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COMCAST EXPANDING ITS MULTI-GIG XFINITY NETWORK THROUGHOUT PUEBLO COUNTY

Comcast Colorado

Comcast announced today it will expand its next-generation network, the Xfinity 10G Network, to serve more of Pueblo County, including Pueblo West. The company says the more than $75 million project will provide enhanced business products and services, and extend new fiber-rich highways to connect more of the existing and new homes and businesses throughout the growing Pueblo County area. This planned expansion adds to Comcast’s ongoing $1.2 billion investment in Colorado over the last three years. Construction has already begun in parts of the Pueblo West community, and people will start being able to connect with services before the Fall of 2023. With this expansion, Comcast will provide multi-gig broadband internet speeds, video, mobile, voice, home management, and business products and services. “Comcast is committed to connecting more people to what and who matters most to them,” said J.D. Keller, Senior Vice President, Comcast’s Mountain West Region. “We’re excited to bring our fast, reliable, secure network and services to more people throughout Pueblo County. Whether it’s for work, school, or entertainment, our fiber-rich, multi-gigabit network is built to meet the needs of tomorrow - today.” Once complete, Comcast, the nation’s largest provider of 1.2 Gigabit per second speeds, will give consumers throughout Pueblo West access to reliable and fast Xfinity Internet and Xfinity Mobile service that outperforms its competitors. Comcast’s next-generation technology provides multiple layers of security that automatically detect and block hundreds of thousands of cyber events every second, providing peace of mind to consumers and businesses. “ Access to reliable internet and telecommunications services is critical to the vitality and economic growth of Pueblo,” said Jeff Shaw President/CEO from Pueblo Economic Development Corp. “Comcast is already a great service and community partner throughout our Pueblo communities, and we appreciate their investment. We value their commitment to increasing accessibility and bridging the gap to connect more people to much-needed services that will help our community and businesses thrive.” Comcast is committed to addressing digital equity in communities we serve, through Project UP, the company’s $1 billion dollar commitment to help tens of millions of people connect to the internet and build futures of unlimited possibilities. Last year, Comcast Colorado invested more than $42.6 million to help more than 260 community organizations statewide provide personalized digital skills training, offer workforce development/readiness workshops and other tech education to students, adults, and people with disabilities. Comcast supported local organizations including United Way of Pueblo County, Boys &Girls Clubs of Pueblo County, and Southern Colorado Youth Development among others. And Comcast has four Lift Zone connectivity centers at central community organizations throughout Pueblo including Boys & Girls Clubs of Pueblo County, Southern Colorado Youth Development, El Centro Del Quinto Sol Pueblo Parks and Recreation, and RMSER Community Center, to ensure more people have access to secure, reliable Wi Fi. Comcast’s community funding supports ongoing efforts to build awareness about connectivity programs like Internet Essentials and the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which offers eligible households up to $30/month credit, or up to $75 for households on tribal lands, for home Internet. Comcast proudly participates in the Affordable Connectivity Program, and offers Internet Essentials Plus, a $29.95/month home Internet service that is effectively free for eligible households, once the ACP credit is applied. Interested customers can visit Xfinity.com/ACP or call 1-800-Xfinity to learn more about this program and find out if they qualify. For more construction details and updates, visit https://colorado.comcast.com/Pueblo Powered by the Xfinity 10G Network Comcast’s next-generation network and Internet experience are powering homes today and into the future: Ultimate Capacity: Xfinity customers connect nearly 1 billion devices across the company’s network annually. The Xfinity 10G Network with the next-generation Xfinity gateways deliver the most advanced WiFi technology carrying three times more bandwidth to power streaming, gaming, videoconferencing, and more, simultaneously. Fastest Internet: 10 million+ Xfinity Internet customers subscribe to gigabit speed products, and Ookla rated Xfinity the fastest Internet provider at the end of 2022*. Symmetrical gig speeds to the first homes are planned for later this year. Unprecedented Coverage: The latest Xfinity Gateway provides a more reliable connection throughout the home. Customers can get wall-to-wall WiFi coverage with a powerful xFi Pod that extends coverage to hard-to-reach areas, with plans for an offering of increased support for in-home WiFi through a “boost guarantee” later this year. Most Reliable Connection: Comcast is scaling the nation’s largest and most reliable network – the Xfinity 10G Network – that passes 60 million homes and business and counting. The company plans to launch a new device that is “storm-ready” with cellular and battery backup to help keep customers connected even when the power goes out. Ultra-Low Latency: The Xfinity 10G Network and the latest xFi Gateway are a powerful combination that deliver ultra-low latency for those moments when response times matter most like video games, a fast-growing category with Xfinity households averaging more than one gaming console per home. For local businesses, Comcast Business offers a suite of connectivity, communications, networking, cybersecurity, wireless, and managed solutions to help organizations of different sizes prepare for what’s next. Powered by the nation’s largest Gig-speed broadband network, and backed by 24/7 customer support, Comcast Business is the nation’s largest cable provider to small and mid-size businesses and one of the leading service providers to the Enterprise market. Comcast Business has been consistently recognized by industry analysts and associations as a leader and innovator, and one of the fastest-growing providers of Ethernet services. About Comcast: Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on connectivity, aggregation, and streaming with 57 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Ookla’s Speedtest TM Market Index report shows that Xfinity delivered the fastest median download speeds to its Internet customers in Colorado for the final quarter of 2022. Once permits are obtained and construction has begun in the public rights of way, Comcast will create an online resource for residents seeking information about the network build in their neighborhood, including answers to frequently asked questions and product and service details. For more information about Pueblo County’s broadband expansion initiative please visit www.colorado.comcast.com/Pueblo About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on broadband, aggregation, and streaming with 57 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Leslie Oliver +1 303-810-6326 leslie_oliver@comcast.com Company Website https://colorado.comcast.com/

