When you need quick cash, what could be more convenient than taking out a same-day payday loan that is deposited directly into your bank account? On your next payday – a week or two later – the loan is automatically repaid because the creditor has your bank information. Sure, there is a fee, but there’s no credit check, no collateral, and no lengthy application process like there is for a personal loan. You just walk into the payday loan office or go online, fill out a few forms proving that you have a steady job and a checking account, and you get up to $2,000 the same day.It sounds easy, but it may not be such a good deal. Payday loans are defined as short-term loans with an interest rate above 36%. That sounds like a high rate, doesn’t it? After all, you see new car loans advertised for zero percent, and home mortgages for 6%. Personal loans from banks are generally between 10% and 15%. Even credit card cash advances can be cheaper. A $300 cash advance on the average credit card, repaid in one month, would incur a finance charge of $13.99 at an APR of 57%.To make it sound less expensive, payday loan providers don’t advertise their annual percentage rate (APR) the same way credit card and personal loan providers do. They state the interest in terms of a fee per $100 loaned. Here’s a typical example.How the Fee Translates to APR You walk into the payday loan office or apply online. You need to borrow $500 until your next payday, which is in seven days. The fee for your loan is $15 per $100 borrowed. You think, “That’s not so bad, it’s 15%, isn’t it”? You agree to the loan terms and you give the lender a check in the amount of $575, dated in seven days.When your loan is due to be repaid in seven days the creditor will cash the check or debit your checking account. If you have $575 in your account, then you are finished and the transaction is completed.You will have paid $75 for your loan. That translates into an annual percentage rate (APR) of 780%. It’s very high, but that’s because calculating the APR is complex and involves not only the loan amount and the fee, but the period of the loan-how long until you pay it back.The big danger is that many customers can’t pay back the loan on time. Think about it – a customer who does not have $500 in his or her bank account this week is unlikely to have $575 in their account next week. Many customers “roll over” their loans. They cannot pay on the due date, so the creditor charges the $75 fee and agrees to collect on the next payday.Are You the Average Payday Loan Customer?According to the Consumer Federation of America, from a single lender each year the average payday loan customer takes eight to thirteen payday loans or loan renewals. So if you are the average customer, let’s say you roll over or renew your $500 loan 10 times in one year. To borrow $500 for 10 weeks, you will pay a total of $750 in finance charges plus repay the amount borrowed. Your $500 payday loan will end up costing you $1,250.There are additional risks and fees. To get a payday loan you are required to give the creditor a personal check as repayment. If your check bounces, your bank will charge you a fee – often as high as $40. You can lose your bank account or have difficulty opening a new bank account if you develop a record of bouncing checks used to get payday loans.Before you take out a payday loan, carefully consider the real cost – and ask yourself if it’s worth it.
S&P 500 Rallies As U.S. Dollar Pulls Back Towards Weekly Lows
Key Insights
The strong pullback in the U.S. dollar provided significant support to stocks.
Treasury yields have pulled back after touching new highs, which served as an additional positive catalyst for S&P 500.
A move above 3730 will push S&P 500 towards the resistance level at 3760.
Advertisement
Pfizer Rallies After Announcing A Huge Price Hike For Its COVID-19 Vaccines
S&P 500 is currently trying to settle above 3730 as traders’ appetite for risk is growing. The U.S. dollar has recently gained strong downside momentum as the BoJ intervened to stop the rally in USD/JPY. Weaker U.S. dollar is bullish for stocks as it increases profits of multinational companies and makes U.S. equities cheaper for foreign investors.
The leading oil services company Schlumberger is up by 9% after beating analyst estimates on both earnings and revenue. Schlumberger’s peers Baker Hughes and Halliburton have also enjoyed strong support today.
Vaccine makers Pfizer and Moderna gained strong upside momentum after Pfizer announced that it will raise the price of its coronavirus vaccine to $110 – $130 per shot.
Biggest losers today include Verizon and Twitter. Verizon is down by 5% despite beating analyst estimates on both earnings and revenue. Subscriber numbers missed estimates, and traders pushed the stock to multi-year lows.
Twitter stock moved towards the $50 level as the U.S. may conduct a security review of Musk’s purchase of the company.
From a big picture point of view, today’s rebound is broad, and most market segments are moving higher. Treasury yields have started to move lower after testing new highs, providing additional support to S&P 500. It looks that some traders are ready to bet that Fed will be less hawkish than previously expected.
S&P 500 Tests Resistance At 3730
S&P 500 has recently managed to get above the 20 EMA and is trying to settle above the resistance at 3730. RSI is in the moderate territory, and there is plenty of room to gain additional upside momentum in case the right catalysts emerge.
If S&P 500 manages to settle above 3730, it will head towards the next resistance level at 3760. A successful test of this level will push S&P 500 towards the next resistance at October highs at 3805. The 50 EMA is located in the nearby, so S&P 500 will likely face strong resistance above the 3800 level.
On the support side, the previous resistance at 3700 will likely serve as the first support level for S&P 500. In case S&P 500 declines below this level, it will move towards the next support level at 3675. A move below 3675 will push S&P 500 towards the support at 3640.
Working With a Vehicle Finance Broker
Approaching the purchase of a new car can be both an exciting and a daunting experience. The thrill of considering a new vehicle in which to commute, run errands, and simply let loose on the road of life can bring a lot of positive images and ideas to mind, but the high costs of automobiles means that there are typically financing considerations to be made before a new car or truck can be driven off the lot. A number of options exist for the modern car buyer, whether the object of sale is a new or used vehicle, is associated with a special period or type, or has any number of esoteric attributes when it comes to seeking financing. Frequently, car buyers may choose to work with the sellers themselves or with dealerships to arrive at a workable financing solution, but this is not always the best choice. Consulting with a vehicle finance broker is an excellent way to ensure that the maximum value is obtained with a minimum of hassle and needless expense.Vehicle finance brokers are fairly unique among sources for financing as they work independently, and are not answering to the policies or procedures of parent companies or associations. This often translates to increased value and greater attention to taking care of each client’s individual needs; if you’re concerned about being treated like just another customer in a long line of financing seekers, working with a vehicle finance broker may be an excellent option. The personal service afforded by a vehicle finance broker is matched by such a broker’s ability to reach far beyond the boundaries of other financing sources. Brokers must obtain extensive training to meet local professional requirements, and arrange their deals through making new contacts and arrangements with lenders. This process demands an extraordinary level of skill in negotiation and the ability to identify or create a great deal, attributes which a vehicle finance broker can in turn bestow upon a client.Choosing a vehicle finance broker is a wise move when buying a new car, whether the expense is significant or will only require a short-term commitment. Vehicle finance brokers are extremely knowledgeable about their field, and can help clients understand the particulars of a given arrangement, from the terms of a loan to the specific way in which an arrangement will benefit a client’s tax profile. This personalized and distinctive service is one which can make the car purchasing experience much more pleasant, and can yield quick and efficient progress towards getting a new vehicle out of a lot -and into all the gears of your life. With a professional vehicle finance broker on your side, you can say goodbye to confusing repayment terms, anxiety over scams or bad deals, and generic, cold service. Experience the difference that a dedicated professional can make and consider using a car finance broker for your next car purchase.