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Cheaper Used-Car Insurance: How to Save

Cheaper Used-Car Insurance: How to Save is a post from Pocket Your Dollars.

The Best Cities for Electric Cars

In 2014, total U.S. sales of plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) hit 118,000. This was a 27% increase over 2013 and the first time in history that electric vehicle sales have reached six figures. While those numbers seem to promise a bright … Continue reading →

The post The Best Cities for Electric Cars appeared first on SmartAsset Blog.

Lofts vs Apartments: The Important Differences You Need to Know

Lofts vs Apartments: The Important Differences You Need to Know

Not all rentals are created equal.

The post Lofts vs Apartments: The Important Differences You Need to Know appeared first on Apartment Living Tips – Apartment Tips from ApartmentGuide.com.

Stock Market Today: Stocks End Mixed After Bleak Bank Earnings, Inflation Data

Stocks’ volatility continued Thursday, sparked by a weak start to second-quarter earnings season and another sizzling inflation update.

On the earnings front, JPMorgan Chase (JPM, -3.5%) this morning said profit in the second quarter was down 28% from the year-ago period, while revenue rose a modest 1%. The financial firm also said it is suspending stock buybacks in order to boost its capital reserves. Fellow big bank Morgan Stanley (MS, -0.4%) also saw its profit sink – down 29% year-over-year – while revenue plunged 11%. 

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Also in focus today was the latest reading of the producer price index (PPI), which confirmed what Wednesday’s scorching consumer price index (CPI) report already told us: Peak inflation was not reached last month. Data from the Labor Department showed that the PPI, which measures how much suppliers are charging businesses and their customers for their goods, surged 11.3% year-over-year in June, its seventh straight month of double-digit annual percentage gains. On a sequential basis, wholesale prices were 1.1% higher.

One positive from the report was that the core PPI, which excludes the volatile energy and food sectors, was up 0.3% over the prior month – or down slightly from May’s 0.4% increase.

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“It’s clear that food and energy are driving PPI higher, as was the case in yesterday’s inflation print,” says Peter Essele, head of portfolio management for Commonwealth Financial Management. “When removing these volatile components, PPI appears to have peaked and is starting to roll over, a tell-tale sign that the economy is shifting into late-cycle territory. The probability of a 100-basis-point hike from the Fed in late July has greatly increased after the two price index releases.”

The one-two punch had stocks wallowing deep in negative territory for most of the morning, but the major benchmarks climbed well off their session lows by the close. The S&P 500 Index (-0.3% at 3,790) and Dow Jones Industrial Average (-0.5% at 30,630) still suffered their fifth straight loss, however, while the Nasdaq Composite ended marginally higher at 11,251.

YCharts

Other news in the stock market today:

  • The small-cap Russell 2000 slumped 1.1% to 1,707.
  • U.S. crude futures shed 0.5% to finish at $95.78 per barrel.
  • Gold futures slumped 1.7% to $1,705.80 an ounce, their lowest settlement since March 30, 2021.
  • Bitcoin climbed 4.9% to $20,603.56. (Bitcoin trades 24 hours a day; prices reported here are as of 4 p.m.) 
  • Conagra Brands (CAG) fell 7.3% after the packaged food maker reported fiscal fourth-quarter revenue of $2.91 billion, below analysts’ consensus estimate for revenue of $2.93 billion. However, CAG’s adjusted earnings of 65 cents per share beat the average estimate by 2 cents. The company also said it plans to raise prices in the second quarter of fiscal 2023 in order to offset higher costs related to inflation. CFRA Research analyst Arun Sundaram maintained a Buy rating on the consumer staples stock after earnings. “We expect margins to improve in FY 23 with more pricing flowing through and cost inflation likely approaching its peak,” the analyst says. “Also, cost savings should be easier to realize in FY 23 as the overall supply chain stabilizes. Together, we see more upside than downside to CAG’s FY 23 bottom-line targets as the fiscal year progresses.”
  • Energy stocks suffered notable losses as crude futures continued to slide. APA (APA, -4.0%), Diamondback Energy (FANG, -3.5%) and EOG Resources (EOG, -3.6%) were just a few of the day’s biggest decliners.