March 09, 2023 09:00 AM Mountain Standard Time

USMJ.com Partnership & New Products

North American Cannabis Holdings, Inc.

McapMediaWire - - North American Cannabis Holdings, Inc. (OTC: USMJ ) - USMJ.com has established a new partnership with Nature’s Perfect Hemp, out of Tennessee. Nature’s Perfect Hemp has a wide variety of products that range from CBD, Delta-8, Delta-9 & Delta-10 in various formats for customers to take their cannabinoids. Link to Nature’s Perfect Hemp products Some key facts about the partnership & products: All new products have been 3 party tested Vapes, Prerolls, Gummies come in a variety of flavors All Products are available for wholesale through USMJ looks to cultivate and grow partnerships with American Based companies for the ever-growing cannabis market. “I couldn’t be more excited about this partnership with David Cooper & Nature’s Perfect Hemp” says, Steven Rash, CEO, North American Cannabis Holdings. “It’s been a while since I’ve been excited from an opportunity standpoint, and we’ve been working hard to get this done. It’s ready and I hope our customers are ready.” David Cooper, CEO of Nature’s Perfect Hemp, started his company back in 2017. After dealing with pain from surgeries and rehabilitation he encountered Hemp. Just a couple drops a day relieved his pain and turned a complicated lifestyle into a normal lifestyle. Experimenting with his own personal formulation which allowed him to modify for his personal needs. These formulas became Nature’s Perfect Hemp. “Steve is a professional businessman, and exiting our meeting he was extremely about our future business together. We’re happy to have our products listed on USMJ.com ” says, David Cooper, CEO of Nature’s Perfect Hemp. “When we first chatted with USMJ, we knew there would be synergy and an opportunity for growth on both fronts.” Vendors looking to partner with USMJ.com may read about the process and apply here: https://usmj.com/pages/vendor-inquiries Background: USMJ.com is a line of business of North American Cannabis Holdings, Inc. USMJ.com is one of the largest and fastest growing marketplaces to shop for CBD, CBG, hemp and cannabis essentials. Additionally, UMSJ.com has multiple B2B programs and partnerships offering them access to the tools and products USMJ.com has to offer. Disclaimer/Safe Harbor: This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act. The statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Among others, these risks include the expectation that any of the companies mentioned herein will achieve significant sales, the failure to meet schedule or performance requirements of the companies' contracts, the companies' liquidity position, the companies' ability to obtain new contracts, the emergence of competitors with greater financial resources and the impact of competitive pricing. In the light of these uncertainties, the forward-looking events referred to in this release might not occur. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. For More Information Contact Steven Rash North American Cannabis Holdings, Inc +1 888 694 8765 info@shopusmj.com David Cooper https://naturesperfecthemp.com info@naturesperfecthemp.com Contact Details North American Cannabis Holdings, Inc info@aciconglomerated.com Company Website https://usmj.com/

March 09, 2023 09:54 AM Eastern Standard Time

Is Forex Trading Hard?

