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The article discusses a trend in the U.S. in which shopping malls were being converted into other uses by landlords as a result of a combination of increased electronic commerce (e-commerce), overbuilding of malls, and retailer bankruptcies such as RadioShack Corp., American Apparel Inc., and Wet Seal Inc. The article cites statistics from the real-estate data firm CoStar Group Inc. to state that by the end of 2015 there will be over a square foot less of retail space per person in the U.S. than in 2009.

The article discusses the risk of being too cautious when trying to make sure retirement is both solvent and satisfying. He presents the financial planning dilemma facing Peter Nelson, a 61-year-old man diagnosed with blood cancer, the impact of premature death and terminal illness on financial planning, comments from financial planner Dan Goldie, and maneuvers that could allow individuals to spend more in the near future while preserving a certain standard of living in the long run.

The article discusses lessons that can be learned by investors after the confidence-boosting overall gain in the stock market for 2013. Topics include a common trend for stocks to fall after peaking and doing well for periods of time as automaker Tesla Motors did in 2013, changes in worldwide interests which affect stocks and can cause them to fall, and the possibility of a decrease in share prices for companies after their initial public offerings.

The article discusses target-date mutual funds as of April 2013 in the U.S., focusing on their susceptibility to interest rate increases. Topics include the use of target-date funds by companies offering 401(k) retirement plans, bond prices, and risks in retirement planning. Funds such as the Vanguard Target Retirement 2015 Fund and the Fidelity Freedom K 2015 fund are mentioned.

The article focuses on the mining industry in light of the weak global economy which has depressed prices. Cost control strategies at Anglo American PLC and Vale SA are noted. Steelmaker ArcelorMittal's credit rating was lowered to junk because there is a low demand for metals. The possibility that the size of BHP Billiton's copper-uranium project will be reduced is mentioned. Downsizing at Rio Tinto company is also noted.

The article discusses gold prices and investors as of May 29, 2012. According to the article, the price of gold settled at $1,548.60 per troy ounce at the end of trading on May 29, 2012, and that the price of gold was down 1.1 percent for 2012 to that point in the year. The article states that Greek economic difficulties and Spanish credit-market dips accounted for fewer gold investments. The article presents comments from financial firm HSBC gold analyst James Steel.

The article discusses the African cashew industry as of May 23, 2012. According to the article, a military revolt in Guinea-Bissau was negatively impacting the cashew nut market. It states that cashew farmers were unable to get their crops to market because of the military uprising, which began on April 13, 2012, with the kidnapping of Guinea-Bissau prime minister Carlos Gomes, Jr.

The article examines a discrepancy between U.S. prices of commodity futures for hogs in 2012 and the retail price of pork in which the price of the futures has declined by 26 percent in 2011-2012 while the price of pork has continued to increase. The discrepancy is attributed to factors including the unwillingness of grocery trade firms to offer discounts on pork, decreased demand due to the high retail prices and an increase in supply of so-called lean-hog due to mild winter weather.

The article considers prices of gasoline commodity futures. A decline in prices for gasoline futures of 6.3 percent since March 26, 2012 is discussed in terms of a corresponding decline in U.S. retail gasoline prices and the possibility retail prices could decline further. The impact of falling gasoline prices on U.S. economic conditions is discussed.

The article examines stock prices of gold mining companies. It is noted that the stocks of such companies have not increased at the same rate as the actual price of gold, due to competition from exchange-traded funds (ETF) which invest in gold itself. Tactics used by gold mining firms to attract investors such as raising dividend payments are considered.

The article reports that a drought in South America has precipitated a sharp rise in crop prices. A lack of rain in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay has helped push up prices for wheat, soybeans, and corn. Smaller harvests could spark inflation in some countries while prompting others to limit crop exports in an effort to prevent political unrest.

The article focuses on wheat prices and wheat farming. The impact of a drought in Russia and subsequent ban on exports of wheat by that country on prices is discussed. A decision faced by U.S. wheat farmers on whether to plant more wheat to capitalize on what may be only a temporary increase in prices for the crop is examined.

