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President Trump's economic policies, particularly his tariffs, have led to a significant stock market drop (10.5%) and widespread criticism.

 The tariffs were much higher than expected, and China's retaliatory tariffs made it clear that Trump's strategy was not achieving quick victories. The Federal Reserve also warned that the higher tariffs would lead to inflation and slower growth, which contradicts previous optimistic predictions. Business leaders, once strong Trump supporters, are now concerned about the potential economic fallout, with some privately acknowledging that his approach could damage the economy. While many still oppose the Biden administration, they worry Trump's actions could backfire. There's a lack of clarity in Trump's goals with the tariffs—sometimes he claims they are to bring back manufacturing, other times to negotiate tariff reductions with other countries. This uncertainty has slowed investment, with fewer mergers and IPOs taking place this year. The economy faces serious risks, including a 50% chance of recession and rising inflation, while manufacturing output contracts. W...
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Protect Your Retirement Savings When Markets Plunge

Build a Cash Cushion: Hold enough in stable cash investments to cover 2-3 years of retirement expenses to avoid selling stocks at a loss during market downturns. Fix Your Mix (a Little): Shift more assets into bonds to dampen losses, especially if your portfolio became heavily weighted in stocks after recent gains. Aim for enough bonds and cash to cover 5-7 years of withdrawals, but don't go overboard as stocks are needed for long-term inflation protection. Adjust Your Spending: Reduce discretionary spending, both before and during early retirement, to lessen the need to draw from potentially depleted savings. Consider forgoing inflation adjustments to withdrawals or implementing "guardrails" that adjust withdrawal rates based on market performance. Have a Plan B — and C: Develop alternative lifestyle plans for retirement, ranging from ideal to more financially conservative options, to increase flexibility and reduce anxiety in uncertain economic times. Work a Little Lo...
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The biggest two-day pullback in the stock market

The U.S. stock market shed $6.6 trillion in the past two sessions, according to Dow Jones Market Data, a new record. The biggest two-day pullback before this week was during the Covid-19 market, when $4.4 trillion of stock-market value evaporated in the two days ending March 12, 2020.
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President Donald Trump announced new tariffs aimed at addressing unfair trade practices.

A 10% tariff will be imposed on imports from trading partners outside of Canada and Mexico starting Saturday, with additional duties affecting around 60 countries from April 9. Economic Implications: While the tariffs aim to benefit the U.S. by tackling long-standing trade imbalances, economists predict that Americans, especially low-income households, will bear some of the costs in the short term. Increased consumer costs are expected as businesses pass on some of the tariff burden. Potential Retaliation: The U.S.'s trading partners are anticipated to retaliate, which could have broader implications for trade and the economy.
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Stellantis halts Windsor plant operations for two weeks due to U.S. tariffs.

Stellantis announced a two-week closure of its Windsor assembly plant, affecting production due to new U.S. tariffs on imported vehiclesmsn.com. The decision, driven by the impact of tariffs, highlights the ongoing challenges faced by automakers in adapting to changing trade policieslethbridgenewsnow.com. This temporary shutdown will affect approximately 3,600 workers at the plant, emphasizing the broader implications of tariff policies on employment in the auto industrymsn.com.
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The career choice of a 26-year-old Beijing University graduate

Breaking Stereotypes: Ms. Huang, a journalism graduate from a prestigious institution, chose to work in a cafeteria—a decision that challenges societal expectations about the career paths of elite university graduates. Personal Fulfillment over Social Norms: Ms. Huang emphasizes that job satisfaction comes from personal suitability rather than societal perceptions. She found mental stress from her previous internships in major firms unbearable, preferring the physical but manageable strain of cafeteria work. Career Planning: Her goal is not to remain a cafeteria worker but to learn management skills from the grassroots level and eventually move into a managerial role in the food service industry. Societal Reactions: Her choice has sparked mixed reactions online. Some criticize her for "wasting her education," while others commend her for redefining success and choosing happiness over traditional notions of prestige.
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VYM vs. SCHD: A Comparison of Two Popular Dividend ETFs

Both Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) and Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) are popular dividend-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that attract income-seeking investors. However, there are differences between the two in terms of their strategy, dividend yield, and underlying holdings. 1. Dividend Yield VYM: As of the latest data, VYM offers a dividend yield of around 3.4%. SCHD: SCHD offers a slightly higher dividend yield, around 3.7%. 2. Fund Strategy VYM: This ETF focuses on large-cap U.S. stocks with above-average dividend yields, generally emphasizing companies that are well-established and have a track record of consistent dividend payments. SCHD: SCHD focuses on high dividend-paying stocks but with a more fundamental screening process, looking for companies with a strong history of paying dividends and a focus on financial health (such as a low debt-to-equity ratio). 3. Holdings and Sector Exposure VYM: VYM holds about 500 large-cap stocks with an emphasis on secto...
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