CedarFX

The foreign exchange, or forex, market is the largest financial market in the world, with a daily trading volume of more than $7.5 trillion (as of April 2022), according to the Bank for International Settlements. However, retail traders form only 5.5% of the total forex traders globally. Multinational and investment banks, institutional investors and government agencies control over 90% of the total trades. Retail traders often find it daunting or extremely expensive to enter the forex market because of the sheer trading size requirements and the extreme market volatility. The forex market is open 24 hours a day five days a week and is sensitive to developments in economies. Markets are most active during certain hours, so a trader has to keep up to date with market news and events and remain active during the most active trading hours to generate hefty profits. What is Forex? The foreign exchange market facilitates the trading of national currencies. More than 170 currencies are used in the world, but seven currencies dominate the majority of the transactions in the forex market — U.S. dollar (USD), Euro (EUR), Great British Pound (GBP), Australian dollar (AUD), Japanese yen (JPY), Swiss franc (CHF) and New Zealand dollar (NZD). These currencies form the major currency pairs in the forex market and account for nearly 75% of the total trades. USD is considered the reserve currency of the world and has been on one side of 88% of all international forex trades. Lesser-dominant currencies, particularly the fiat money of emerging economies, are often grouped to form “exotic currency pairs.” Given the relatively lower demand for such currencies, they are not traded frequently and have higher bid-ask spreads. As they are traded in lowers volumes, exotic pairs are highly illiquid in nature and are also more volatile than major currencies. What Makes Forex Trading Difficult? The forex market opens at 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on Sunday and remains active for 24 hours a day throughout the week till 4 p.m. EST on Friday. Also, foreign exchange rates are highly volatile, as even a minor development in one country or a geopolitical event can result in massive currency rate fluctuations. In addition, forex trades are often conducted on margin and are typically placed in lots. For reference, a standard lot size is 100,000 units of the base currency. Investors opting for margin trading borrow funds from brokers, amplifying losses and increasing risk. Margin traders are required to put up a certain proportion of capital as minimum margin and maintenance margin. Want to Start Forex Trading? Here’s Where to Start Currency trading might seem unnerving, but successful forex trades can generate a higher return on investment (ROI) compared to equivalent stock trades within a shorter time span. Follow these steps to begin your forex trading journey: Find a Reputable Broker Finding an appropriate broker that matches your investment requirements and risk appetite is the first step to currency trading. While there are numerous online brokers available, selecting the right broker will minimize your transaction expenses and improve profit margins. You can take a look at some of the best forex brokers here. Start With a Demo Account Forex trading might be confusing for beginners and can result in high losses if not strategically executed. Most online forex brokers allow novice traders to open a free demo account, which simulates real-life trading in forex markets. Traders can see in real-time how currency pairs move and practice investing in a risk-free environment. Learn the Fundamentals of the Markets Practicing investing in the forex market is a great way to understand the fundamentals of foreign exchange. Apart from knowing the basics such as market timing and the most popular currency pairs, a forex trader should begin researching key essential forex jargon such as lot size, bid-ask spread, pips and leverage as well as orient themselves with popular currency trading strategies. This practice will help them build adequate knowledge about forex trading. Apart from providing demo trading accounts, some of the best forex brokers provide educational content on their websites to help beginners understand the complex workings of the currency trading market. Pay Attention to Risk Management Risk management is crucial while investing in forex, as the potential for losses is high. Most forex trades are placed on margin, which magnifies the risk of losses on an adverse trade. Implementing risk management strategies such as placing stop-loss orders and limiting the use of leverage can help a forex trader mitigate the market risk with ease. Work With a Broker You Can Trust Choosing a broker that fits your investment profile is one important part to becoming a successful forex trader. Online forex brokers that have a short processing time and low commission fees are often the most favored, as forex trades are typically required to be executed as soon as possible to capitalize on price swings. Amid the rising popularity of environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing, the world’s first eco-friendly forex trading platform CedarFX is gaining traction rapidly. You can check out CedarFX’s review here. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details CedarFX +1 877-440-9464 info@cedarfx.com Company Website https://www.cedarfx.com/

March 09, 2023 06:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Fundamental Factors That Affect Exchange Rates for Forex Traders

