Author: Arabian Media staff

Key Takeaways Financial experts reveal their recession playbook: diversify, turn market crashes into buying opportunities, and never stop investing when others panic if you have the means. Experts say the key to surviving economic downturns is planning ahead for them. With a diversified portfolio and healthier finances, you can avoid being forced to give up precious assets and also take advantage of lower valuations and tax savings. Economists are worried that rising prices, tariffs, and a cooling job market could tip the U.S. economy into a recession. Investment bank UBS was one of the latest to ring the alarm, warning…

Key Takeaways Montana has the biggest affordability gap between actual household income and the recommended household income needed to afford the median home price. The median home price in July was nearly $650,000, while the median household income was $72,066, nearly $100,000 less than the minimum recommended income needed to afford that home. Pandemic-driven demand from out-of-state buyers and chronically low housing stock have driven up home prices across the state. Although coastal states (think California and New York) are often touted for their lack of affordability, Montana—a Mountain West state known for its natural beauty and mountainous landscape—tops a…

Options trading generated an annual record 57.85 million contracts per day as of September 2025, yet many investors are uncertain about when to sell them. Selling or writing options can generate steady income for experienced traders, but it requires understanding a key point that many novices get backward: You sell puts when you’re optimistic about a stock’s future and sell calls when you’re pessimistic. When you sell a put option, you’re promising to buy a stock at a set price if it falls below that level—similar to how an insurance company promises to pay if your car gets damaged. In…

key takeaways Conventional mortgages work well for traditional homes but rarely for tiny homes. Classification as real property vs. personal property determines loan eligibility. Alternative options for tiny homes include personal, recreational vehicle (RV), chattel loans, and manufacturer-backed financing. Tiny homes may cost less upfront but often come with higher financing rates and shorter terms. The right choice depends on lifestyle, budget, and long-term goals. Whether you’re a minimalist looking to downsize or are simply someone who wants a more affordable housing option, buying a tiny home might be an option worth considering. However, when it comes to financing a…

What Are Stock Fundamentals? Stock fundamentals are key metrics for a company, such as cash flow and return on assets (ROA). Analysts often perform fundamental analysis to analyze a stock by looking at its fundamentals. This involves looking at any data which is expected to impact the price or perceived value of a stock. Key Takeaways Fundamental analysis involves looking at any data that is expected to impact a stock’s price or perceived value.Some of the fundamentals of stocks include cash flow, return on assets, and conservative gearing.Performing fundamental analysis can be challenging because it requires digging through financial statements…

The failure of a small hedge fund doesn’t come as a particular surprise to anyone in the financial services industry, but the meltdown of a multi-billion-dollar fund certainly attracts most people’s attention. When such a fund loses a staggering amount of money, say 20% or more in a matter of months, and sometimes weeks, the event is viewed as a disaster. Sure, the investors may have recovered 80% of their investments, but the issue at hand is simple: Most hedge funds are designed and sold on the premise that they will make a profit regardless of market conditions. Losses aren’t…

The volatility in oil prices presents an excellent opportunity for traders to make a profit if they are able to predict the right direction. Volatility is measured as the expected change in the price of an instrument in either direction. For example, if oil volatility is 15% and current oil prices are $100, it means that within the next year, traders expect oil prices to change by 15% (either reach $85 or $115). If the current volatility is more than the historical volatility, traders expect higher volatility in prices going forward. If the current volatility is lower than the long-term average,…

Key Takeaways Child care costs range from about $6,250 to over $50,000 per year, depending on where you live and the type of care. For many, the monthly costs equate to an additional rent or mortgage payment. When deciding on what type of child care is best for your budget, consider a few things that my husband and I looked into: cost per hour, cost per day, and value. Some daycare and nanny services offer ways to save, like a nanny share or seasonal or promotional discounts. Whether you’re currently a parent, a soon-to-be parent, or even just a dog…

When looking to invest, you need to look at both risk and return. While return can be easily quantified, risk cannot. Today, standard deviation is the most commonly referenced risk measure, while the Sharpe ratio is the most commonly used risk/return measure. The Sharpe ratio has been around since 1966, but its life has not passed without controversy. Even its founder, Nobel laureate William Sharpe, has admitted the ratio is not without its problems. The Sharpe ratio is a good measure of risk for large, diversified, liquid investments, but for others, such as hedge funds, it can only be used…

In addition to death and taxes, inflation is another phenomenon that we can expect with near certainty over a period of time. The U.S. has actually gone through many brief periods of deflation, but in general, economic progress is accompanied by inflationary pressures. Inflation may occur when there is too much money in the system, which leads to an escalation in the price of goods. Of course, if a household’s two primary sources of wealth creation—asset and income appreciation—rise at a rate equal to or greater than inflation, the negative effects of inflation are neutralized. Yet, as we’ve seen time…