house. That’s how badly central bank monetary policy has screwed up everyday financial […]
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Risk is an aspect of life that just can’t be overcome. No matter what you do or where you go, you’re always going to have to deal with risk. Nowhere is that more obvious than when it comes to investing your money. Part of investing is dealing with the risk that you may lose some […]
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The demise of the once-powerful Ottoman Empire resulted in Turkey being known as the “sick man” of Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. But while the Ottomans may not have been able to continue conquering Europe, they still maintained their beachhead in Europe by controlling the Bosporus Strait. That choke point, controlling […]
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The antibiotic era has been one of the greatest eras in human history. No longer did people have to worry about dying from simple infections of scratches, gouges, and other wounds. Common antibiotics have saved millions of lives and have improved the well-being of the human race. But improper use of antibiotics and overuse have […]
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When looking at their investment portfolios, most investors just look at headline numbers. They’re more interested in how the stocks in their portfolios are performing rather than why they’re performing that way, or how those stocks are traded. But the way that stocks are traded today behind the scenes is very important, and it has […]
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