Play Green Energy Stocks for Long-Term Growth Trends

Market volatility is likely to continue for the time being, which creates an especially uncertain environment for investors. “Inflation has taken a bite out of stock and bond markets – and the bite may not be over quite yet,” says Liz Young, head of investment strategy at SoFi. “Before the end of the month, we could get negative earnings guidance, a 75-100 basis point hike from the Fed, and a negative Q2 GDP print. This scenario could prove to be bad news for markets, but good news for buyers.” 

  • SEE MORE UBS’s 43 Top Stocks for a Volatile Market

Although Young suggests investors “don’t swing for the fences,” she does believe that “we have to start swinging the bat before summer is over.” And there’s certainly plenty good of pitches to hit for investors of all stripes. 

Those wanting to boost the income-producing parts of their portfolios may want to consider these discounted Dividend Aristocrats. The best Dow dividend stocks are another great place to find reliable and rising payouts.

Other investors might be keen on long-term growth trends. If that’s the case, green energy stocks look like a fountain of opportunity. Indeed, the renewable energy market is forecast to grow to almost $2 trillion by the end of the decade. These top-rated picks are well-positioned to take a piece of that pie.

  • SEE MORE Can AI Beat the Market? 10 Stocks to Watch

The Cost of Living in Maryland in 2022

You’ll pay a lot of money to live in Maryland, but the crabs may be worth it.

The post The Cost of Living in Maryland in 2022 appeared first on The Rent. Blog : A Renter’s Guide for Tips & Advice.

A Guide to Credit Card Fraud & 4 Tips to Avoid Scams

What Is Credit Card Fraud? Credit card fraud is when a credit card information is used to steal money from the owner. Credit card fraud can occur when a card is physically stolen or the information is virtually stolen. Keeping your credit information private, checking your statements regularly, and using secure sites are a few

The post A Guide to Credit Card Fraud & 4 Tips to Avoid Scams appeared first on MintLife Blog.

What Is Digital Fashion, And Why Is It Important?

From Big Tech boardrooms to podcasts and tweets, the metaverse hype is everywhere. However, as with many emerging technologies, excitement around the expected future impact often outshines its actual readiness for mainstream adoption. 

But even among all the hoopla, it’s foolish to dismiss Web3 and the metaverse completely. Within the next decade, emerging technologies might change life as we know it. In the same way, the television and the internet democratized access to information and entertainment, the blockchain and the metaverse will change the way we shop, game, and craft our digital identities. 

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Whether physical or digital, fashion is a core layer of our being. It serves as one of the purest forms of self-expression while acting as a direct extension of our emotions and beliefs. As humans, we care deeply about our appearance and as we spend more time in virtual environments, the same behavior is expected to continue. By 2030, Morgan Stanley estimates that the digital fashion market alone could be worth $50 billion. 

While this prediction is ambitious, and far from a guarantee, industry leaders have recognized the potential and are already beginning to heavily invest in the trend:

  • Nike (NKE) acquired RTFKT and announced the launch of CryptoKicks, alongside their own virtual world in Roblox (RBLX).
  • Rebecca Minkoff partnered with The Dematerialised to release a collection of NFT dresses, hoodies, and accessories.
  • Bob Iger invested an undisclosed sum into Genies, a company that produces metaverse-ready digital avatars for stars like Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna and Lil Nas X. 

With that in mind, there’s a compelling case that the winners of this emerging sector could be sound investments for years to come. But before we even think about investing, it’s important to cover the basics of digital fashion.

What Is Digital Fashion?

Digital fashion is virtual 3D clothing designed with both humans and digital avatars in mind. Rather than using fabric and textiles, digital garments are created with special 3D computer programs like Blender and CLO3D. 

