We all know how big and popular US stock exchanges are, especially the NYSE and NASDAQ. However, as the global economy is increasingly interconnected, many investors are now searching for new opportunities to diversify their portfolios beyond the US markets.

In this article, we will highlight the five most popular non-US stock exchanges with a short background for each, their market capitalization, their respective performance over the past five years, and even their top three notable stocks listed on each exchange.

## 1. London Stock Exchange ($LSE)

a) Market Capitalization: $3.6 trillion

b) 5-Year Performance: +16%

c) Top 3 Notable Stocks:

HSBC Holdings (HSBA)

Royal Dutch Shell (RDSA)

Unilever (ULVR)

First and foremost – perhaps one of the most prominent globally – the London Stock Exchange, which is established in in 1801, is clearly one of the oldest stock exchanges in the world. LSE is located in the City of London and is part of the London Stock Exchange Group, including Borsa Italiana and Turquoise.

## 2. Shanghai Stock Exchange ($SSE)

a) Market Capitalization: $5.4 trillion

b) 5-Year Performance: +47%

c) Top 3 Notable Stocks:

Kweichow Moutai (600519.SS)

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (601398.SS)

Ping An Insurance (601318.SS)

Second, founded in 1990, the Shanghai Stock Exchange is the largest stock exchange in the whole of China. Currently, it operates under the direct supervision of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC).

## 3. European New Exchange Tech ($EURONEXT)

a) Market Capitalization: $5.6 trillion

b) 5-Year Performance: +25%

c) Top 3 Notable Stocks:

LVMH Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton (MC.PA)

TOTAL SE (FP.PA)

Sanofi (SAN.PA)

Third, formed in 2000, Euronext is the leading pan-European exchange that operates multiple markets in Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, Lisbon, Oslo, and even Paris.

## 4. Hong Kong Stock Exchange ($HKEX)

a) Market Capitalization: $5.9 trillion

b) 5-Year Performance: +24%

c) Top 3 Notable Stocks:

Tencent Holdings

[AIA](https://etfinsider.co/analysis-quote/aia) Group

China Construction Bank

Fourthly, established in 1891, HKEX is one of the world's largest exchange operators. HKSE is also the primary exchange in Hong Kong and serves as a "gate" between China and international markets.

## 5. Tokyo Stock Exchange ($TSE)

a) Market Capitalization: $6.2 trillion

b) 5-Year Performance: +22%

c) Top 3 Notable Stocks:

Toyota Motor Corporation (7203.T)

SoftBank Group Corp. (9984.T)

Keyence Corporation (6861.T)

Last but not least, founded in 1878, the Tokyo Stock Exchange is the largest stock exchange in Japan and the third-largest in the world by market capitalization. Moreover, TSE has a strong global presence and also plays a crucial role in the grander Asian financial market.

# Conclusion

In a nutshell, these five exchanges play a crucial role for both retail and institutional investors looking to diversify away from the US. Nevertheless, it is challenging to examine these exchanges one by one to determine which is the best fit for you.

 
![VXUS ETF (ETF Insider web-app)](/uploads/twitter_url_size_VXUS_a99de8f5fc.png)

Fortunately, there are now sophisticated portfolio management tools such as ETF Insider that help us analyze and properly allocate international ETFs such as the Vanguard Total International Stock ETF ($VXUS). Hence, helping us to avoid common investor pitfalls such as over and under-diversification, overexposure, and even fund overlaps.

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There are now sophisticated portfolio management tools such as ETF Insider that help us analyze and properly allocate international ETFs.

Non-US Stock Exchanges in the World

The recent 1-month worth of upward movement from the stock market has created a renewed sense of optimism among investors and analysts alike. To give context, you can see in the chart below that $SPY hit the dreaded level of $3,800 last month. Nevertheless, in just a little over a month, the market is now up by roughly 8.5%.

![](/uploads/image_18_6c1d80d9c7.png)

This incredible pace indicates a significant shift in market sentiment and has clearly sided the bull side, at least for now and for the foreseeable future. With this said, it is important to take a closer look and examine what could be some key factors that contributed to this. Hence, in this article, we will do just that!

