3 Stocks Under $30 for the Long-Term Investor

April 3, 2021 5 min read

This story originally appeared on MarketBeat

This week the S&P 500 crossed the 4,000 mark for the first time ever capping a remarkable run. Just over a year ago, the index was flirting with the 2,000 level at the depths of its COVID-19 plunge.

With U.S. stocks trading at record levels there aren’t many low-priced large and mid-cap stocks left for investors. There are, however, still a few intriguing names out there that may fit the bill for long-term investors.

Is General Electric Stock Undervalued?

General Electric (NYSE:GE) stock has recovered nicely along with the broader market but at $13.35 per share remains well off its glory days of 2001 when it peaked above $50. Granted, GE is not the company it was 20 years ago, but it appears to be on track to restore its reputation as an American icon.

Since the onset of the pandemic, GE has been in cost-cutting and cash-preservation mode like most industrial companies. But after managing to be profitable in 2020, it can now focus on some of its key growth opportunities.

No longer simply a manufacturer of light bulbs and other electrical products, GE operates a well-diversified model these days. It’s health care business has benefitted from demand for COVID-19 products, but longer-term should continue to grow as the world’s population ages and its product set expands.

Another positive development is the turnaround in the troubled Power division. The business has turned profitable and exited the year with an $80 billion order backlog thanks to strong demand for gas turbines. The Renewable Energy division is not yet profitable but given the expected boom in clean energy spending, wind turbine sales should soon drive sustainable profit growth. The aircraft engine business may also be on the rise due to improving demand from commercial airliners and the military.

Still, the most compelling (and less talked about) aspect of the company’s transformation is that the GE of the future will derive about half of its revenue from services. General Electric is on the comeback trail. Patient investors willing to go along for the ride may be rewarded with some outsized returns over the next few years.

What is a Good Oil and Gas Stock?

The energy sector is out of the gates fast in 2021, but there is one name that may have plenty of gas in the tank. Devon Energy (NYSE:DVN) is an oil and gas producer that used to trade above $100 per share. Now trading in the $20’s, the stock is a cheap way to play the turnaround in the energy cycle.

Devon Energy owns a portfolio of quality, onshore oil and gas assets in the U.S. and Canada. It operates on the lower cost end of the spectrum. This year the company plans to crank out as much as 300,000 barrels of oil per day as global demand returns. If the global supply side of the equation doesn’t weigh on pricing, higher oil prices should drive strong profitability relative to peers.

Looking past this year, Devon Energy should also derive growth from its recent acquisition of WPX Energy. Its Oklahoma-based neighbor owns attractive oil and gas assets in the Permian and Williston Basins and is expected to produce significant cost synergies.

Devon Energy’s low-cost production profile and solid balance sheet give it a competitive advantage over other E&P plays in the region. It now owns some of the most attractive acreages in the shale-rich Delaware Basin and has the scale to compete with the big dogs. The mid cap stock is on pace to return to the large-cap ranks so it probably won’t be trading below $30 for much longer.

Is Mattel Stock a Buy?

Mattel (NASDAQ:MAT) is another low-priced stock that is worthy of a long-term buy and hold. The classic toy manufacturer’s shares go for about the price of a Hot Wheels action set at around $20. The stock has already doubled off its pandemic bottom but may have the wheels to double again and drive past its 2013 peak of $48.48.

As the company behind legendary toy brands like Fisher-Price, Barbie, and American Girl, Mattel also sells toys based on popular children’s movies like Cars and Toy Story. And speaking of movies, Mattel is in the filmmaking business these days. Rather than simply piggybacking off popular Disney films, the company is seizing an opportunity to generate higher toy sales by developing its own media offerings.

The subtle, but astute move may pay big dividends over time as Mattel’s original content gains traction with audiences and becomes more engrained in pop culture. Movies, tv shows, and digital games are powerful mediums these days and can drive complementary sales of all sorts of products. Just ask Disney.

Mattel is partnering with the likes of Sony, Paramount, and Warner Brother to produce its own films. It is also developing cartoon programs that can be viewed on Netflix. The company’s venture into the media space has been well received by the market so far but it still very much in the early stages.

No longer just a toy company, Mattel’s dolls, cars, action figures, and even board  games are coming to life on screens everywhere. As this storyboard plays out, the Mattel franchise could soar in value.

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/368557




3 Oil Stocks to Buy Before the Reopening

The price of crude oil recently went back over $60 a barrel. The pent-up demand is beginning to gain momentum. As it does investors are beginning to realize that there’s an opportunity in oil and gas stocks. With that in mind, these three stocks look to be in growth mode for opportunistic investors.

April 3, 2021 4 min read

This story originally appeared on MarketBeat

Investors wanted to stay far away from the oil patch in 2020. Millions of Americans sheltered in place in an effort to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. Airlines were grounded. Cruise lines were under a no sail order. After that the law of supply and demand took over.

It’s not a new story. When the economy is going well, it’s been good news for oil stocks. And when the economy struggles, the opposite is true. But neither oil companies nor investors ever had to account for a global pandemic. And now investors have to decide what to do with oil stocks as they are in recovery mode.