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Relative to traditional garment manufacturing, digital fashion is inexpensive and wildly sustainable. More importantly, it comes with zero creative constraints or production limitations. This is where the true beauty of digital fashion shines. The only limits are our imaginations. We don’t need to be the same people online as we are in real life. We can be whoever we want to be.

According to Jackson Bridges, NFT Project Advisor and Showcase Guide at Alterrage, digital fashion allows for a new medium for individual expression.  

“In the metaverse, we can decide our own identities compared to the physical world in which we cannot choose our own race, gender, or cultural background. Digital fashion builds upon this idea by enhancing self-expression outside of the constraints of the physical world and by leveraging technologies such as augmented and virtual reality. The ability for one to express themselves with limitless creative freedom unlocks doors for a true expression of one’s identity,” he shared in an interview with Kiplinger. 

To date, digital fashion has been most prevalent in gaming, where gamers pay billions of dollars per year to outfit their digital avatars in the latest cosmetic skins. Epic Games, the company behind Fortnite, sold 3.3 million units of their NFL partnership skins, netting a cool $50 million in only a few weeks.

How Do You Wear Digital Clothes and Accessories in the Physical World?

Outside of gaming, digital dressing is the most practical way for shoppers to showcase their digital style. By altering photos and using advanced technologies like augmented reality and artificial intelligence, consumers can actually wear their digital garments. 

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For digitally-native apparel retailers like DRESSX, digital dressing is built into their business model. Customers who purchase digital garments from DressX can upload a photo to the platform to have themselves digitally dressed in their new look. For social media influencers who often spend thousands of dollars on an outfit only to return it moments after a photo is taken, wearing digital fashion offers a much more efficient and cost-effective alternative.

Snapchat (SNAP), a leader in augmented reality technology, has offered a variety of AR filters since its inception. Snap has also partnered with companies such as Prada and Ulta (ULTA) to offer customers virtual try-on experiences, which have resulted in substantial sales lifts. 

To encourage more retailers to adopt AR-powered ecommerce, Snapchat has made its proprietary technology free to use. Now retailers can seamlessly integrate Snap’s AR try-on technology and Camera Kit into their own mobile apps and websites.

Why Is Digital Fashion Important? 

To fully recognize the importance of digital fashion, you must first understand the desire for digital identity and ownership. Among digitally native generations, there is strong demand for digital ownership and the ability to express our identity the same way we do in real life. 

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Based on a report from BoF Insights, approximately 70% of US general consumers (Gen Z to Gen X) rate their digital identity as important. And they’re voting with their wallets, with 50% interested in purchasing a digital asset in the next 12 months (gaming skin, digital fashion, avatar, and/or NFT.)

While still incredibly early, digital fashion is positioned to be a significant revenue driver for apparel retailers. Over the last year, brands such as Gucci, Tommy Hilfiger, and Dolce & Gabbana have invested millions of dollars in opening virtual metaverse storefronts where they’ve sold a mix of digital fashion NFTs and NFTs redeemable for physical goods. The virtual stores also allow customers to shop through on-site ecommerce collections. 

As explained by Nico Fara, a retail Web3 strategist and founder of Chief Metaverse Officer, virtual stores in the metaverse aren’t replacing traditional retail channels, but are instead serving as a much-needed complement. 

“In the same way that retailers need a brick-and-mortar or ecommerce store (Web 1.0) and a social media page (Web 2.0), they should have a metaverse presence (Web 3.0). Virtual stores in the metaverse are more efficient, immersive, and accessible than any other retail experience.”

Like all new tech trends, there will be companies that invest in the hype for PR and quick cash. But there will be others that make digital fashion a core part of their future retail strategy. Whether the winners will be legacy fashion and tech companies, digitally native retailers, or a combination of both, only time will tell. But when industry players of this caliber all make a move, it’s generally one worth paying attention to.

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