Five crowdfunding platforms with which they seek funding for your project

The topic of crowdfunding (or collective financing) through online platforms through which anyone can contribute their own funds to a project has been running for the past few years but lately the issue has taken special importance not only for the current situation, in which for certain projects can come better than ever as crowdfunding support, but for some specific cases in which it has raised exaggerated amounts of money and have made ​​headlines everywhere.
I'm thinking now in the case of Double Fine , the game studio owned by Tim Schafer (one of the creators of 'The Secret of Monkey Island' , in case you helps the data) that in February this year Kickstarter opened a campaign with the goal of getting $ 400,000 to develop a new graphic adventure and eventually reached $ 3,336,371 thanks to the contributions of 87,142 people. A truly absurd figure.
It is because of cases like Double Fine when this route of financing charges a much larger role and anyone who has a project in mind you will be going through your head the possibility of doing things differently. As there are many crowdfunding platforms available to us I think are worth knowing at least the most powerful and interesting (two of them are American and three Spanish) to know where to direct us depending on the type of project you have in hand. Some do not delimit by type, others do.
Normally they all have a number of common features: one that starts a campaign puts an economic objective to be achieved in a time limit (usually around the month, month and a half) and a series of rewards for those who choose to contribute some amount. The greater the input, the reward juicier. On the other hand it is essential to know that the amount you choose to provide will only become effective if the campaign reaches the target set within the stipulated time.

Kickstarter

Kickstarter is a crowdfunding platform fashion. Of U.S. origin and born in 2008, has thousands of active campaigns of all types and a very large user community that make it the most interesting.
The bad news for those who live outside the United States is that in principle allows only based projects in that country (requires a bank account to receive funds there as well). What we can do is support existing campaigns, but I have to emphasize that only supports a payment method: Amazon Payments. Kickstarter keeps 5% of the target quantity in a campaign as long as it is reached. Otherwise there is no charge.
Official Site | Kickstarter

Verkami

Verkami was one of the first crowdfunding platform created in Spain. His proposal, as opposed to Kickstarter, is aimed solely at those independent creators who want to finance their projects through this channel. The created a father and his two sons in 2010 and during this short period of time have made some renown.
Make it clear that the creators of the works that are generated through the capital raised through rights Verkami keep them (CDs, books, etc..).
Verkami charges 5% of each project only if they get funding.
Official Site | Verkami

Drip

Drip is a crowdfunding platform and distributed collaboration (services, infrastructure, microtasks) for projects that promote the commons, open source and / or free knowledge. The code of the platform, as have those responsible, will be opened when it is structured properly tested. They have no place here, therefore, for-profit projects or fundraising for charity, for example.
If funding is achieved, the commission is 8%.
Official Site | Drip

Indiegogo

The Indiegogo operation is almost similar to Kickstarter, but has a remarkable difference. While all of these platforms are carried by their leaders rule 5% of the total amount achieved by a campaign funded in Indiegogo Two types of funding. In the Flexible Funding they take 4% if the target is achieved and 9% if not achieved, but the campaign creator gets the amount he had managed to run out the time limit for the campaign. This forces seeking funding to set reasonable prices and promote the campaign well.
Then there is the Fixed Funding, where Indiegoo takes 4% if the target is achieved and nothing if not achieved, but the creator also earn a single dollar. This is the system that is used more commonly in other platforms, although it is true that Indiegogo takes the lowest percentage (4% vs. 5% standard).
Official Site | Indiegogo

Lánzanos

In the above platforms we have seen the maximum time for each project is determined by the service itself and is usually around 30 to 40 days. In Lánzanos is the creator of the campaign which sets the time it expects to raise the targeted amount of funding. And there is no maximum, but once started the campaign and can not be modified.
Lánzanos makers take 5% of each successfully funded, a figure that is reduced to 1% if it is a charity project. Payments can be made via PayPal or by using the payment gateway of La Caixa.
Official Site | Lánzanos
As said earlier, the network can find many crowdfunding platforms, but these five are the most powerful, if not more. I hope you will be helpful.

Why invest in commodities? How to invest in commodities?

Historically, the process of building investment portfolios has focused on two asset classes: stocks and bonds, although in recent years investors have become increasingly interested in finding non-traditional assets with potential to increase performance, smooth volatility, or both if possible.
Thus the interest in raw materials, in particular, has increased as investors have found exposure to natural resource prices a "third asset class" with which optimize traditional portfolios of stocks and bonds .
The great returns generated by the asset class historically may serve as further evidence of the enormous potential of raw materials . However, the raw materials are complex assets and options that investors have access to this asset class are often complicated and difficult to understand. On the other hand there is a universe of possibilities in raw materials, with dozens of families and specific assets, many of which risk profiles / return drastically different.
Commodities are risky assets , but the understanding of the components of the prices and details of investment vehicles that offer exposure to these resources can lead investors to this asset class used efficiently and as a vehicle investment.
The classification as a commodity focuses on the concept of fungibility, which means that the products are treated as equivalent or exchangeable for end users and financial investors alike. In essence, the fungibility requires standardized identical physical properties, being similar consumables regardless of where they occur or where they are. Gold is perhaps the best example: a bar of gold in London is the same as a bar stocked in New York and Singapore. Light, sweet crude oil is light sweet crude oil, regardless of whether they reside in a tanker in the middle of the Atlantic or a pipeline in Louisiana.
The possibility of exchange is a fundamental concept in commodity markets and standardizing the market and enables investors worldwide market large volumes of goods daily.
The possibility of exchange with respect to raw materials simplifies the valuation of these assets significantly, prices of commodities are derived from the supply and demand only. Of course, predict and understand the factors of supply and demand is not easy, but the pricing equation in the raw materials is extremely simple.
Market segmentation Product: forking raw materials in soft commodities and hard commodities. Soft commodities grown in plants or trees as extracted from the soil hard. Soft Commodities are many agricultural resources such as corn, wheat, sugar, cattle and soybeans. Hard Products include industrial and precious metals such as gold, copper, nickel, silver, platinum, and zinc. Also falls under the classification "hard" petroleum products such as oil and natural gas Brent or WTI.
A more detailed commodity is to segment the market into product families that generally have similar physical properties and uses. The six major product families include:

1. Precious Metals: Gold, silver, platinum and palladium all fall under this category.
2. Industrial Metals: This category includes metals that are generally less expensive than precious metals and more used in sectors such as construction and industry
3. Agricultural products: This category includes natural resources that are frequently used for human consumption, including corn, wheat and soybeans.
4. Livestock: This category includes animals, livestock generally much beef as pork.
5. Energy: Raw materials related to energy production are among the most actively traded, this category includes crude oil in its two variables Brent and WTI, natural gas, and other mixtures and derivatives such as gasoline, diesel and furnace oil .
6. Perishable: In this category, sometimes grouped with other agricultural products include coffee, cotton, sugar, cocoa and orange juice.