The price of crude oil recently went back over $60 a barrel. And with millions of Americans getting vaccinated every week, the pent-up demand is beginning to gain momentum. As it does investors are beginning to realize that there’s an opportunity in oil and gas stocks.

There’s ample evidence to show that renewable energy sources are going to be a significant part of America’s future. However in the here and now, oil and gas companies still have a significant role to play. With that in mind, these three stocks look to be in growth mode for opportunistic investors.

Baker Hughes

There has been much written and discussed about the closing of the Keystone pipeline. Putting that aside, there is still drilling activity happening. That’s bullish for Baker Hughes (NYSE:BKR). The company provides oilfield products and services. And Baker Hughes is reporting increased activity in a number of oil fields, including in the Permian basin – the most prolific basin in the United States.

As long as oil companies are drilling, there will be a demand for the products that Baker Hughes provides. BKR stock is down 13.5% since closing above $25 on February 24. However, the stock is still up 109% in the last 12 months. Furthermore, the consensus opinion of analysts gives the stock a buy rating and recent price targets suggest that the stock has significant upside.

Plus, there is reason to believe that Baker Hughes has a future in the green energy economy. The company recently announced that it has entered into a global exclusive licensing agreement with SRI International to use SRI’s Mixed Salt Process for carbon capture.

Hess Corp.

Hess Corporation (NYSE:HES) is an independent energy company that is involved in crude oil and natural gas exploration and production. HES stock remained fairly stable during 2020. In fact, there was a bullish surge in early summer as investors jumped the gun on a recovery.

However, since the initial EUA for a Covid-19 vaccine, HES stock has been pointing true north. The stock is up 100% since November 5. That just confirms that many investors understand that the country will still be driving internal combustion vehicles for at least a little while longer.

Hess also has a consensus buy rating from the 16 analysts that offer ratings. And while the consensus price target suggests a lower price, recent price targets are significantly higher. Investors can also take confidence from the fact that HES stock is well supported with 79% institutional ownership.

Valvoline Corp.

The last stock on the list is a play on the idea that millions of Americans may begin to start having a morning commute again. And that means that there are likely to be oil changes and other services that weren’t necessary when cars weren’t being driven.

That may be an oversimplification, but that’s part of the fundamental case for Valvoline (NYSE:VVV). In the first two quarters of the company’s 2021 fiscal year, Valvoline is already reporting 17% higher earnings per share and nearly 10% year-over-year revenue growth. That tracks nicely with the price of VVV stock that has climbed approximately 30% in that time.

Valvoline has 92% institutional ownership and also has a dividend that has grown for four consecutive years.

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/368555




3 Big-Time Biotech Stocks to Buy Now

It’s worth mentioning that the recent pullback in biotech stocks has created some attractive entry points for investors to consider. Let’s take a look at 3 big-time biotech stocks to buy now.

April 3, 2021 5 min read

This story originally appeared on MarketBeat
At the intersection of technology and healthcare lies the biotech sector, an area of the market with some truly fascinating opportunities. While investing in these companies can be challenging given that their valuations can change in the blink of an eye based on an FDA approval or clinical trial result, choosing wisely can often lead to huge gains. With the rapid pace of scientific advancements and plenty of demand for new vaccines and drugs that can improve the health of the world’s population, adding exposure to biotech companies at this time makes a lot of sense.

We were reminded of the importance of biotech companies last year thanks to the global pandemic and their efforts to rapidly develop vaccines that combat the virus. The best companies in this sector offer a combination of established drugs along with a strong pipeline of potential growth opportunities. It’s worth mentioning that the recent pullback in biotech stocks has created some attractive entry points for investors to consider. Let’s take a look at 3 big-time biotech stocks to buy now.

Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN)

Amgen is the type of biotech stock that is the gold standard in the sector and allows investors to rest easy knowing that they own one of the world’s leading companies. It’s a member of the S&P 500 and a stock that is worth buying thanks to its diverse product line, growth potential with new pipeline products, and continued R&D acquisitions. Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures, and delivers innovative human therapeutics that can help patients that are suffering from serious illnesses. By using fascinating technology and tools such as advanced human genetics, this company can better understand diseases and human biology.

Some of Amgen’s flagship drugs include immune system boosters Neupogen and Neulasta, red blood cell boosters Epogen and Aranesp, and inflammatory disease drugs Enbrel and Otezla. Investors should be excited about the launch of the company’s potential blockbuster drug Sotorasib, which helps patients suffering from locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer and has received priority review from the FDA. Just imagine the positive impact this type of drug can make in the lives of cancer patients around the world. The company’s adjusted EPS rose 12% year-over-year in 2020 to $16.60 and recent acquisitions of clinical-stage biotech company Five Prime Therapeutics should further strengthen the company’s portfolio. Finally, Amgen stock offers investors a 2.83% dividend yield and has recently reclaimed its 200-day moving average, offering an attractive entry point at this time.

