• Prior -1.7%
• Market index 281.1 vs 300.0 prior
• Purchase index 208.0 vs 224.3 prior
• Refinancing index 655.7 vs 685.3 prior
• 30-year mortgage rate 5.82% vs 5.74% prior

Ouch. That’s another steep drop in mortgage activity as both purchases and refinancing activity declined strongly in the past week. For some context, the purchase index is now ~19% lower than the same week a year ago while the refinancing index is down ~80% as compared to that same period. It’s not a good look on housing market activity with MBA noting that:

“Mortgage applications declined for the third week in a row, reaching the lowest level since 2000. Similarly, with most mortgage rates more than two percentage points higher than a year ago, demand for refinances continues to plummet, with MBA’s refinance index also falling to a 22-year low.

“Purchase activity declined for both conventional and government loans, as the weakening economic outlook, high inflation, and persistent affordability challenges are impacting buyer demand. The decline in recent purchase applications aligns with slower homebuilding activity due to reduced buyer traffic and ongoing building material shortages and higher costs.”

This article was written by Justin Low at www.forexlive.com.

There is a bit more of a push and pull feel now on the session as the dollar finds a bit of a footing as risk sentiment turns the other way around. EUR/USD fell to a low of 1.0175 quickly before trading back to near 1.0200 currently. Buyers are still in near-term control though but it highlights some nerves going into the ECB policy decision tomorrow.

Elsewhere, GBP/USD has also fallen back below 1.2000 and AUD/USD has seen earlier gains trimmed with a drop from 0.6930 to 0.6900 near the lows for the day.

As much as the dollar was softer earlier in the week, the moves are largely viewed as a retracement still. It is tough to bet on a major turnaround in sentiment for the greenback unless something changes at the FOMC meeting next week.

This article was written by Justin Low at www.forexlive.com.

While no investor can
be considered the perfect investor, many have
proven themselves to be the smart ones. Different investors use different
strategies for specific reasons. Still, some investment advice can be helpful
to every type of investor, and here are a few of them.

Understand that Some
Losing Investments Should Be Let GoLosses are a normal
part of investing, whether you’re doing it short-term or long-term.

Buy-and-hold investors
sometimes incur losses that may be unrecoverable. And even if they managed to
return to the green territory in the future, the cost of waiting for that
bounce back may not be worth their time and resources.

Smart investors
understand that it’s better to let go of some losing investments than continue
holding on to them in hopes that they will recuperate losses.

While dealing with a
capital loss is not what you initially planned to do, there are still a few
instances when having losses can help you. For example, you can use your
capital loss to reduce any capital gains tax you owe.

Invest in Index Funds

Index funds are created
to reflect the performance of a certain market index. This type of investment
vehicle makes for an excellent choice as it can quickly diversify your
portfolio since it is a fund holding stocks of a range of companies. By
investing in one, you’re immediately betting on different businesses.

Take index funds that
follow the S&P 500 index as an example. Putting your money into such a fund
provides you access to hundreds of well-known companies in the market, and it
only requires you to make one investment.

Remember to Utilize
Compounding

The earlier you learn
about the benefit of compound returns in investing, the more profit the money from
your investments can generate on itself. You just need enough time, and
compounding will take care of the rest of the work on your behalf.

Let’s say you invested
$10,000 in a fund with an annual return rate of 10%. If you let compounding
work on it for two decades, your money would grow to over $67,000. If you let
it compound for three decades, that $10,000 would be worth around $174,000.

That is why time is
crucial to compounding. The longer you keep the money invested and allow
compounding to work its magic, the higher the value can reach over the long
term. The total amount climbs every year as the money earning the return
increases.

Learn About the Fees
Involved

While some brokerages
offer free trading services, you still
need to know the fees associated with the investment product or service used. Mutual
funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), for example, charge investors an
expense ratio annually for portfolio management and other related services.

Expense ratios are
usually charged as a percentage of the investment’s overall amount. So, a 20%
expense ratio means you must make a yearly payment of $20 for every $1,000 you
invest in the fund.

