Rick Bowmer/AP
Taysom Hill
BYU quarterback Taysom Hill spent his summer interning at a venture capital firm that specializes in funding early-stage technology companies. "I was born and raised in Pocatello, Idaho," Hill said. "I had no idea what went on on Wall Street, and then I started to see all these things and see the opportunities and I loved it."
"The NFL, that's my No. 1 goal. That's what I want to do. But I've also had two season-ending injuries. I'm not stupid. I know things can change like that, and I don't want to have something like that happen and not have anything (else)," he added.
His internship ended last week as Hill gets ready for fall camp.
The strong dollar puts helps US assets but puts pressure on commodity prices (Charles Schwab)
The dollar is up 20% since last year compared with other currencies, driven by the relative strength of the US economy. Typically, a strong dollar puts pressure on commodity prices, enhances the performance of US assets relative to foreign investments, and keeps inflation low, writes Charles Schwab's Kathy A. Jones,
"We continue to suggest that investors underweight foreign bonds in their portfolios. We also suggest underweighting commodities due to the combination of excess supply, weakening demand and a rising dollar," adds Jones.
Here's why it's still worth it to invest in Europe (Advisor Perspectives)
"European equities are not that cheap anymore by a number of valuation metrics; they are trading at an average of about 17 times earnings, which is not a wide undervaluation," writes Philippe Brugere-Trelat of Franklin Templeton Investments. "In my view, the main reason to invest in European equities is the potential for, or the expectation of, a rise in corporate earnings that would be driven by the improving economic environment. As value investors, we believe it's always better to buy when things are just starting to turn the corner."
Brugere-Trelat also notes that it would be wise for investors to think about protecting themselves against a potential weak euro - especially at a time when rates in the US are likely to rise, and the ECB's QE program is still underway.
Estate planning isn't only for the uber wealthy hoping to reduce their taxes (Financial Planning)
"There's this myth that trusts and estates planning is just for the wealthy," says Merrill Lynch advisor Stephen Stabile. "That's just not true."
Even investors whose wealth doesn't lead to estate taxes need help with wealth transfers: wills, guardianships, executorships, powers of attorney, and health-related issues such as long-term care and disability planning, writes Financial Planning's Paul Hechinger.
"It's not about tax minimization. It's making sure that your finances are taken care of if you become incapacitated, or if there are health care decisions that you want carried out according to your wishes, even if you're not able to make those decisions," argues Stabile.
A New York-based broker-dealer has to pay almost $1 million over billions of penny stock sales (InvestmentNews)
"Aegis Capital Corp., a New York-based broker-dealer with roughly 415 registered brokers, has agreed to pay $950,000 as part of a settlement with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. over allegations of improper sales of billions of shares of unregistered penny stocks and anti-money-laundering supervisory lapses," reports InvestmentNews' Mason Braswell.
Two former chief compliance officers were suspended and fined over the charges. Additionally, in a separate action announced on Monday, the firm's president and CEO were also fined and suspended for failing to report about $640,00o in liens.