Novavax (NASDAQ:NVAX)

This biotech stock is a good reminder of just how volatile the share prices of companies in the sector can be. After rallying over 2400% in 2020, Novavax shares hit an all-time high of $331.68 in February of this year only to come crashing down over 40% since then. While this type of volatility might scare some investors off, when you stop to look at this company’s business prospects, adding it to your investment plans might be worth the risk. Novavax is a clinical-stage vaccine company that is primarily focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of recombinant vaccines to fight infectious diseases such as the Ebola virus, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus.

The company’s eye-catching 2020 rally was the result of several bits of good news. First, Novavax reported very positive results from a late-stage study of its experimental flu vaccine called NanoFlu. It’s estimated that once this vaccine gains approval, Novavax could generate peak annual sales of up to $1.7 billion. There’s also the fact that the company has a COVID-19 vaccine candidate that is showing promising results including 96% efficacy against the original virus strain in phase 3 studies. Novavax already has supply agreements in place with the U.S. government and might even explore creating a combined COVID-19 and flu vaccine in the future. This is an innovative company with immense upside, especially if these two vaccines are approved by the FDA.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN)

The final biotech stock on our list that investors should have their eyes on is AstraZeneca, a global pharmaceutical company based in the United Kingdom. The company sells branded drugs across several therapeutic classes including diabetes, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory, immunology, and cancer. It’s a solid pick for your portfolio because it offers exposure to biopharmaceutical sales in major markets outside of the United States, as the U.S. only represents about a third of AstraZeneca’s sales. This includes China, which is an emerging market that offers very attractive growth potential.

You’ve probably heard about this company’s COVID-19 vaccine that has been granted emergency use authorization in over 50 countries, and AstraZeneca has one of the strongest pipelines of new drugs in biotech. Q4 revenue for the company grew by 10% year-over-year and sales should remain strong throughout 2021. Investors should also be interested in AstraZeneca’s move to acquire Alexion Pharmaceuticals, as the move is a strategic master class that strengthens the company’s immunology presence.

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/368556




Mark Cuban sees bitcoin as better than gold, likes Ethereum

Billionaire investor Mark Cuban remains bullish on the future of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, often comparing blockchain technology to the internet’s earliest days. He discussed his cryptocurrency portfolio on a recent episode of The Delphi Podcast. Q4 2020 hedge fund letters, conferences and more Currently, Cuban’s cryptocurrency portfolio consists of 60% bitcoin and 30% Ethereum. […]

April 2, 2021 4 min read

This story originally appeared on ValueWalk

Billionaire investor Mark Cuban remains bullish on the future of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, often comparing blockchain technology to the internet’s earliest days. He discussed his cryptocurrency portfolio on a recent episode of The Delphi Podcast.

Q4 2020 hedge fund letters, conferences and more

Currently, Cuban’s cryptocurrency portfolio consists of 60% bitcoin and 30% Ethereum. The remaining 10% of the portfolio consists of other digital currencies.

Mark Cuban on bitcoin

Cuban likes bitcoin and Ethereum for different reasons. He disagrees with those who said bitcoin is a currency because he doesn’t think it will work. However, he does see it as a store of value and a better alternative to gold. Cuban believes bitcoin will continue to be a better alternative to gold, which is why he bought some and never sold it.

The owner of the Dallas Mavericks also likes Ethereum, but it’s for a very different reason than why he likes bitcoin. He thinks ether is the closest coin to being a digital currency because of the smart contracts that run on the Ethereum blockchain. CNBC explains that smart contracts are collections of code that follow certain rules while running on the blockchain.

Cuban said smart contracts changed everything by creating decentralized finance and nonfungible tokens. He added that the technology is why he is excited about cryptocurrency and why he thinks it is “a lot like the internet.”

The billionaire investor also believes Ethereum can be adapted over time because developers can improve its capabilities, which makes it more life-like. Cuban wishes he had bought some Ethereum sooner, but he started purchasing it four years ago because he thinks it is the closest to a true currency.

Cuban bought Dogecoin too

He didn’t discuss any of the other cryptocurrencies he owns as the other 10% of his portfolio. However, he did say that there aren’t any that he’s “just all in on, other than bitcoin and Ethereum” as being an equivalent investment.

In February, he did purchase a small amount of dogecoin for his 11-year-old son. Dogecoin was started as a joke, and Cuban said when he bought some, it was meant to be “fun and educational” for his son while also enabling him to learn more about cryptocurrency.

Dogecoin has received a boost recently from Tesla CEO Elon Musk‘s tweets. When he initially started tweeting about the cryptocurrency, his tweets were meant to have been a joke, but that appears to have changed.

His most recent tweet about dogecoin proclaimed that SpaceX would “put a literal Dogecoin on the literal moon.” Some questioned whether that was a joke because he posted the tweet on April Fool’s Day, but CNBC space reporter Michael Sheetz took him seriously because the company’s first payload into orbit was a wheel of cheese.

The drama of cryptocurrency

As time has gone on, the cryptocurrency space has been marked with drama, from bitcoin’s soaring price to the jokes surrounding the creation of dogecoin. More and more institutional investors have adopted the cryptocurrency, and some traditional investment banks are allowing their investors to buy some. Chipotle Mexican Grill even started a contest offering customers a chance to win $200,000 worth of bitcoin and free burritos to celebrate National Burrito Day.