## 1. Better Earnings Data Projection
First and foremost, one of the most compelling arguments for this rapid price increase is that investors now expect better earnings announcements from publicly traded companies.

Historically, the market's move around this time has largely been influenced by the market sentiment around the First Quarter (Q1) earnings.

## 2. Positive Economic Indicators
Second, some key economic indicators in the first four months of 2023 have shown promising signs of growth. Firstly, unemployment rates have largely decreased to now 3.6%, a much better figure than a concerning 6% in March last year.

In addition, the GDP has also steadily increased for two consecutive quarters now and is forecasted to continue its growth to Q1 this year, further suggesting that the economy is recovering faster than anticipated. Hence, this economic optimism has translated into increased confidence in the market, attracting investors and boosting stock prices.

## 3. Inflation Control Measures
Thirdly, the [CPI](https://etfinsider.co/analysis-quote/cpi) data for March, which revealed inflation slowing down to 5%, is also a welcome development as a sign that the aggressive tightening (interest rate hikes) of the US central bank (Fed) is now significantly curbing inflation.

Hence, this gives renewed hope from investors that Fed will cut back on its hike further this year, which has largely been the main reason why market movements have been so conservative. For those who are unfamiliar, interest rates have an inverse relationship with equity investments such as stocks and ETFs. So if interest rates go up, equities suffer.

## 4. Emerging Market Growth
Fourthly, and perhaps one of the more interesting developments, the solid economic recovery, and growth in emerging markets, such as China, India, and Brazil, has positively impacted the global stock market. These growing economies have drawn foreign investment and created new opportunities for international companies with large business operations in these countries, such as Apple and Amazon.

As a result, businesses exposed to emerging markets have particularly seen their stock prices rise, contributing to the overall positive market movement.

 
![IEMG ETF (ETF Insider web-app)](/uploads/twitter_url_size_IEMG_49366f1ec2.png)

## 5. The Market is Now Attractive

Finally, investors may have realized that stocks and ETFs were at attractive levels when $SPY was at the $3,800 price level. This may have presented an opportunity to accumulate attractive companies and ETFs at a bargain price.

Hence, after hitting that level and investors realizing some or even all of those aforementioned four previous points, interest has picked up, and a rush of investor interest has resulted in what we are seeing right now — a stock market rally.

# Conclusion

At the end of the day, it is important to always remember that these market movements are highly volatile and susceptible to many factors. Hence, before deciding to invest, it is crucial to do our due diligence. Fortunately, there are now sophisticated portfolio management tools, such as ETF Insider, that help you be on the right track of your investing journey by assisting you in optimizing your portfolio according to your unique needs and avoiding common investing mistakes, such as over and under-diversification, overexposure, and fund overlap.

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There are sophisticated portfolio management tools, such as ETF Insider, that help you be on the right track of your investing journey by assisting you.

5 Reasons Why the Market Started Going Up

Most companies and ETFs are still down compared to their highs in early (January) last year. If you have been investing since then, there is a good chance some or even all of your portfolio is in the red. So the question remains, is it better to buy even more or cut your losses?

Before we proceed, let's first define what is "averaging down" in the first place. Simply put, averaging down is purchasing additional shares of a stock or ETF when its price has declined after you originally bought it. In essence, this helps lower your average share cost, potentially setting you up for a more significant profit when the price recovers since your total average cost has, quite literally, averaged down.

For illustration, let’s say you bought ten shares of stock $A last year at $100. However, because the market has gone down, the current market price is now at $90. If you decide to "average down" now and buy an additional 100 shares at $90, then this brings down your average cost for stock A to $95 from $100.

As you can imagine, this is great if stock A recovers and go up in price months or years from now (as long as you're still holding it). Regardless, this also presents a massive financial risk. Thus, in this article, we will explore five crucial factors you must consider before deciding to average down on your stocks and ETFs.

## 1. Fundamentals
First and foremost, before averaging down, it's essential to reevaluate the fundamentals of the company or ETF you are considering. For a stock, some of the most important fundamental metrics are its financial health, competitive position (how it compares to its peers), and overall growth prospects.

For ETFs, it's important to reassess their underlying holdings and how the ETF compares to other ETFs in the same industry. If the fundamentals remain strong or, in fact, have not changed, averaging down might be a viable option. However, if you discover that the fundamentals have weakened, it might be best to reconsider.