Why invest in commodities?

Commodities are assets that have unique and cash flows associated with the underlying asset: a gold bar will never generate cash or make a dividend payment, and a wheat field never made a coupon payment or repayment on investment.
The appeal of raw materials is the ability of the asset class of smoothing overall portfolio volatility and protecting against certain adverse economic environments with low probability but high impact event in returns. inversely Adding assets correlated to a portfolio has the effect of smoothing the overall volatility, since it is unlikely that these components move in the same direction simultaneously. Thus mainstream appeal of the products lies in the correlation or lack thereof to traditional asset classes like stocks and bonds with the consequent potential to reduce overall risk.
Of course at the expense of reduced volatility of returns is not the desire of an investor, although there is evidence to suggest that the raw materials have historically delivered appreciation while overall lower volatility. in other words, the raw materials can provide the best of both worlds when it comes to asset allocation strategies.
The inflation coverage is a major concern for all investors, especially those living on fixed incomes, as the rise in prices erodes the purchasing power of existing wealth yields and eats all kinds of assets. On this side another attractive aspect of the raw materials is the ability of the asset class to act as a hedge against inflation due to the appreciation in value when inflation kicks in, which offset losses elsewhere (dividends, coupons, interest, rents) of the portfolio as a result of a general price increase. Inflation is an increase in prices, and as such, usually include an increase in raw material prices that are inputs into goods and manufacturing processes. In other words, inflation probably will not happen unless the prices of raw materials, including oil, metals and agricultural products become more expensive.
On the other side the raw materials can also function as a commitment to the maintenance of world economic growth, and in particular the expansion of emerging economies. Developing economies to supply rapidly urbanizing migration of rural populations to the cities, so it motivates the demand for raw materials to build infrastructure, to feed growing populations, and serve the consumer goods manufacturing. For those who believe that these demographic trends are favorable to increased demand for natural resources, investment in raw materials could be an optimal way to gain exposure to this investment thesis.

How to invest in commodities?

There are four main options for investors seeking exposure to commodities, each of which has advantages and potential disadvantages:

1. Physical exposure: The most basic way of achieving exposure simply involves purchasing and storage of the goods desired. This method ensures the investor exposure to changes in the spot price of raw materials. Unfortunately, physical exposure only makes sense for products that exhibit certain physical standards and involves the maintenance of a sufficient value to weight ratio to keep storage costs to a reasonable level. The storage of gold coins in a safe is one thing, but trying to get physical exposure to crude oil or livestock presents a number of logistical and cost barriers that hinder investment opportunities.
2. Futures Contracts: Developed in the futures markets allow investors to gain exposure to commodity prices through financial contracts with natural resources as underlying assets. While this method simplifies the investment process, it also introduces additional risk factors as the return of such assets derived not only depends on changes in spot prices, but also the slope of the futures curve and the current level of interest rates, and leverage suppose what some investors may feel uncomfortable or even limited by regulation. Futures are contracts created as a hedging tool for producers and traders of raw materials, but speculators have used as an investment vehicle at the same time.
3. Shares: shares in companies engaged in the production or extraction of raw materials. Because the profitability of these companies usually depends on the market price of their products, their perspectives tend to improve with increasing prices of raw materials in question and vice versa.
4. ETCs: Investment Vehicles listed on a stock exchange and traded like stocks that allow investors to gain exposure to commodities individually, sectoral or global. These exchange-traded commodities for benefiting from all the qualities I have outlined above, taking into account certain risks common to futures contracts, as such ETCs replicate indices whose constituents are commodity futures in question.

Below I discuss some tables with cumulative returns for different periods of time, the correlations with key benchmark stock indexes, volatility and Sharpe ratio for each of the reference materials used as ETF Securities ETCs.
 

Precious Metals

Industrial Metals

Agriculture

Energy

Waiting for the big-market bond rotation

The OECD issued its latest revision on global economic growth prospects, in the first of his two appointments or annual reviews. The overall impression is of slow growth and downward adjustments in earlier projections.

In USA GDP will expand even more slowly, at rates of 1.9% this year and 2.8% in 2014.

In Europe much more pessimistic, expecting a contraction of 0.36% of GDP this year and moderate growth of 1.1% in 2014. The main problem remains the debt.

For Asia disparate and curious vision, the two largest economies China and Japan grow although downgrades the first, to 7.8% and the second upward to 1.6%. Curious because if China grows below 7.8% will be a warning sign of weakness and would alert the government while if Japan grows by 1.6% all happy ... not the Nikkei has left a 5.15% on the session.

U.S. bond markets nervous, considering that the expected growth without being robust, it could be enough to affect the asset purchase program by the Fed.

Furthermore bonds approaching resistance area (in profitability or price support, as you look) interesting from a technical perspective, the 10 years in 2.4%, which if exceeded invite managers to modify some strategies.

The technical aspect of fixed income USA invites caution for months, as I come through the graphic exposing long stretch following:

Bonds "high Yied" are also suffering falling sales and prices in line with the sovereign. You can read at this link an interesting article about the risks of rising rates, derived from the tendency to convexity hedging.

A reference to the debt market USA is the ETF (AGG) designed to track the performance of all U.S. debt, Total U.S. Bond Market ETF (37% Treasuries, 28% MBS and the rest in corporate and agencies) capitalization of $ 15,600 million is also falling in price and this will be five weeks straight and falling sales.

Generally, when the bonds fall weak moves financial markets assembly and intermediate trends ruptures tend to bring major changes in the outlook and portfolio adjustment, feeding additional losses in assets.