Now the Youa Group is putting the drama of cryptocurrency to the small screen with a TV series called Pumping Time. The series will include some special episodes lasting up to 100 minutes and many regular episodes lasting up to 30 minutes.

It will also include some theatrical presentations. The series will include a variety of real-life situations involving cryptocurrency, including top cryptocurrency exchanges and funds. Well-known CEOs and celebrities in the crypto world will make cameo appearances. The series will also dive into questionable crypto tactics to teach the public about potential risks.

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/368553




Adviser Fees And Their Effect On Your Returns

April 1, 2021 6 min read

This story originally appeared on ValueWalk

Choosing the right financial adviser can be fraught with unknowns. From understanding the alphabet soup of credentials to making sense of complicated financial jargon, some of the smartest people I know struggle to choose the right adviser for their needs.

Q4 2020 hedge fund letters, conferences and more

Mandy is an engineer in her mid-fifties who worked at a small manufacturing company. She has an IRA left over from a corporate job she had in her twenties and thirties, and a portfolio of index funds that has seen positive returns over time. Mandy often thinks her returns could be better, but she isn’t sure where to turn to get the help she needs She’s heard horror stories about people getting ripped off by financial advisers and brokers and doesn’t want that to happen to her. As a result, Mandy has done nothing, which she knows isn’t a good move.

A smart, capable professional, Mandy is embarrassed about her lack of knowledge about the financial industry. Yet the truth is, the way the industry works is confusing for many people. There are different models and different levels of responsibility to the client, as well as different ways to pay for advice. Even with disclosures, adviser compensation may seem opaque, and what you don’t know may negatively impact your investment returns in the long run.

The Ways Advisers Charge Clients

Financial advisers have a variety of methods for charging clients. Some charge a percentage of assets under management, or AUM, which ties the adviser’s fees to the success of the client’s portfolio. Others charge a flat retainer or an hourly fee for financial advice, and some advisers get paid commissions by the financial companies whose products they sell instead of getting paid directly by their clients.

To make matters even more confusing, advisers refer to how they’re paid using terms like “fee-only,” or “fee-based.” No wonder Mandy, and many like her, don’t know where to start! Let’s look at three of the most common adviser compensation models and what they mean:

Fee-Only: Fee-only advisers receive payment directly from their clients for advice, implementation of that advice, and may include asset management. They don’t sell individual financial products, such as annuities or securities, and they don’t receive commissions on those recommendations, but they may recommend certain types of investments, such as low-cost or institutional mutual funds. A fee-only adviser may charge clients by retainer, by the hour, or by the assets they manage for the client. Fee-only advisers provide fiduciary advice on asset allocation and fiduciary advice on selecting investments. Because they don’t sell products, they don’t receive commissions from product providers.

Fee-Based: Fee-based advisers are like fee-only advisers, but with one major difference: Fee-based advisers sell financial products and receive a commission from the product provider when they sell a product to you. When providing fiduciary advice or performing duties related to plan implementation, these advisers charge you a fee, which is usually debited from your account. Then, when they recommend an investment product, they sell a product to you that is “suitable” and receive a commission, which is provided to them through the product provider, in essence increasing your overall investment cost.

Commission-Based: Some who call themselves financial advisers include securities brokers and insurance agents, who receive compensation by the commissions they earn from selling financial products, such as stocks, bonds, annuities, or other investments. Often the advice you receive is around which financial product is best for you (suitability standard), rather than the holistic allocation advice you might receive from a fee-only or fee-based adviser.

In addition to the fees you pay your adviser, you may also pay ongoing or transaction fees related to your investments. An example of ongoing fees could include annual fees to maintain your account, while transaction fees might occur every time you buy or sell an investment.

How Fees Impact Your Portfolio

Let’s face it: it costs money to invest, and savvy investors keep a close eye on the fees they pay because they know how quickly high fees can erode investment returns. Investopedia shares a simple example: Suppose you have $80,000 in an investment account and pay 0.50% in annual fees. You keep the investment for 25 years and earn 7% each year. At the end of the 25 years, your original $80,000 will have grown to around $380,000. But what if your annual fee equaled 2% instead of 0.50%? At the end of 25 years, you’d only have about $260,000 instead of the $380,000 you could have had with the lower fee. While 2% may sound like a small price to pay, it certainly adds up over time! If you use a fee-based or commission adviser, how much additional cost are you adding to the overall investment costs for products you purchase from them? This cost is not usually so transparent.

Ask Questions to Save Money

When it comes to investing your hard-earned money, don’t be shy about asking questions. Advisers expect it, and most would be happy to explain their fee structure as well as the costs related to the investments they recommend. Don’t assume, however, that every financial adviser is required to have your best interests at heart when they give advice and recommend products. While they may hold similar titles, such as “Wealth Manager,” “Financial Adviser,” or “Investment Advisor,” financial regulations may not require the same duty of care. Advisers who act as fiduciaries have a regulatory obligation and/or an ethical duty to make recommendations in their clients’ best interest. Others, such as insurance or securities brokers, must only ensure their recommendations are suitable for the client. If more than one financial product is suitable, but one pays the adviser a higher commission, he or she might recommend the higher priced product to you.

