Economics Archives

How to Understand Customer Needs Using Interviews & Testing

What are the best strategies for understanding customer needs? When thinking about how to understand customer needs, what should you consider? Whether entering a new market or adapting to a changing one, knowing how to understand customer needs is critical for business success. The better you know the needs of your customers, the better your product or service will be. Learn more about how to get to know your customers better with these insights from entrepreneurial expert Ash Maurya, author of Running Lean.

What’s Causing the US National Credit Card Debt Crisis?

What’s behind rising credit card debt in the US? What are its impacts? What can be done to address the crisis? US Credit card debt has surged to over $1 trillion for the first time, signaling financial distress for many Americans. Persistently high inflation paired with rising interest rates are making credit card debt increasingly unmanageable and putting financially vulnerable Americans at greater risk. Here’s what’s causing the national credit card debt crisis, and how you can avoid and pay off your debt.

What Are the Risks of Bonds? 2 Reasons Why You Should Be Wary

What are the risks of bonds? Do they carry more or less risk than stocks? Many investors think that bonds are less risky than stocks. However, in his book Beating the Street, famed mutual fund manager Peter Lynch explains that bonds offer poorer returns than stocks over the long haul. Read more to understand the basics of how bonds work and two of the primary risks that come with investing in them.

Are Stocks Better Than Bonds? Why Peter Lynch Says “Yes”

Are stocks better than bonds? Which investment carries a greater risk? Despite their reputation as a riskier and more volatile investment, stocks have significantly outperformed bonds over the long term. Peter Lynch explains how bonds work and details some of the main risks that come from investing in them. Then he outlines why he promotes stocks as a superior investment. Keep reading to understand Lynch’s argument and to get a different perspective from Vanguard founder John Bogle.

3 Types of Index Funds: Where Do You Want to Put Your Money?

Do you prefer to own stocks in particular industries? Are you interested in funds that trade only in North American stocks? Peter Lynch advises that there are many different types of index funds that track different segments of the financial market, depending on where an investor wants to put their money. He explains market cap funds, sector-based funds, and regional funds. Keep reading to learn about these three types of index funds and see what might work best in your portfolio.

Can the Affordable Housing Crisis Be Solved With Rent Control?

Would rent control protocols help solve the affordable housing crisis? What is rent control and why is it so controversial? Years of soaring rents have led some Democrats to call on the White House to implement national rent control regulations. Supporters argue that national rent control is urgently needed. Critics contend that federal rent control rules would harm renters, landlords, and communities Keep reading to learn more about national rent control.

The Benefits of Index Funds: Peter Lynch on Passive Investing

What’s “passive investing”? Do you want to make money in the stock market without managing a portfolio or paying someone else to do it? In Beating the Street, famed mutual fund manager Peter Lynch says anyone can succeed in the stock market if they make the right choices and put in the hard work. But, he also offers an option for people who’d rather stay away from active portfolio management. Continue reading to learn about the benefits of index funds.

Biden’s Executive Order 14036 Targets Monopolies

What is Executive Order 14036? What are supporters and critics saying about the plan? What’s the likelihood that it will succeed? President Biden is challenging huge corporations’ control over markets with new directives to increase competition and oversight. The success of Biden’s plan may hinge on modernizing outdated antitrust laws through bipartisan legislation. But lack of cooperation between parties poses a challenge. Here’s an overview of the plan’s goals and what it would entail.

Examining Peter Lynch’s Investment Strategies & Principles

What are Peter Lynch’s investment strategies? Are they sound and effective? What are some alternative approaches to investing? In Beating the Street, famed mutual fund manager Peter Lynch presents principles and strategies by which non-professional, individual investors can beat the pros. We examine several of his recommendations and see how they stand the test of time. We also compare them with the advice of other investment gurus. Read more for an analytic look at Peter Lynch’s investment approach.

The Most Important Thing by Howard Marks: Book Overview

What’s the cornerstone of successful investing? How can you exploit market cycles for your own gain? Is there a way to mitigate investment risks? To the outsider, the world of investing can seem daunting to enter. But in The Most Important Thing, Howard Marks proclaims that anyone can learn the basics needed to invest successfully, as long as they implement the lessons he’s learned from a lifetime of investing. Read below for an overview of the book The Most Important Thing.