This time, before such change in the mindset presumed investor and as turbulent markets, handled all markets fall? Unison or there will be a mass migration of Fixed Income Funds Equity?.

Uncertainty about the Great Rotation is debated and concern among fund managers and selectors will depend largely on market confidence about staying "apuntaladora" Bernanke and real economic opportunities.

In view of the behavior of the Fed, it could be argued that the Great Rotation want to further enhance asset reflation and get the expected wealth effect that can finally bring down the pernicious tendency of the money multiplier.

Specific corrections in stock prices are necessary and "healthy" for the strength of trends, there should be an adjustment at any time, perhaps coinciding with breaks bearish on bonds.

After an eventual correction will attract capital bags different sources, one of them raised liquidity proceed with the settings fixed income portfolio and if the helicopter flies over satin, as the FED-BAG correlation is 85%.

True, stock valuations discounted cash flow worsen with rising interest rates and subtract bag. However, the bag can also grow through multiples expansion as we tested several times.

The music continues to play and as said the CEO of City before the debacle, must keep on dancing ... but unlike Mr. Charles Prince also closely monitoring the situation to avoid being caught in an artificial rise will end in tears, as the rest.

Redemption Mortgage or leave the money on deposit?

This question always comes up in every discussion forums and in all conversations. In this blog will have generated enough comments like: 'I lack to pay 130,000 euros of mortgage and I have 40,000 in a deposit. What do I do with the savings? Amortized mortgage or leave it in the tank I might be giving interests?

The response itself is quite simple but you have to consider several factors. Not everything is to achieve maximum profitability.

If the 40,000 we have them in a tank get 4.5% APR 1422 after tax per year in interest.

If amortize mortgage until 9040 the maximum possible for us desgravamos holder a maximum of 15%, ie 1356 per year. But if the ownership of the mortgage there are two people you can deduct twice, 18.080 euros. With 15% return we will get 2712 euros hacienda.

 

 

The tariff includes fee, interest and principal. Therefore, if we pay a mortgage of 500 euros a month is 6000 a year and we should (in case of sole holder of the mortgage) repay to the maximum of 9040, ie add 3040 euros extra. Looking at it another way, we will have a deposit of 15% per year 9040.

If our mortgage fee is 850 euros per month 10,200 annual pay, therefore you should not write off anything because you spend the maximum in 1160, and in this case if you should leave the deposit at 4.5% APR and you probably have higher interest than you are paying for the mortgage.

If mortgage paid 650 euros a month (€ 7,800 per year) but we are two holders (my partner and I) we can deduct a maximum of 18,080 euros per year. That is, at the end of the fiscal year, in December, we'll add 10,280 euros to get the most and so will be like you have a deposit of 18,080 euros to 15% APR.

So much for the options to be financially profitable. But keep in mind that it is often better to pay a little more and have liquidity savings will run out sooner repay. I guess there are all kinds mentalities and before doing anything better inquire as to what may be the best option.

In case you want to ever repay mortgage amortized time and capital, since we got rid of shortening the time and lowering interest fee we will reduce some of the money to pay monthly but will also be paying interest to the bank.

Anyway people to purchase a residence from January 1, 2013 will no longer be tax deductible anything, so that 15% is canceled. In that scenario have the money saved to a good interest monetized over paid on the mortgage will be most profitable.

Difference between active and passive

Of all the definitions of assets and liabilities are only have to stay with the most important, and you have to remember forever.

An asset is something, an investment that puts money in your pocket. However slightly.

A liability is something that takes away the money from his pocket. An expense.

Do not confuse these two concepts as there are many people who think that the house where he lives is an asset and a good investment and nothing is further from reality. A commonly used house is a liability because it does not receive any income from it, and will only be active if one day we decided to sell it to cash, and keep the money.

 

While the home where you live "cost you" money as much as your expectations make you think that in ten years you will get high returns are sitting on a pile of bricks and not on an investment.

Could encompass how active an investment in stock , bonds , a house to rent a bank deposit ...

And conversely a liability would be for example the commonly used home, second homes, a car and all that to make ends meet instead of giving money taketh away.

Spain is deeply rooted in the idea of ​​buying a flat / house and think it's an investment, "a piggy bank" for the future in case of contingencies or just spend the feel you're going to have a possession to be worth tens of thousands euros and you feel you've "invested" or you're going to invest the money.

And you have to be very careful as always not buy is more profitable than renting . The other day I read that 80% of people who have a mortgage for 5-10 years ago is paying more than it is actually worth your floor. And that's not an investment. It is a liability how a house never better.

From the moment you decide to live financially in an efficient manner have an obligation to be creating assets and go slowly getting rid of liabilities that have made ​​previously, and we saw what is the best way to start eliminating debt .

A monthly savings combined with any investment, simple or complicated, and applied over time with compound interest is the best way to create quality assets that slowly but gradually will be putting money in your pocket.

And you've started to build assets? We invite you to tell us what is your strategy to get more and more in his pocket.

Bank deposit. You know how it works?

When hiring a bank deposit must look at several things and although it seems to be the easiest investment there, it is not the end of the post and I will tell you that if it is, we have to fix on the characteristics of product we hired, mostly to give us for a ride and at the end we get on a good scare and anger.

Before everything. A bank deposit, fixed term or fixed-term deposit is the same. You will leave some money to the bank to do its thing and he in return gives you a interest as compensation. It has a fixed duration and fixed remuneration contract is fixed, ie before entering already know what you're going to win. They are also guaranteed by the state (FGD) 100,000 per entity and person in case of bank failure.

This strong interest is mainly governed by the Euribor (interest rate to lend money to, including, entities) but with the whole issue of the crisis the illiquidity of banks have had to forget the taxes low interest rates by the European Central Bank (ECB) and make aggressive campaigns to individual customers a higher interest rate.

While official interest rates are at 1% banks are paying them to liabilities with 4.6% APR and without any connection from the client.

We will explain in more understandable words what the previous sentence. THE European Central Bank fixed in 1% the interest rate at which it lends money to banks, that is, that when you decide to open a window of liquidity to banks in need come to him to refinance because only charged 1% APR, which is very little.

But as always there are windows of liquidity banks must ingéniaselas to get more money and this is where the competition starts to get money from ordinary citizens.

