At Commonwealth Funds, we’re here to invest our time in an effort to benefit the Fund shareholders so they grow their financial knowledge, make more informed decisions regarding their assets, and bring it home.
Interest Rates & Investing
On June 13, 2018, the Federal Reserve voted to raise the benchmark federal-fund rate from 1.75% to 2%, the second interest rate hike this year. This was reaffirmed at the August 1 meeting when the Federal Reserve held short-term interest rates steady and offered an upbeat assessment of the economy’s performance, suggesting another interest-rate increase…
Accessing the African Stock Market
The continent of Africa represents the second largest land mass in the world and is home to roughly 15 percent of Earth’s inhabitants. The continent is well known for its wealth of natural resources, like minerals and petroleum. Often overlooked is the human resource, an evolving source of educated and willing to work labor pool…
“Capitalize on” | Take Advantage Of
Australia Poised to Benefit From US-China Trade Volatility Thanks in part to the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement, Australia was spared from recent U.S. import tariffs on steel and aluminum. As one of seven exempt allies, Australia was extended the option of implementing a quota or other suitable means of protecting U.S. domestic steel interests….
“Reform” | Change
An Analysis of the U.S. Tax Bill While many effects of the recently passed tax bill are still unknown, there are several key changes to highlight. An expansion of 529 plans, continuance of existing policy on Education Savings Accounts, reduction of multinational corporation taxes and improved tax rates for long-term capital gains, dividends and pass-through…
Impacts on Japan Post-Election
Although Japan wasn’t set to hold an election until the end of 2018, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of the Liberal Democratic party called for a snap poll on September 25 of this year. Dissolving their parliament and running against Yuriko Koike, leader of the party of Hope, Abe’s campaign message was clear: a stable…
Senegal: The Gateway to Sub-Saharan Africa
West Africa is one of the fastest growing regions in Africa, according to the African Development Bank Group. Factors, including a stock market based in the Ivory Coast, regional growth expected to reach 2.6% in 2017, reduced poverty, and expansive population growth, are clear indicators of economic development.
Tourism and Travel Industry Set to Continue Bolstering Economies Around the World
The tourism and travel industry is an important sector globally, contributing to the economic and job development throughout all regions of the world. In reference to the World Travel and Tourism Council’s 2017 Global Economic Impact and Issues report, tourism and travel “contributed US$7.6 trillion to the global economy and supported 292 million jobs in 2016”. Additionally, the industry’s direct influence on GDP grew 3.1%1, moving tourism and travel to the second fastest growing industry behind the information and communication industry.
Ethiopia’s Emerging Market
It’s hard to believe that horse and buggies are still a common mode of transportation in one of the world’s top five fastest growing countries. As if Ethiopia has one foot in the present and one foot in the past, the juxtaposition of a booming skyline and age-old way of transportation highlights just how rapid the country’s growth has been – and continues to be. The Embassy of Ethiopia in Washington is a useful resource on the country’s opportunities.
Invest for Your Future & Vacation in the Present
Known for being unbelievable tourist destinations, Australia and New Zealand are also recognized for their thriving economies, making them prime countries to invest in. The 2017 Index of Economic Freedom, compiled by The Heritage Foundation, ranked Australia and New Zealand in the top five – categorizing them as countries with “free” economies.
Understanding Countries Drives Africa Fund Manager’s Strategy
In an effort to continue learning about different regions around the world, Robert Scharar – Commonwealth Fund’s Africa Fund portfolio manager and advisor – visited Africa in June. Touring the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Trading Region, Scharar spent a considerable amount of time in Ethiopia where there currently isn’t a public stock market, but work to open the economy to external investors is progressing.