Market Performance: January 16, 2024.

The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq ticked higher on Friday, while the Dow ended in negative zone amid mixed fourth-quarter earnings results. Market participants gauged key inflation data and expected the Federal Reserve’s rate cuts in March.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) declined 0.3% or 118.04 points to close at 37,592.98. Notably, 15 components of the 30-stock index ended in positive territory, while 15 ended in negative zone.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite finished at 14,972.76, rising 0.02% due to the strong performance of large-cap technology stocks. The major gainer of the Nasdaq Composite was MercadoLibre, Inc. MELI, after jumping 4.2%. MercadoLibre currently carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

Think you can beat the market? Hear this cautionary tale

Property or shares? That is the never-ending question. The older I get, the more I prefer shares, and recently I wrote about an investment unit I bought for $220,000 in 2003, which I’m about to sell for $550,000.

It sounds a good deal on the face of it, but when I ran the numbers through the stock market calculator on my website, I discovered that if I had invested $220,000 in the All Ordinaries Accumulation Index 20 years ago, I would now have $1.23 million.

That’s a compound gain of 9 per cent per annum – and there’s more. Instead of getting a taxable income of $500 a week rent – less outgoings such as body corporate fees, rates, insurance, and land tax – that $1.23 million in an index fund would be returning $55,530 a year, or $1063 a week. The cream on the cake would be that the income would be almost tax-free, thanks to franking.

One reader gave me a dressing down. He claimed that he put $300,000 into a portfolio just before the global financial crisis and lost a third of his capital. Fifteen years later, the portfolio still hasn’t recovered. I pointed out to him that according to my stock market calculator, his portfolio would now be worth $738,000 if the money had been invested in a fund that matched the All Ordinaries Accumulation Index, and assuming all dividends are reinvested.

Side Hustle Ideas to Make Money From Home in 2024

Your current occupation may be the one you’ve always dreamed of, but it might not fulfill all your needs. It could lack the financial stability and security you desire or cannot provide opportunities for professional growth while still wanting to stay.

Regardless of the reasons, having a side job could solve whatever predicament you find yourself in, whether it’s generating extra income, acquiring new skills, or expanding your network within your industry.

Based on a survey conducted by FlexJobs with over 2,000 employed professionals as respondents, nearly one-third (30%) acknowledged having at least one side job. Over 11% admitted having more than one side job.

Another 38% expressed their interest in finding a side job. This shows that a significant majority (69%) of currently employed professionals either have or desire to have a side hustle to make money. However, there isn’t a specific category called “side hustle” regarding jobs. So what exactly is considered as such? And how can you find the right side hustle from home for yourself?

We’re here with tips on researching and securing an ideal side gig that suits your needs and aspirations.

Alternative Investing