I know for a FACT they must reinstate the dinar to satisfy their plans to revive Iraq and make it hub for the middle east. This is their plan and they know they have to reinstate the dinar to do it. This is just not Mnt Goat speaking but the IMF, World Bank and the CBI…you have come this far in the process. Don’t give up now we are about to cross the finish line very soon.
MarkZ
[via PDK]
We are also hearing from people inside Iraq that the instructions for releasing the implementation for the budget have been issued a time ago and publicly they been acting as if things were not done. They are doing this on purpose as certain people and positions were being removed. They were quietly cleaning house behind the scenes. Firm discussions were issued from the Prime Minister’s office to NOT disclose these matters. They are about ready to announce they have made these necessary changes. I think this lets us know they are working diligently on full implementation of the budget…and This should bring us a change in value.
…the Iraqi people are done waiting and are forcing the issue. This discussion is in the streets, with government officials and the banks. We will be getting our rate change. Its happening.
MilitiaMan (KTFA)
If the Central Bank is ready to go and…the Finance Ministry is ready to go, if Al-Sudani is ready to go, Why aren’t we ready to go? I can’t answer that question. No body can except for the-powers-that-be.
We know the United States Treasury came involved. We know the U.S. ambassador Romanowski is involved and we know the Central Bank of Iraq had conversations in the last 48 hours…these guys are talking about what we’re talking about.
Judy Note:If you were reading this Updateas posted on Operation Disclosure Official, be aware that some information has been redacted. For the complete un-redacted version, see the PDF copy at the end of this Update on Operation Disclosure Official.
Global Currency Revaluation:
Tues. 1 Aug. Captain Marvel Jr.: “Received word that the EBS could go off any time between now and the end of the weekend.”
The state-run Russian Television (RT) has sent shockwaves through international finance circles by confirming the launch of a new trading currency backed by gold. The full official declaration is poised to take center stage at the upcoming BRICS Summit in South Africa this August. This audacious move is not just another item on a diplomatic agenda; it’s a grand design set to redefine the global financial landscape. It challenges the hegemony of the US dollar, a fiat currency backed by nothing but trust. AMG News
“Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a digital ruble bill into law on Monday, approving the use of its central bank digital currency for payments starting from Aug. 1, 2023.”
Tues. 1 Aug. MarkZ: “I know a number of very connected people who are traveling to be in place by Fri. 4 Aug. I hope it means this thing is finally coming to an end. We just don’t know. But it is very encouraging the sheer number of reports from folks that were asked to travel and be in place.”
Tues. 1 Aug. Bruce: “Some of the very highest people at our lead bank said we would be notified Wed. 2 Aug. with appointments made on Thurs. 3 Aug.
Mon. 31 July Bearded Patriot: “Just got off a call and can confirm that the first wave of liquidity starts Tues. 1 Aug. There were multiple steps regarding the payout pecking order: Beneficiary Accts, Fines & Penalties, Whales, etc. There were an extreme amount of funds and groups that needed to get paid. It will take a few days. Once it’s starts nothing can stop it. I can honestly tell you that this is definitely happening. Everything that was relayed was extremely positive and moving forward. The only thing truly that keeps us going right away is the time it will take to get the upper tiers paid and verified. Iraq and the US Treasury are in constant contact with each other. Iraq’s desire was to have this completed and published in the Gazette on Sat. 5 Aug.”
Mon. 31 July Ranga Rao KonugantiTom RV/GCR Updates: “Money is moving, large amounts from Singapore to the Philippines, from the Windsor Fund (one of the top six global collateral accounts) to the Chinese Elders, so that they can execute the Financial Transition.”
Sun. 30 July Texas Snake: Text received 10:10 this morning from a Banker: “All indications are from high sources is that this coming week will have positive news in light that all 209 countries have approved the required protocols. So will advise ASAP after I receive the news.”
Sun. 30 July Wolverine: “Very early today I received Intel from a very high Contact. I can’t tell you what they said other than things are progressing. Everything is ready. It won’t happen today but we may have very good news this week.”
