The controversial financial product known as XIV is shouldering a lot of the blame for the recent flash crash that saw the Dow slump more than 6% in a span of six minutes. Dave Mazza, Head of ETF Investment Strategy at OppenheimerFunds, was with us to break down the theory that volatility-based products fueled the market meltdown.
The XIV is meant to produce the opposite returns of the volatility index, which spiked 118% Monday. Mazza explained that 2017 was a great year for stocks with record-low volatility. Due to this low volatility, many investors were feasting on these financial products, looking to benefit from volatility going lower. When the exact opposite happened, those investors dealt with the consequences.
"A lot of people like to point the finger at computerized trading for sharp movements in stocks," said Mazza. He said it's only one piece of the story. Mazza highlighted that fundamentals are important to watch and there are many variables that influence stock movement.
Stocks opened lower in Tuesday's session on concerns over higher oil prices and after Monday's earnings report from Oracle that showed revenue came in weaker than expected.
The U.S. government is taking aim at what has been an indomitable empire: Google’s ubiquitous search engine that has become the internet’s main gateway.
Self-care is important in everyone's lives but sometimes it could be hard to fit it into your budget. Wellness expert Sam Tejada, author of "How to Win in Modern Wellness," joined Cheddar News to explain how to treat yourself without breaking the bank.
Many Americans do not take advantage of their employers' perks and benefits that are available to them. Eric Calciano, lead benefits advisor with New City Insurance, joined Cheddar News to discuss the range of offerings that you could be missing out on.
