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[ad_1] Ratings and research firm ICRA has revised the outlook for residential real estate outlook to stable from negative for the current financial year 2022-2023, supported by healthy sales traction and declining inventory overhang. The healthy sales momentum is expected to sustain, with the sales in top seven cities expected to grow by 3% in FY23 on a high base of FY22. New launches are expected to be at a six-year high of 400 million square feet during the year, showing improvement from the previous two years which were impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, the firm said in a statement. Increasing preference for home ownership, improved affordability, all-time-low home loan interest rate, among other factors, will be driving growth for the sector. The larger and reputed builders with better delivery track record will continue to gain market share. Mathew Kurian, vice-president, ICRA, said, “The sharp recovery in demand in the aftermath of Covid has improved pricing flexibility, particularly in completed projects. In FY23 as well, the prices are expected to be hiked, depending on the project specific sales traction, to compensate for the rise in construction cost seen in the recent quarters.” Healthy demand prospects and pricing flexibility in completed projects can help developers to maintain profitability margins. Additionally, even with an increase in interest rate on home loans by 50-75 basis points from current levels, the demand is expected to remain firm. New launches are expected to be ramped up significantly, supported by reduced unsold inventory levels and steady demand. “We expect launches to be 21% higher than the estimated launches of 330 million sq ft in FY22”. Despite the expected growth in launches the inventory position is expected to remain comfortable during the year primarily on the back of steady sales. On the back of the comfortable inventory position and sales, the years to sell is expected to trend to around two years as against 2.6 years as on close of FY21. However, the ability of the developers to increase prices without adversely affecting sales in the backdrop of any prolonged increase in raw material prices, and extent of new launches will be key monitorables for the industry, Kurian said. [ad_2] Source link

[ad_1] A Wells Fargo bank branch Wells Fargo & Co., the top depositary mortgage lender in the country, is cutting jobs in its home lending business, just days after reporting weak mortgage earnings in the first quarter of 2022. “The home lending displacements this week are the result of cyclical changes in the broader home lending environment,” a Wells Fargo’s spokesperson told HousingWire. The company did not specify the size of the workforce reduction, though sources told HousingWire it affected hundreds of mortgage processors. Wells Fargo is providing severance, career counseling and helping employees to identify other opportunities within the company. Last week, Wells Fargo reported it originated $37.9 billion in the first quarter of 2022, down 21% quarter-over-quarter and 27% year-over-year. The bank’s revenues in the home lending business reached $1.5 billion, declining 19% compared to the prior quarter and 33% in comparison with the same period of 2021. The mortgage banking noninterest income came in at $693 billion, down from $1.3 billion year-over-year. During a conference call with analysts, executives said that in the first quarter of 2022, the mortgage market had experienced the largest quarterly decline since 2003, primarily due to lower refinance activity. “The mortgage origination market experienced one of its largest quarterly declines that I can remember, and it will take time for the industry to reduce excess capacity,” Charlie Scharf, Wells Fargo’s CEO, said to analysts. The bank has also been closing branches across the country to reduce costs. According to executives, originations and margins will likely remain under pressure in the second quarter. “We started to reduce expenses in response,” Mike Santomassimo, the bank’s chief financial officer, said during the call. Fast-rising interest rates are hitting mortgage lenders hard, and companies across the industry are paring back their workforces to preserve cash. On Tuesday, publicly traded mortgage tech company Blend Labs announced a decrease of 10% in its workforce this week, eliminating about 200 positions. The Nima Ghamsari-led fintech will yield approximately $35.4 million per year in savings, according to executives. On the same day, Better.com announced that it would be executing its third major layoff, though it did not disclose how many workers would be shown the door. Several non-QM lenders, including Acra Lending, Sprout Mortgage and Excelerate Capital, have also trimmed staff. In early March, HousingWire reported that Pennymac Financial Services would be laying off 236 employees at six different offices in five California cities. Also, purchase-focused retail lender Movement Mortgage, the 24th largest mortgage lender in the country in 2021, laid off between 165 and 170 employees in March, sources told HousingWire.  