Brazil, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zimbabwe were Basil 3 compliant as of Tues. 1 Aug.
Emergency Alert System (EBS) was supposed to come out last Wed, but was stopped by three computers. They have solved that problem.
A huge amount of mass arrests were going on.
Banks were ready, ATMs loaded with USN
Some of the very highest people at our lead bank said we would be notified Wed. 2 Aug. with appointments made on Thurs. 3 Aug.
Funds would be released Wed. evening 2 Aug. and Thurs. 3 Aug.
Super Whales who have boxes of Bonds will keep 10% of their redemption, the other 90% will go to fund GESARA/NESARA.
I’m being blown away by the numbers of people being arrested and in states you’d be surprised to hear. And this won’t be on MSM – they just won’t report on this – and are significant numbers happening every day.
For public companies, one of the simplest ways to communicate financial stability to shareholders is throughcash dividend payments. The most established companies often share a portion of their profits with investors, rewarding them with cash dividends. For investors, dividends provide asteady stream of passive income.
Owning dividend-paying companies through exchange-traded funds (ETFs) can be highly efficient. A dividend ETF is a fund that invests exclusively in dividend-paying companies. Fund managers select these companies based on specific attributes such as size, industry, geographic region, and dividend history.
Once you select a dividend investment style, every holding in that ETF will have a similar profile.
For example, suppose you choose a fund that only invests in large-cap companies with a history of consistently paying dividends. In that case, a fund manager typically cannot deviate from that investment strategy. This principle is important, as the investment style you choose will determine the varying degrees of risk and the potential returns.
For retail investors, ETFs are convenient because they provide instant diversification at a low cost. This added benefit makes dividend ETFs appealing to novice investors because picking stocks requires a certain level of investment knowledge.
Top dividend ETFs
Below are some of the most widely held dividend ETFs on the market. (Data as of July 28, 2023)
Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG)
VIG tracks the performance of the NASDAQ U.S. Dividend Achievers Select Index. The investment strategy focuses on dividend growth, selecting companies that have consistently increased dividend payments for at least a decade.
Fund’s dividend yield: 1.8 percent Top holdings: Microsoft (MSFT), JPMorgan Chase (JPM), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) Expense ratio: 0.06 percent Assets under management: ~$70 billion
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM)
VYM tracks the performance of the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. The index selects high-yield dividend-paying companies based in the U.S., excluding REITs (real estate investment trusts).
Fund’s dividend yield: 3.3 percent Top holdings: Exxon Mobil (XOM), JPMorgan Chase (JPM), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), Home Depot (HD) Expense ratio: 0.06 percent Assets under management: ~$50 billion
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD)
SCHD seeks to track the performance of the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, which includes companies with strong financial performance. The low-cost fund holds companies based on the quality and sustainability of their dividends and consists of many household names.
Fund’s dividend yield: 3.5 percent Top holdings: Broadcom (AVGO), PepsiCo (PEP), Home Depot (HD), Texas Instruments (TXN) Expense ratio: 0.06 percent Assets under management: ~$50 billion
SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY)
SDY tracks the performance of the S&P High Yield Dividend Aristocrats Index. The index screens for companies that have consistently increased dividend payments for at least 20 consecutive years.
Fund’s dividend yield: 2.7 percent Top holdings: Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA), 3M (MMM), International Business Machines (IBM) Expense ratio: 0.35 percent Assets under management: ~$22 billion
iShares Select Dividend ETF (DVY)
DVY tracks the performance of the Dow Jones Select Dividend Index. The index selects high-dividend yield companies — about 100 of them — based in the United States.
Fund’s dividend yield: 4.1 percent Top holdings: Verizon Communications (VZ), Altria Group (MO), Ford Motor (F), Dominion Energy (D) Expense ratio: 0.38 percent Assets under management: ~$20 billion
ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (NOBL)
NOBL tracks the performance of the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Index. The index screens for multinational household names with a history of increasing dividends for at least 25 years, with some of them doing so for more than 40 years.