## 2. Market Condition
Second, the overall market condition plays a huge role in why the stock or ETF may be down. For example, during economic and market downturns or bear markets, even high-quality stocks and ETFs may experience a significant decline. In such cases, averaging down could be a reasonable strategy (especially if you have identified in point #1 that their fundamentals have not changed).

However, if the stock or ETF is underperforming in a bull market or when compared to its peers, it could signal underlying issues that you need to take a look at.

![NASDAQ Holdings (ETF Insider web-app)](/uploads/bar_qqq_a327ddedbc.png)

## 3. Company/Industry Outlook
Third, after considering the fundamentals and market condition, it is equally important to look at the long-term outlook of the company or industry represented by the ETF. Are there factors suggesting strong growth potential despite the drop in value? Or is the drop reflecting a less favorable future?

If the company or industry remains to have a positive outlook and can, in fact, capitalize on future growth opportunities, averaging down may present a good opportunity to accumulate shares at a "bargain." On the other hand, if the outlook is less favorable or uncertain, it might be better to avoid averaging down and look for other investment options/vehicles (see the next point why).

## 4. Opportunity Cost
In relation to #3, remember that when you choose to average down, you are technically allocating more of your investment capital to a stock or ETF that has been going down in value. As such, it's essential to weigh the opportunity cost of not investing that capital elsewhere.

Ask yourself, are there other long-term investment opportunities available that could potentially offer more attractive returns that are within your investment objective?

## 5. Emotional Factors
Last but not least, a common pitfall of averaging down is the desire to "get even" with a losing investment, which can cloud your rational judgment. Hence, many investors do not even consider looking at the first four points of this article and just buy even more to double down on their investments. In finance, this is called a "sunk-cost bias," which is our tendency to hold on and pour more into something we've invested money, effort, or time, despite the current costs outweighing the benefits.

Remember that investment decisions should be made objectively, not emotionally. If your decision to average down is driven by emotion, don't hit the buy button until you can do your due diligence. Ask yourself if you would invest in the same asset at its current price if you didn't already own it. If the answer is no, then averaging down is not the right move, and you might be experiencing a sunk cost bias.

# Conclusion
At the end of the day, averaging down is a risk that you have to weigh before pros and cons before implementing. By considering these five key points, you will be in a better position to decide whether you should or should not average down on your portfolio.

Fortunately, there are now intuitive and sophisticated portfolio management tools, such as ETF Insider, that can help you build a resilient and well-diversified investment portfolio that can weather the ups and downs of the market over a long period of time and ensure that you are on the right track of your investing journey.

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By considering these five key points, you will be in a better position to decide whether you should or should not average down on your portfolio.

Key Things to Consider Before Averaging Down

As a beginner, it is normal to view "diversification" as a daunting task involving many layers and having no definitive "correct way." Of course, you would want to have an optimized investment portfolio suitable for you. Perhaps, a well-diversified portfolio that is built for long-term success and can weather economic uncertainties and market fluctuations?

But how can you really diversify effectively? In this article, we'll explore five key tips to help you diversify your investments properly.

## 1. Don't Be Afraid to Make Mistakes & Ask for help

First and foremost, as a beginner, you're bound to make mistakes along the way. So rather than fear this (especially at the beginning), embrace these "learning" experiences, as they can help you become a wiser investor. Remember that you can only learn so much; at some point, you will have to finally execute your decision and just learn from it.

Just make sure to keep track of your investment decisions and analyze your mistakes to understand where you went wrong and how you would adapt the next time. This self-reflection will help you make better-informed decisions in the future and ultimately improve your portfolio's performance. Also, you can seek a financial professional to guide you throughout this process.

## 2. Focus on Quality Over Quantity

Second, it is also important to understand that the quality of your investments is equally valuable for your success. Diversification doesn't mean spreading your money across every possible stock, bond, or mutual fund that you think is "good enough." Instead, focus on selecting high-quality assets with strong fundamentals and a history of steady/resilient growth.

So start small, and don't rush it. Always ensure to understand and appreciate the background of every single investment you make and "why" you bought them in the first place. This "why" will be your anchor when time gets tough, as it will allow you to reflect on your investment objectives moving forward.

