Financial Briefs

U.S. exports to China comprise just 1% of U.S. GDP. In the $19-trillion-dollar U.S. economy, the 1% of activity with China is inconsequential. However, Chinese exports to the U.S. comprise 4.1% of China's GDP, which means China has much more at stake.

These facts seemed lost from the recent trade war coverage. Unfortunately, the alternate reality in the media misinforms, misleads and confuses investors. It's no conspiracy or bias, and it spans all political biases. Its journalists trying their best to explain the world. But it is a sign of the times, of a world in which the media's power to reach masses outstrips its understanding of our complex world. Consequently, coverage of the trade war with China was a grotesquely distorted reflection of economic and financial facts. It's no wonder so many investors have trouble adhering to a discipline.

As a result, some people think investing is like gambling at a casino, or betting on a horse, and makes many think investing is not connected with facts. That's just untrue! We do know a few things about the economy that are important to investors: