Christopher Hopkins - Chattanooga Times Free Press

Personal Finance: Trade pact great news for economic growth

by Christopher Hopkins ·October 7, 2015

Monday morning dawned to news that a final all-night session brought a successful conclusion to a five-year negotiation among 12 nations to lower trade barriers and unleash competition. Given the paucity of economic and foreign policy successes, it is important to congratulate the president on a huge accomplishment in wrapping up the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact. Once the agreement is ratified by the governments of the signatories, the TPP will take its place as one of the most significant trade agreements in history. Well done.

Personal Finance: Basics of bonds part 2 — interest rates

by Christopher Hopkins ·September 30, 2015

Last week we covered some of the basic characteristics and terminology of bonds.

Personal Finance: Basics of bonds and interest rates

by Christopher Hopkins ·September 23, 2015

The Fed laid an egg last week in punting on a long-awaited rate hike, causing bonds to rally while stocks sold off on the news.

Personal Finance: Regulation and intervention stifling global growth

by Christopher Hopkins ·September 16, 2015

Last week we contemplated the recent meeting of G20 ministers, and in particular the importance of what was not discussed. Conspicuous by its absence was any mention of the suffocating burden of over-regulation and government intervention.

Personal Finance: G20 gabfest once again misses the mark

by Christopher Hopkins ·September 9, 2015

Last week's gathering of finance ministers and central bankers representing 85 percent of global GDP received precious little attention in the American press. Small wonder. The ostensible purpose of the G20 is to promote and expand economic growth and opportunity around the world through coordinated efforts of the member countries. Yet with all that high-powered economic brain power gathered together, little of consequence was accomplished in terms of specific actions to jump-start global expansion. The summit wrapped up last Saturday with one more in a series of jejune communiques obliquely supporting unspecified pro-growth policies and looking forward to the next meeting.

Personal Finance: Why China’s slowdown matters to America

by Christopher Hopkins ·September 2, 2015

Once upon a time, what happened inside the domestic economy of China mattered little to the fate of the West.

Personal Finance: ETFs versus Mutual Funds — which should I prefer?

by Christopher Hopkins ·August 12, 2015

Last week, we looked at some of the distinctions between mutual funds and exchange-traded funds. Specifically, we discussed how each is acquired and disposed of by investors, and highlighted similarities and differences in their underlying structure.

Personal Finance: Bond funds — understanding liquidity risk

by Christopher Hopkins ·July 22, 2015

Much has been written about so-called "liquidity" problems in the bond market. Big banks' CEOs decry the lack of liquidity because it manifests itself in reduced profits given additional capital requirements. Still, there have been notable shifts in bond markets that warrant the attention of investors.

Personal Finance: If inflation is bad, is deflation good?

by Christopher Hopkins ·January 14, 2015

Most everyone knows that price inflation is a menace and must be combatted at all costs.

Personal Finance: Tips for improving your financial outlook for 2015

by Christopher Hopkins ·January 7, 2015

Sure, most New Year's resolutions are forsaken within a month. But here are a couple of practical resolutions for improving your financial outlook that will pay huge dividends down the road (and be easier to keep than taking off those extra pounds).