Category: Blog

Trend analysis is a critical part of any business’s ability to plan for the future, identify and capitalize on opportunities, and stay competitive. However, not all trends are created equal, and it’s important to understand how to distinguish between fads, temporary shifts in consumer preferences, and long-term changes in the way consumers interact with brands.

A market trend shows a consistent shift in value or behavior that can be reflected in a variety of data points, including customer feedback, industry research, and performance metrics. It’s important to define a clear goal and scope for any trend analysis, so you can pinpoint which data points are most relevant to your goals. This will help you focus your efforts and avoid getting distracted by irrelevant information.

Market trends can be upward, indicating growth; downward, suggesting decline; or horizontal, showing stability. They can also be categorized by timeframe: primary trends last for a year or more; secondary trends correct and contrast against the primary trend over weeks or months; and minor trends depict daily fluctuations.

In addition to their potential financial benefits, market trends can provide valuable insight into how customers interact with a company. For example, a trend toward eco-friendly practices may signal a desire for businesses to reduce their environmental impact. Or, a rise in the number of complaints about product quality or service may indicate an issue that needs to be addressed. Identifying and monitoring market trends can help you anticipate consumer needs, develop marketing campaigns that appeal to their wants and needs, and optimize your products or services to better meet those needs.

The front page is usually a section in a newspaper that contains the biggest news stories of the day and teases out other interesting stories inside. The term is also used to describe a page on a website that appears when someone first visits it and is the primary entry point for the site.

In 2014, three Jane Does who were sex trafficked as minors sued Backpage in federal court, arguing that the site facilitated sex trafficking by allowing and encouraging ad posters to use its platform to advertise for prostitution and other adult services. The district court ruled against the Jane Does, but on appeal, the First Circuit Court of Appeals reversed, finding that Backpage’s activities were “traditional publisher functions” regarding third-party content and were protected under CDA Section 230.

In 2018, three Jane Does re-filed their complaint against Backpage in federal court, alleging that the site had substantially changed ads connected to them, thereby removing its Section 230 protection. In August 2019, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York ruled against the Jane Does, finding that the site had violated their rights by failing to monitor or take down ads that posed a threat to children, and that the site’s actions were “hopelessly vague” and in violation of both the First Amendment and the Commerce Clause.

Even after high-profile failures such as the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya, many in the policy community continue to promote regime change as a viable tool for promoting democracy, human rights, and American security interests. Yet there is a growing scholarly consensus that foreign regime-change operations are often ineffective and produce deleterious side effects. These covert campaigns usually fail to meet their predetermined goals, tend to spark civil wars, and frequently draw the intervener into lengthy nation-building projects. They also tend to stoke anti-American sentiment and make it more difficult for the United States to advance its own interests in the future.

The reason for these failures is that regime-change operations rarely succeed as envisioned. They typically generate domestic blowback that undermines the goals of the operation, such as the rise of militant Islamists in Iraq and Syria or the empowerment of revolutionary factions in Venezuela and Iran. Moreover, the very act of overthrowing a regime drives a wedge between external patrons and their domestic proteges or between proteges themselves. Domestic audiences demand more benefits for their efforts than the leaders of imposed governments can provide, so their support is likely to be fickle.

As a result, imposing a new government on an unwilling audience is a recipe for instability. In a recent study, we analyze this dynamic using a novel global game model of regime change. We find that the best way to destabilize a regime is to erode its legitimacy and not invade it directly. The only time that occupation, regime change, and reconstruction from outside should occur is when normal means (such as limited military action or sanctions) are no longer effective, which typically emerges only with totalitarian leaders or with malfeasant states that challenge world order in a dramatic manner.

State of emergency is a general term that can cover a wide range of situations. It can be used by governments in both democracies and dictatorships to manage disasters, public order crises, or even wartime. However, state of emergency powers allow a government to override rights and liberties that are normally protected by law and the constitution. This allows authorities to confiscate property, suspend elections and civil liberties, limit the right to free speech, limit free movement, prohibit protests, impose curfews, close businesses and schools, and much more.

State emergency declarations can also affect the use of certain federal funds and programs. To access certain funding a Governor must certify that the disasters or emergencies he or she has declared are affecting significant portions of the State, and that local and State commitments (of which the State must contribute a substantial proportion) are in compliance with all applicable cost-sharing requirements.

During a state of emergency, the Governor can also issue emergency rules that may modify existing rules or procedures, such as restrictions on personal leave or shift assignments. These rules are typically short-term and can be revoked as the situation normalizes.

Some States have specific statutes that define a state of emergency, while others may have an ambiguous definition that could encompass anything from natural disasters to disease epidemics. These laws often have detailed requirements on when a state of emergency can be declared, and the types of authorities that flow from such a declaration.

Political debate has long been a crucial part of democracy and a way for people with different viewpoints to express them. Debates allow candidates to share their views on important issues and policies, allowing voters to learn more about the options available to them. But in a time of heightened polarization, many Americans seem frustrated by the very idea of political debate. They wonder, what is the point of two people with different viewpoints trying to find consensus when it often seems like they are engaging in a conflict, not a conversation?

The original purpose of debates is to help undecided voters compare and contrast the platforms of the various presidential contenders. The first debates of 1956, between Adlai Stevenson and Dwight Eisenhower, exemplify this original purpose, with the focus on the platform rather than the candidate.

Over time, however, the format of debates changed. Debate formats shifted from three-hour events to brief exchanges that focused on specific, high profile issues. The shortened format reduced the opportunity for the candidates to speak at length about their platforms, and the format lent itself to pat, rehearsed answers that offer little insight into the candidates’ positions.