## 3. Learn the Different "Levels" of Diversification

Next, study the various "levels" of diversification that can help you make the most prudent action. Here are three key levels to consider:

a) Industry level: You can diversify across different sectors (food, technology, healthcare, financial services, etc.) to reduce exposure to sector-specific risks.

b) Asset class level: This includes different types of assets, such as stocks, bonds, and real estate, in your portfolio.

c) Geography: You can invest in both domestic and international markets to minimize country-specific risks.

## 4. Consider an Index Fund ETF

Fourthly, to help you with your diversification goals, one of the easiest yet backed up with compelling data (beating 90% of managed investments) is to simply invest in a passively managed low-cost index fund ETF like $SPY, $VOO, or $IVV. Index funds are an excellent choice as they allow you to invest efficiently in the overall market.

Hence, this is an excellent way for beginners to achieve instant diversification since rather than examining specific investments/stocks/companies, you can just invest in a fund comprising the top companies that have historically outperformed most of their peers.

 
![Sector filters (ETF Insider web-app)](/uploads/filter_by_sector_img_3fa482eb08.webp)

## 5. Leverage Portfolio Management

Last but not least, with the advancement of technology, there are now sophisticated portfolio management tools such as ETF Insider that can help you diversify effectively and more objectively. This is because it can show your precise exposure level on a particular asset class, industry, and even market.

Therefore, by leveraging such tools, you can make more informed decisions, monitor your investment compositions easily and visually, and adjust your portfolio diversification to reflect your long-term investment goals.

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How can you really diversify effectively? In this article, we'll explore five key tips to help you diversify your investments properly.

5 Tips on How to Diversify Properly: A Beginner's Short Guide

When choosing possible investment options in the stock market, there are a plethora of metrics that investors and analysts alike may consider before deciding which stock or investment funds (mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, etc.) to invest in. However, with so many metrics, it is easy to underestimate and gloss over the "vital few."

Hence, in this article, we'll explore this question and take a closer look at perhaps one of the crucial metrics successful investors (including Warren Buffet!) and analysts utilize to assess stocks and investment funds.

**What is Earnings-Per-Share ([EPS](https://etfinsider.co/analysis-quote/eps))?**

First and foremost, it is essential to understand what EPS is in the first place. For starters, EPS is derived by dividing a company's total profit by its common stock's outstanding number of shares. In other words, it is the amount of money the company earns for each share of its stock. Hence, EPS is a fundamental metric for evaluating a company's financial health as well as how profitable of an investment it actually is for you.

With this out of the way, let's delve deeper into five key reasons why EPS is one of the most important market metrics:

## 1. A direct reflection of a company's profitability

The most glaring reason EPS is an excellent metric is that it directly reflects a company's profitability. Essentially, it tells investors (you) how much money a company makes for each share you hold. So if a company has a high EPS, it generally means it generates attractive returns for its shareholders and that the company is doing well financially.

## 2. Helps Determine the company's "intrinsic" value

When evaluating a company, investors will often look at its EPS to decide whether or not it is undervalued or overvalued. For example, if a company has a high EPS relative to other companies in its industry, then it is generally considered to be "undervalued," as it generates much profit for its shareholders, but its stock price has yet to catch up to its true value. On the other hand, a company with a relatively low EPS may be considered overvalued compared to its peers.

This is one of the biggest reasons why Warren Buffet himself prioritizes looking at EPS over most metrics, as it helps him identify "cheap" stocks with massive potential/upside.

## 3. Helps compare companies within the same industry objectively

This is because EPS provides a standardized (apples-to-apples) measure of profitability that can be used to compare companies of different sizes within the same industry. So, if an investor is considering investing in two companies in the same industry, they can quickly glance over the EPS of each company to determine which one is more profitable.

![twitter url size.png](/uploads/twitter_url_size_f02d98d0e3.png)

## 4. Amazing progress tracker of financial performance

EPS is also used to track a company's financial performance over time. Investors can see how well the company has historically performed by looking at a company's EPS over several years (and even decades). For example, if a company's EPS is consistently increasing, it is a good sign that the company is growing and becoming more profitable and cost-efficient. On the other hand, if a company's EPS is consistently decreasing, it may be a sign that it is struggling financially.