Clearly, there are many people who prefer not to earn a little extra to have to change banks but there are many people and with real money if you are willing to move to earn more.

Therefore, the most interest is willing to offer, in theory, is the one with more numbers to get more funding. (Although other factors influence how the country of origin of the entity, rating rating and even if you drop close to home or if you are good at managing the Internet).

Once we are clear because there are going to explain bank deposits which typically offer entities and that we'll be looking.

There are several types of deposits but of course we say that we are interested only pure and hard deposits without additional links, no credit, no insurance, or payroll or anything.

Being a low-risk investment, and suitable for every investor profiles, we can see that the investment triangle occupy a very relaxed site to be a liquid investment, low risk and therefore unprofitable.

Investing in this way we will not get rich but how low we will not lose money, and I say now lose because if you go to a lot of companies and they offer a lower interest rate to 3% and enter missing. So clear.

If you want a band inflation eats it otherwise you better grab your money and spend it how you will at least give pleasure.

We also have to look at whether the associated account where interest is exempt receive commissions or we will charge between 6 and 20 euros per year. Thing that still remains for the low profitability that we provide.

Now we are chastened and they do but you have to be careful that we do not give any kind of product then selling costs or recover the money, you can leereste article preferred to go deeper on the subject.

Remember that the bank is to serve. 's not your friend , and if not keep his promises or not treating you how you deserve there are dozens of them scattered throughout the geography.

As a final conclusion and summary say that everyone who has "some" money should try to get some performance to keep purchasing power and try to at least get something "extra". Do not be charging for anything and remember that it is you who is indebted to the bank money and not leaving you giving interests.

Finally, always read the fine print to take no surprises.

Indeed, investment is simpler than having no money at home. In contrast is the least profitable of all but ultimately is an investment at 0% APR.

I hope this clarification have no hesitation in going to the bank to make "some investment" and if you do not hesitate to contact me.

APPLE Magic: Succulent PROFITS poor TAX

The U.S. Senate has set to work to investigate the major tax fraud occurring in their country. The genius of Apple to evade taxes has no limits, the Senate knows and wants to end it. They have made a report and the data are chilling.
Fraud is the concentration of profits in some subsidiaries that are not based tax.
The report highlights the possible agreement by Apple to Ireland for a tax rebate of 10%, from 12% to 2%.
A clear example is the holding of foreign affiliates (AOI), which in the past four years has made ​​a profit of 30,000 million dollars even stated anywhere.
On the other hand, we have (ASI), which is responsible for billing the sales in Spain, using companies from Ireland to escape the Spanish hacienda, specifically 74,000 million in the past four years.
In 2011, for example, of the 22,000 million profit paid 10 million dollars, less than 0.05%
Apple has more than 100,000 million U.S. dollars outside. 61% of its sales are overseas records.
Large experts believe that the problem is that "the tax system is not up to the digital age"
The U.S. Senate has launched accusations against Ireland to facilitate such companies to enter its country attracting them with their "tax incentives"
with these statements, Gilmore, Irish Deputy Prime Minister, leaving the way of a U.S. Senate report which states that the technology giant created two subsidiaries in Ireland that had no employees or physical presence, and whose sole purpose was to channel thousands of million of its global profits to avoid paying U.S. taxes, saying the tax problem comes from other countries, not yours. How do you think that affects the economy? Could eradicate extreme poverty by taxing big companies? Yes, but 2 times.

The 12 principles of value investing (Part 2)

As I mentioned last week the principles are based on ideas large investment managers such as Peter Lynch, Warren Buffett, Mario Gabelli, Charlie Munger, John Templeton, John Neff, Jim Rogers, Christopher H. Browne, Friedrich A. Von Hayek, Walter Schloss, Benjamin Graham and Francisco Garcia Paramés himself. These principles are contained in a book edited by Bestinver funds and summarized weekly by people.
Here we go with the following six principles:
7) Having a bad short-term behavior is inevitable: John Neff (1931) once said that "it is not always easy to invest in what is popular, but it is the way to get outstanding returns." Thus, less popular investments can generate short-term returns ill to stand in longer periods of tiempo.Por Therefore, choosing an investment manager for their results in the short term (less than 3 years) may lead to making the wrong decision, as the short-term outcome is not a good indicator of successful long. A study of Brandes on global equity funds reveals that, while the 7 best fund managers significantly beat the market over a period of 10 years, all had a worse performance than the benchmark for short periods of time.
8) It's not worth guided by economic forecasts: The co-founder of Quantum Fund Jim Rogers (1942) stated that "to be successful investing is necessary to go soon, when things are cheap, when there is panic, when everyone is demoralized ". Investors tend to follow the macroeconomic forecasts when investing, but the correlation between the stock market and the economy is much weaker than it may seem. So it's much more productive to devote every effort to the analysis of companies. It is also important to remember that economic forecasting is a very complicated task where mistakes outnumber the successes. The predictions of the analysts on the quarterly results of companies, according to a study by David Dreman, was erroneous in 75% of the time up to 10% on the quarterly results. Therefore not worth spending time and energy to the analysis of short-term variables totally uncontrollable as GDP, interest rates, the level of stock market indices or the company's quarterly results.
9) Do not invest in companies never overrated: One of the worst decisions of long-term investment is to buy shares overvalued because euphoria fashion sector or stock, as happened with Japan in the 90s, in which the country experienced the greatest speculative bubble twentieth century, when the real estate value was multiplied by 75 and the value of the stock by 100. The most dramatic case is that of the Nasdaq market that slumped 80% in less than three years, dragging millions of investors lose 99% of your investment. Many of these investors will take decades to recover your investment or just not ever recover. The most recent overvaluation has been in China's stock market, the index traded as at 40 times profit.
10) Do not let emotions guide your investment decisions: Benjamin Graham (1894-1976), economist and investor and pioneer of value investing, once said that "getting good returns is easier than people think. Get outstanding performance is much harder than people imagine. " And all because among the greatest challenges of a power inverter is staying true to its investment philosophy, never letting emotions dictate your decisions. And they usually do at the worst time, ignoring the famous board Buffet: "Be fearful when others are greedy and become greedy when everyone is afraid." In this sense, the statistics are revealing: in the last 20 years, the average profit of American funds in the stock market and 11.6%, however, the average profit Inverter U.S. equity funds is as only 4.5%. One of the most paradoxical is the famous Magellan Fund Peter Lynch, whose investors earned on average 5% annualized when performance that had the fund over 14 years was 29 % per year.
The causes of "self-destructive behavior" of the investor are many: to be guided by fear or ambition, invest in the fashion or not stay true to his philosophy. But above all highlights the general trend is the investor to try to predict the short term movement of the stock.
11) Do not try to predict the movement of the stock in the short term: According to the legendary American investor Walter Schloss (1916), "shyness generated by past failures causes most investors lost major bull markets." As described by Peter Lynch in his book "One Up on Wall Street", in late 1972, when the stock was about to suffer one of the worst crashes in history, optimism was at its highest point (85% of advisors were bullish as reported by Investor's Intelligence). At the beginning of the market rebound in 1974, 65% of advisors feared that the worst was yet to come. Again, before the fall of the stock market in 1977, 90% of advisors were bullish. At the start of big climb which took the market in 1982, more than half of the advisers predicted downs and just before the crash of 1987, 80% thought that the market would continue to rise. Lynch perfectly illustrates how difficult it is to predict the movement of stock markets.
Although long-term performance of any stock market approaches a constant 10%, yields on short-term stock market are asymmetric. A common tendency is to give investors their investment plan out of the market in the hope of re-entry when the environment is more favorable.
12) Patience is the main virtue of the successful investor: And, according to Francisco Garcia Paramés, investment director Bestinver AM, "the most fascinating of value investing is that time always works in your favor." Active Stocks are ideal for long-term get rich. Xigen But quality and less common among investors: patience. To achieve satisfactory performance in the stock market you need to have enough stamina to stay invested, sometimes even uncomfortable. Keep in mind that the U.S. stock market has provided positive returns to 5 years in 97% of cases. The market rewards the patient investor who stays true to their investment strategy, said in Bestinver. The Value Investing depends more on common sense, daily work and patience that individual sources of information or the prediction of future events. Its correct application minimizes the possibility of permanent losses in the portfolio and has produced positive results in the long run, beating the average market returns.
And this concludes the summary of the principles of value investing. This Saturday we are in 7th Rankia meeting where I am available to you all.
A greeting.