Finding the right financial adviser for your needs can be daunting, but it’s not impossible. Your investments deserve the same level of care and research you might dedicate to buying a new home or car, and understanding the adviser fees you pay could mean the difference between an average nest egg or an exceptional one. Doing nothing, as Mandy did, pretty much guarantees a lower return. Doesn’t your future self deserve better?

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/368483




Pennon Group – A Busy Summer Ahead

Pennon Group plc (LON:PNN) (OTCMKTS:PEGRF) today released a trading update showing the group is on track to meet expectations for the current year to Mar 31st. Q4 2020 hedge fund letters, conferences and more The group sees real returns on regulated equity doubling from their base level of 3.9%. Customer bad debts caused by the […]

March 31, 2021 2 min read

This story originally appeared on ValueWalk

  • Pennon Group plc (LON:PNN) (OTCMKTS:PEGRF) today released a trading update showing the group is on track to meet expectations for the current year to Mar 31st.

Q4 2020 hedge fund letters, conferences and more

  • The group sees real returns on regulated equity doubling from their base level of 3.9%.
  • Customer bad debts caused by the pandemic have not worsened beyond earlier expectations.
  • So far, the group has used proceeds from the £3.7bn disposal of Viridor to reduce debts, leaving Pennon with significant financial firepower.

Pennon Group Fails To Clarify How It Will Reinvest Viridor Proceeds

Commenting on the statement, Steve Clayton manager of the HL Select UK Income Shares fund, which holds Pennon Shares said:

“Today’s statement is reassuring but necessarily fails to provide full clarity on how Pennon will go about reinvesting the Viridor proceeds. But it looks as though whilst Pennon have not signed a deal yet, they may be reaching for the pen. The group say that by their full year results on June 3rd they will either have announced a deal to acquire another UK water company, and Southern Water is the name most often linked here, or they will make a substantial return of capital to their investors.

In an uncertain world, Pennon looks attractive. Either the most effective management team in the sector will get a major new set of assets to work with, or there will be an upfront cash return. Either way, Pennon looks set to have a busy summer ahead.”

The shares were little changed in early trading.


About Hargreaves Lansdown

1.5 million investors trust us with £120.6 billion (as at 31 December 2020), making us the UK’s largest direct-to-investor service.

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/368417




These Are The Two Best Registered Forex Brokers In The U.S.

March 31, 2021 4 min read

This story originally appeared on ValueWalk

Trading currencies can be exciting and fast-moving, but only if you are using the right forex broker. If you’ve just started looking at brokers, you probably noticed that many of them offer services to people in the U.S. However, it’s important to note that you must use a forex broker registered in the U.S.

Q4 2020 hedge fund letters, conferences and more

Many foreign brokers offer services to U.S. residents, but the Dodd-Frank Act requires brokers to be registered in the U.S. before they can legally provide trading services to people here.

You may have already heard of many of these firms, but we will make a comparison to help you figure out which is the best broker for you. Before we go through the two best brokers, we should explain the different types. There are five main types of forex brokers, which are ECN, MM, NDD, STP and DMA. All broker types are not created equal.

Types of forex brokers

ECN brokers use electronic communications networks to serve as a financial intermediary between participants in the currency markets. They consolidate price quotes from multiple participants, which means they can usually offer tighter bid/ ask spreads than other broker types. ECN brokers charge a fixed commission per transaction.

Also known as dealing desk brokers, MM brokers are market maker brokers, and they accept and fill orders for currency trades. Orders sent to an MM broker are not actually sent to the currency market. When traders win, the MM broker loses, and vice versa. One big problem with MM brokers is the fact that they can see traders’ account balances, orders and stop-loss levels. They can also manipulate the spreads, slow down the execution of orders and even refuse to fill an order by sending requotes. In general, it’s best to avoid MM brokers if at all possible.

NDD brokers are no dealing desk brokers, which means they are trading platforms from a forex broker that offers unimpeded access to interbank market exchange rates. They share some things in common with STP (straight-through processing) and DMA (direct market access) brokers. DMA or STP brokers serve as an intermediary between the trader and the currency market, charging the trader a fee for the transaction. These types of brokers are great choices because they want their traders to win. After all, it means they will keep trading with them.

eToro

eToro could be the best broker in the U.S. because it acts as an NDD and STP broker instead of an MM broker. Trading fees are low, as are minimum deposit amounts, depending on which method you choose. Wire transfers don’t cost anything, although bank cards require at least $300. Withdrawals are free, and the minimum withdrawal amount is $30. eToro offers social trading, which enables you to learn about forex trading from others by watching what they do.

The only base currency eToro offers is the U.S. dollar, which might not be an issue for most U.S. residents. The platform also accepts 14 other currencies as deposits, but there is a conversion fee. If you don’t take any action for 12 months, eToro starts charging a $10 inactivity fee. The minimum initial deposit is $200, and the withdrawal fee is $5.

