The total net worth of U.S. households is currently higher than ever, helped by improving home values and stock prices. According to the Federal Reserve, the net worth of U.S. households, the total of all assets minus all liabilities, rose by $1.7 trillion in Q2 2017 to a record $96.2 trillion. “The U.S. household balance sheet is healthy and continues to be one of the key themes of our view that the current economic expansion is far from over” said Keith Knutsson of Integral

Portugal’s drastic reduction in its debt in 2017 and best growth in decades has rallied its bonds. The S&P and the IMF reinstated investment-grade credit rating to a country whose bonds were previously in junk territory. Overall, the country’s export performance has improved, investment increased, and growth accelerated. The S&P’s upgraded rating to BBB- from BB+ stated an expected growth of more than 2% on average for the next 3 years. Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch Rat

Federal Reserve chairwoman Janet Yellen stated Wednesday that rates are being held, but hinted of a possibility that a rate-hike is under consideration. Additionally, Yellen confirmed that through unanimous decision the Fed will reduce its balance sheet starting in October this year. The statement shows confidence that recent stagnant inflation measures are temporary. The dollar bounced back from losses earlier in the day as announcements were being made. The balance sheet, w

The physical damage from Hurricane’s Harvey and Irma can last for a long period of time, however, the overall economic damage is likely to recede and should do little to alter the US Federal Reserve’s strategy for tightening monetary policy. In 2005, the Fed lifted short-term interest rates just a month after Hurricane Katrina ripped through the Gulf of Mexico. Janet Yellen, chair of the Federal Reserve may take a similar position in the wake of the recent storms affecting Te

Technology is at the forefront of the economy as we progress through the 21st century. The circular economy is fueled by advancing technology geared toward making the world more efficient and less resource dependent. The basic principle of a circular economy strays away from a linear economy focused on making and disposing of resources. The circular economy focuses on rethinking a product’s life cycle by creating value from waste, efficient resource extraction, remanufacturin