CedarFX

Investors often hesitate to invest in the foreign exchange (forex) market, as its sheer size and volatility can be daunting. Geopolitical relations and current events have a major impact on currency exchange rates so the forex market is more volatile than traditional stocks or bonds. But most short-term fluctuations are chalked up to market noise. Identifying the fundamental factors affecting exchange rates can help traders capitalize on market fluctuations and boost their profit margins. Understanding Exchange Rates The exchange rate refers to the value at which one currency can be exchanged for another. At the time of writing, the USD/CAD exchange rate stood at 1.35, while the USD/EUR was 0.93. This means that one U.S. dollar buys 1.35 Canadian dollars but only 0.93 Euros. Traders essentially buy one currency at the rate in which one currency can be exchanged for another in the forex market. If traders expect a currency such as the U.S. dollar to appreciate against the Euro, they will buy USD/EUR currency pair (go long). If the consensus is that USD will plummet relative to EUR, traders will sell, or short, the major currency pair. Common Economics That Impact Forex Traders Several fundamental factors cause exchange rates to rise or fall. Understanding the primary economic factors influencing the U.S. dollar can help amateur traders build a solid foundation regarding forex trading, as the greenback was one side of approximately 88% of all forex trades as of April 2022, according to the Bank for International Settlements (BIS). Inflation Rates Inflation typically has a negative impact on a currency and the corresponding exchange rate. The purchasing power of a currency plummets during periods of inflation, causing it to depreciate relative to foreign currencies. As the cost of goods and services rise in a home country, the demand for them falls in the international market. As a result, the demand for the corresponding currency declines as well, causing its value to fall with respect to other currencies. For instance, because of the hyperinflation crisis in Sri Lanka in 2022, its central bank intervened to devalue the Sri Lankan rupee by 15% in March. Terms of Trade Terms of trade (TOT) is the value of a country’s export prices with respect to its import prices. It is derived by dividing total export prices by import prices. A positive TOT ratio indicates the total value of exports is higher than the total value of imports. Consequently, the demand for domestic currency is higher in the international market, reflecting currency strength. But if imports exceed exports, the value of the domestic currency tends to fall, causing the equivalent exchange rates to depreciate. Government Debt Government debt reflects the overall strength of an economy and market confidence in its legal tender. A country with a very high debt level runs the risk of default, which will result in the currency depreciating. The level of federal debt typically affects the market faith in a currency, and any change in the total borrowings has a direct impact on its exchange rates relative to other currencies. The U.S. hit its debt ceiling limit on Jan. 19, raising alarms regarding the government’s ability to meet its payment obligations. If Congress fails to pass a resolution to raise the debt ceiling, the U.S. dollar could fall significantly. Recessions Exchange rates tend to fall during periods of economic downturn or recession. As the aggregate demand and consumer spending fall, the currency’s value also declines with respect to other foreign fiat currencies. Recession warnings issued last year by analysts and economists caused the U.S. dollar to fall late last year. The U.S. Dollar Index has declined by 3.7% over the past three months despite the Federal Reserve’s persistent rate hikes. The reserve currency index hit its nine-month low on Feb. 1 amid recession warnings and the Fed’s signal for slower rate hikes for the upcoming months. Political Stability and Performance Geopolitical tensions have caused forex market volatility to multiply over the past few years. Current market and political news play an important role in influencing exchange rates and often cause wild swings in the forex market. Illustrating with an example, the Russian ruble hit its all-time low after the country waged a war against Ukraine last February. Also, the Turkish lira hits a new record low against USD after the devastating earthquake as concerns regarding the economic stability of the region were brought into question. The economic crisis in Pakistan has caused the Pakistani rupee to fall heavily against the greenback. Forex Trading Demystified While the daily fluctuations in exchange rates can appear daunting, fundamental factors typically have a long-term impact on exchange rates, while the impact of daily news on currencies is typically recovered intraday or within the short term. An economy’s health, growth prospects and overall stability are the primary factors you should consider before trading the respective currency. Analyzing a currency’s relative performance with other major currencies is important. For instance, almost all economies in the world were affected by raging inflation levels last year, causing major currency fluctuations. Also, the U.S. dollar is expected to remain strong against European currencies and the Chinese yuan despite the recession concerns, primarily because of the economic stability of the nation. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details CedarFX +1 877-440-9464 info@cedarfx.com Company Website https://www.cedarfx.com/

March 09, 2023 06:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

What is an Islamic Forex Account?