Forex.com

Forex.com is a solid broker, although it does act as an MM broker at times, so you have to be careful with them. However, their reputation is stellar, and it’s easy to see why. The broker offers more than 80 currencies for trade and 91 different forex pairs, which include not only major and minor currencies but also exotic ones. The minimum initial deposit is only $100, which is lower than the average.

There is no withdrawal fee, deposit fee or account fee. Available deposit and withdrawal fees include debit and credit cards, digital wallets and wire transfers. Forex.com does not offer social or copy trading, which means you must figure everything out on your own. It can take one to three business days to open an account, and Forex.com charges a monthly inactivity fee to those who don’t log into their account in a year.

Final words on forex brokers

It’s always a good idea to check out forex brokers before you sign up with any of them, so be sure to do your research ahead of time. MM brokers stack the deck against the trader, so it’s always best to avoid them if possible. However, even reputable companies like Forex.com, IG and Interactive Brokers act as MM brokers, so you can’t get away from them completely.

There are many other brokers besides the two on this list. Some examples of other reputable forex brokers include IG, TD Ameritrade, Saxo Bank, OANDA and Interactive Brokers.

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/368403




Some Of The Many Changes To Amazon’s Business Model In 2021

March 30, 2021 6 min read

This story originally appeared on ValueWalk

Amazon has been investing in its long-term growth prospects for the better part of two decades and 2021 will prove to be no different. Regardless of what and where Amazon invests in, there is a consistent theme: Amazon is building on its massive scale to exert its dominance or encroach in rival’s territory.

Q4 2020 hedge fund letters, conferences and more

Here is a list of some of the more notable and visible changes Amazon confirmed or expected to implement in 2021.

CEO Transition Means A New Amazon Business Model

Amazon announced in conjunction with its fourth quarter results on Feb. 2 that its founder and CEO Jeff Bezos is stepping down from his role in the coming months.

Bezos quit his career on Wall Street to create Amazon, an online store that sold books in the late 1990s. Over the years the company expanded to sell nearly anything and everything and saw tremendous success with completely new business lines, especially in AWS, a cloud computing business.

Bezos will officially step down in the third quarter of 2021 and transition to the role of Executive Chair. Andy Jasy, head of AWS, will assume the CEO title at that time.

Some investors and Amazon followers are worried that Bezos’ departure could mark an end to the company’s innovation engine. But Wall Street analyst Tom Forte explained on CNBC how the CEO transition could change Amazon’s vision and focus in 2021 — for the better.

According to the D.A. Davidson analyst, Amazon declared it is transitioning to a “services company” under the leadership of a tech and cloud expert.

“So you think about AWS, you think about retail as a service empowering third-party sellers to sell products on Amazon, delivering those products on behalf of third-party sellers,” the analyst said. “So, I think this is a declaration that Amazon is a services company.”

Changes To Payment Options For Third Party Sellers

Third-party sellers that operate on Amazon were notified in early 2021 of a new change in how Amazon handles their payments. On Feb. 1 Amazon announced what it called the Payment Service Provider program (PSP) to “enhance our ability to detect, prevent, and take actions against potential bad actors.”

Amazon further explained that it will only transact with third-party vendors that use a regular bank account or work with one of a handful of pre-approved payment processors. The logic behind this move is that Amazon wants to minimize the occurrence of fraud and theft so it will only transact with entities it personally vetted and approved. As of July 15, 2021, Amazon will not disburse cash to sellers that do not transact with an approved payment processor.

Some of the more notable PSPs include OFX Global, Payoneer, WorldFirst, among others. Amazon said it will continue adding new payment processors over time.

The payment processors must agree to Amazon’s terms and conditions if it wants to take part in the program. Most notably, participating processors must agree to a two-way data-sharing agreement with Amazon.

Amazon will share with participating processors the PSP account number a third-party vendor provided to Amazon and information about their selling account. In return, participating processors must share with Amazon information about the seller’s identity.

Amazon notes that it will only use the information provided by a payment processor to “identify and take actions against individuals who engage in abuse, fraud, or other illegal activity.”

Expanding Physical Retail Footprint

As odd as may seem to the casual observer, Amazon will continue to invest in its physical retail presence in 2021 and beyond. At a time when nearly every physical retailer is looking for ways to gain market share online, Amazon is sparing no expense to gain market share offline.

Amazon opened its 11th Fresh grocery store in March 2021. According to Bloomberg, it has plans to open 28 more stores. Amazon Fresh shouldn’t be confused with its other grocery brand Whole Foods it acquired in 2017. Fresh is also different from its Go Grocery stores that use the “Just Walk Out” technology.

Amazon is looking at the growing competitive landscape with a particular eye on Walmart and Target. Both Walmart and Target have a unique advantage over Amazon given their thousands of stores.

Not every customer wants to shop online for one of many reasons. Amazon is missing out on sales by default of its online presence.

So Amazon is looking to slowly and carefully build up its physical retail empire in 2021. Given Amazon’s stellar reputation of leveraging its data, it will know where it can build a physical presence in close proximity to a large base of loyal customers.