## 5. Widely Used in the Investment Industry

Lastly, one of the reasons why this metric stood out from the rest is its prominence in the investment industry. When evaluating a company, it is best practice to look at EPS to help determine whether the stock or a fund is a sound investment base on your goals. So if a company has a high EPS and is forecasted to continue growing, it may be considered an attractive investment. On the other hand, if a company has a low EPS and is predicted to continue struggling in the future, it may not be favorably viewed.

## Conclusion

At the end of the day, despite the crucial role of EPS in investment decision-making, it is not enough to make a sound conclusion based only on one metric. In fact, complementing it with other relevant metrics will give EPS a more thorough meaning. Fortunately, there are now sophisticated data visualization and portfolio management tools such as ETF Insider available for us to take advantage of in helping us better understand the complete picture of a particular investment fund. Thus, making it more intuitive and insightful to do your due diligence.

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Take a look at perhaps one of the crucial metrics successful investors including Warren Buffet! and analysts utilize to assess stocks and investment funds.

EPS is Important Stock Market Metrics

There is no denying that automated or algorithm "algo" trading has become increasingly popular in recent years, with many traders and investors turning to these "sophisticated" trading tools to help them make better buying and selling decisions.

Nevertheless, while these tools may seem like a "cure-all" for investors —after all, many of these tools claim to help solve some of the most pressing human judgment errors when it comes to investing — there are several reasons why automated trading may not be as good as you think, especially if you have a long-term investing perspective.

Here are five key reasons why you should be more prudent about relying on automated trading tools:

## 1. Geared Towards Short-term Trading
First of all, while automated trading tools may seem attractive (and highly sought after) for traders looking to take advantage of short-term opportunities, they can be inflexible and unsuitable for long-term investing. This is because algo trading tools are generally based on Technical Analysis and historical data and massively struggle during periods of economic uncertainty and downturns. As such, relying too heavily on automated trading tools can lead to missed opportunities, unnecessary losses, and inefficient buying/selling decisions for long term investors.

## 2. Quantitative Focused
Second, these tools are designed to make decisions based on quantitative data input, such as past performance, technical indicators, and key numerical levels. However, successful long-term investing also requires a great deal of qualitative understanding of the companies and industries being invested in. Hence, qualitative aspects such as management quality, industry trends, competitive advantage, and regulatory environment are often not taken into account.

## 3. Provides a False Sense of Security
Thirdly, these tools may give investors a false sense of security by lessening the amount of time and effort required to monitor and adjust your investments. Yet, it is crucial for long-term investors to actively manage their portfolios and keep abreast of changes in the market and economic conditions. Thus, relying too heavily on automated trading tools without regularly reviewing and modifying one's investment strategy can lead to suboptimal long-term results. Remember, no tool is a substitute for doing your due diligence.

## 4. Inherent Flaw of Automation
Fourthly, these tools can be prone to over-optimization, where the algorithms are calibrated to work well only in specific market conditions or with certain asset classes. This is because you would need to input specific data points that the algorithm will follow. However, this can lead to significant underperformance during the inevitable periods of market turbulence or changing economic conditions. At the end of the day, these tools are only as good as the data that were input into them.

## 5. Narrow-visioned
Lastly, and tying the above four points, these tools — at least in their current form —  are unable to view things in the big picture. At the moment, they cannot integrate your long-term investment goals, provide a holistic view of the market and macroeconomic events, and of course,  tailor an investment decision based on the investor's unique financial situation and risk tolerance.

![Analysis of a portfolio (ETF Insider web-app)](/uploads/Twitter_Size_32f86e3eb0.jpg)

## Conclusion
In a nutshell, automated or algo tools may be great for short-term trading strategies, but they are generally not optimal for long-term investing. Remember that long-term investing requires a more comprehensive approach that includes both quantitative and qualitative analysis, active portfolio management, and a diversified investment (stocks, ETFs, bonds) that is aligned with the investor's risk tolerance and long-term goals.

