Missouri Powerball players may be intrigued by an analysis of the theoretical investment possibilities for jackpot winners. After taking a lump sum payment and paying taxes, the three winners of the huge Powerball drawing in January will actually walk away with approximately $200 million of the original $1.6 billion. California, Florida and Tennessee were chosen as states for theoretical winners to invest in since they are home to the winners of the $1.6 billion drawing.
Commercial real estate may not be as lucrative in 2016
If Kansas follows global trends, commercial real estate investors like landlords may not be able to sustain the high returns they experienced in 2015. Reports say that factors like the first interest rate increase by the Federal Reserve in almost a decade, stagnating growth in markets like China and lagging oil prices all stand to hamper the real estate market.
The impact of interest rate increases on the CRE market
Many business leaders and investors in Kansas and around the country were unsurprised by the interest rate increase announced by the Federal Reserve on Dec. 16. A rate hike had been expected for some time, and it was widely reported that only a disappointing jobs report had prevented Janet Yellen from announcing the move in November. While the 25 basis point increase still leaves rates at near historic lows, some real estate experts predict that rates will continue to be adjusted upwards as the year unfolds.
VW sued by Justice Department over emissions cheating
Kansas residents may recall the furor that erupted in September 2015 when the Volkswagen was discovered to have cheated in order pass strict U.S. emissions tests. The German car maker's malfeasance has not escaped the notice of the Justice Department, and it was announced on Jan. 4 that litigation had been filed against the company for violating insurance laws seeking damages of almost $50 billion.
Interest rate hikes could hamper commercial real estate
Commercial real estate owners and developers in Kansas may be concerned with the news that the Federal Reserve elected to raise interest rates. The hike, which is predicted to result in a short-term increase of 25 basis points, has some analysts worried that commercial real estate growth may falter in the face of surging fiscal burdens. Other experts, however, say that the forthcoming changes won't have a major effect over the long term, even though they believe that the Fed will eventually raise interest rates by around 100 basis points.