Amazon can also leverage its stores to include pick-up features and other value-added benefits exclusive to paying Prime members.

Aside from Amazon’s stores, the company is also licensing out its “Just Walk Out” technology that consumers might also see in 2021. For example, airport specialist retailer Hudson announced in early 2021 it will use Amazon’s technology in its convenience stores.

Live Sports And Entertainment

Amazon’s foray into streaming video isn’t meant to compete with Netflix, rather it is a strategy to reinforce the value an Amazon Prime member gets out of the yearly subscription cost. But in 2021, Amazon appears to be set on expanding its video offering to include more live sporting events.

Amazon confirmed in March a new 10-year agreement with the National Football League to exclusively broadcast Thursday Night Football matches as of 2023. Also in March Amazon won the rights to stream 21 New York Yankees games regionally on Amazon Prime Video.

While not yet confirmed, Amazon is expected to include live video features for its online shopping business in 2021 and beyond. Brands and companies will likely be able to host live video events where they can showcase or demonstrate one or more products.

Conclusion: Plenty Of New Features

Amazon is among an elite group of companies that deserve credit for their forward-thinking vision. In Amazon’s case, the company is particularly known for investing billions of dollars in new products and services under the assumption it may not prove to be a success.

One, some, or all of Amazon’s ideas in the pipeline could prove to be a new multi-billion dollar idea or it could just as quickly disappear into oblivion.

One thing is for sure: Amazon fans will be treated to new ideas each and every year.

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/368295




Seven “Signs And Symptoms” Of Organizational Trauma

March 30, 2021 6 min read

This story originally appeared on ValueWalk

Organizational trauma isn’t always caused by a single horrifying event. It can also be
ongoing or cumulative (say, a global pandemic). However, the impact on employees and organizations is fairly predictable, says workplace trauma expert Diana Hendel. Here are some common threads she sees in every traumatized organization.

Q4 2020 hedge fund letters, conferences and more

Nashville, TN (March 2021)—Organizational trauma takes many forms. It can be “collective trauma” like what we’ve all struggled with over the past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It can be a “shock and awe” event like an act of violence or a suicide. It can be ongoing and cumulative, like systemic sexual harassment or racism. Or it could be a less dramatic, but still disruptive event like a round of layoffs (or the ongoing threat of them), a contentious merger or restructuring, or a cyber hack.

Regardless of the specifics, says Diana Hendel, PharmD, trauma affects organizations in predictable (and deeply destructive) ways.

“Trauma impacts both individual employees and the organization as a whole,” says Dr. Hendel, coauthor along with Mark Goulston, MD, of Trauma to Triumph: A Roadmap for Leading Through Disruption and Thriving on the Other Side (HarperCollins Leadership, March 2021, ISBN: 978-1-4002-2837-9, $17.99). “Whether it’s a singular shocking event or a long, drawn-out crisis, trauma can shatter people’s beliefs about the company’s culture and sow distrust that leads to long-term damage.”

Dr. Hendel speaks from experience. In 2009, the hospital she led experienced a workplace shooting by a disgruntled employee. This horrific event left three people dead and shook the organization and its employees to the core. And it shaped her own trajectory, leading her to become an expert in organizational trauma.

To understand how trauma manifests, you must first understand what trauma is. It is very different from the routine stress we all experience at work from time to time. While stress might be intense, it eventually passes. Trauma, on the other hand, overwhelms our protective structure and sends us into survival mode. It leaves us vulnerable and shatters our sense of safety and security and how we look at the world. And if left unaddressed, it can result in long-term harm—not just to individuals, but to organizations as well.

The Signs And Symptoms Of Organizational Trauma

Here are some of the common signs and symptoms of a traumatized organization.

People create their own narratives

There are hundreds of unique points of view, and each person creates a narrative based on their own perspectives, personal histories, and relationships to those directly involved.

Blaming and finger-pointing ensue

Initially, most organizations experience a great degree of camaraderie and altruism in the face of a traumatic event, but once the question of “why did this happen?” surfaces, speculation and second-guessing can cast a wide net of secondary blame that extends well beyond the perpetrator or causal agent. Why didn’t the organization prevent it or stop it? How could the leaders have been unaware? In some instances, people blame the victims for overreacting, or the organization for not preventing “witch hunts.”

Feelings of guilt rise to the surface

Those closest to a traumatic event may struggle with feelings of guilt: guilt that they’d missed a warning sign, hadn’t stopped it from happening, or hadn’t spoken up sooner—and that it had then happened to others. Some feel guilty for surviving.

Communication falters

Frequently, communication is initially haphazard and often too little and too late as leaders struggle to navigate the line between transparency and confidentiality. Trust and confidence can quickly erode as wild rumors spread and strong opinions surface. And in the immediate chaos of a traumatic event, it’s often unclear how decisions are being made (and who is responsible for making them).

The workforce rapidly polarizes

People tend to divide into opposing factions. For example, in one organization that experienced a sexual harassment case, “Camp 1” believed and sided with the victims while “Camp 2” defended the accused, resulting in a deep division within the organization.