LonghornFX

Few social-cultural systems have impacted our society more than religion. The belief in a higher power has shaped the world through rituals, sermons and other practices but also through defining the fundamental guidelines of social behavior within the communities. For religions like Islam, those guidelines include extensive references to finance, creating the concept of Islamic finance. Offering foreign exchange (forex) services to Muslim customers has to be in accordance with their beliefs through special Islamic accounts. This article will cover the basics of Islamic forex accounts — how they work and what makes them different from ordinary ones. Fundamentals of Halal Forex Trading Islam is an old religion with complex guidelines, many of which offer in-depth principles for financial business. Although some of them sound outdated by modern standards, their principles still apply. For example, a trade has to be immediately exchanged. This concept works through over-the-counter (OTC) trading. No interest is involved in any form, credited or debited. Halal forex trading has to be swap-free — without an interest fee for an overnight position. Finally, forex trading has an advantage over other markets in terms of short-selling. Islam prohibits short selling — borrowing an asset while betting on its price decline. But currencies trade as a pair so selling a currency doesn’t have to involve borrowing any asset or interest element. Is Forex Trading Halal or Haram? Forex trading can be both halal or haram. It depends on the individual’s attitude toward it. According to Islamic law, something is considered forbidden or “haram” based on the guidelines of the Holy Quran. The forex-related prohibited activities include charging interest and gambling. While Islamic forex accounts operate without charging interest, the gambling factor is partially up to the traders themselves. Is their strategy sound? Are they operating with a specific purpose or randomly? Islam doesn’t prohibit conducting regular business, which involves taking on risk, yet by removing the leverage factor, an Islamic forex broker removes the gambling element — making the trading halal. Understanding How Islamic Forex Accounts Function Islamic forex accounts have few key differences from regular accounts. Here are four things to keep in mind when trading through an Islamic forex account. Commissions Islamic accounts are swap-free, meaning they don’t pay or earn swaps or interest on any trades. Instead, most brokers opt for a flat financing charge rate, also known as a commission, that depends on the currency pair. While popular pairs such as USD/JPY might have a low commission, exotic ones like EUR/ZAR might be 10 times more expensive. Eliminating Interest Earning or charging interest or riba is one of the critical haram concepts in Islamic finance. In forex trading, interest is charged or accrued for trades that roll over into the next day. Islamic forex accounts don’t offer this, preventing some strategies based on that concept. For example, borrowing the lower interest rate currency to fund a purchase of a higher interest rate currency is known as a carry. Yet, Muslim traders should not pursue it, nor should it work on Islamic forex accounts. Limited Currency Pairs Using an Islamic forex account might limit access to some exotic currency pairs. This is mainly because of the broker’s expenses associated with the significant interest rate differentials. Exotic currency pairs involve emerging markets that often have high-interest rates, such as Turkey or Thailand, and brokers cannot process those trades under halal guidelines. This limitation doesn’t impact most traders who prefer to stick with the most popular currencies: the U.S. dollar (USD), the Euro (EUR), the Japanese yen (JPY), the British pound (GBP), the Canadian dollar (CAD), the Swiss franc (CHF), the Australian dollar (AUD) and the New Zealand dollar (NZD). Wider Spreads By offering leveraged trading through borrowed funds, brokers make a sizeable portion of their income by charging swap interest. Because charging interest is not allowed in Islamic finance, they have to find some other compensation to make it up by setting a wider spread. This spread seldom makes a difference for long-term traders, but it makes short-term trading (scalping) much harder. Traders who execute tens of daily trades might have to adjust their approach as fees and spreads quickly add up, eating into the profits. Religious Compliance Comes With Restrictions Religion is essential to many people’s lives. Its influence stretches far beyond the spiritual element and sometimes deep into established business practices. Currency exchange is a fundamental part of international business, and the only way it works is through currency trading. By collaborating with Islamic scholars, forex brokers found a way to offer their services in a halal way. While it limits access to some markets or prevents pursuing specific strategies, it is a small price to access one of the largest markets in the world. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details LonghornFX help@longhornfx.com Company Website https://www.longhornfx.com/