The post Wells Fargo cuts mortgage jobs amid poor outlook appeared first on HousingWire. [ad_2] Source link

[ad_1] According to a recent Pew Research Center study, more than half of American adults have money invested in the stock market. Although the median holdings (amounts invested) vary based on age, income, and other demographic factors, it’s clear that Americans see the value of investing — even if their exposure is limited to a workplace 401(k). If you have a fully-funded emergency fund and have an extra $1,000 that you don’t immediately need, you have a lot of options. Unfortunately, the sheer number of investment options to choose from can be overwhelming and downright confusing. That’s why I wanted to share some of my favorite ways to invest $1,000. Whatever decision you make, you should be proud of yourself for taking the time to be thoughtful with your money. #ap26585-ww{padding-top:20px;position:relative;text-align:center;font-size:12px;font-family:Lato,Arial,sans-serif}#ap26585-ww #ap26585-ww-indicator{text-align:right}#ap26585-ww #ap26585-ww-indicator-wrapper{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;justify-content:flex-end}#ap26585-ww #ap26585-ww-indicator-wrapper:hover #ap26585-ww-text{display:block}#ap26585-ww #ap26585-ww-indicator-wrapper:hover #ap26585-ww-label{display:none}#ap26585-ww #ap26585-ww-text{margin:auto 3px auto auto}#ap26585-ww #ap26585-ww-label{margin-left:4px;margin-right:3px}#ap26585-ww #ap26585-ww-icon{margin:auto;padding:1px;display:inline-block;width:15px;height:15px;min-width:15px;min-height:15px;cursor:pointer}#ap26585-ww #ap26585-ww-icon img{vertical-align:middle;width:15px;height:15px;min-width:15px;min-height:15px}#ap26585-ww #ap26585-ww-text-bottom{margin:5px}#ap26585-ww #ap26585-ww-text{display:none}#ap26585-ww #ap26585-ww-icon img{text-indent:-9999px;color:transparent} Ads by Money. 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Online Stockbrokers will guide you with their vast knowledge, so you can wisely invest your hard-earned dollars. Don't give it a second thought and click on your state today. HawaiiAlaskaFloridaSouth CarolinaGeorgiaAlabamaNorth CarolinaTennesseeRIRhode IslandCTConnecticutMAMassachusettsMaineNHNew HampshireVTVermontNew YorkNJNew JerseyDEDelawareMDMarylandWest VirginiaOhioMichiganArizonaNevadaUtahColoradoNew MexicoSouth DakotaIowaIndianaIllinoisMinnesotaWisconsinMissouriLouisianaVirginiaDCWashington DCIdahoCaliforniaNorth DakotaWashingtonOregonMontanaWyomingNebraskaKansasOklahomaPennsylvaniaKentuckyMississippiArkansasTexas View Results #1: Build a Diversified Portfolio With Fractional Share Investing Risk level: Medium Although you can always invest in individual stocks, fractional share investing lets you purchase a fraction or “slice” of a stock you want. This investing strategy lets you diversify your investments to the max, and invest in big-name stocks you couldn’t otherwise afford. For example, a share of Amazon (AMZN) stock is trading for over $3,000 as of this writing. Where your $1,000 investment wouldn’t get you in the door with a single share, fractional share investing lets you invest your $1,000 into a slice of one Amazon stock. This way of buying stock is perfect if you only have $100 to start investing, but it works well for investors who have $1,000 or $5,000 to invest, too. How It Works: Investing in fractional shares is as easy as investing in traditional stocks or ETFs. All you have to do is find a brokerage firm that allows fractional share investing. From there, you can research options and invest in the fractional share market at your own pace. Where to Get Started: Robinhood offers real-time fractional share investing without charging any commissions. Fractional shares can be as small as 1/1,000,000 of a share, so you can spread your $1,000 initial investment across hundreds