The differences in
percentages may not be a lot between funds, but they can accumulate over time
and reduce your gains.

This article was written by ForexLive at www.forexlive.com.

The gains at the start of the session are failing to hold but it is still early in the day to be drawing much conclusions. US stocks had a great run-out in trading yesterday but futures are failing to build on that optimism so far today. S&P 500 futures were up as much as 27 points earlier in the day but are now down by 4 points at the lows:

It is going to be a testing day for both buyers and sellers with the 28 June high in focus from a technical perspective:

This article was written by Justin Low at www.forexlive.com.

Investment brokers are
financial professionals who provide support and advice to market players based
on their needs and goals. While it’s possible to invest on your own, you may
have asked yourself whether working with an investment broker could make your
investing better.

To help you decide, here’s more information about investment
brokers to take note of.

Investment Broker ExplainedAn investment broker is a person or firm specializing in
services focusing on investment-related transactions that involve securities
like stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other products. This type of financial
expert can buy and sell securities in the market on behalf of the client.

Investment brokers work with a specific goal in mind. They
either do their job to help clients, their own accounts, or both. Modern
technology has also taken investment brokers online in the form of trading
platforms which usually have fewer fees, or zero commissions compared to human
brokers.

You cannot interchange the terms investment broker and
financial advisor. While investment brokers are professionals in the financial
sector, their responsibilities differ from financial advisors‘.

For example, a full-service investment broker can research
the markets and endorse certain investments for you.

On the other hand, financial advisors analyze your overall
financial situation to develop a comprehensive, tailored plan, which can
involve different strategies besides investing, to help you meet your financial
needs and goals.

Investment Broker: Source of Profit

Investment brokers get paid through broker fees or
investors‘ fees and commissions on trades they’ve carried out on the client’s
behalf. Here’s an overview of the specific costs included in a broker fee.

· Mutual Fund Fees

Investment brokers can make money by charging fees on trades
they make with mutual funds. Mutual fund fees vary depending on the class of
the shares. Class A shares involve upfront commissions that brokers receive
directly.

With Class B shares, investors must pay a fee if they cannot
stay invested in them for a particular period. On the other hand, Class C
shares charge fees for maintenance, which can be quite high.

· Assets Under Management (AUM) Fees

AUM fees are based on the number of assets you’re holding.
This fee is usually taken as a percentage of the total value of the investor’s
portfolio. For example, an AUM fee of 1% on your portfolio that is worth $1
million is $10,000.

· Spreads

A spread is the difference between the amount you paid to
buy an asset and the amount paid to the issuer. The difference usually goes to
the broker, representing their profit.

The trading spreads on small stocks are usually significant,
while spreads on big stocks are very small, often not even reaching one dollar.

· Trading Commissions

Commissions are another profit source for investment
brokers. Every trade brokers make on behalf of their clients receives a
commission. Many online brokers today offer commission-free trades on eligible
securities.

· Account Fees

Investment brokers may also make money by charging clients
with account management fees, such as conducting a maintenance check on their
accounts every month.

Investment Broker: Should You Work with One?

Working with an investment broker can be a good idea if
you’re a beginner investor or need an expert’s input on the investment plan
you’re developing.

You also need a clear strategy and goals to know what kind
of investment broker you should seek assistance and advice from. You would want
to make sure that your strategy and goals are in line with the broker fees.

For instance, finding a broker with low AUM fees can work
for your goals if you have a small investment portfolio. Or, if you trade
regularly, a broker that charges low commissions may be the best option.

This article was written by ForexLive at www.forexlive.com.

The survey showed a „dire level of investor pessimism“, which surpassed the lows seen during the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2008 global financial crisis. Of note, expectations of global growth and corporate profits have plunged to a record low.

Meanwhile, investors raised their cash holdings to more than 6% – the highest since October 2001. Adding to that, recession fears have ramped up to levels last seen since May 2020 while BofA’s infamous investor sentiment remains at ‚maximum bearishness‘.

This article was written by Justin Low at www.forexlive.com.