March 09, 2023 06:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

The True Impact of Monetary Policy on the Forex Market

LonghornFX

Monetary policy is perhaps the most pivotal driver impacting foreign exchange (forex) because it influences the currencies in circulation. Following the Federal Reserve’s announcement of hike rates to tame inflation, the U.S. dollar strengthened significantly compared to other currencies. The Fed hiked the benchmark federal funds rate seven times last year, causing the greenback to register its best year since 2016. However, the trends have changed this year, as the Fed has signaled lower rate hikes. The U.S. dollar index slumped last week as the central bank raised the interest rate by 25 basis points. Let’s take a closer look at the correlation between monetary policy and the forex market to better understand exchange rate fluctuations. What Is Monetary Policy? Monetary policy is one of the most important tools used by central banks worldwide to regulate the total currencies in circulation. Controlling the aggregate money supply has implications for a nation’s economic growth, employment, inflation level and forex markets. The U.S. central bank controls the total amount of U.S. dollars in circulation globally at any given point in time, while the European Central Bank (ECB) and Bank of England control the quantity of euro (EUR) and Great British Pound (GBP) disseminated worldwide. A central bank has several tools at its disposal, allowing it to properly regulate an economy’s money supply. The Federal funds rate, which is the rate at which banks can lend and borrow excess funds overnight, is often the most common parameter by central banks globally. Other policy tools include open market operations, under which the Fed buys and sells government bonds (Treasuries), and discount window and rate, which is the interest rate charged by the Fed on loans to commercial banks. Types of Monetary Policy Central banks use monetary policy tools to increase, decrease or maintain a currency’s total supply to meet the economic goals set forth or address macroeconomic headwinds. Let’s look at the four types of monetary policies. Restrictive monetary policy: This policy is implemented when a central bank aims to reduce a nation’s total currency in circulation. Raising the benchmark interest rate is a standard technique implemented for restrictive monetary policies. This process raises the average borrowing costs in a country, thereby encouraging businesses and investors to scale down their operations. Other commonly used restrictive monetary policy tools are raising the discount rate and selling government bonds in the open market. The Fed has raised the federal funds rate eight times since last year, while the ECB increased its interest rate five times since 2022. Expansionary monetary policy: Under expansionary policies, central banks boost the total money supply to promote economic growth. Borrowing becomes cheaper under this policy, encouraging people to spend more. As a result, the aggregate demand rises, prompting a rise in total production and gross domestic product (GDP). Banks lower interest rates and discount rates and buy government bonds and other debt to improve and raise the total money supply. During the initial wave of COVID-19, central banks around the world adopted an expansionary monetary policy to mitigate the impact of the global lockdown. The Fed lowered its benchmark rate to near-zero levels during the first quarter of 2020 and also implemented a significant quantitative easing strategy. Accommodative monetary policy: This is when central banks raise the total money supply in economies to prevent stagnation for fuel economic growth. It is similar to expansionary monetary policy, as banks use similar tools to effectuate an accommodative policy. The Fed implemented an accommodative policy to bring the U.S. economy out of recession in 2008 when the unemployment rate hovered at 6.5%, while inflation fell below 2% and was projected to decline further. Neutral monetary policy: When an economy runs at the perfect pace, a central bank pursues a neutral monetary policy to maintain the equilibrium. It is imperative that such a policy is only used when the “economic conditions are just right,” as stated by Janet Yellen, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Treasury. Theoretically, a nation with the highest possible GDP growth rate, inflation below the predetermined target and operating at the natural rate of unemployment is considered to be in equilibrium, allowing for the utilization of a neutral monetary policy. So, What’s the Real Effect of Monetary Policies on Forex Traders? Typically, when a central bank implements a contractionary monetary policy, the respective currency strengthens, causing associated exchange rates to rise. Illustrating with an example, assume 1 USD = 100 JPY (Japanese yen). If the U.S. dollar appreciates in value, then 1 unit of the greenback can buy even more units of JPY. Thus, the new forex rate can be 1 USD = 103 JPY. However, if the markets expect contractionary policies to slow down in the upcoming months or have already priced in the impact, the forex rate might fall. Recently, as the Fed hiked rates by only 25 basis points earlier this month and signaled tamer hikes ahead, the US dollar index declined marginally year-to-date. Monetary Policy: The Key Driver for the Forex Market Monetary policy is the most important economic factor influencing forex rates. While it is difficult to know the exact monetary policy tools a central bank might use to regulate a currency, economists often release predictions regarding the next plausible move by the central bank. Committee heads release their own statements and projections. The Federal Open Market Committee members and regional Fed chairpersons also announce their official projections, which are combined to create a Fed Dot Plot. Studying these projections can give traders an idea about the monetary policy tools a central bank might enforce in the near term, thereby allowing them to make an informed bet in the forex market. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details LonghornFX help@longhornfx.com Company Website https://www.longhornfx.com/

March 09, 2023 05:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Is an Eco-Friendly Forex Trading Strategy Possible?