Dividend payments are usually issued to shareholders every quarter, although, in some cases, there can be special dividends that act as a one-time bonus. To be entitled to an upcoming dividend, a shareholder must own a company’s stock up to and including what’s known as the ex-dividend date.
Investors pay particular attention to the dividend yield, highlighting how much a company or fund pays in relation to its stock price. Dividend yields are calculated by taking the annual dividend payment and dividing it by the share price. The yield is shown as a percentage. Yields may be calculated based upon payments made over the last year or payments expected to be made over the next year.
For example, if a company’s annual dividend payment is $4 and the share price is $100, you would see a dividend yield of 4 percent with a quarterly distribution of $1.
To be sure, a high yield doesn’t always mean a solid investment opportunity. Indeed, many investors view the highest yields as a red flag that a company’s shares might have taken a hit, causing yields to rise. A very high yield could also be a sign that investors think the company will cut its dividend payment in the near future.
As a rule, be sure to look at a company’s entire financial picture before investing. A dividend payment is just the icing on the cake.
How to invest in dividend ETFs
A solid dividend strategy can be a key component of an investor’s portfolio. Since the 1930s, dividends contribution to the S&P 500’s total returns averaged about 40 percent, according to research by Hartford Funds. And when dividends are reinvested, the returns are even higher, accounting for 69 percent of the S&P’s total returns since 1960.
Inherently, dividend investing tends to be less risky. Companies in a position to issue regular payments are often more cash-rich than those trying to rapidly grow their businesses. Well-established names also have a history of boosting their dividend payouts every year and take a lot of pride in doing so.
When choosing dividend ETFs, here are four steps to consider:
Determine your financial goals: The type of investments you choose depends on what you are trying to achieve. For example, someone about to retire will likely have a more conservative approach to investing. So always let your financial objectives drive your decision-making.
Research dividend funds: When selecting dividend ETFs, pay attention to factors like dividend history, dividend yield, the fund’s performance, expense ratios, top holdings, and assets under management. Investors can find this information in a fund’s prospectus.
Outline your asset mix: Before investing, do an inventory of what you own and how you want to allocate your assets. Remember, the key is to remain diversified.
Know what you own: By periodically reviewing your investments, you can take charge of your finances and make any adjustments needed. Leverage any free resources from your broker, like meeting with a financial planner, and always ask questions. Ultimately, there’s no such thing as a hands-off investment.
Like any other investment, dividend ETFs are susceptible to losses. The magnitude of potential losses is tied to the level of risk contained in the portfolio. So a fund that invests heavily in potentially riskier assets like companies in emerging markets will have a very different risk profile than a fund that invests in established, tried-and-true names. Macroeconomic factors like the interest rate environment also play a factor.
Are dividend ETFs a good investment for you?
An investment approach focused on dividends can make sense for many people at different stages of their investing lives. Dividends can be a great way to build wealth over time, as growing companies distribute earnings to their shareholders. Dividends also make sense for those looking to generate income from their investments, such as those who have reached retirement age. Always think about your investment goals and consider whether dividend ETFs can help you achieve them.
What to look for in a dividend ETF
Here are some things to consider when choosing a dividend ETF:
Fees
You'll want to understand the ETF's expense ratio before making an investment. Some ETFs have very low fees, while others can run higher and eat into your returns.
Yield
Pay attention to a dividend ETF's yield to understand what kind of income you can expect to earn over the next year. Remember that future dividends aren't guaranteed, but a yield will give you an idea of what to expect.
Liquidity
Some ETFs might have less liquidity than the more popular funds offered by major ETF managers. When the time comes, this could make it harder to sell.
Portfolio makeup
Keep an eye on the fund's holdings and see if it has a lot of exposure to certain companies or industries. If a fund has significant exposure to one industry, you likely won't get the diversification benefits offered by other funds.
How are dividends taxed?
Depending on the type of investment account you own, dividend distributions are taxed as regular income or at a reduced rate under special considerations. These rules only apply for holdings outside tax-advantaged accounts like a 401(k) or an IRA, where you won’t pay taxes on dividends or capital gains.