The 12 principles of value investing (Part 1)

Bestinver has published a book that summarizes the 12 principles of management by value, with phrases and ideas of legendary managers who follow this philosophy, such as Peter Lynch, Warren Buffett, Mario Gabelli, Charlie Munger, John Templeton, John Neff, Jim Rogers, Christopher H. Browne, Walter Schloss or Francisco Garcia Paramés own. Joining them are two prominent figures Friedrich A. Von Hayek, Nobel laureate in economics and Benjamin Graham driver of investment value.
I put a short summary has been published weekly funds people, each one of these ideas:
1) The active equity is more profitable in the long term: Peter Lynch (1944), Magellan fund manager, once said that "the great advantage of investing in stocks, for those who accept the uncertainty, is the extraordinary reward for having reason. " From 1871-1992 and in spite of all bankruptcies, recessions and crises, stocks outperformed bonds in 80% of periods of 10 years and 100% of 30-year periods. Moreover, equities has resulted thirty times more profitable than bonds. The explanation is that when you buy shares you are buying a part of a business and is therefore part of its growth and expansion. "The bond investor is only the nearest source of money and the best we can hope for is to get it back with interest," says Bestinver AM on publication.
Real estate assets also increase the purchasing power of long-term investor, but not as consistent as stocks. As for raw materials, possibly the worst real asset returns over the long term due to its high cyclicality.
2) active equity is less risky in the long term: Indeed, and although it may seem paradoxical, the target equity is less risky to invest long-term, since its evolution is linked to economic growth and corporate profits . Instead government bonds depend on economic policies governments adopt q ue corresponding, often inflationary and therefore destructive of value to those "nominal assets" that do not incorporate price inflation. As an example, draws Bestinver Argentine investors. The investor in Argentine government bonds in 2001 lost 70% of their savings and have not since recovered, while the initial equity investor lost 60% in the same year and then not only recover quickly, but multiply by nine investment in five years. Moreover, the Argentine bond is approximately the same price as marked at the outset of the crisis. And, according to the manager, history is full of examples of very damaging inflationary periods for investors in all types of bonds (Argentina in 2002 and in the 80s and 90s; Russia in the 90s, Spain in the early 70, just as the U.S., or Germany in the 20s).
3) Few managers get beat market indices in the long run: Get an average annual return of over 10% that offers long-term stock market is not easy. In fact only 9% of American managers has managed to outperform the S & P 500 over 16 years (1981-1997). The fundamental reason is Bestinver is "the lack of discipline and the continuous changes of strategy they incur most fund managers", who often succumb to fads and phobias of each moment. Be true to the investment philosophy both in good and in bad times is one of the keys to obtaining a satisfactory long-term performance. History shows that the average fund manager tends to go wrong with your investment decisions and guided heavily by short-term economic forecasts. Thus, the different minima of the bag have been coinciding with maximum liquidity positions equity funds: 1970, 1974, 1982, 1987 and 1990.
4) Investment in setting produces higher returns than the indices in the long run: "All intelligent investing is value investing: buy something for less than it's worth," said Charlie Munger once (1924), vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway . Among the different schools of management, "value investing" is the only one that brings together a group of managers who manage to beat the stock market long term and consistently. According to investment firm Ibbotson Associates, value investing has overtaken from a differential growth rate of 5% since 1932.
It is estimated that the investment value concentrates only between 5% and 10% of world capitalization by 200 managers, especially in North America and investors have achieved this common philosophy beat the market long term, although each with its own strategy.
5) The volatility and liquidity of an action are not representative of the risk: Friedrich A. Von Hayek (1899-1992), once said that "Wall Street used the CAPM model and other ways to reduce the uncertainty to a quantifiable risk. But only measure what is measurable, no matter what. " Thus, the risk that an investor takes when investing in shares is not determined by the volatility that has been in the past, but by the possibility of a permanent loss of value associated with the business of the company. Thus a volatile trading does not make a firm more risky but allows the investor to buy it at a time when the alteration between value and price is higher.
Neither the size or liquidity risk is representative, because in principle it is always easier to find major differences between value and price in small companies than in blue chips, as they are less analyzed. In fact, it has been shown that small caps are more profitable than large firms in the long run, but not necessarily more risky.
6) The stock market crises are inevitable and allow a significant value creation: As John Templeton (1912-2007), philanthropist and founder of Templeton Funds Financial, "the four most dangerous words in investment history to have been: this time is different. " Although the long-term actions are most profitable assets and secure, the history of the stock market is full of dramatic episodes. The value investor has to understand that uncertainty will always be present when investing in stocks, as strong or scilaciones are inherent to the market and investment strategy based on these oscillations is a mistake in the long term. However, staying true to the investment strategy during such episodes allows a significant value creation.
In the past 40 years the equity markets have faced several oil crises, many armed conflicts, various financial scandals, bankruptcies thousand and four major stock market crash. And despite everything, the S & P has provided an average annual rate of 9.3% since. Even from the crisis of 29, in less than four years an investor would have earned a higher return than investing in Treasury bills.
In my next article I will comment the last 6 value principles.
A greeting.