of different companies. Learn more about Robinhood. If you open a new account with Robinhood, you can get a free stock worth up to $225! Get Started With Robinhood Now! Who It’s Best For: Fractional share investing is a good option for anyone who wants to diversify their portfolio by investing in different companies. .m00646-mc-pros-cons.gfc .lits-cont .header{font-family:Muli,sans-serif}.m00646-mc-pros-cons.gfc .lits-cont ul.list li{font-family:Muli,sans-serif}.m00646-mc-pros-cons.bcb .lits-cont .header{font-family:”nimbus-sans”,sans-serif}.m00646-mc-pros-cons.bcb .lits-cont ul.list li{font-family:”nimbus-sans”,sans-serif}.m00646-mc-pros-cons{display:flex;max-width:688px;margin:0 auto;padding:20px 0}.m00646-mc-pros-cons .lits-cont{flex:1}.m00646-mc-pros-cons .lits-cont .header{display:flex;justify-content:start;align-items:center;font-family:Gelasio,serif;font-size:20px;font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase;line-height:1.3}.m00646-mc-pros-cons .lits-cont .header .indication-img{display:flex;align-items:center}.m00646-mc-pros-cons .lits-cont ul.list{margin:0;padding:0;margin-top:18px;list-style:none}.m00646-mc-pros-cons .lits-cont ul.list li{font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:18px;font-weight:400;margin:0;margin-top:17px;line-height:1.3;padding-left:30px;position:relative}.m00646-mc-pros-cons .lits-cont ul.list li:first-child{margin-top:0}.m00646-mc-pros-cons .lits-cont ul.list li::before{content:””;display:block;width:20px;height:20px;margin-right:10px;vertical-align:middle;background-size:contain;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-position:center center;position:absolute;left:0;top:2px}.m00646-mc-pros-cons .lits-cont.pros ul.list li::before{background-image:url(data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAyMCAyMCI+PHBhdGggZmlsbD0iI0E1RENBMCIgZD0iTTEwIDBDNC41IDAgMCA0LjUgMCAxMHM0LjUgMTAgMTAgMTAgMTAtNC41IDEwLTEwUzE1LjUgMCAxMCAwem01LjEgNy45bC01LjQgNS40Yy0uMi4yLS40LjItLjYuMnMtLjQtLjEtLjYtLjJsLTIuNy0yLjdjLS4zLS4zLS4zLS45IDAtMS4yLjMtLjMuOS0uMyAxLjIgMGwyLjEgMi4xIDQuOC00LjhjLjMtLjMuOS0uMyAxLjIgMCAuMy4zLjMuOSAwIDEuMnoiLz48L3N2Zz4=)}.m00646-mc-pros-cons .lits-cont.cons{margin-left:20px}.m00646-mc-pros-cons .lits-cont.cons ul.list li::before{background-image:url(data:image/svg+xml;base64,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)}@media screen and (max-width: 600px){.m00646-mc-pros-cons{display:block}.m00646-mc-pros-cons .lits-cont{margin-left:0}.m00646-mc-pros-cons .lits-cont ul.list li{font-size:14px;padding-left:24px;margin-top:12px}.m00646-mc-pros-cons .lits-cont ul.list li::before{width:16px;height:16px;margin-right:6px;top:0}.m00646-mc-pros-cons .lits-cont:first-child{margin-top:0}.m00646-mc-pros-cons .lits-cont.cons{margin-left:0;margin-top:35px}} Pros Diversify your investments across many stocks and ETFs Invest in large companies with share prices of over $1,000 Fractional share investing can be commission-free depending on the brokerage you select Cons Not all brokerage firms offer fractional share investing Costs can add up quickly with brokerages that charge commissions for trades #2: Build a Micro Real Estate Portfolio Risk level: Medium There are dozens of ways you can get started investing in real estate, but the easiest is through Fundrise. With just $500 (only half of the money you have to invest), you can make an initial investment. You can use their starter portfolio, which puts your money into several different REITs and gives you instant diversification. Another solid option to check out is Realty Mogul. How It Works: Fundrise REITs let you invest whatever money you have (in this case, $1,000) into real estate without having to become a landlord. Simply open an account, transfer some money to get started, and select a portfolio option that aligns with your appetite for risk and your goals. Fundrise takes care of the grunt work of real estate management and finding new investments for you. As a side note, Fundrise investors earned an average platform return of 22.99% in 2021(3.49% in 2022 so far). You can check out my 4-year Fundrise returns here. Where to Get Started: If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to invest in real estate without having to manage buildings or having your investments diminished from fees, Fundrise is your go-to option. Learn more about investing with Fundrise. Who It’s Best For: Fundrise is an ideal investment option for consumers who want exposure to real estate markets without having to become a landlord