• All institutions have a role to play in addressing fragmentation
• The problem is that ECB is way too often the only player in town
• That has to change
• Incomplete EMU architecture, sluggish reform, political bickerings – this is where fundamental fragmentation originates
• It is crucial for ECB to not become victim of its ability to respond and adapt, leaving counterparts becoming less willing or motivated to act

He’s throwing the ball back to the fiscal court and it is about time. Most policymakers don’t want to get too involved in the politics but in Europe, the whole framework in itself is to blame as to how a lot of the recent problems are cropping up. It’s tough when you get countries with different dynamics – not just financially but also from a socioeconomic perspective.

This article was written by Justin Low at www.forexlive.com.

Stocks and options may have some
similarities, but they are two different types of investment, especially when
it comes to their risk-reward potential.

And while stocks and
options can be worthwhile investments, each performs better in certain
situations.

Choose stocks when…You Know Enough About
Stock InvestingThe stock selection
process requires in-depth research and proper analysis, but choosing options
will need more than just data.

Before you can even
select options, you must first apply for trading options and be approved. You
can only start choosing options and placing orders to trade them once you
receive the approval. In addition, you would need a margin account and
considerable capital to qualify for options trading.

That’s why mutual funds
or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) consisting of various stocks make a better
choice than options, particularly with beginner and even some intermediate
investors.

You’d Rather Not Follow
the Market

Stocks need to be
monitored from time to time, although the amount of time you need to keep an
eye on them is usually less than what is required by options, which have set
expiration dates.

They’re Volatile

It can be pretty easy
for options to be out of the money (OTM) and expire worthless if you’re rooting
for a particular stock that’s quite volatile. Investing in stocks can provide
you with a permanent stake, but you need to survive the ups and downs, and
that’s often unlikely to happen with options.

You’re Aiming Long-Term

Stocks typically make
significant gains in the long run, although the journey ahead will not be
smooth sailing. That said, options’ short-term nature is more against your
favor during tough times in the market since they can expire before stock
prices start taking the optimistic route again.

Choose options when…You Seek Higher Returns

Like stocks, options
offer a high-reward potential. Still, keep in mind that such a benefit also
carries a serious risk with it. While options could amplify your potential
returns twofold, threefold, or even more, you’re risking losing a lot. And that
could happen in the span of a few weeks or months.

So if you plan to buy
options, make sure you are in a financial position where losses from trading
options can be managed and will not easily drag your capital down should your
trade goes wrong.

You’re Looking to Earn
an Income

Some investors sell
call options against their stock positions or write put options to generate
income. These strategies provide a good and pretty low-risk way to trade
options.

You Want Buy Stocks at
a Discount

Using options to
purchase stocks can help you hold shares at a discount. Instead of buying a
company’s stock directly, you can sell a put option on the stock, which lets
you set a price you’re willing to pay for the stock.

Moreover, you
immediately collect premiums for selling put options, which you can trade to
make an additional profit for your account.

You’re an Experienced
Investor

Options can be risky
and complex investments that first-time investors should avoid, at least until
they have enough knowledge and an excellent idea of what they are doing. Active traders seeking flexibility may
also find a suitable candidate in options.

This article was written by ForexLive at www.forexlive.com.

The dollar was already looking a little sluggish before the ECB report here and the headlines only helped to compound the softness in the greenback so far this week. EUR/USD got a shot in the arm, rising above 1.0200 and contesting a break above key technical resistance as outlined here.

In turn, that set off another wave of dollar selling as we see the currency turn to be the weakest performer on the day currently. GBP/USD is trading back up above 1.2000 as buyers look to erase the weekly decline from last week:

Meanwhile, USD/JPY is down 0.3% to 137.65 with large option expiries at 138.00 likely to play a role now in limiting gains before rolling off later in the day. USD/CAD is also trading back under keeping the downside pressure under 1.3000 to 1.2940 currently, as sellers look to build on the rejection of 1.3200 last week.