The article examines commodity futures trading in coffee. There was a sharp increase in prices of coffee futures in mid-June, 2010, and contrary to many investors' expectations, prices have remained at their highest level in over a decade in July, 2010. Futures traders state supply concerns may keep coffee prices elevated. It is expected that retailers will be reluctant to pass on the price increase to consumers.

The article reports on the plan of retailers including Hennes & Mauritz AB to open stores on the Mall of San Juan in Puerto Rico which is the largest mall in the U.S. in 2015 and the bet of mall owners on continued spending of consumers in the island despite the debt struggle of the government.

The article reports on a partnership which has been developed between Florida International University and the Bermuda based insurance firm RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., which lost $281 million in 2005 due to payments related to hurricanes. The partnership, which has been established in an effort to find ways to help buildings survive massive storms, includes the use of six 16 foot high fans that are each hooked up to a powerful motor and create gusts of more than 100 miles per hour.

The article reports on a large drop which was seen in the U.S. stock market on July 31, 2007 as a result of concerns about loans and securities in the U.S. which were derived from home mortgages. The impact the concerns had on Bear Stearns Cos., including their shutting off of withdrawals from a mortgage investment fund, is discussed.

This article discusses how oil and gas prices, insurance stocks, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average are affected by the hurricanes and the storm season in the United States. Antoine Halff, head of energy research at Fimat USA LLC, and the Colorado State University hurricane-forecasting team explain that the 2006 storm season is not over with Hurricane Ernesto and the dangers that are still present.

This article the development of technology aimed at studying and predicting major storms. Insurance companies in the U.S. have become reliant on this technology to develop insurance policies and forecast storm-related damages. These databases of storm information have allowed insurance companies to predict which buildings will suffer the most damages in a storm and adjust their insurance policies accordingly. INSET: Tearing Up the Coast.

This article discusses the economic effects of increased major storm predictions for the northeastern U.S. Insurance agencies, concerned over a potential massive storm along the northeast coast of the U.S., have begun dropping customers, altering policies, and raising their premiums. These companies see a great financial risk for storm damage, especially to expensive homes on Long Island, New York.

The article reports that private equity group Carlyle Group has announced that it has lowered its minimum investment, allowing affluent investors to contribute fifty thousand dollars to its funds, and examines the benefits of private equity firms for investors.

The article discusses the financial performance of investments in gold as of March 2013, focusing on prices, investment policy, and risk management.

The article discusses how a potential decision by European countries to use bullion reserves to support bonds could slow down the increasing prices of gold.

This article focuses on the company American International Group Inc. and its chief executive officer Martin Sullivan. The article explains that the company has lost billion of dollars due to bad bets from subprime mortgages. The article chronicles Sullivan's efforts to improve the financial health of the company.

The article discusses the gold mining industry in the Democratic Republic of Congo as of April 2013, with information on gold smuggling as a result of U.S. legislation limiting imports of Congolese metals. Topics include comments by Congolese miner Thiery Buzima, violent conflict and insurgencies in the Congo, and guidelines published by the World Gold Council mining trade group.

The article discusses a proposal by U.S. financial firm CME Group Inc. (CME) to permit increased commodity trading on its Chicago Board of Trade as of mid-May 2012. The article describes inherent tension between the pressure on exchanges to expand electronic trading and floor traders who often resist such expansion. The article also discusses CME's chief exchange competitor, IntercontinentalExchange Inc.

The article discusses oil prices as of March 1, 2012, and their relation to an alleged pipeline explosion in Saudi Arabia. According to the article, oil for April delivery closed at $110.55 per barrel following electronic trading. The article states that market volatility following unverified reports of the explosion demonstrated a fear concerning the oil supply of the Middle East.

The article examines economic aspects of U.S. wheat farming. It is forecast by the Agriculture Department that wheat exports will rise 36 percent in 2010. Prices for wheat are also rising due to increased demand and the effects of a drought in Russia on that country's wheat crop. The increasingly important role U.S. agriculture plays in the international food supply is discussed.

The article reports that Tropical Strom Fay could be another factor that would bring the economy of Florida down besides the housing crisis and a financial downturn. Florida officials, on the other hand, announce that they are more prepared to face such disaster than in 2004. It is said that Florida's insurance system against hurricane damage is not so strong as the state was hit by seven major hurricanes in 20045 and 2005 which cost billions of dollars in damage.