Laurence 
What are Stocks? Stocks are a portion of a company, and ownership of stocks represents partial ownership of a company. They are created when a corporation needs money, and sells parts of itself at a Public Offering. To illustrate the concept, imagine that you own a lemonade stand. It is mid-summer, business is booming, and … Read more
There are as many ways to drink whisky as there are whisky drinkers. But it doesn’t have to be complicated like those picky tasters seem to make it. However, if you really want to taste the whisky you are sampling it is better to follow the tasters’ rules. Drink your whisky at room temperature, don’t … Read more
American whisky covers a lot of different types and a lot of different formulas. American whisky, and Canadian as well, can be made from a variety of grains – rye corn and wheat. Due to the differences in the water used to make the whisky, the same type made in two different places can have … Read more
Bonds A corporation can borrow money by issuing a bond. Bonds come in $1,000 denominations with a specific maturity date and interest rate (the coupon rate). For example, a 10-year bond with a coupon rate of 8% will pay $80 annually for each $1,000 of principal, which will be returned at maturity. Interest is typically … Read more
The dividend yield is the amount of dividends you will earn annually as a percentage of the value of your investment. For example, if a stock is $20, and it pays a $0.25 per quarter, which is $1.00 per year, then the dividend yield is 5% APY. The following is a simple way to calculate … Read more
When it comes to the stock market, you should really invest your money in stocks that are based elsewhere around the world. Why is that? That is because with the way the economy is right now in the United States, it would be much wiser to invest your money in another country. Has the suffering … Read more
If you have very little knowledge of the stock market and no time to study it, you might want to consider “buying what you know.” Invest in companies that make products or provide services you like. This is the investment strategy that was preached by fund manager Peter Lynch in the 1990s and I think … Read more
Through stock market investments, it is possible to collect thousands of dollars in dividend payments each year. With this money, you can pay bills, purchase big-ticket items, or reinvest cash back into the market to generate additional wealth. To plan your budget, it is critical that you become familiar with the concept of dividend yield. … Read more
When you decide it is time to inch back into the stock market, dividend-paying stocks can help you boost your long-term returns. Cash dividends represent a distribution to the company’s owners (the holders of its common stock) of a portion of corporate profits. They must be approved by the Board of Directors and most often … Read more
Scotland, when it comes to whisky, is a divided nation. Scotch lovers have sectioned off the country into four main whisky producing regions. The division comes from the different taste each region imparts on the whisky. Before we get too far, these characteristics are generalized and do not mean every whisky distilled in a certain … Read more
Without shelling out money for a course, without visiting a distillery and even without buying a book on the subject, it is easy to learn how to taste whisky. All you need are a few special bottles of single malt whisky, appropriate glasses to drink the whisky from, a few willing friends and a pen … Read more
For many investors there is no mystery in why investing in international stock markets are an appealing option. In a nut shell: more risk, hence, more gain. But not all is risk; in fact, you’ll find that investing in stock markets abroad can be pretty reliable. So the reasons why people don’t wander off into … Read more
Dividends are a division of property paid when you own stock in a company. The dividends may come through an estate, trust, partnership or sub chapter of a S corporation. The tax is deducted on the net profit in terms of the initial investment. Ordinary dividends Ordinary dividends are provided when a person owns stocks … Read more
Scotch is a drink admired around the world, but what is it about this amber liquid that mesmerizes so many and why is Dewar’s so favored across the globe? The reasons are as simple as passion and dedication. The first thing to know about Scotch whisky is that each distillery in Scotland (approximately 90 malt … Read more
The manufacturers claim the latest addition will offer “a completely new taste sensation”, and they’re right. Snow Grouse whisky’s taste is so smooth and subtle it is best served on the rocks – with ice. Adding mixers or even water almost completely dilutes this whisky’s unique flavour, although it will undoubtedly work well as the … Read more
The Virtual Stock Exchange (VSTEX) posted a L$0.05 per share dividend earlier this month along with their December, Quarter 4, and Annual Financial Reports. VSTEX made a profit of L$36,500 in the month of December. After having paid dividends in 4 of the last 5 Quarterly Dividend Cycles VSTEX is awarded a 3-Star Luminos Dividend … Read more
Many things about the world of Scotch whisky can be confusing, but one aspect which causes most new admirers of the spirit consternation is the different types of Scotch available and what those different names actually mean. Single malt Scotch is as good a place as any to start. Some people think that single malt … Read more
Commodities. A great way to keep your wealth safe and to consistently grow your investments is to invest in commodities. A good example of a commodity is Gold. Gold is your best bet long-term due to its consistent growth over time and having never been worth zero. There will likely continue to be a shrinking … Read more
For those without much experience, practice using different types of orders, tools, and surveying of the market can really help people to understand how to be successful. Updown.com is a website that allows free online stock trading practice, as users may simulate exchanges based on the actual market. Updown.com Stock Trading Practice A free website, … Read more
Scotch whisky is generally classified as malt whisky, grain whisky or blended whisky. Malt whisky is made from malted barley, whereas grain whisky is made from malted barley and unmalted cereals, such as maize or wheat. The majority of Scotch whisky drunk worldwide has been blended with a combination of malt and grain whiskies. What … Read more
The equity stock market is unique in that it involves ownership. When investing in the bond market, the money market, or other securities issued by an institution to raise funds, the investor does not actually own a piece of the firm they are investing in. Instead, they own the debt, and are entitled to interest … Read more
Whisky’s history is dotted with twenty year cycles of ebbs and flows in its fortunes. The 1960s saw a massive upturn in its popularity, with the concomitant reopening and expansion of distilleries. The 1980s then saw a major downturn with the permanent closure of some of whisky’s greatest names, including Port Ellen and Rosebank. Now, … Read more
For years there has been talk of ending the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend by simply offering all qualified residents some sort of large pay-out in the 25K range. While as a lifelong Alaskan resident I have seen very little actual legislation on this suggestion, it is certainly a matter of public debate each year. Personally, … Read more
Laphroaig is a Gaelic word and means beautiful hollow by the broad bay. The distillery was established in 1815 and run by the Johnston family until 1954, when Ian Hunter the then proprietor bequeathed the distillery to Bessie Williamson, who sold her holdings to Long John Distilleries between 1962 and 1967. It is now owned … Read more
As I stare at the wall of water from tropical storm Debbie my vacation plans are in ruin so I turn my focus to the stock markets. I will be brief so not to lose you. Will the US markets go up, down or sideways today I ask myself after reading the financial publications from … Read more
One of the marvels of technology, more particularly global social net-working, is the youths’ aspirations have converged, at least much better than it ever was. Some countries are still fighting a battle to keep out the flow of news & views from across the globe but they know it is a losing one against the … Read more
Growth shares should be the first area for the private investors to specialize. Growth shares have the ability to increase earnings progressively at an above average rate year after year. The sectors to find growth stocks include; the pharmaceuticals, breweries, healthcare, pubs and restaurants, media, general retailers, support services and other financial. Although all companies … Read more
Something akin to whisky has been made in Scotland for many centuries. The Celts called it uisge beatha (Gaelic for water of life) and in the early modern period of the late 15th century it was referred to as aqua vita (Latin for water of life). The Medicinal Qualities of Whisky As well as its … Read more