Investment/Trends

China Is Moving in the Right Direction on Tariffs

"While U.S. trade policy under the Trump administration has become a confusing mix of bluster, posturing, threats, and uncertainty, China has gone in the other direction, at least incrementally by lowering some of its tariffs unilaterally. On November 24, China’s Ministry of Finance announced that it would cut tariffs on 187 consumer products. The lower duty rate took effect on December 1, so Chinese consumers are now benefitting from more competition and lower prices. This is the fourth tariff cut since 2015."

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Washing Machine Tariffs Will Hurt Americans

"The protectionist move against LG and Samsung comes, perversely, just as those companies are set to employ thousands of Americans in Tennessee and South Carolina. It may also inadvertently put the final nail in the coffin of one of the longest-standing bastions of the American service industry, Sears Holdings Corp. Trump should reject the remedy proposal put forth by the International Trade Commission. Making it more expensive for LG to import the washers it produces for Kenmore, one of Sears’ most popular product lines, will jeopardize the retailer’s efforts to revitalize its brand."

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New ‘Vice’ ETF Mixes Alcohol, Tobacco, Cannabis Stocks

"AdvisorShares is rolling out the first U.S.-listed ETF to offer exposure to securities involved in the legal marijuana industry, including hemp- and cannabinoid-related companies. The actively managed AdvisorShares Vice ETF (ACT) also invests in stocks involve in the tobacco and alcohol industries."

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Cheers! California Winery Unveils Marijuana-Infused Wine

"The company doesn't plan to stop at just marijuana-infused Sauvignon Blanc. The owners are working on creating a pot-infused Rosé and champagne. Any wine and marijuana lovers older than 21 can pre-order a bottle of this Sauvignon Blanc for $59.99. Orders are expected to be sent out in early 2018. The company said the wine will be distributed through 500 marijuana dispensaries across the country."

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Timeline: How ‘Salvator Mundi’ Went From £45 to $450 Million in 59 Years

"Not so long ago, an eagle-eyed buyer purchased it at auction for a mere £45. How did we get from there to here? We’ve compiled a handy timeline of the painting’s history below. You really can’t make this stuff up."

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Warning: Trump’s Federal Reserve Pick Hates Gold and Cash

"Marvin Goodfriend thinks there should be a robust negative interest rate placed on cash. For example, if there was a -10% interest rate on cash, your $10 bill would actually be worth only $9. It is basically a penalty for using cash. The excuse is that this will stabilize the economy by keeping more capital in the banks. It means banks, and by extension, the Federal Reserve, have more control over your money. The gold standard, Goodfriend argues, was also an encumbrance on monetary policy, 'destabilizing' prices."

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Huntington’s gene therapy breakthrough may stop disease

"The defect that causes the neurodegenerative disease Huntington's has been corrected in patients for the first time, the BBC has learned. An experimental drug, injected into spinal fluid, safely lowered levels of toxic proteins in the brain. The research team, at University College London, say there is now hope the deadly disease can be stopped. Experts say it could be the biggest breakthrough in neurodegenerative diseases for 50 years."

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