or deal with individual properties. .m00646-mc-pros-cons.gfc .lits-cont .header{font-family:Muli,sans-serif}.m00646-mc-pros-cons.gfc .lits-cont ul.list li{font-family:Muli,sans-serif}.m00646-mc-pros-cons.bcb .lits-cont .header{font-family:”nimbus-sans”,sans-serif}.m00646-mc-pros-cons.bcb .lits-cont ul.list li{font-family:”nimbus-sans”,sans-serif}.m00646-mc-pros-cons{display:flex;max-width:688px;margin:0 auto;padding:20px 0}.m00646-mc-pros-cons .lits-cont{flex:1}.m00646-mc-pros-cons .lits-cont .header{display:flex;justify-content:start;align-items:center;font-family:Gelasio,serif;font-size:20px;font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase;line-height:1.3}.m00646-mc-pros-cons .lits-cont .header .indication-img{display:flex;align-items:center}.m00646-mc-pros-cons .lits-cont ul.list{margin:0;padding:0;margin-top:18px;list-style:none}.m00646-mc-pros-cons .lits-cont ul.list li{font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:18px;font-weight:400;margin:0;margin-top:17px;line-height:1.3;padding-left:30px;position:relative}.m00646-mc-pros-cons .lits-cont ul.list li:first-child{margin-top:0}.m00646-mc-pros-cons .lits-cont ul.list li::before{content:””;display:block;width:20px;height:20px;margin-right:10px;vertical-align:middle;background-size:contain;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-position:center center;position:absolute;left:0;top:2px}.m00646-mc-pros-cons .lits-cont.pros ul.list li::before{background-image:url(data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAyMCAyMCI+PHBhdGggZmlsbD0iI0E1RENBMCIgZD0iTTEwIDBDNC41IDAgMCA0LjUgMCAxMHM0LjUgMTAgMTAgMTAgMTAtNC41IDEwLTEwUzE1LjUgMCAxMCAwem01LjEgNy45bC01LjQgNS40Yy0uMi4yLS40LjItLjYuMnMtLjQtLjEtLjYtLjJsLTIuNy0yLjdjLS4zLS4zLS4zLS45IDAtMS4yLjMtLjMuOS0uMyAxLjIgMGwyLjEgMi4xIDQuOC00LjhjLjMtLjMuOS0uMyAxLjIgMCAuMy4zLjMuOSAwIDEuMnoiLz48L3N2Zz4=)}.m00646-mc-pros-cons .lits-cont.cons{margin-left:20px}.m00646-mc-pros-cons .lits-cont.cons ul.list li::before{background-image:url(data:image/svg+xml;base64,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)}@media screen and (max-width: 600px){.m00646-mc-pros-cons{display:block}.m00646-mc-pros-cons .lits-cont{margin-left:0}.m00646-mc-pros-cons .lits-cont ul.list li{font-size:14px;padding-left:24px;margin-top:12px}.m00646-mc-pros-cons .lits-cont ul.list li::before{width:16px;height:16px;margin-right:6px;top:0}.m00646-mc-pros-cons .lits-cont:first-child{margin-top:0}.m00646-mc-pros-cons .lits-cont.cons{margin-left:0;margin-top:35px}} Pros Low minimum balance of $500 required to get started Exceptional returns so far (average return of 22.99% in 2021) Only 0.15% in annual advisory fees Cons This investment option is not liquid, and it can take

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[ad_1] Wall St slumps as weak earnings, rate hike clarity spook investors [ad_2] Source link

[ad_1] Concerns about surging inflation amid the hostilities between Russia and Ukraine formed the predominant thread at the monetary policy committee’s (MPC) April meeting, showed the minutes released on Friday. Members of the RBI’s rate-setting panel did acknowledge the geopolitical risks to growth, but chose to prioritise inflation as the more proximate concern. The MPC turned markedly hawkish in its April policy statement, stating that it would remain accommodative with a focus on the withdrawal of accommodation. Hiking the inflation projection for FY23 to 5.7% from 4.5% and cutting the same for growth to 7.2% from 7.8%, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Shaktikanta Das made it clear that inflation is now a bigger priority than growth. In the minutes, Das wrote the situation is dynamic and fast changing, and that the MPC should tailor its actions accordingly. “While the risks to domestic growth call for continued accommodative monetary policy, inflationary pressures necessitate monetary policy action. The circumstances warrant prioritising inflation and anchoring of inflation expectations in the sequence of objectives to safeguard macroeconomic and financial stability, while being mindful of the ongoing growth recovery,” he said. External member Jayanth Varma highlighted the threat to growth. “While the inflation shock is more clearly and immediately visible, the growth shock cannot be ignored,” Varma said, adding that businesses are becoming reluctant to pass on input cost increases to customers because of concerns about demand compression. Geopolitical risks appear overwhelming at this juncture and over the