Fortunately, there are now advanced data visualization tools, such as ETF Insider, that help bridge the gap between complete automation and active investment management. Unlike before, you can now have a quick yet comprehensive glance at your portfolio holdings, the composition of your investment funds ,and accurately adjust your investment holdings to best reflect your long-term investment goals without compromising the freedom and flexibility of managing your own portfolio.

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There are now advanced data visualization tools, such as ETF Insider, that help bridge the gap between complete automation and active investment management.

Automated/Algorithmic Trading is not as Good

Fundamental Analysis (FA) and Technical Analysis (TA) are the two primary and widely used methods for evaluating investment securities (such as stocks and ETFs). Although, as you probably know by now, some traders and investors swear by one method over another and vice versa.

Nevertheless, both methods have unique advantages and disadvantages. Hence, in this article, we will explore the five key differences between these two methods — their pros and cons — to help provide a better understanding and appreciation of each other's edge as well as limitations.

## 1.Different Market Analysis Considerations

First and foremost, the biggest difference between the two is that FA focuses on a company's intrinsic value by analyzing its financial statements, industry trends, and overall market conditions. Hence, using this method, investors evaluate key metrics such as the company's revenue, earnings, cash flow, and other financial metrics to determine its financial health and growth potential.

On the other hand, TA focuses on the price chart, which includes historical price movements, trading volume, and chart patterns to predict future price behavior. The assumption is that all relevant information is already reflected in the price.

_**FA**_
**Pro:** Helps investors identify undervalued stocks and assess long-term growth potential.
**Con:** It can be time-consuming, complex, and difficult (full of financial jargon).

_**TA**
_**Pro:** Offers quick, visual insights for trading opportunities.
**Con:** Arguably less reliable and more timing sensitive.

2. Optimal Time Frame/Horizon
## Secondly, FA is generally better suited for long-term investments as it focuses on a company's growth potential and financial metrics, which can take a long time to materialize.

On the other hand, TA is more commonly used for short-term trading as timing the market is crucial, for it relies on price action, trends, and patterns to forecast future price movements.

_**FA**
_**Pro:** Offers long-term stability and value-driven investments.
**Con:** May miss out on short-term profit opportunities.

**_TA_**
**Pro:** Can better take advantage of quick profits through short-term trades.

**Con:** Highly susceptible to more volatility and risk over the short term.

## 3. Forecasting Limitations
Lastly, regarding forecasting, FA is massively tied to the quality of data (input) and the analyst's ability to interpret it. While no specific FA criteria can guarantee future performance, FA aims to provide a reliable foundation for long-term value investing.

Meanwhile, TA is often tied by the "self-fulfilling nature" of chart patterns and trends. This is because as more investors follow these patterns over time, they can reinforce the "expected" outcomes. Nevertheless, accuracy varies greatly depending on specific market conditions and cycles (some patterns may be more/only reliable in a particular market environment).

**_FA_**
**Pro:** Provides a strong basis for long-term investing.
**Con:** Its reliability is highly dependent on data quality and interpretation.

**_TA_**
**Pro:** It can be more accurate due to self-fulfilling patterns.
**Con:** Its reliability is highly dependent on market conditions.

## Conclusion
In a nutshell, both fundamental and technical analysis have their respective merits and drawbacks, depending on the investor's goals, time horizon, and expertise. While yes, FA is rooted in a deep understanding of a company's financial health and long-term growth potential; it can be time-consuming and prone to personal biases. On the other hand, TA offers quick, visually-driven insights for short-term trades but may not always provide a complete picture of a company's underlying value.

![3 Key Differences Between Fundamental 1.jpg](/uploads/3_Key_Differences_Between_Fundamental_1_425f3ca2a8.jpg)

Fortunately, for long-term investors, there are now sophisticated data visualization tools such as ETF Insider that help fill the gap in the much-needed "visualization" aspect of fundamental analysis. By providing a clear view of a fund's composition and asset weight distribution, we can have a far better understanding of our portfolios while simultaneously avoiding overexposure, overlaps, and false diversification. Thus, helping you optimize your portfolio for your own unique long-term investment goals.

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Fundamental Analysis (FA) and Technical Analysis (TA) are the two primary and widely used methods for evaluating investment securities (such as stocks and ETFs). 

