Orange juice drinkers can relax. Fears of a spike in the price of the breakfast favorite appear overblown. The specter was raised of a January OJ shortage in the U.S., which could have translated into sharply higher prices on store shelves. But there should be plenty of oranges, and juice, to go around.
Starbucks is hiking the price of its packaged coffee by 17% to compensate for a steep increase in Arabica coffee prices. Customers habituated to Starbucks coffee might keep splurging on its products, but some analysts believe the passing on of its costs will affect Starbucks' top line.
If you've been to a supermarket lately, you've probably noticed that food prices are soaring. And that spells an opportunity for investors. Asset-management expert John Stephenson offers tips for small investors aiming to tap into the agricultural market.
Prices for copper, gold, wheat, corn and oil are soaring. But how can small investors can take advantage of this growth without taking on way too much risk? That's a good question, indeed. And here are some good answers.
Interest rates are the price of money, and though that price is near zero right now, the cost of low interest rates to our nation may be too high. Low rates are squeezing savers, seniors, banks and pension funds, and the benefits we're supposed to see from them don't appear to have arrived.
Intended or not, the Fed's quantitative easing policies are destroying the dollar's value. That's pushing prices of commodities that Americans need -- such as food, cotton and oil -- ever higher. And it hurts companies as well as consumers.
Be prepared to pay more for your venti-sized extra-hot half-caff soy caramel macchiato at Starbucks starting soon. As the price of green Arabica coffee greens skyrockets, the company says it will raise prices for some of its more labor-intensive beverages.