CedarFX

Sustainable investing has been gaining traction over the past three years, as investors have begun prioritizing climate change mitigation. As governments and corporations worldwide take action on reducing their net carbon footprints, environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing practices will likely become one of the most popular investing strategies in the years to come. But only a handful of online brokers facilitate eco-friendly forex trading. Traders in the Forex Market Are Increasingly Focused on Sustainability The forex market is one of the most sustainable financial markets, as all transactions are processed electronically. Brokers have been implementing several strategies to boost their sustainability efforts further. This is in sharp contrast to alternative asset markets such as cryptocurrencies. Crypto mining is one of the leading causes of greenhouse gas emissions in certain markets, as it consumes huge amounts of electricity. The U.S. houses almost 33.33% of total global crypto-asset operations and generates one of the highest greenhouse gas emissions from such activities. Crypto-related operations account for 0.9% to 1.7% of total electricity use in the U.S. — equivalent electricity use of all home computers and lighting in the country. Crypto-related activity also accounts for 0.4% to 0.8% of total U.S. gas emissions, equivalent to the emissions from diesel fuel from railroads. While ESG investing in stocks seems efficient on paper, certain publicly-traded corporations often engage in greenwashing to entice investors. This happens when companies spread misinformation regarding their total greenhouse emissions or make fictitious promises regarding their carbon footprint reduction goals. Optimizing Your Forex Trades to Support an Eco-Friendly Future The most important step to becoming an eco-friendly forex trader is to choose an appropriate broker that engages in sustainable trading practices. Most eco-friendly brokers list their sustainability efforts on their websites, allowing potential traders to view the information with ease. Knowing their vision and commitment to the environment is crucial, as brokers might use past practices as an advertisement to entice green investors without actually having any long-term resolutions. You can view the list of some of the best forex brokers here. How Can You Develop An Environmentally Friendly Forex Strategy? Using an eco-friendly forex broker is key to becoming a green forex trader, but there are several other ways to practice sustainable investing. Investing in forex from home through an online broker can help you reduce your total carbon footprint by saving gas spent on travel. In addition, using tools and strategies that consume lower energy also reduces greenhouse emissions. Another eco-friendly strategy is investing in the currencies of countries that have committed to lowering their carbon footprints. Most Western nations have pledged to eliminate their carbon footprint by 2050. As such, many countries have signed the landmark climate change treaty the Paris agreement, which aims to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. According to the World Economic Forum, eight countries have already achieved carbon neutrality: Bhutan, Gabon, Madagascar, Suriname, Niue, Guyana, Comoros and Panama. Put Eco-Friendly Forex Trading to the Test With CedarFX CedarFX, a St. Vincent and Grenadines-based online forex broker, is one of the most prominent eco-friendly forex brokers in the market. Billing itself as the world’s first eco-broker, CedarFX has partnerships with environmental organizations. The 0% commission broker has partnered with the British environmental organization Ecologi to promote reforestation efforts. The platform’s eco-friendly account, CedarFX Eco Account, contributes $1 for every dollar paid by traders. CedarFX, along with Ecologi, has planted 125,859 trees as part of its pledge to plant 10 trees for every lot traded through the platform. The platform also supports The Gold Standard, a Switzerland-based nonprofit that sets quantifiable standards for climate and development interventions. You can view the CedarFX platform’s features and offerings here. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details CedarFX +1 877-440-9464 info@cedarfx.com Company Website https://www.cedarfx.com/

March 09, 2023 05:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Inflation and Potential Recession Put Retirement at Risk

Retirable

Experts have been ringing the recession alarm bells for some time. If you’re considering retiring soon, you may be worried about what that means for your golden years — and you may have reason to be nervous or stressed. A majority of retirees (77%) and non-retirees (72%) say they’re worried about a recession affecting their plans, according to a recent Kiplinger survey. Pre-Retirees and Retirees Face an Uncertain Future For starters, the value of your nest egg has likely taken a dip — the S&P 500 lost over 19% in 2022. Bonds have fallen similarly. But the stock market isn’t the only thing making you feel less than optimistic about retiring. A number of additional factors may be affecting your retirement plans, including market volatility, the financial security of Social Security, rising healthcare costs and inflation, which has remained at record-high levels. “Adults above the age of 50 have a number of concerns right now,” said Retirable CEO and Co-Founder Tyler End, a certified financial planner (CFP®). “Inflation and a potential recession are concerns that are top-of-mind for many of our clients as they approach retirement. As more Americans move into the decumulation phase of their retirement plan, inflation will make a big impact on their day-to-day life.” Case in point: More than 70% of those 50 and older are worried that inflation will cause serious hardship during retirement, the Kiplinger survey found. Understanding Inflation’s Effects Inflation has been consistently high for the past year, driving up costs and reducing the purchasing power of savers. This is a cause for concern for many Americans who are looking ahead to their golden years and wondering where to put their money during an inflation surge. Because interest rates are rising, the real — or inflation-adjusted — value of retirement portfolios dropped, which means if you’re retiring soon and need to withdraw your money, you’ll have less purchasing power. “Simply put, you will need more money to buy goods and services in this environment,” End said. “Daily costs will be more than what you may have budgeted for. These changes will affect how you plan, invest and spend during retirement.” Say you plan to withdraw $25,000 each year in retirement and your retirement lasts 25 years. If inflation is at 4%, your exact same lifestyle will cost you $66,646 at the end of your retirement. How to Recession-Proof Your Retirement You can’t control the market — or the economy for that matter — but you can control what you decide to do about the current landscape. Taking the wheel on your finances during a recession can restore feelings of control and lower stress — and save you money. The sooner you act, the more likely you’ll enter your retirement (somewhat) on top. Retirable, known for its holistic approach to retirement alongside the ongoing care of an adviser, recently released its guide “ How to Recession-Proof Your Retirement.” Written by its team of certified financial planners, Retirable’s free guide helps pre-retirees and retirees gain a better understanding of how to plan, invest and spend throughout retirement. The guide provides a playbook for adults aged 50-plus to help withstand any economic situation, including: Planning advice to boost your savings, consolidate your debts and use your greatest assets Ways to balance your investments, be smart with investment fees and lower your tax burden Retirement income strategies and resilient spending plans to help you embrace the unknown Retirable is designed for the 50 million Americans approaching retirement in the next decade without a formal retirement plan. Retirable is on a mission to provide ongoing management from a dedicated fiduciary adviser to help clients spend retirement income efficiently, make savings last and navigate key decisions throughout retirement. Download your free copy of “How to Recession-Proof Your Retirement” and give yourself the clarity and confidence you need to weather any economic storm. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Retirable +1 833-222-1807 info@retirable.com Company Website https://retirable.com/