foreseeable near term, deputy governor Michael Patra said. The RBI’s strategy to drain out liquidity will help in case high inflation persists, and will also facilitate better transmission of policy impulses across market segments and the interest rate structure. If, on the other hand, risk sentiment improves globally and India receives large volumes of capital flows, the standing deposit facility (SDF) will expand RBI’s ability to undertake seamless sterilisation of the flows. The RBI on April 8 launched an SDF at 3.75% as a measure aimed at normalising the course of the monetary policy, without actually raising any key rates. According to Patra, the moot question is whether central banks will be able to deliver the perfect disinflation, the so-called soft landing. “In fact, the view gaining ground is that inflation is at heights that have shattered glass ceilings and the only way to excoriate it is to force a recession – the so called hard landing,” Patra wrote in the minutes. Executive director Mridul Saggar observed that while it is unclear how long the conflict in Europe will last, the supply chain disruption engendered by it may last for at least a year. “With some ratchet, it will leave permanent effects on price levels, making it necessary for the monetary policy to deal with its second-round effects so that inflation is not elevated as a multi-year phenomenon,” Saggar said. [ad_2] Source link

[ad_1] The mortgage market is facing a crisis today, and it’s being fueled by fast-rising interest rates.  The rate escalation started at the beginning of this year and is continuing to play out. It’s a crisis that one industry executive describes as “a situation where we have to get the pig through the belly of the python.” The mortgage industry, really the entire economy, is coping with fast-rising inflation further aggravated by jammed-up supply chains, the escalating war in Ukraine, and the related, expanding sanctions that are whipsawing the global economy. That economic environment has led to spiking interest rates driven by a hawkish Federal Reserve policy and free-market forces — with rates up more than 1.5 percentage points since the beginning of the year and still rising. For the sector of the mortgage market engaged in non-QM lending, the volatile rate environment is a particular challenge. Non-QM lenders are dealing primarily with purchase loans that require far more intensive underwriting than agency loans and, once funded, must be moved off the balance sheet quickly in most cases to maintain liquidity. That is typically accomplished through whole loan sales or private label securitizations along with hedging — such as the use of third-party forward contracts that allow for bulk loan sales at a future date at a predetermined rate.  Non-QM mortgages include loans that cannot command a government, or “agency,” stamp through Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. The lenders originating in the non-QM space make use of alternative-income documentation because borrowers cannot rely on conventional payroll records or otherwise fall outside agency credit guidelines. The pool of non-QM borrowers includes real estate investors, property flippers, foreign nationals, business owners, gig workers and the self-employed, as well as a smaller group of homebuyers facing credit challenges, such as past bankruptcies.  Some non-QM lenders have parent companies in the private equity space or have affiliates organized as real estate investment trust, and some even have affiliated real estate mortgage investment conduits (REMICs). Those entities can help to buy or warehouse loans for their non-QM lending affiliates for a time to deal with a liquidity challenge. But regardless, they all face the same problem: coping with rates rising at a faster clip than the market has seen in decades. “You got to pay the piper if you’re stuck with bad loans,” said Keith Lind, CEO of non-QM lender Acra Lending. “You have to sell at some point.” What this rate crisis means for lenders in the non-QM space is that the loans they made at the start of the year at a lower coupon were worth less in the whole-loan or private label securitization market than the loans they funded a month or even a week later at a higher coupon rate. “We haven’t seen rates move like this in 40 years,” Lind said. “The problem in the market right now is there’s all these distressed loan portfolios out there [composed of lower-rate loans].”  