Despite the decline in the overall quality of debates, there is still value in having them. Studies show that voters have improved knowledge of the specific candidates and their policies several weeks after watching a debate, and they are more likely to vote for a candidate that shares their policy priorities.

GDP measures the monetary value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a given period. It is calculated by adding up the total value of consumer spending, business investment, and government spending (plus net exports). GDP can be calculated in three different ways, but only real GDP matters because it is adjusted for inflation. The BEA uses a method called the “value-added approach” which subtracts the cost of intermediate goods and services from the gross domestic product to obtain the real GDP.

Real GDP is one of the most closely watched economic indicators; its advance release usually moves markets, although this impact can be limited by a substantial amount of time that has already passed between the quarter-end and the release of the data. It is used by economists, investors, and businesses to gauge the health of a nation’s economy. It is also a significant consideration for policymakers, particularly central banks, who may adjust their monetary policies to respond to changes in GDP.

While GDP can give us a general sense of the economy’s direction, it is not a measure of a country’s wealth or well-being. For example, GDP growth might increase due to a new oil refinery, but it might not improve citizens’ quality of life if it leads to increased pollution or traffic congestion. Moreover, GDP understates true economic growth by failing to account for quality improvements and the introduction of new products.

A financial report is a detailed review of a company’s data over a specific period, such as a month, quarter or year. The goal is to provide stakeholders with insight and clarity into a business’s current financial health. The reports also give a clear picture of future opportunities and risks.

Companies create financial statements to meet regulatory, tax and investor requirements. The most common include the income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement and management’s discussion and analysis (MD&A).

The key to a successful reporting process is to ensure all stakeholders have access to accurate and timely information. This can only be accomplished with the right systems in place. The best financial reporting solutions accelerate, streamline and automate the process to deliver the most effective results.

Financial reports can help a company build trust and loyalty with its investors, creditors and employees. They are also essential to ensuring the company has enough resources to invest in growth and take advantage of opportunities.

In addition, companies use their financial reports to attract prospective investors and creditors by demonstrating the viability of a potential investment or lending opportunity. They also rely on their financial statements to maintain relationships with suppliers, customers and trade partners by making timely payments and setting competitive prices.

Financial reports are also used for budgeting and forecasting, allowing finance teams to analyze revenue streams and identify potential issues or pitfalls. They can also help with planning for expansion by identifying the most efficient ways to grow the business.

The presidential race is when candidates from the Democratic and Republican parties compete to be President of the United States. The campaign trail starts in January or February with Primaries and Caucuses, where voters use a secret ballot to choose their preferred candidate from one of the two main political parties. Then the votes are counted and the delegates that represent each state are chosen. Each party’s national convention then chooses a candidate to be the party’s nominee for president.

A presidential nomination is not guaranteed. It depends on how many votes a candidate receives in the electoral college. If a candidate wins 270 electoral votes, they become the president of the United States. The electoral college is a group of citizens called electors who are allocated by each state, the District of Columbia and some U.S. territories according to a formula that rewards states for their past support of the previous party’s presidential candidates.

In June 2024, Biden’s poor performance in a nationally televised debate with Trump raised concerns about his ability to lead the country and his fitness to serve. After the debate, several prominent Democrats and Democratic-leaning journalists, commentators, and news organizations called for Biden to withdraw from the race. He did so on July 21, announcing his withdrawal from the race and endorsing Harris to take his place as the party’s nominee.

Voting is conducted by the Electoral College, which consists of 538 members (one for each state and territory plus Washington D.C.). Typically, the majority of voters in a state will select a candidate to be their president. These votes are tallied in December, and the winner is announced.

From sole proprietorships and family-run shops to growing companies with hundreds of employees, small businesses play a critical role in innovation, job creation, and economic resilience. To qualify as a small business, a company must meet certain revenue and employee count standards set by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Those standards vary by industry, and meeting them can open up opportunities for funding, government programs, and tax benefits. Small businesses can take on a variety of legal structures, from a partnership to a corporation.

The 33 million small businesses in the United States account for 99.9% of all firms. And while most don’t have paid employees, those that do represent almost half of all private sector employment. Small businesses also drive nearly all net new jobs, and have since 1995.

What’s more, most Americans believe that small businesses are a driving force in the economy, with 86% saying they have positive effects. Moreover, they are more highly rated than any other institution, including the military and churches.

Despite the obstacles, there are many stories of success for small businesses. Whether it was luck, hard work, or connections, these entrepreneurs found ways to overcome the challenges and thrive.

The first step for any startup is market research, and this can be done through desk research (done with directories, online, or through surveys) and field research (sampling a company’s existing customers). The next step is to create a marketing plan and determine what products or services are in demand.

A business merger is a legal process that allows two companies to combine into one entity. This may lead to a variety of commercial outcomes, including cost savings and increased bargaining power with suppliers and customers. However, there are many different kinds of M&A, and the type of deal you pursue will shape everything from integration planning to governance and shareholder dynamics.

For example, M&A can help businesses grow by adding new products or markets to their portfolio. A footwear company, for example, could acquire a manufacturer that offers men’s or women’s clothing, opening up those new markets and potentially boosting revenue streams. This might also allow a company to enter more competitive industries or expand into other geographic locations by merging with or acquiring another firm that already has a strong presence in those areas.

M&A can also be an effective way to address issues like declining revenue or debt management. If your company is struggling, a merger can help you keep your business open and maintain your customer base by allowing the buyer to cover your outstanding debts, saving jobs in the process. In some cases, M&A can even allow a company to avoid bankruptcy, as is often the case with firms that are not particularly financially sound. An attorney can help guide you through this process, and they can assist you with other matters such as disputes with shareholders or liability concerns. To learn more about these and other topics, consider signing up for Forage’s Investment Banking Skills Passport.