Bottom line
History shows that dividends have been a significant source of income for investors. When consistent dividend payments and rising stock values are combined, they can be a powerful wealth-building tool.
A government meeting to support the dinar and address manipulation and speculation
2023-07-31
A government meeting to support the dinar and address manipulation and speculationA meeting was held at the headquarters of the Supreme Judicial Council, today, Monday, within the framework of supporting national efforts to support the Iraqi dinar and to address manipulation and speculation carried out by some speculators in violation of the law.
The media center of the Supreme Judicial Council stated in a statement, “The meeting brought together the head of the Public Prosecution Service, the head of the Judicial Oversight Authority, the senior investigative judges of the second and third Karkh Investigation Courts, and the Rusafa Investigation Court specialized in cases of integrity and economic crime, in addition to the head of the National Security Agency and an undersecretary of the minister.” Interior for Intelligence Affairs.
The statement added, “During the meeting, the best ways and mechanisms were discussed to address the phenomenon of manipulation of the value of the Iraqi dinar against the dollar, in order to ensure its reduction and the prosecution of those involved in it in accordance with the laws in force.”
China’s yuan expands its growing foothold in South America as Bolivia reduces reliance on US dollar
Jul 31, 2023, 2:09 PM EDT
China’s yuan is expanding its foothold in South America as Bolivia reduces its reliance on the dollar.
The country’s yuan transactions from May to July accounted for about 10% of its foreign trade in that span.
Bolivia has been hit by dollar shortages recently as lower natural gas production hit exports.
Bolivia is reducing its reliance on the US dollar and turning to the yuan, marking the latest sign that China’s currency is expanding its growing foothold in South America.
The country made financial transactions totaling 278 million Chinese yuan ($39 million) from May through July, or about 10% of its foreign trade in that span, Bolivia’s economy minister said Thursday.
“We’re already using the yuan. It’s a reality and a good start,” Marcelo Montenegro said at a news conference, according to the Associated Press. “Banana, zinc, and wood manufacturing exporters are conducting transactions in yuan, as well as importers of vehicles and capital goods.”
He later added, “The amount being used in yuan is still relatively small, but it will increase over time.”
Bolivia’s currency, the boliviano, is pegged to the dollar. But the country has been hit by dollar shortages recently as lower natural gas production hit exports.
As its foreign exchange reserves shrink, the government’s ability to defend the dollar peg has come under pressure.
Bolivia joins South America’s two biggest economies, Argentina and Brazil, in tilting toward the yuan and away from the dollar.
Iraqi judges, security leaders convene to tackle currency manipulation
Shafaq News / Iraqi judges and security leaders held a meeting at the headquarters of the Supreme Judicial Council to devise mechanisms for addressing "currency manipulation" involving the Iraqi dinar and to pursue those involved in such activities.
According to a statement by the Supreme Judicial Council, the meeting was attended by the Chief Prosecutor, the Chairman of the Judicial Supervision Authority, the top investigating judges from the second and third investigation courts in Al-Karkh, and the investigation court in Al-Rusafa, which handles integrity and economic crime cases. Additionally, the meeting included the head of the National Security Apparatus and the Deputy Minister of Interior for Intelligence Affairs.
During the meeting, they discussed the best ways and mechanisms to address the phenomenon of currency manipulation, particularly concerning the value of the Iraqi dinar against the US dollar, aiming to curb such practices and prosecute those involved in accordance with existing laws, as stated in the statement.
Today, Monday, the Supreme Judicial Council announced the arrest of suspects involved in suspicious financial activities.
The suspects admitted to setting up business companies as a cover for smuggling currency out of Iraq. These companies were raided in various areas of Baghdad, resulting in the confiscation of approximately fifteen million dollars. The seized funds were subsequently deposited with the Central Bank, after the Anti-Money Laundering Office submitted reports indicating suspicions of money laundering through monopolizing the dollar in this manner.