Thomas Yoon, president and CEO of Excelerate Capital, another non-QM lender, offered this anecdote to illustrate what his company and his fellow non-QM lenders are facing: “On January 3 of this year, we put out a bulk loan offering of $150 million, and we found that that it was worth more than 50% less than what it was just a week or two earlier. …It was slightly above par [in early January] and just a few weeks earlier, I’m talking in the fourth quarter, we could have probably executed north of 103 [above par]. So, overnight, the bottom dropped out on us.” Non-QM executives who agreed to answer questions from HousingWire about the current rate crisis stressed that the future remains uncertain. However, finally, well into April now, higher-rate loans are starting to find their way into the pipeline, some executives said, which should help lenders execute on loan trades and securitizations at better margins going forward.  Still, if rates keep rising at the same pace as during the first quarter of the year, the crisis will persist — meaning there will likely be consolidation in the non-QM space because some non-QM lenders likely will not survive the challenges.  Specifically, according to the executives who spoke with HousingWire, those most likely to drop out of the market if conditions don’t improve are the thinly capitalized smaller players or some of the larger agency lenders who only recently began to dabble in the non-QM space.   “It’s not that easy to originate [non-QM] loans, and now there’s this market risk,” said Tom Hutchens, executive vice president of production at Angel Oak Mortgage Solutions, part of non-QM-driven Angel Oak Cos. “The performance and the pricing are not guaranteed by anybody, and even hedging takes a different level of expertise.  “So, all those factors point to those two groups [the thinly capitalized and the lenders dipping their toes into the non-QM waters] that would be the most likely to maybe look in a different direction perhaps. But I do think those that can succeed during this time are going to have a leg up and be able to capture more market share.” Like other mortgage executives interviewed, Yoon said it’s not possible to accurately predict the future course of interest rates, “so we’re kind of at this point where there is great uncertainty.” But he added that some of his sources in the market remain optimistic, even holding out the possibility that there might be a non-QM rally in the second half of the year if rate spreads stabilize.  Lind, on the other hand, though hoping for the best, is preparing for the worse, adding that his background on Wall Street has taught him that financial markets “tend to overcompensate.” That doesn’t bode well for an end to rate volatility during a time of rising inflation, a global economy under stress and a hawkish Federal Reserve with a quiver full of rate increases ready to be unleashed in the months ahead.  “That’s my fear,” Lind said. “And if that happens, it’s going to be very, very tough sledding. And you know,

[ad_1] The post The Best Inflation-Proof Investments You Should Consider Buying Now appeared first on Millennial Money. Inflation sucks. Here you are, doing the right thing, working hard, saving your money, and even investing some of it too. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, the prices for everything start to rise. You need to spend more of your hard-earned money to cover expenses like food and fuel. That leaves less in your account to save and invest. You feel like that Greek dude Sisyphus—forever rolling a stupid boulder up a hill and getting nowhere. That’s especially been the case lately. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Consumer Price Index (CPI)—an important measure of inflation—shows prices for goods and services rose nearly 8% during the last 12 months. That inflation rate is the highest we’ve seen since the 1980s—back when people listened to Rick Astley on purpose. Luckily, there are some investments you can use to protect your money against high inflation rates. And believe it or not, there are some investments that can even help you profit from rising inflation. In this investing guide, we’ll cover some strategies you can use to inflation-proof your portfolio and stop worrying about rising prices. So let’s get started! 