3 Key Differences Between Fundamental and Technical Analysis and Their Pros and Cons

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLI) just released the February Consumer Price Index ([CPI](https://etfinsider.co/analysis-quote/cpi)) data early today (Wednesday), the 15th of March. It is perhaps the single most instrumental data in determining the US Federal Reserve's (Fed) short to medium-term monetary policy, as it represents a definitive and objective representation of the most recent inflation situation in the world's biggest economy.

**February Inflation Summary:
**
**CPI:** [MoM: +0.4%; Effective YoY: 6%]

**Core CPI:** [MoM: +0.5%; Effective YoY: 5.5%]

**Interpretation:** Tops Estimates But Within Expectations

As shown, inflation is still a whopping 400 basis points away from the Fed's target of 2%. Thus, despite reports that Fed will likely halt its rate hike this month due to Silicon Valley Bank's (SBV) recent collapse, which was simultaneously the second-largest bank run in US history, the continued rise in inflation will most likely invalidate earlier reports as the US central bank itself made publicly known its priority of anchoring inflation close to its target in the expense of further economic strain caused by its continued tightening.

Hence, in this article, we will cover the three fundamental reasons, together with their respective "worst-case" scenarios, why the February inflation data can potentially aggravate the "bank run situation" in the US:

## 1. Lower Confidence in the Banking System

First and foremost, an elevated inflation level during this time can lead to further reducing confidence in the banking system as a whole. As individuals worry that their savings are losing value due to inflation, they may start to doubt the safety of their deposits, especially upon seeing how they could end up like SBV's esteemed clients. This will cause individuals and institutions to withdraw their funds and look for more "traditional" ways to preserve their wealth, such as investing in gold or other alternative assets.

Thus, as more people withdraw their deposits, banks may experience a "liquidity crunch," making it difficult to meet the demand for withdrawals on a timely basis. If this situation continues, it can lead to a vicious cycle (downward spiral) of bank runs, further eroding confidence in the banking system.

## 2. Lower Real Interest Rates

Simply put, the real interest rate is the rate of interest a saver, lender, or investor receives (or expects to receive) after allowing for inflation. An elevated inflation rate can and will cause real interest rates to drop, making it less attractive for people to hold deposits in banks.

In other words, when inflation rates rise, nominal interest rates (the interest rate before accounting for inflation) do not rise as quickly (in fact, it often lags behind), leading to a decrease in real interest rates. Consequently, as people withdraw their deposits from banks, banks may find it harder to lend money to businesses and individuals, leading to decreased lending activity. Again, this further strains the banking system and contributes to the potential for bank runs.

## 3. Decrease in Bank Capitalization

Lastly, inflation can also cause a decrease in the value of assets, which can negatively impact bank capitalization. As the value of assets drops, banks may find it harder to maintain adequate levels of capitalization, making them more vulnerable to economic shocks (both domestic and international).

Banks becoming more susceptible can increase the likelihood of a bank run as individuals seek to withdraw their savings from potentially unstable institutions. Furthermore, this can create a self-reinforcing cycle of economic stagnation and a massive decline in banking system confidence.

# Conclusion

In a nutshell, the February inflation data highlights the unwavering concerns regarding continued high inflation in the US. The potential for reduced confidence in the banking system, lower real interest rates, and decreased bank capitalization can all contribute to the potential stream of upcoming bank runs. As such, it is critical for banks to carefully manage their operations and ensure they have adequate levels of liquidity and solvency, as well as a dependable risk management setup to weather these potential storms.

![February Inflation 2.jpg](/uploads/February_Inflation_2_c966f96ca8.jpg)

Nevertheless, for us individual investors, we can now take full advantage of sophisticated data visualization tools such as ETF Insider to do our due diligence and identify specific holdings and their corresponding weight to a particular fund (like a banking industry ETF). This helps us avoid fund overlap, overexposure to a specific stock and industry, and false diversification to ultimately optimize your long-term investment journey.



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The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLI) just released the February Consumer Price Index (CPI) data early today (Wednesday), the 15th of March. It is perhaps the single most instrumental data in determining the US Federal Reserve's (Fed) short to medium-term monetary policy, as it represents a definitive and objective representation of the most recent inflation situation in the world's biggest economy.