Looking at commodity currencies, AUD/USD is up over 1% to near 0.6900 at the moment as buyers look to try and establish some footing in chasing a push back towards 0.7000 potentially:

As much as the dollar is down across the board, I’m still not convinced of this being where there is a major turnaround in the dollar trend. Once again, this looks more like a retracement after more broad-based moves in recent weeks with EUR/USD hitting parity a trigger point.

From a fundamental perspective, there is not a lot to like about the euro and the ECB hiking rates by 50 bps this week won’t change that.

The market is running with a 75 bps rate hike by the Fed as being less bullish for the dollar but come next week, I think we may see the script flip the other way around. The Fed is still looking towards a terminal rate of around 3.50% to 4.00% and unless that changes, the dollar has a good reason to stay underpinned; all else being equal.

That might set up EUR/USD for a fade trade around the 50.0 Fib retracement level at 1.0283 or potentially closer to 1.0400. Likewise, AUD/USD might find itself running against a wall at 0.7000 if risk sentiment fails to hold its own, and yesterday’s lack of confidence isn’t encouraging.

This article was written by Justin Low at www.forexlive.com.

Value investing is
sometimes misunderstood that several investors end up putting money into
low-priced investments that are not popular or attractive at the moment.

In fact, value
investing involves choosing quality assets in a calculated manner and having
the determination to go against the flow. To better understand this investment
method, here are a few rules to follow if you plan to practice value investing.

Be Aware of the
Investment’s Intrinsic ValueMany investors rely on stock price movements to decide whether they
should buy or sell their holdings. On the other hand, value investors usually
believe a stock price can be similar to its intrinsic value in the long run.

As a result, value
investors see an opportunity to purchase a stock at a discount when it is
trading for less than its underlying value in the market.

A stock’s intrinsic
value can be determined in several ways. You can use a simple price-to-book
(P/B) ratio to compare the company’s market value to its book value. Typically,
a P/B ratio under 1 means the stock is selling below the firm’s net asset value
(NAV).

Another simple metric
is the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, which compares the company’s share price
to its earnings per share (EPS). A low P/E ratio often suggests that the firm
is undervalued, making it a value stock.

If you’re looking to be
more specific, you can try financial metrics such as the price/earnings to
growth (PEG) ratio and the enterprise value to earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation, and amortization (EV/EBITDA) ratio.

Note that while there
are various ways to calculate an investment’s intrinsic value, value investors
don’t rely on the stock’s market price alone to decide what they will do next.
Rather, determining the intrinsic value is a crucial factor for them.

Calculation Over
Speculation

Economist and father of
value investing Benjamin Graham teach in his book The Intelligent Investor that
value investing is an investment method that requires fundamental analysis and
in-depth research.

In addition, value investing
aims to minimize the risk of permanent capital losses and allow investors to
turn a decent profit instead of putting money into risky investments that are
not certain to provide adequate returns.

Considering those
features, you can say that value investing is anything but speculative.
Instead, it is calculative, qualitative, and somewhat predictive.

Avoid Going with the
Flow

Value investing focuses
on the opposite end of the market noise. That is because stock prices usually
trade below their underlying value when the majority of investors have their
attention elsewhere.

Value investors often
take the route different from the one chosen by most investors. While that may
seem like a not so wise decision, being certain of your choices matters more
than being afraid of looking like an irrational investor.

Not every investor can
be a contrarian player in the market, although it is essential to be one if
you’re looking to thrive as a value investor.

Have a Good Grasp of
the Investment

Stock selection is a big part of
value investing that separates it from other investment strategies.

In choosing potential
value investments, you need a good amount of information about the asset and
the company. That includes knowing the type of business the company engages in,
its industry, competitive advantage, etc.

It’s also important to
keep up with any developments that may affect the firm. You can do that by
reading and analyzing the company’s financial statements and quarterly
analysts‘ calls or getting in touch with the management.

In addition, you can
consider getting the opinions of other shareholders about matters such as
competition, clients, and output to gain a better idea of the firm’s outlook.

This article was written by ForexLive at www.forexlive.com.