1. TIPS TIPS stands for Treasury Inflation Protected Securities, which sounds about as boring as these investments are. But although they may not be as exciting as, say, cryptocurrencies, TIPS are pretty much the safest investments out there. Each Treasury Inflation Protected Security is a government bond that mirrors the movements of the inflation rate as measured by the Consumer Price Index. When you own TIPS, you’ll receive an interest payment every six months. So when inflation goes up, so do the interest rates that TIPS pay. And when inflation goes down, the TIPS interest rates follow suit. In this way, TIPS are a perfect inflation hedge. And because they are backed by the U.S. federal government, there’s practically zero risk of losing your initial capital. How to Buy TIPS It’s really easy to buy a Treasury Inflation Protected Security. Most retail investors buy them through their stock brokers. But you can also buy TIPS straight from the Treasury via the TreasuryDirect website. One of the biggest drawbacks of TIPS is that the Treasury offers them for sale only a few times per year at auction through the TreasuryDirect site. So if you’re interested in investing in TIPS, you may need to wait until the next auction. The TreasuryDirect website regularly posts auction schedules. You can buy a Treasury Inflation Protected Security for as little as $100. In fact, they’re sold in multiples of $100. TIPS are longer-term plays; you can buy them in terms of five, 10, and 30 years. 2. Stocks Now, a lot of people will tell you to run away screaming from the stock market in times of economic uncertainty. But you don’t need that kind of negativity. In fact, some stocks have historically done very well during times of rising inflation. The key is to know what you’re doing. Don’t just pick the stock of your favorite restaurant chain. As inflation gets worse, that could spell bad news for a lot of businesses. After all, they have to deal with higher operating costs, smaller profit margins, and declining sales. All of those factors can have a decidedly negative effect on stock values. However, some companies know how to play the inflation game. These are likely businesses that offer must-have consumer products. The kind of stuff people will continue to buy, even if prices are higher. And they tend to have been around for decades and be household names. Learn More: 5 Stocks for an Uncertain Future Stock Market for Beginners: An Overview The Best Stocks to Play Inflation I’m talking about consumer goods companies like Tyson Foods (TSN) and Coca-Cola (KO). Lower-price retailers like Dollar Tree (DLTR) and Walmart (WMT) have also done quite well during previous inflationary periods. And today, with computer chips at a premium due to ongoing supply/demand imbalances, I still love the idea of grabbing chip makers like Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and Nvidia (NVDA). But here’s another secret: Think longer term, beyond inflation. If there’s a company that you believe will grow and prosper once it can expand its profit margins, consider buying when its stock isn’t doing too well. That way, you can grab shares at a low price and wait for good news to sell at a profit. Some investors call this kind of stock a “value stock”. Buying these guys is a favorite trading technique of Warren Buffett, the world’s most admired investor. Just be prepared to hang onto the stock through times of volatility. And believe me, there may be volatility. How to Buy Stocks If you are just starting out with an investment portfolio and want to buy your first stocks, you may be surprised by just how easy it is to begin. There are many online brokers that let users invest in stocks without charging a commission on each trade. We’ve rounded up a guide to our favorites. Of course, instead of selecting individual stocks, you may also want to consider buying exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in sectors that tend to do well during inflation, such as healthcare, consumer goods, commodities, and energy. These funds trade like stocks and allow you to diversify your portfolio. For example, instead of buying one energy stock, you could buy an ETF that tracks an index of several energy stocks. If one of the stocks in the fund underperforms, all is not lost. The other holdings in the ETF can still increase the fund’s value. Acorns Easily save & invest in the background of life. Invest your spare change, save for retirement, spend smarter, earn more, and grow your knowledge. Start Investing with Acorns 3. Real Estate Real estate is such a cool thing to invest in. I love it because there is actually something there—an actual building or an acreage

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