The U.S. economy grew 2.4% in the first quarter

Washington, May 30 (Thomson Financial). - The U.S. economy grew at an annual rate of 2.4% in the first quarter, a tenth less than originally planned, as a result of public spending cuts approved by Congress, especially on defense. However, Commerce Department data released today highlight that consumer spending rebounded in the first three months of the year at a rate of 3.4%, the highest in the past two years. The data is particularly significant in an economy like the U.S., where private consumption accounts for almost 70% of the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In its first estimate, the federal agency had estimated GDP growth at 2.5% for the period between January and February. In this way, the U.S. economy recorded over two years of sustained growth, despite its still palpable warmth accelerates its expansion over the last quarter of 2012, when it expanded 0.4%. The U.S. trade balance data also showed positive, with an increase in exports of goods and services by 0.8% compared with a fall of 2.8% reported for the fourth quarter of 2012, and imports which grew by only 1.9 % compared with a decrease of 4.2% in the previous period. Also, the real estate sector seems to consolidate its recovery from the 2008 crisis, and residential fixed investment grew at a rate of 12.1%. As a brake on economic growth, in contrast, behaved steep spending cuts amounting to 85,000 million approved last March to the end of the fiscal year in September 2013. Government spending fell 4.9% compared to 4.1% forecast in the first of three official estimates, with special emphasis on the defense sector which fell by 12.1%, compared with 11, estimated 5% previously. Without these cuts, the U.S. economic growth would have been 3.4% in the quarter. Meanwhile, prices remained controlled behavior, registering a growth of 1% in the annual adjusted, down from 1.6% at the end of last year, let alone the 2% threshold marked by the Federal Reserve ( Fed) U.S.. Although the data show some optimism about the U.S. economic discourse, the truth is that it is too weak to continue lowering the high unemployment rate in the country, which remains a major concern of citizens and which closed April in a 7.5%. In a parallel data released today, the figure weekly esempleo subsidy claims in the U.S. rose by 10,000 and stood at 354,000 last week. Experts valued the good performance of the economy in the context of sharp cuts in public spending, but said that is unlikely to affect the aggressive monetary stimulus policy implemented by the Fed to stimulate growth. In a recent appearance before the Joint Economic Committee of Congress, the Fed chairman, Ben Bernanke, stated that the policy stimulus including interest rates between 0% and 0.25% and monthly program billionaire bond buying is changed unless finding an economic expansion "continuous and sustainable." The third and final data on U.S. GDP will be released on June 26. MarketWatch

Washington, May 30 (Thomson Financial). - The U.S. economy grew at an annual rate of 2.4% in the first quarter, a tenth less than originally planned, as a result of public spending cuts approved by Congress, especially on defense. However, Commerce Department data released today highlight that consumer spending rebounded in the first three months of the year at a rate of 3.4%, the highest in the past two years. The data is particularly significant in an economy like the U.S., where private consumption accounts for almost 70% of the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In its first estimate, the federal agency had estimated GDP growth at 2.5% for the period between January and February. In this way, the U.S. economy recorded over two years of sustained growth, despite its still palpable warmth accelerates its expansion over the last quarter of 2012, when it expanded 0.4%. The U.S. trade balance data also showed positive, with an increase in exports of goods and services by 0.8% compared with a fall of 2.8% reported for the fourth quarter of 2012, and imports which grew by only 1.9 % compared with a decrease of 4.2% in the previous period. Also, the real estate sector seems to consolidate its recovery from the 2008 crisis, and residential fixed investment grew at a rate of 12.1%. As a brake on economic growth, in contrast, behaved steep spending cuts amounting to 85,000 million approved last March to the end of the fiscal year in September 2013. Government spending fell 4.9% compared to 4.1% forecast in the first of three official estimates, with special emphasis on the defense sector which fell by 12.1%, compared with 11, estimated 5% previously. Without these cuts, the U.S. economic growth would have been 3.4% in the quarter. Meanwhile, prices remained controlled behavior, registering a growth of 1% in the annual adjusted, down from 1.6% at the end of last year, let alone the 2% threshold marked by the Federal Reserve ( Fed) U.S.. Although the data show some optimism about the U.S. economic discourse, the truth is that it is too weak to continue lowering the high unemployment rate in the country, which remains a major concern of citizens and which closed April in a 7.5%. In a parallel data released today, the figure weekly esempleo subsidy claims in the U.S. rose by 10,000 and stood at 354,000 last week. Experts valued the good performance of the economy in the context of sharp cuts in public spending, but said that is unlikely to affect the aggressive monetary stimulus policy implemented by the Fed to stimulate growth. In a recent appearance before the Joint Economic Committee of Congress, the Fed chairman, Ben Bernanke, stated that the policy stimulus including interest rates between 0% and 0.25% and monthly program billionaire bond buying is changed unless finding an economic expansion "continuous and sustainable." The third and final data on U.S. GDP will be released on June 26. MarketWatch

