TheRepublic.com - Personal investing News

Weak yen a help for Japan, but headache elsewhere

Wed, 22 May 2013 03:43:55 -0400

TOKYO - A steady decline in the yen is proving a godsend for exporters such as Toyota and has won solid support from Japan's main trading partners, who are betting the impact on their own currencies will be offset by gains from a recovery in the world's third-largest economy. It's not such good news for entrepreneurs like Thamonwan Thawornthaweewong, whose Angry Bird fish balls, squid rings and other products now cost more to sell in Japan.

Real estate investors sentenced in Ala. fraud case

Mon, 20 May 2013 21:10:48 -0400

MONTGOMERY, Alabama - Two real estate investors have been sentenced to nearly two years in prison for bid rigging at public foreclosure auctions and mail fraud.

More wealthy Chinese buy Seattle-area real estate

Sun, 19 May 2013 15:51:43 -0400

HUNTS POINT, Washington - Real estate agent Joseph Ho climbed the gilded staircase of a Hunts Point mansion listed for almost $5?million, shooting video on his iPad and narrating in Chinese.

Exchange-traded funds entering new phase of growth

Thu, 16 May 2013 17:29:55 -0400

BOSTON - The headlines about exchange-traded funds suggest there are no limits to the growth of these low-cost, easily traded alternatives to mutual funds.

Ratings firm warns of economic slowdown in Russia

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:16:22 -0400

MOSCOW - Russia faces harsh times ahead for its economy unless the government improves the country's poor investment climate and implements long-delayed privatizations and reforms, U.S ratings agency Standard & Poor's has warned.

Retired couples may need $220K for health care

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:43:13 -0400

WASHINGTON - After years of increasing health care costs, the outlook is improving for seniors worried about paying their medical bills during retirement.

Mutual funds continue to attract cash in April

Tue, 14 May 2013 13:13:08 -0400

BOSTON - Mutual funds continued to attract cash in April, although the pace slowed from the record amount that flowed in during the first three months of the year. Investors also became more cautious, as bond funds attracted slightly more money than stock funds.

Fallin vetoes bill to give workers 401k option

Fri, 10 May 2013 16:20:44 -0400

OKLAHOMA CITY - Gov. Mary Fallin has vetoed a bill that would have given state workers the option of enrolling in a defined contribution retirement plan similar to a 401(k).

Pa. Turnpike looks to foreign investors for $200M

Thu, 09 May 2013 19:21:05 -0400

PHILADELPHIA - Foreign investors could provide $200 million to help connect the Pennsylvania Turnpike to Interstate 95 in southeastern Pennsylvania in a deal that would provide commissions and fees for the officers of a Philadelphia investment management company and green cards for the investors and their families.

Conn. legislature mulls worker retirement access

Tue, 07 May 2013 18:58:45 -0400

HARTFORD, Connecticut - Connecticut's private sector workers would have access to state-run retirement plans under legislation moving through the General Assembly with the support of majority Democrats, but questioned by skeptical Republicans who say the state should stay out of private investment decisions.

Excerpts of editorials from Illinois newspapers

Tue, 07 May 2013 13:35:47 -0400

May 5, 2013

Rich Chinese look abroad to preserve wealth

Tue, 07 May 2013 03:16:30 -0400

BEIJING - China's richest people are stepping up investment in U.S. real estate and other foreign assets as they try to preserve their fortunes in the face of a fast-changing economy, a report said Tuesday.

Copying Warren Buffett harder for investors today

Fri, 03 May 2013 00:17:08 -0400

OMAHA, Nebraska - Investor Warren Buffett has a knack for explaining what he does in simple terms that sound easy to follow, and his ranking as one of the world's richest men inspires many to copy his moves.

How much risk to take? Assessing fund volatility

Thu, 02 May 2013 15:06:31 -0400

BOSTON - The stock market is in a groove. The Standard & Poor's 500 has climbed six months in a row and finished April at another record high. So far this year the index is up roughly 12 percent.

Florida Senate rejects pension changes

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 20:07:32 -0400

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - The Florida Senate on Tuesday defeated a proposal to revamp the state's vast public retirement system for future employees, denying House Speaker Will Weatherford one of his top goals for this legislative session.