Apple(NASDAQ: AAPL)is the most valuable company in the world with a market capitalization of just over $3 trillion. It reached this position thanks to the terrific demand for its iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks over the years. But the company now needs something new to power its next phase of growth.
Apple's growth plateaued thanks to a weak smartphone market. The company's revenue in the first six months of the current fiscal year dropped to $212 billion (compared to $221 billion in the same period a year ago). The iPhone, which generated 55% of its revenue in the first half of fiscal 2023, saw a dip in sales.
There is a good chance that Apple can strike gold with its next generation of iPhones as a massive installed base of users will need upgrades and the company has strong pricing power. But the tech giant is also taking steps to diversify into new areas to accelerate its growth. One way it hopes to do that is by jumping intothe small but fast-growing market for mixed-reality headsets. There are also rumors that Apple is developing self-driving vehicles.
Apple is reportedly developing a ChatGPT competitor
ChatGPT, OpenAI's chatbot, became a raging success after it was launched late last year (with significant funding assistance from Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT)). The generative AI-powered chatbot quickly built a big user base, reaching 100 million users within just two months of launch.
Microsoft was quick to capitalize on ChatGPT's popularity and introduced paid subscriptions for the service. Microsoft also deployed OpenAI's generative AI platform into services such as the Bing search engine and Microsoft Office applications. These moves could unlock a solid long-term opportunity for Microsoft in multiple areas.
The chatbot market is one of those opportunities considering the impressive pace at which it is expected to grow. According to a third-party estimate, the global chatbot market could generate $42 billion in annual revenue by 2032, clocking a compound annual growth rate of almost 24% over the next decade. For comparison, the chatbot market was worth just under $5 billion last year.
Not surprisingly, several companies -- both big and small -- are in a race to deploy AI-powered chatbots. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman recently reported that Apple is also in this race. According to Gurman, Apple is reportedly building an AI-powered chatbot to compete with the likes of ChatGPT. Gurman adds that the tech giant has already developed a large language model (LLM) to power its generative AI offerings, including the chatbot.
Apple won't say if it is indeed looking to jump into the generative AI market. But the rumor mill has gotten better in recent years at predicting the company's upcoming products. That suggests that Apple may indeed be on track to jump into this space.
Why AI could open a new growth frontier for Apple
It won't be surprising to see Apple actually move into the generative AI space. The chatbot market is expected to be huge in the long run. And chatbots are just one of the many applications that use generative AI technology. The overall generative AI market is forecast to grow 42% annually over the next decade and generate $1.3 trillion in annual revenue in 2032, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. So, it makes sense for Apple to accelerate its efforts to incorporate generative AI into its offerings, especially considering that other tech giants, such as Microsoft and Alphabet, have already made progress in this space.
Generative AI offerings like chatbots could nicely complement Apple's huge installed base of devices and unlock growth.
Apple CEO Tim Cook said in February that the company's installed base of devices, including iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, and other hardware offerings, now exceeds 2 billion units. So the company already has access to a huge user base that could adopt its generative AI offerings. If Apple charges a fee for the service, that would create a significant new revenue stream.
Microsoft and OpenAI, for instance, charge $20 a month for ChatGPT Plus. The paid ChatGPT subscription allows users to access the chatbot even during peak hours and provides faster responses to their queries. Paying users also get access to new features before others.
Apple could consider doing something similar with Siri, its AI-powered voice assistant, which is present on multiple devices ranging from iPhones to iPads to AirPods to the Apple Watch. Apple could use generative AI to make Siri smarter, using its large language models, and deploy the functionality in its productivity apps, such as Pages, Numbers, and Keynote, as well. If Siri can compose emails, create text such as essays, and write poems based on user prompts -- just like ChatGPT -- Apple could consider monetizing it.
There is no official word from Apple if it is indeed looking to move into this market. But don't be surprised to see the company integrate generative AI into its products going forward, as other big tech giants could steal market share from Apple if it doesn't step up its efforts in this area. Also, there is a huge incentive for Apple to accelerate its generative AI efforts as it already has a solid opportunity to monetize this technology and give its flagging growth a big shot in the arm.