This is the first study to investigate the investment properties of LEGO as an alternative asset class from micro- and macro-financial perspectives that overcomes many survivorship bias limitations prevalent in earlier research. Explains author Savva Shanaev of Northumbria University, Newcastle, UK, in a 2020 paper for the Journal of Risk Finance, Volume 21 Issue 5. The […]
A notedly bacteria-friendly currency was targeted by counterfeiters who themselves were targeted by Romanian government officials. “Romanian officials shut down largest counterfeiter of polymer notes” trumpets a headline in Coin World, on July 13, 2020. The report goes on to say: “Romania’s Directorate for Combating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) released the news… Raids on […]
Looking for advice on your investment portfolio? If so, you might be able to gain an advantage by making sure that your financial advisor is (generally considered to be) physically ‘attractive’. According to a new study published in the journal Management Science, they tend to give better advice than their less alluring colleagues. “In this […]
Is paper money that has no value of no value? The zero-rupee note, issued in India by non-governmental volunteers, is a way to study that question. The organization behind the zero-rupee note sees it as a way to fight corruption. The Wikipedia description boils that down: “The notes are ‘paid’ in protest by angry citizens […]
If you’re inclined to make bets on the stock market, you’ll be at a considerable disadvantage if you don’t have a tight grip on so called ‘investor sentiment’ – in other words a reliable way of being able to judge the current ‘mood’ of the market. But, in practice, it’s notoriously difficult to gauge accurately. […]
ABC News compared the amount of money given to various prize winners. Their report bears the headline “Chart of the day: How cash prizes for prestigious science awards stack up against reality television winners.” They include this remark: But spare a thought for those who receive Ig Nobel Prizes. The awards — honouring achievements that make […]
“In this research, we show that large events of devastating nature to the economy can be considered as good news to some interest groups, such as stock market traders.” – explain researchers Michael Donadelli [pictured], Renatas Kizys and Max Riedel in a new paper for the Journal of Financial Markets. In this case. the ‘large […]
Three Swedish researchers spent time estimating the aggregate time spent folding the corners of toilet paper. They published this study (which tells only their estimate of how much time those other people spent folding, but does not disclose how much time the authors spent calculating and writing): “It is worth 10 million working hours a year […]
Before you reach into your pocket, bag, purse or wallet for some cash … you might pause for thought about the bacteria, yeasts, fungi, cysts and ova of intestinal parasites that could be lurking there. All the above are commonly found on money worldwide – but which types of cash are the filthiest? In a […]
The saying “We can’t eat money” begs disagreement from British vegans and vegetarians. A report in The Guardian says: Bank of England urged to make new £5 note vegan-friendly More than 50,000 sign petition to cease use of tallow in production process, saying it is unacceptable to vegans and vegetarians… NEXT POST: Did those kids drool way […]