The U.S. economy grew 2.4% in the first quarter - Expansion.com

Washington, May 30 (Thomson Financial). - The U.S. economy grew at an annual rate of 2.4% in the first quarter, a tenth less than originally planned, as a result of public spending cuts approved by Congress, especially on defense. However, Commerce Department data released today highlight that consumer spending rebounded in the first three months of the year at a rate of 3.4%, the highest in the past two years. The data is particularly significant in an economy like the U.S., where private consumption accounts for almost 70% of the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In its first estimate, the federal agency had estimated GDP growth at 2.5% for the period between January and February. In this way, the U.S. economy recorded over two years of sustained growth, despite its still palpable warmth accelerates its expansion over the last quarter of 2012, when it expanded 0.4%. The U.S. trade balance data also showed positive, with an increase in exports of goods and services by 0.8% compared with a fall of 2.8% reported for the fourth quarter of 2012, and imports which grew by only 1.9 % compared with a decrease of 4.2% in the previous period. Also, the real estate sector seems to consolidate its recovery from the 2008 crisis, and residential fixed investment grew at a rate of 12.1%. As a brake on economic growth, in contrast, behaved steep spending cuts amounting to 85,000 million approved last March to the end of the fiscal year in September 2013. Government spending fell 4.9% compared to 4.1% forecast in the first of three official estimates, with special emphasis on the defense sector which fell by 12.1%, compared with 11, estimated 5% previously. Without these cuts, the U.S. economic growth would have been 3.4% in the quarter. Meanwhile, prices remained controlled behavior, registering a growth of 1% in the annual adjusted, down from 1.6% at the end of last year, let alone the 2% threshold marked by the Federal Reserve ( Fed) U.S.. Although the data show some optimism about the U.S. economic discourse, the truth is that it is too weak to continue lowering the high unemployment rate in the country, which remains a major concern of citizens and which closed April in a 7.5%. In a parallel data released today, the figure weekly esempleo subsidy claims in the U.S. rose by 10,000 and stood at 354,000 last week. Experts valued the good performance of the economy in the context of sharp cuts in public spending, but said that is unlikely to affect the aggressive monetary stimulus policy implemented by the Fed to stimulate growth. In a recent appearance before the Joint Economic Committee of Congress, the Fed chairman, Ben Bernanke, stated that the policy stimulus including interest rates between 0% and 0.25% and monthly program billionaire bond buying is changed unless finding an economic expansion "continuous and sustainable." The third and final data on U.S. GDP will be released on June 26. MarketWatch

The U.S. economy grew 2.4% in the first quarter - Expansion.com

Washington, May 30 (Thomson Financial). - The U.S. economy grew at an annual rate of 2.4% in the first quarter, a tenth less than originally planned, as a result of public spending cuts approved by Congress, especially on defense. However, Commerce Department data released today highlight that consumer spending rebounded in the first three months of the year at a rate of 3.4%, the highest in the past two years. The data is particularly significant in an economy like the U.S., where private consumption accounts for almost 70% of the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In its first estimate, the federal agency had estimated GDP growth at 2.5% for the period between January and February. In this way, the U.S. economy recorded over two years of sustained growth, despite its still palpable warmth accelerates its expansion over the last quarter of 2012, when it expanded 0.4%. The U.S. trade balance data also showed positive, with an increase in exports of goods and services by 0.8% compared with a fall of 2.8% reported for the fourth quarter of 2012, and imports which grew by only 1.9 % compared with a decrease of 4.2% in the previous period. Also, the real estate sector seems to consolidate its recovery from the 2008 crisis, and residential fixed investment grew at a rate of 12.1%. As a brake on economic growth, in contrast, behaved steep spending cuts amounting to 85,000 million approved last March to the end of the fiscal year in September 2013. Government spending fell 4.9% compared to 4.1% forecast in the first of three official estimates, with special emphasis on the defense sector which fell by 12.1%, compared with 11, estimated 5% previously. Without these cuts, the U.S. economic growth would have been 3.4% in the quarter. Meanwhile, prices remained controlled behavior, registering a growth of 1% in the annual adjusted, down from 1.6% at the end of last year, let alone the 2% threshold marked by the Federal Reserve ( Fed) U.S.. Although the data show some optimism about the U.S. economic discourse, the truth is that it is too weak to continue lowering the high unemployment rate in the country, which remains a major concern of citizens and which closed April in a 7.5%. In a parallel data released today, the figure weekly esempleo subsidy claims in the U.S. rose by 10,000 and stood at 354,000 last week. Experts valued the good performance of the economy in the context of sharp cuts in public spending, but said that is unlikely to affect the aggressive monetary stimulus policy implemented by the Fed to stimulate growth. In a recent appearance before the Joint Economic Committee of Congress, the Fed chairman, Ben Bernanke, stated that the policy stimulus including interest rates between 0% and 0.25% and monthly program billionaire bond buying is changed unless finding an economic expansion "continuous and sustainable." The third and final data on U.S. GDP will be released on June 26. MarketWatch

The U.S. economy grew 2.4% in the first quarter - Expansion.com

How the International Monetary Fund work

To get in history, the International Monetary Fund was created in 1945 in the United States, and its main objectives are to promote international monetary cooperation, facilitate international trade, and reduce, ultimately, poverty. It also conducts economic policies international regulatory and conciliatory. It is part of the United Nations being an intergovernmental organization made up of 187 members. Headquartered in Washington DC, but has several offices around the world.

IMF Performance

• The main objective of the International Monetary Fund is to ensure the stability of the international monetary system that allows member countries, and therefore its citizens transact with each other, which makes maintaining a stable financial system, sustainable and balanced.
• For this, the International Monetary Fund provides funding to member countries to improve the margin of maneuver of each country in relation to its balance of payments. Between national authorities and the International Monetary Fund made an action plan, ensuring effective both for its compliance.
• It also provides technical support and does a great job as a consultant to member countries to develop effective economic policies, for example on tax administration, monetary and exchange rate policy, supervision and regulation of banking systems and the regulations governing them.

IMF Resources

• Currently, the countries to become members of the International Monetary Fund, quotas must deposit called "subscription fees", which are directly related to the economic capacity of the country.
• These assessments determine the economic aid that the Fund will provide each country as well as their right to vote in decisions about regulations. Thus, the higher the contribution of a country, the more power on joint decisions and have more financial aid when tackling a crisis.
• When a country needs financial aid, IMF gives 25% of its shares, with the country's commitment to return within a period ranging from 3 to 5 years. It is expected that the country must repay the loan as soon as possible to not leave without credit to other member countries.
• In the past, obtaining resources from the International Monetary Fund was made by obtaining the interest on loans outstanding, which made it less effective and solvent, then opting for the model that is currently running .