A sense of shame arises

People often worry that the traumatic event (a shooting, a rape, a financial scandal) will define them or the organization they have been proud to work for. They may feel ashamed that their culture could give rise to such an event. If the event is covered in the media, that shame may deepen. They wonder: Will others—staff members, customers, the community—ever trust the organization again?

Trauma becomes unspeakable

Often a trauma grows exceedingly difficult and painful to talk about—bordering on taboo—and becomes “unspeakable.” Because it isn’t being addressed, people continue to struggle, and the ongoing, perhaps deepening of division/polarization, blame, shame, and guilt hurts the culture. All of this can damage collaboration, cooperation, cohesiveness, and teamwork and erode people’s belief and trust in one another.

As you can see, trauma wears on an organization and can cause lasting destruction. But it’s never too late to recognize trauma, name it, and break the chain of repercussions.

“I’ve seen again and again that seeking help changes everything,” concludes Dr. Hendel. “This means helping the individuals directly impacted by the trauma and also addressing the damage that’s been done to the organization as a whole. With a thoughtful and timely response, it’s quite possible to emerge with a culture that is stronger, more transparent, and better able to intervene and handle any disruption in the future. And, in many cases, better functioning and higher performing than it was prior to the traumatic event.”


About the Authors:

Diana Hendel, PharmD

Dr. Diana Hendel is the coauthor of Trauma to Triumph: A Roadmap for Leading Through Disruption and Thriving on the Other Side (HarperCollins Leadership, March 2021) and Why Cope When You Can Heal?: How Healthcare Heroes of COVID-19 Can Recover from PTSD (Harper Horizon, December 2020). She is an executive coach and leadership consultant, former hospital CEO, and the author of Responsible: A Memoir, a riveting and deeply personal account of leading during and through the aftermath of a deadly workplace trauma.

Mark Goulston, MD, FAPA

Dr. Mark Goulston is the coauthor of Trauma to Triumph: A Roadmap for Leading Through Disruption and Thriving on the Other Side (HarperCollins Leadership, March 2021) and Why Cope When You Can Heal?: How Healthcare Heroes of COVID-19 Can Recover from PTSD (Harper Horizon, December 2020). He is a board-certified psychiatrist, fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, former assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at UCLA-NPI, and a former FBI and police hostage negotiation trainer. He is the creator of Theory Y Executive Coaching that he provides to CEOs, presidents, founders, and entrepreneurs, and is a TEDx and international keynote speaker.

About the Book:

Trauma to Triumph: A Roadmap for Leading Through Disruption and Thriving on the Other Side (HarperCollins Leadership, March 2021, ISBN: 978-1-4002-2837-9, $17.99) is available from major online booksellers.

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/368296




Could Google and Facebook’s Australia deals spread to other markets?

Australia passed a bill that requires Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL)’s Google and Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) to pay news outlets for the ability to share their articles. The companies caved to pressure and signed deals with News Corp (NASDAQ:NWSA) and several other news publishers so they could continue providing services in the country. Q4 2020 hedge fund […]

March 29, 2021 3 min read

This story originally appeared on ValueWalk

Australia passed a bill that requires Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL)’s Google and Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) to pay news outlets for the ability to share their articles. The companies caved to pressure and signed deals with News Corp (NASDAQ:NWSA) and several other news publishers so they could continue providing services in the country.

Q4 2020 hedge fund letters, conferences and more

Now the next question is whether other countries or news publishers will follow the same route as Australia and require Google and Facebook to pay for news content.

News publishers might want to be paid in other countries

Two different groups could influence whether Google and Facebook have to pay to share news content. The publishers themselves could start requiring payment, but they might not do that unless lawmakers in other countries decide to force the companies to pay up.

It stands to reason that news publishers could be attracted to Australia’s new law and possibly enact their own requirements for the online platforms to share their content. However, it may not be in their best interests to do so.

“Since there can also be cases where publishers will lose out if they can no longer monetize the readers they receive from Google News,” Elisha Elbaz, CEO of DigitalFuture and an expert on Google, told ValueWalk in an email. “If they had to share their Shareasale or CPA revenues with Google in turn, the shoe will [sic] be on the other foot. For this reason, I am not so sure it would benefit all publishers to adopt the Australian model.”

It all depends on lawmakers

News outlets have a lot of pull when it comes to lobbying in Washington, so they could push lawmakers to pass a similar bill in the U.S. However, it doesn’t mean they will. On the other hand, lawmakers have been focused on reining in Big Tech through new regulations. Thus, they could turn their attention to helping news outlets recoup some of the losses they have seen since they started losing money to the likes of Google and Facebook.

It may be some time before we know if other countries will adopt regulations similar to what Australia has passed. Those involved could wait to see how things develop there before deciding what to do elsewhere. Of course, if other markets move to the Australian model, it would take a bite out of Google’s and Facebook’s bottom lines. However, they can certainly afford to shell out money for news content by sharing some of the profits they took from traditional news publishers.

Facebook is part of the Entrepreneur Index, which tracks 60 of the largest public companies managed by their founders or their founders’ families.

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/368194