March 08, 2023 02:52 PM Eastern Standard Time

MinZheng Wahlers and Jadyn Diaz Named Winners of Jersey Mike’s Naismith High School Basketball Courage Award

Atlanta Tipoff Club

MinZheng “MZ” Wahlers of Golden View Classical Academy in Golden, Colo., and Jadyn Diaz of Ukiah High School in Ukiah, Calif., have been named the winners of the fourth annual Jersey Mike’s Naismith High School Basketball Courage Award. The Atlanta Tipoff Club, which administers the Naismith Awards, determined Wahlers and Diaz stood out above the rest after evaluating hundreds of nominations nationwide. The Naismith Awards are the most prestigious national honors in high school and college basketball. To watch a video of each winner, go to https://youtu.be/c4-Mkp0US1o (Jadyn Diaz) and https://youtu.be/ZpoP-n7qoTk (MZ Wahlers). Diaz has dealt with a rare bone disease throughout her life that causes her bones to grow unintendedly, resulting in multiple surgeries. The operations cut back bones that grow larger than her body can handle. Her most recent surgery included the removal of two inches of a rib that punctured her lung. She recovered quicker than expected and rejoined the girls’ basketball team in a limited capacity. To add to her misfortune, she lost her mom to cancer a couple of years ago. Wahlers has also faced continuous adversity in his life. Born with a Cleft lip and palate in China, he was immediately abandoned at a police station, where doctors conducted emergency surgery to close his upper palate. After the operation, he was without a home. He was eventually fostered by a local family and began to focus on basketball. “Beyond the basketball court, MZ and Jadyn have demonstrated incredible courage throughout their lives and have become tremendous role models in their communities,” said Eric Oberman, executive director of the Atlanta Tipoff Club. “This award evaluates an individual as a well-rounded person, not just for their on-court talent, and both MZ and Jadyn exemplify what it means to win the Jersey Mike’s Naismith Courage Award.” The Jersey Mike’s Naismith High School Basketball Courage Award recognizes a high school basketball player who has consistently gone above and beyond throughout the basketball season and has demonstrated courage in their approach to their team, school, and community. Jersey Mike’s will make a $2,000 donation to each player’s high school basketball program in their honor and reward each winner with an additional $2,000 per student. Winners will be recognized at their school and through a video tribute shared across the Naismith Trophy and Jersey Mike’s websites and social media accounts. “We’ve been thrilled to help tell the stories of so many amazing and courageous student-athletes across the country,” said Rich Hope, Chief Marketing Officer of Jersey Mike’s Franchise Systems, Inc. “We want to congratulate Jadyn and MZ for winning the 2023 Jersey Mike’s Naismith High School Basketball Courage Awards. Their stories inspire all of us.” For more information about the winners, visit www.astudentabove.com. ABOUT THE ATLANTA TIPOFF CLUB Founded during the 1956-57 season, the Atlanta Tipoff Club is committed to promoting the game of basketball and recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of those who make the game so exciting. The Atlanta Tipoff Club administers the Naismith Awards, the most prestigious national honors in all of college and high school basketball. Named in honor of Dr. James Naismith, inventor of the game of basketball, the family of Naismith Awards annually recognizes the most outstanding men’s and women’s college and high school basketball players and coaches. Other Naismith Awards are presented to the men’s and women’s college basketball defensive players of the year, as well as lifetime achievement awards to basketball officials and outstanding contributors to the game. UCLA’s Lew Alcindor received the first Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy in 1969, while the late Anne Donovan (Old Dominion) was the inaugural women’s recipient in 1983. Corporate partners of the Naismith Awards include Jersey Mike’s and Werner Ladder. ABOUT JERSEY MIKE’S SUBS Jersey Mike’s Subs, with nearly 2,500 locations nationwide, serves authentic fresh sliced/fresh grilled subs on in-store freshly baked bread — the same recipe it started with in 1956. Passion for giving in Jersey Mike’s local communities is reflected in its mission statement “Giving…making a difference in someone’s life.” For more information, please visit jerseymikes.com or follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/jerseymikes), Instagram (instagram.com/jerseymikes), and Twitter (twitter.com/jerseymikes.com). Contact Details Eric Nemeth +1 602-502-2793 nemeth@ericpr.com Company Website https://www.astudentabove.com/

March 08, 2023 12:39 PM Eastern Standard Time

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