Kim Kardashian was seen in an all gray outfit with black sunglasses and a furry purse on Monday morning in New York City.

The 43-year-old TV diva was organizing a shopping day out for her daughter North West’s 11th birthday.

The young girls had on pale pink T-shirts that read I Heart NW with pink-and-white gingham pajama bottoms and pink crocs as they waited for their car outside an upscale hotel.

Two of the kids have very famous relatives – both are singers and actresses as well as  entrepreneurs.

Can you guess who they are?

North, Maxwell and Gracie have been close friends for many years and often have play dates together.

Kim took North and her friends for a pedicab ride in New York City. The group consisted of seven pedicabs. They then went on a shopping trip, paid for by billionaire Kim.

The day before Kim was seen taking North’s friends on her private jet.

She rented a party bus that made several stops throughout the day including at Joe’s New York Pizza in Greenwich Village.

Her photo was snapped eating a slice of cheese pizza while standing up.

The reality TV star bent the wider end of the pizza slice slightly as she raised it to her mouth.

For the festive outing, the mom-of-four wore a short-sleeved, light gray shirt with a fitted, dark gray tank top layered over it.

She added matching grey leggings and open-toed brown pumps to her casual and comfortable look that allowed her to keep up with a gaggle of 11 year olds.

Previously, the Keeping Up With the Kardashians star revealed her weird preference for pizza.

In the November 15 episode of The Kardashians on Hulu, she ordered a slice of pizza in New York City and then proceeded to take the cheese off of it.

‘Is it weird that I don’t like the cheese on pizza? I just like the bread,’ she asked while removing the topping from the crust.  Later she reached for another slice and took the cheese off again before eating it.

At North’s party, Kim appeared to eat the cheese.

The pizza place was just one stop on the birthday party bus. Kim also took North and her friends to Paint Me Bear, Serendipity 3 and to an indoor amusement park.

North and her friends all sported pink ‘I [heart] NY’ pajama bottoms as well as matching, black shirts that had, ‘North’s 11th birthday party’ printed on the front.

Kim was also joined by a few close pals of her own, including La La Anthony and media personality Kai Cenat during the birthday celebration.

Grandma Kris Jenner didn’t make the trip to New York City with North but she did wish her ‘spectacular’ granddaughter a happy 11th birthday on Instagram.

‘Happy birthday to my beautiful granddaughter, North!’ she wrote behind a photo of the Los Angeles native wearing a Simba costume from her recent The Lion King performance.

‘Watching you grow into the amazing, talented, creative young girl you are has been one of the greatest joys of my life,’ she penned.

‘Your confidence is inspiring and it always amazes me how much energy, excitement and love you put into everything you do!!’ she wrote.

‘Whether it’s your singing, dancing, writing, amazing music producing, your love for fashion, everything you do you put your all into it,’ she penned behind a snap of herself, the birthday girl and Kim.

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Source: CNN

Capital Markets: An Overview

Capital markets are financial markets where long-term debt or equity-backed securities are bought and sold. They provide a platform for raising capital, facilitating investment, and enabling the transfer of funds between savers and borrowers. The efficiency and stability of capital markets are crucial for the overall health of an economy.

Components of Capital Markets

Primary Market:

In the primary market, new securities are issued and sold to investors directly by the issuer. This is where companies raise fresh capital by issuing stocks (equity) or bonds (debt).

Key activities include Initial Public Offerings (IPOs), where companies go public by offering shares for the first time, and debt issuances, such as corporate or government bonds.

Secondary Market:

The secondary market is where existing securities are traded among investors. This includes stock exchanges like the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and NASDAQ.

Provides liquidity, allowing investors to buy and sell securities easily.

Types of Securities in Capital Markets

Equities (Stocks):

Represent ownership in a company.

Common stocks offer voting rights and potential dividends, while preferred stocks offer fixed dividends and priority over common stocks in asset liquidation.

Debt Securities (Bonds):

Loans made by investors to issuers (corporations, municipalities, or governments).

Pay periodic interest and return the principal at maturity.

Types include corporate bonds, government bonds, and municipal bonds.

Hybrid Securities:

Combine elements of both debt and equity, such as convertible bonds (which can be converted into a specified number of shares).

Key Functions of Capital Markets

Capital Formation:

Enable businesses to raise funds for expansion, innovation, and operations.

Investors provide capital in exchange for potential returns through dividends or interest.

Liquidity Provision:

Secondary markets offer liquidity, allowing investors to easily buy and sell securities.

Facilitates the efficient allocation of resources.

Price Discovery:

Markets determine the fair value of securities based on supply and demand dynamics.

Prices reflect the collective assessment of a company’s future prospects and overall economic conditions.

Risk Management:

Investors can diversify their portfolios by investing in a variety of securities.

Derivative instruments (options, futures) are available for hedging against price fluctuations.

Participants in Capital Markets

Issuers:

Corporations, governments, and municipalities that raise capital by issuing securities.

Investors:

Individuals, institutional investors (pension funds, mutual funds, insurance companies), and foreign investors seeking returns on their investments.

Intermediaries:

Investment banks, brokerage firms, and financial advisors that facilitate the issuance and trading of securities.

Regulators:

Government agencies (e.g., Securities and Exchange Commission in the U.S.) that oversee market activities to ensure transparency, fairness, and investor protection.

Regulatory Framework

Regulation in capital markets aims to protect investors, ensure fair trading, and maintain market integrity. Key regulations and standards include:

Disclosure Requirements: Companies must provide accurate and timely information to investors.

Insider Trading Laws: Prohibit trading based on non-public, material information.

Market Surveillance: Monitor trading activities to prevent market manipulation and fraud.

Impact on the Economy

Capital markets play a vital role in economic growth by:

Facilitating Investment: Mobilizing savings into productive investments, driving business expansion and innovation.

Promoting Economic Stability: Providing mechanisms for risk management and capital allocation.

Enhancing Financial Inclusion: Allowing a broader range of participants to invest and raise capital.

Current Trends and Challenges

Technological Advancements:

The rise of fintech, algorithmic trading, and blockchain technology is transforming capital markets by enhancing efficiency and transparency.

Globalization:

Increased cross-border capital flows and integration of global markets present opportunities and risks.

Regulatory Changes:

Evolving regulatory landscapes in response to financial crises and market innovations impact market operations.

Sustainability:

Growing emphasis on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria in investment decisions reflects the shift towards sustainable and responsible investing.

Conclusion

Capital markets are the backbone of a functioning financial system, providing the necessary infrastructure for capital formation, investment, and economic growth. Understanding their mechanisms, participants, and regulatory frameworks is essential for navigating and leveraging these markets effectively. As markets evolve with technological advancements and global integration, staying informed about trends and challenges remains crucial for all stakeholders.