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Showing posts from March, 2025

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.

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...

Starting April 2, the U.S. will implement a 25% tariff on imported passenger vehicles, light trucks, and key automobile parts such as engines and transmissions.

Starting April 2, the U.S. will implement a 25% tariff on imported passenger vehicles, light trucks, and key automobile parts such as engines and transmissions. This move, part of President Trump's "Liberation Day" plan, has caused significant concern within the car industry, especially given the decades of integrated supply chains with Canada, Mexico, and other countries. The complexity of tracking a vehicle's "Made in America" status has led to surprising results. Some foreign companies, like Honda in Alabama and Toyota in Kentucky, produce cars that may be more "American" than those made by Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis. Even Tesla, with its U.S. assembly facilities, sources many key parts globally. The new tariff order does acknowledge these complexities. It ensures that USMCA-compliant auto parts will remain tariff-free, and importers will have the chance to certify the U.S. content of their vehicles. Tariffs will only apply to the no...

A recent IMF report highlights the emerging role of investor type—institutional vs. retail—in influencing bond market stability, particularly regarding exchange-traded funds (ETFs)

A recent IMF report highlights the emerging role of investor type—institutional vs. retail—in influencing bond market stability, particularly regarding exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The analysis reveals that corporate bonds in ETFs typically experience less volatility than those in mutual funds, but the impact depends on who owns the ETF shares. When institutional investors hold a larger share of the ETF, bond volatility tends to increase. In contrast, retail investors help offset this volatility, providing a stabilizing effect. This finding challenges conventional market views, as previous research on ETFs' impact on market stability has been inconclusive. The IMF's research, based on data from U.S. ETFs and mutual funds, suggests that the behavior of institutional and retail investors plays a crucial role in shaping bond market dynamics.

DeepSeek is accelerating the replacement of manual labor with AI tools in various industries.

 A striking example is a business owner in Yiwu, China, who, despite limited language skills, used AI to double overseas orders. By uploading product photos to DeepSeek, AI generated multi-language marketing content and synthesized foreign language videos, all in the time it takes to have a cup of coffee. This AI-powered innovation is creating new wealth stories in China’s manufacturing sector, with some entrepreneurs earning significant profits by leveraging AI for tasks like songwriting, creating paid communities, and generating holiday-themed ads. However, while some businesses are celebrating AI’s potential, others, like a cosmetics giant, are facing mass layoffs as AI replaces a large percentage of employees, such as in legal and customer service departments. AI is not only improving efficiency but also quality. For example, an e-commerce company replaced 80% of its customer service with AI, improving response speed fivefold and reducing complaints. In manufacturing, DeepSee...

Tencent has released a new large AI model, Hunyuan T1, built on the innovative hybrid Mamba architecture.

1. **Introduction of Hunyuan T1 by Tencent**: Tencent has released a new large AI model, Hunyuan T1, built on the innovative hybrid Mamba architecture. This model aims to overcome the limitations of traditional Transformer models, especially in handling long sequences and complex contexts. 2. **Performance Highlights**:    - T1's performance is exceptional, second only to OpenAI's o1 model.    - It processes tasks like complex reasoning at twice the speed of its competitor, DeepSeek.    - Its responses are more human-like and adapted for general tasks, making them suitable for a broader audience. 3. **Minimized Errors**: The model has significantly reduced hallucination rates, ensuring more accurate summaries and analyses, especially for intricate documents. 4. **Behind-the-Scenes Success Factors**:    - A solid foundation built on the Hunyuan Turbo S general model.    - Unique post-training strategies focusing on high-quality prompts ...

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that eating pecans could help lower cholesterol levels without the need for medication.

In a 12-week randomized controlled trial involving 138 participants, those who consumed 2 ounces (57 grams) of pecans daily as a snack saw significant reductions in cholesterol compared to a control group that maintained their usual diet. Specifically, the pecan group reduced total cholesterol by about 8.1 mg/dL (3.75%) and LDL ("bad") cholesterol by approximately 6.6%, alongside improvements in other lipid markers like triglycerides. Experts attribute these benefits to pecans' rich content of unsaturated fats, fiber, plant sterols, and oleic acid, which help lower cholesterol by binding it in the digestive system and reducing its absorption. Pecans also contain polyphenols and antioxidants, which may support overall heart health by reducing oxidative stress. The study’s co-author, Kristina Petersen, PhD, recommends aiming for two ounces of pecans daily—roughly two handfuls—as a heart-healthy snack. Since high cholesterol is linked to serious conditions like heart disea...

The uncertainty surrounding tariff policies creates challenges for the Federal Reserve and contributes to market volatility.

The Nasdaq Composite Index has entered correction territory, down by over 11%.

Canada's inflation rate rises to 2.6% following the end of a tax holiday.

Statistics Canada reported a significant increase in the annual inflation rate to 2.6% in February, attributed to the end of a federal tax holiday

China warns of high tariffs on US goods amid escalating trade tensions.

Chinese state media has issued a warning that the U.S. economy will suffer due to retaliatory tariffs from other countries in response to U.S. tariffs. The escalating trade tensions could lead to significant economic repercussions, as countries may impose high tariffs on American goods, impacting various sectors. This situation highlights the ongoing trade war dynamics and the potential for further measures from Beijing as tensions rise.

Bubble tea is a tea-based drink most often containing chewy tapioca balls, milk, and flavouring

Bubble tea originated in the city of T’ai-nan, Taiwan, in the mid-1980s. Dozens of variations of the drink have evolved since then, especially throughout Taiwan and other East Asian locales such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan.

