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What is the Consumer Price Index (CPI)?

What is the Consumer Price Index(CPI)? The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure of the change in prices paid by consumers for a basket of goods and services. It is one of the most widely followed economic indicators, and it is used by investors to gauge inflation and make investment decisions. How is the CPI calculated? The CPI is calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS surveys households across the United States to collect data on the prices they pay for goods and services. This data is then used to create a "basket" of goods and services that represents the spending habits of the average American household. The BLS calculates the CPI by comparing the prices in the basket of goods and services in a given month to the prices in the same basket of goods and services in a base year. The base year is usually 2000. How does the CPI affect investing? The CPI is an important indicator of inflation. When the CPI rises, it means that the cost of living is incre

The present and future of China's stock market: a downturn and a possible recovery

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Challenges in the Chinese economy The Chinese economy faces a number of challenges. The Chinese government is projecting GDP growth in the mid-4% range for 2024, and the real estate market continues to be weak. These conditions are weighing heavily on the Chinese economy. In particular, there are ongoing concerns about the economy due to the significant decline in the real estate market and rising deflationary risks. Against this backdrop, the Chinese government is looking to increase fiscal stimulus. Potential for a rebound in Chinese stocks For Chinese equities to rebound, investors will need to keep a close eye on the tangible implementation of policies, especially those related to potential catalysts such as real estate easing, pro-consumer policies, and private sector support. Currently, the Hang Seng Index is trading at a discount of more than 50% to its 2018 highs. This presents a bargain buying opportunity for Chinese equities for many investors. Taking a medium- to long-term v

WTI (Feb) closes above 2%:Geopolitical risks and crude oil inventory changes are key factors

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Rising geopolitical risks Geopolitical risk has risen due to the recent missile attack between Iran and Pakistan, which could increase instability in the Middle East if it escalates, as both countries are unofficial nuclear powers. However, the overall risk of escalation is relatively low given that the attacks were targeted at terrorist strongholds, there was no significant civilian casualties, and trade between the two countries has resumed. Additionally, the conflict between Israel and Palestine continues as the U.S. seeks to stabilize risks in the region. Crude oil inventory changes According to a report from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), crude oil inventories in the US declined more than expected, which stimulated oil prices. In particular, extreme cold in North Dakota disrupted crude oil production and pipeline outages caused supply disruptions. These issues are expected to accelerate the decline in crude oil inventories in the near term, which will also affect

The Importance of Action and Small Investments

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Investing in stocks is often referred to as a miniature economy with complex processes. Because of this complexity, many people think a lot about investing in stocks, but often fail to take action. In this article, we'll explore the essence of investing in stocks, highlighting the importance of action, the possibility of small investments, misconceptions about economic conditions, and the need to practice your investment strategy. Stock investing is all about action You can hear and see a lot of things, but you won't know their value until you put them into practice. Having only theoretical knowledge won't get you far in the real world of investing, and the same goes for stock investing. Even if you know a good investment strategy, you won't know its value until you put it into practice. Small investments matter There's a misconception that you need a lot of money to start investing in stocks. But in reality, you can start investing with a small amount of money. It&

A New Perspective on Value Investing: Periodic Stock Rotation

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What is value investing? Value investing is an investment strategy that involves buying undervalued stocks and waiting for them to appreciate in value before selling. It relies on the ability to find undervalued stocks in the market. Value investing is popular with many investors, although at certain times there is more focus on growth stocks. However, value investing is recognized for its ability to generate long-term investment performance. Quantitative value investing Quantitative value investing is an investment approach that uses statistical and mathematical methods to identify undervalued stocks. It aims to use a scientific and objective approach to make investment decisions. New perspectives on value investing However, a new perspective on value investing has emerged: "periodic stock rotation". This perspective argues that value investing is not always about holding on for the long haul, and that periodic portfolio rotation can lead to higher returns than holding under

Investing Habits of Individual Investors and the Fat Tail Effect

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Locking in 5-10%: a common habit of retail investors There's a common investment habit among retail investors: locking in profits when returns reach 5-10%. It's an instinctive reaction to avoid further risk and play it safe when you're guaranteed a return above the bank rate. However, this behavior is not always correct, as it violates the principle of "going long on profits and short on losses." This habit can lead to small profits and large losses. Regret after you've locked in your profits If you decide to sell when you reach 5-10% profit, and the stock price rises further afterward, you'll be left with a lot of regret and remorse. Especially if the stock price continues to rise after you've locked in your profits, reaching over 100% above the price you sold at, you'll be shocked. In this situation, investors often end up buying back at the peak, and end up losing a lot of money. To avoid this pattern, you need to understand the concept of the &

The importance of "humility" in stock trading

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It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that investing in stocks is like a goose that lays golden eggs, especially in a bull market. However, it's important to keep your emotions under control and always maintain an attitude of "humility" in such situations. Bankruptcy due to hubris When your investments are performing well, it's easy to think, "I'm an investment god." However, hubris can lead to investment failure. In 1995, the 230-year-old Barings bank in the United Kingdom collapsed. One investor, Nick Leeson, was so overconfident in his ability to invest that he led the bank into bankruptcy. This example shows how complacency in investing can have devastating consequences. The trap of the winning streak During a sustained bull market, when returns are high, investors can be tricked into thinking they have the hand of Midas. This can lead to overconfidence in their investment performance. This overconfidence can lead them to take bigger risks,

Analyzing the recent volatility in crude oil prices

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Analyzing the causes of the oil price decline Recently, the price of crude oil has been on a continuous downward trend. One of the main reasons for this phenomenon is the lack of market reaction to OPEC+'s decision to cut production. This situation continued even after the decision to cut production, which led to an increase in technical selling, as OPEC+'s decision failed to have a significant impact on the market. In addition, concerns about oversupply due to increased US crude oil exports also contributed to the decline in crude oil prices. The U.S. exports about 6 million barrels of crude oil per day, which led OPEC+ members to give up more market share as part of the supply reduction agreement. Economic conditions and falling oil prices The current state of the global economy is also contributing to the decline in oil prices. The global economy is in a downturn due to rising interest rates, which is having a negative impact on both consumers and businesses. Furthermore, th

Leveraging Intrinsic Value and Market Valuation: Boosting Investment Performance

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Investment Strategy: Leveraging Intrinsic Value and Market Valuation The fundamental question in the field of investing is, "How can I improve the performance of my investments?". The answer lies in a simple principle: buy low and sell high. In this article, we'll explain how to use this principle and how it can work for you. Buy low, sell high: look at intrinsic value The principle of "buy low and sell high" is very important in investing. However, this principle isn't just about looking at the rise and fall of a stock price, it's about looking at the actual intrinsic value of a company. While it's important to buy low and sell high, it's even more important to adjust your weightings and allocations based on the market or the company's valuation level. This allows you to buy stocks when they're cheap relative to the value of the company and sell them when they're expensive, thereby increasing your investment performance. The BLASH pr