3 Reasons Why The February Inflation Data Can Worsen the Bank Run Situation

There is no denying that the technology sector dominates the US stock market. For context, $AAPL, $MSFT, and $AMZN are the top 3 holdings of both S&P 500 and NASDAQ 100. Silicon Valley, a prominent place situated in Northern California, serves as the international hub for these big technology companies but at the same time, it also houses some of the most promising tech startups and serial venture capitalists.

At the forefront is the very bank named after the undeniably remarkable place, Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), which has been a leading player in providing financing and advisory services to both startups and venture capitalists. However, in a rather stunning turn of events, SVB announced last week that it was filing for bankruptcy, citing a "range of factors" that eroded its capital base and, more importantly, its reputation.

The announcement has sent shockwaves through the tech and banking industry and raised questions about the stability and resilience of the banking ecosystem.

In this article, we will explore five key reasons why SVB collapsed and what it can mean to your investments:

## 1. Overexposure to High-Risk Ventures
First and foremost, one of the main reasons cited by SVB's management itself for its bankruptcy was its "overreliance" on financing startups and early-stage companies with considerably high failure rates and low to zero profitability.

While SVB had built a strong brand and network in the tech industry, it had also simultaneously exposed itself to the inherent risks of funding in unproven business models and speculative technologies.

## 2. Poor Risk Management and Questionable Practices
The second and perhaps unexpected factor that contributed to SVB's downfall was its lack of effective risk management. According to regulatory filings and industry experts that shed light on the inner doings of the company, SVB massively underestimated the risks associated with its loan portfolio, failed to diversify its funding sources, and has a long history of tolerating conflicts of interest among its top executives and board members.

Consequently, these shortcomings eroded the confidence of SVB's investors and partners, triggering regulatory scrutiny and legal disputes, which exposed the poor liquidity and insolvency of the company.

## 3. Steep Interest Rate Hike
Thirdly, another factor that industry analysts have identified to be a significant contributor to the bank's collapse is the ongoing year-long interest rate hike being implemented by the US Federal Reserve (Fed), which has detrimentally affected the core business of the company in a time where there is also a massive slowdown of growth in the tech industry.

## 4. Macroeconomic and Geopolitical Risks
Fourthly, SVB also faced external risks beyond its control. On top of the rising interest rates, it also suffered from last year’s economic slowdown, international trade tensions, and regulatory uncertainty.

For example, last year, SVB faced cash flow problems, delays in funding rounds, and increased competition from banks offering the same services. At the same time, SVB's international operations were exposed to geopolitical risks and compliance challenges, such as the US-China tensions and the war in Europe.

## 5. Deteriorated Reputation and Trust
Lastly, the final straw to the company's collapse is the tremendous deterioration of its reputation and trust among its major stakeholders. As news of SVB's financial troubles and questionable practices emerged, its clients, investors, and partners became more skeptical, cautious, and impatient.

This further led to a vicious cycle of deposit and revenue decline, a high withdrawal rate, a massive sell-off, and increased government scrutiny. Thus, despite SVB's efforts to improve its business bottom line, it could not prevent the eventual bank run and immense sell pressure.

What It Means to You: The Impact on Technology and Banking ETFs
## 
So what does this seemingly isolated issue means to you and your investments? Well, for starters, SBV's collapse is the second-largest bank run in US history. Currently, the market sentiment is overwhelmingly bearish: this is reflected in S&P 500's price, which lost roughly 3.4% in just two days. Hence, this event created a massive ripple effect across the entire market.

More specifically, if you are holding a tech or banking ETF, brace yourself for a likely further sell-off caused by the collapse over the short term. Nevertheless, if you are a long-term investor, this can also present an opportunity to accumulate as panic ensues. Just remember to do your own research before making any investment decision.

Fortunately, there are now sophisticated data visualization tools, such as ETF Insider, that help you with your due diligence by presenting valuable information such as a fund's industry exposure and individual asset weight. Hence, helping you avoid overexposure, fund overlap, and inadequate diversification and ensure your portfolio reflects your investment goals.

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The announcement has sent shockwaves through the tech and banking industry and raised questions about the stability and resilience of the banking ecosystem.

Let's explore 5 key reasons for Silicon Valley Bank (SBV)'s collapse: what it means to you

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