Canadians face in closing the retirement savings gap

Maximize RRSP Contributions: Utilize unused contribution room in Registered Retirement Savings Plans, especially for those in higher tax brackets, to benefit from tax deductions and compound growth. Leverage TFSAs: Use Tax-Free Savings Accounts for additional tax-free growth, particularly for investments like ETFs or dividend stocks, to supplement retirement income. Delay CPP and OAS: Postpone receiving Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security benefits to increase monthly payouts, potentially by up to 36% for CPP if delayed to age 70. Downsize or Relocate: Consider selling a larger home to move to a smaller, less expensive property or a lower-cost area, freeing up capital for investments or debt reduction. Work Longer or Part-Time: Extend full-time work or transition to part-time roles to continue earning income, reduce savings withdrawals, and allow investments more time to grow.

Common stock market mistakes that new investors should avoid to protect their investments

Lack of Research: Investing without understanding a company’s fundamentals, such as its business model, financial health, and market position, can lead to poor decisions. Thorough research is essential to make informed choices. Emotional Investing: Making decisions based on fear or greed, especially during market volatility, can result in buying high and selling low, undermining long-term goals. Staying disciplined and sticking to a strategy is key. Overtrading: Frequent buying and selling, often driven by short-term market fluctuations, can erode returns due to transaction costs and taxes. A long-term, buy-and-hold approach is generally more effective. Ignoring Diversification: Putting all money into a single stock or sector increases risk. Diversifying across different industries and asset classes helps mitigate potential losses. Chasing Trends: Jumping into hyped-up stocks or sectors without due diligence, often fueled by media or social media buzz, can lead to investments in over...

Canada is reconsidering its $19 billion deal to purchase 88 F-35 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin due to escalating trade tensions with the United States under President Donald Trump’s administration

Prime Minister Mark Carney has ordered a review of the contract to explore alternative options, prompted by Trump’s imposition of a 25% tariff on Canadian goods and threats of economic coercion. While Canada has already committed to the first 16 jets, with delivery expected in 2026, Defence Minister Bill Blair indicated openness to non-American alternatives, such as the Swedish Saab Gripen, particularly if they offer opportunities for domestic assembly and maintenance. The review reflects broader concerns about the reliability of U.S. partnerships amidst Trump’s policies, with Portugal also reevaluating its own F-35 purchase.

Foreign countries appear to strategically target regions that support Trump politically, aiming to exert pressure on his administration.

The potential economic impact of retaliatory tariffs imposed by foreign countries in response to President Trump's tariff policies.  Nearly 8 million American workers are employed in industries targeted by these foreign levies, with a majority being Trump voters. Maps: Where Trump Voter Jobs Will Be Hit by Tariffs - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Premier Smith not sold on killing of consumer carbon tax, wants industrial levy plan

Premier Danielle Smith of Alberta, despite previously advocating for the elimination of the consumer carbon tax, is not entirely supportive of the federal government's decision to do so. She emphasizes the need for a clear industrial carbon levy plan, highlighting her concerns about addressing industrial emissions effectively. Smith remains skeptical of Prime Minister Mark Carney's broader environmental policies, despite the removal of the consumer carbon levy.

Britain is no longer considered a "rich country"

Britain is no longer considered a "rich country" due to a significant decline in living standards over the past 15 years. Economic stagnation, weak productivity growth, and minimal wage increases have left parts of the UK worse off than some of the poorest regions in countries like Slovenia and Lithuania. The National Institute of Economic and Social Research highlights that the typical British worker could have been significantly better off if the UK's productivity and wages had matched those of other nations, such as the US. This decline has raised concerns about the UK's economic and social model [A](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/03/12/britain-no-longer-rich-country-after-living-standard-plunge/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tEZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC93d3cudGVsZWdyYXBoLmNvLnVrXC9idXNpbmVzc1wvMjAyNVwvMDNcLzEyXC9icml0YWluLW5vLWxvbmdlci1yaWNoLWNvdW50cnktYWZ0ZXItbGl2aW5nLXN0YW5kYXJkLXBsdW5nZVwvIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX21lc3NhZ2VJZCI6InB3a...

The notion that Canada can remain wholly distinct from the U.S. is an illusion

Canada is deeply intertwined with the United States, economically and strategically. The two maintain the world's most extensive bilateral relationship, with daily exchanges of goods and services surpass $2 billion. The U.S accounts for over 75% of Canada's exports making it the force in Canadian trade. This economic is mirrored by shared critical infrastructure, such as energy networks and supply chains The notion that Canada can remain wholly distinct from the.S. is an illusion; in many practical respects, the two nations already function as a single entity in day-to-day operations.

Quadruple Witching Day

What Is Quadruple Witching Day? Quadruple Witching Day refers to a specific trading day in the U.S. financial markets when four types of derivative contracts expire simultaneously. These days occur on the third Friday of March, June, September, and December (the end of each quarter). The four types of derivatives involved are: Stock Index Futures: Contracts to buy or sell a stock index (e.g., S&P 500, NASDAQ 100) at a future date. Stock Index Options: Options contracts on stock indices, giving the holder the right (but not the obligation) to buy or sell the index at a specific price. Stock Options: Options contracts on individual stocks, similar to index options but tied to specific companies. Single Stock Futures: Futures contracts tied to individual stocks, obligating the buyer to purchase the stock at a future date. The term "witching" comes from the potential for chaotic or volatile market behavior due to the simultaneous expiration of these contracts, and ...