MBA Applications have jumped 10% after falling 3% the week before.
This could indicate that the selling season is beginning after a late start.
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Why there’s risk in a boring stock market
In recent weeks the stock market has been inching higher in an orderly and contained way.
The listless environment has left active-trader clients sitting and waiting for something to respond to.
Low volatility has been often reflected as a calm before a storm. There is unease among traders because they don’t know what to fear.
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Housing Slump in China Dragging Down Economic Growth
Lending and sales curbs imposed by the government in China has significantly slowed down the real estate market.
Realestate agents, who were extremely busy just 6 months ago, are no longer making sales.
“There are no buyers,” said Feng, 24. “We take three days off a week. We go out for barbecue and play poker.”
Some analysts fear that the slump will drag down economic growth and banks may be in trouble if developers default on loans.
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Student Loan Bill Blocked By Senate
The Senate Republicans have blocked legislation toward student loan forgiveness.
The legislation would have allowed students to refinance their loans at lower rates to give them some debt relief.
There was a 56-30 vote on the legislation.
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Downtown Homes Increasingly Expensive
Homes in and around cities are very attractive; especially to those who work in the city. The commute is shorter, and it puts one closer to the culture of the city.
The cost of land in cities has increased by 20.5%, making homes extremely difficult to afford.
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The World Bank Drops Global Growth Forecast
After the economy “got off to a bumpy start,” the World Bank has cut its global growth forecast.
The United States forecast has been dropped from 2.8% to 2.1% while 2015 remains unchanged.
The World Bank does believe, however, that “growth is expected to pick up speed as the year progresses.”
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Low Credit Score May Cause Car Insurance To Rise
Drivers may be paying higher auto insurance premiums based on their credit scores.
A study by WalletHub.com finds that there is a 65% difference in insurance costs between those with high credit scores and those with low credit scores.
State law in California, Hawaii, and Massachusetts outlaws insurance providers from using credit score as a determinant, but it is a regular practice in the other states.
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First U.S. Marijuana Bank Proposed
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper signed legislation proposing to create a financial bank for the newly legal marijuana business in the state.
Banks do not currently work with marijuana businesses, as the drug is stilled banned by federal law. The new legislation would put in place checking systems so that marijuana businesses do not have to only deal in cash.
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Agnik Analytics Offers New Insurance Savings
Agnik is a Big Data analytics company assisting mostly in the insurance and automotive industries.
The company has recently announced that it has partnered with Liberty Mutual Insurance, giving its customers savings on Liberty Mutual home and auto insurance.
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Hospitals Are Saving With Expanded Medicaid Coverage
A study by the Colorado Hospital Association shows that hospitals are saving millions in states that have expanded Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act.
On average, in states that expanded coverage, there was a $0.9 million decrease in charity care cost. In states that did not expand, charity care cost increased by $0.4 million on average.
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