What are the criteria of banks to lend

Unlike what banks and preach the good credit history of a customer is the most important when lending to this, but taking into account factors that are related to the ability to repay the loan voluntarily or necessity, and that should be very clear.

The ability to pay

The business of a credit institution not sue their debtors and keep their property in the event of default, which also usually results in losses, but to collect the amount borrowed and the interest and fees on time.
For this reason, the main criterion for granting loans is that the applicant can meet the periodic installments. Generally, in the case of mortgages, the monthly fee should not exceed 35% of the borrower's monthly income and your household.
If it is a loan in the medium or long term, banks and fixing the type of employment contract that the customer has, in addition to the strength of the employer. If this does not convince them, may require hiring a payment protection insurance, for example.

The warranty

Second, to ensure that in case of default can recover the borrowed capital and interest, the guarantee granted is very important. If it comes to purchasing a home, precisely the mortgage on the property is essential because the loan shall not exceed 80% of the valuation of this.
In other cases, especially whether to grant loans for amounts higher or long periods, you may require the financial institution, for example, the guarantor, that is, someone other than the client is committed to your estate to pay the debt if it does not comply.
It is also usual for the agency credit loans is fixed in current assets of the applicant, that is, both money and other personal property such as stocks or jewelry that may eventually be left with the first, as a garment, and use it to collect the debt.

tips on to help you save money

 

Then read ten helpful tips on to help you save money, either for special projects, education of your children, your retirement or family emergencies that may occur.Record your expenses for a monthSaving money is not as complicated as it seems, but before cutting your expenses, you need to know exactly what the money is going.To find out, write down your expenses for a month daily, weekly and monthly. You can do a mobile app or a book that you always carry in your bag. It is quite possible that you take a surprise.Once you realize what you spend the money, you can decide what things are necessary and what you can do without. That coffee shop you way to work or bottled water you usually drink, they can add a considerable amount at the end of the year, you could have saved with a little planning.You can for example, always go home with a bottle filled with tap water or buying you a thermos to take to work homemade coffee. If your work have a coffee machine, another option is to wait to get your job facilities to take the coveted coffee.What about that beautiful baby clothes shopping with your credit card? Think of the interest they charge you every month if you do not pay all of the purchases. Do not think that you can not enjoy your daily cup of coffee or dress your baby with these great fashion garments. Sure you can! The important thing is to find alternatives that allow you to save. Ask yourself the goal of spending a little less and save a little more each month. If you think so, maybe you'll have more motivation to avoid unnecessary expenses.You pay yourself firstThe secret to make saving a habit is to give priority to you. This does not mean you buy everything that catches your eye, but you will pay each month as you pay all your creditors usual.Ask yourself a realistic long-term and then "pay yourself" saving a fixed amount of money in a savings account or investment. Be sure to do the same day of each month (for example, every 10th of the month). If you wait until end of the month to see what's left, probably you will find that not much left.The easiest way to do this is to schedule an automatic transfer of a portion of your salary, however small, from your checking account to a savings account, a pension fund or a savings account for your children's college . Your goal is to make saving a habit so ingrained that it can not imagine your life without him. At the end of each month you will have the satisfaction of knowing you've got to protect your future and your family a little more than before.Plan your transfers in stagesMost pension funds, like the IRA (Individual stands for Individual Retirement Accounts and Pension Funds), savings accounts or other college savings options, allow you to choose the date for automatic transfer from your account. Plan these dates so that you know that you will not transfer money the same day to several accounts.If you are paid every two weeks, a transfer program every two weeks. If you are self-employed and the money will arrive irregularly, planning two dates in half of the month, if not usually pay most of your bills.Reduce your debtsSettle your debts is one of the best ways to save money, because the interest you pay on most loans (especially credit cards) is much higher than you earn on most savings accounts. So as you can reduce your credit card debt, student loans, loan to buy the car and any other debt you may have, so you can save more. The only large debt is reasonable to have for a long time is that of a home mortgage.For more information on how to pay your debts, see our guide.Become your own loan officerWhen you finish repaying a loan, continues to make monthly payments, but you! Schedule an automatic transfer of the same amount from your checking account to a savings account or an investment fund.Motivate yourself for a specific purposeDecide what you really want or need (a new couch, a new phone, a holiday) and see what it costs. Then set yourself a realistic goal, for example, take six months to save enough. Post photos of your goal in the refrigerator or in your wallet. Every time you will want to buy some new shoes or buy your child a toy more, you really do not need, look at the picture and ask yourself if you want this fad as much purpose for which you are saving.Open a savings account you can not touchSave for bigger expenses, like a down payment on a house or a car, opening CDs. These bank accounts pose no risk and offer a higher interest rate than normal savings accounts, but the money must remain in the certificate of deposit for a period of time (if you take it out ahead of time, you have to pay a penalty). That way, you can not touch it when you're feeling tempted to buy something you do not really need.Fill a jar with loose changePlace a large bottle narrow mouth (so you can not stick your hand) in a conspicuous place, and empty the coins there every night that's in your wallet. When the jar is full, you can make yourself packets (in banks will give the papers to wrap coins) or use the change counting machines found in some supermarkets, so you change coins for bills. After a few months, this may be enough pocket money to pay for a Christmas gift or membership in a gym, for example.Save the extra revenueEach time you receive a lot of extra money, for example, a tax refund, a payment had been delayed a lot, a bonus at work or a monetary gift, enter it in your savings account. Or, if you have debt, use it to pay your credit cards and loans, or to make an extra payment on your mortgage (money capital to reduce the amount of interest you pay over the years).Gasoline CutGasoline is expensive and the less you use, the more you save. If you can not buy a car that uses less fuel, is less often handle.Make turns with other moms and dads to pick up the kids from day care or with co-workers to get to and from work. Plan your errands so that you can make several in the same area at a time. Whenever you can, walk from one store and another or use public transport. And for your next vacation by car, consider traveling to a nearby location.