Why the rich are ditching their home country

HONG KONG (CNNMoney)

Popular destination countries like Cyprus, Spain and Australia have programs that offer a path to citizenship or permanent residency -- for those who can afford to pay up.

Right now, immigrant investor programs are available in about 20 countries around the globe, including the U.S., Europe, and island nations in the Caribbean. More are on the way, especially as countries still reeling from the global financial crisis seek to energize their economies.

While some individuals can maintain their citizenship status with their home countries, others from nations that do not allow dual citizenship must turn in their passports in order to adopt a new country.

Related: Where are the super rich?

In recent years, "there have been many countries offering investment immigration targeted at wealthy individuals," according to a report by Arton Capital, which advises governments and individuals regarding such programs, and Wealth-X, a research firm. "As a pure investment, some of these programs are very attractive to ultra high net worth individuals."

That's because the programs are quite affordable for the world's uber rich. Required investments range from $500,000 to several million dollars and are often "a very small fraction of someone's net worth," said Mykolas Rambus, CEO of Wealth-X.

Bulgaria, for example, requires investors to hold $700,000 in government bonds for five years, while St. Kitts & Nevis in the Caribbean mandates a $400,000 investment in real estate or the nation's sugar industry. Other countries demand hefty property purchases, putting a few million on deposit in a domestic bank or into projects that support job creation.

Related: Top countries for billionaires

A decade ago, only a handful of these programs existed. Now, as new countries join the fray, roughly 20,000 rich individuals are rushing to apply each year, often in hopes of preserving their wealth.

While lower income taxes are sometimes a plus, some applicants are also looking to avoid inheritance taxes. Over the next three decades, the children of the super wealthy are set to inherit more than $16 trillion.

Related: Rich, really rich, and ultra rich

Other incentives include access to better education, a desire to escape political instability, visa-free travel to more countries or higher standards of living, said Armand Arton, president of Arton Capital.

In extreme cases, the craftiest individuals may even be able to avoid taxes by bouncing around the globe armed with multiple citizenships and residence permits. It's possible to "spend a number of days here, a certain number of days there -- and if you keep moving around, you never establish a long-enough term to be subject to permanent taxable residency," said David Kuenzi, founder of investment advisory Thun Financial.

Most immigrant investors are coming from the Middle East, followed by India and China, Arton said. And more rich Russians have inquired about such programs lately, given political instability in that region.

Europe remains the most popular destination, followed by island nations in the Caribbean -- where some countries levy no personal income, capital gains or inheritance tax. While those two regions are popular with investors from the Middle East, the Chinese seem most drawn to the American Dream, Arton said. The U.S. program is also attractive as it offers a green card, a better alternative for the Chinese, who are barred from having dual citizenship.

In fact, the Chinese now account for 80% of the U.S. immigrant investor program, according to a CNNMoney analysis of U.S. government data.

"Those who are globally minded who have quite a bit of wealth -- this is becoming a must-have," Rambus said.

First Published: June 1, 2014: 4:02 PM ET

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7 traits the rich have in common

Billionaire moguls Richard Branson and Oprah Winfrey are highly entrepreneurial with great confidence in their creative ventures. Those are just two of the traits broadly shared by the self-made rich, experts say.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney)

Hard work, education, smart investing, frugality, risk taking, and plain ol' luck were some of the main factors ultra-high-net-worth investors used to describe themselves when surveyed by the Spectrem Group.

CNNMoney decided to dig a little deeper. We asked several wealth experts if they noticed any similar traits or attitudes among their clients with a net worth of at least $5 million.

Here's what surfaced:

Entrepreneurial: Going into business is a common path among the wealthy. While there are plenty of doctors, lawyers and corporate executives in the $5 million-plus group surveyed by Spectrem, those who go on to become business owners tend to build an even higher net worth.

Always on the clock: The 40-hour work week is like a part-time schedule for many, especially those who have built businesses. A 60- to 80-hour work week is more the norm, as are working vacations, according to certified financial planner Doug Flynn of Flynn Zito Capital Management.

High energy: Many high-net-worth individuals have a lot of energy, don't need much sleep, and enjoy generally upbeat attitudes, according to psychologist James Gottfurcht, who runs Los Angeles-based Psychology of Money Consultants.

Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be rich?

The super wealthy also tend to be visionaries, said psychologist Kristen Armstrong, a strategic wealth coach at Ascent Private Capital Management. She described many of her clients as "force of nature" people.

"I see again and again that they have a really great ability to envision possible futures ... [and] an amazing ability to focus their efforts and energy once they see a possibility."

Extremely confident: Gottfurcht said most of his clients who made their wealth possess what he calls an "expansive, healthy grandiosity." By that he means a sense of "I can do anything."

They're also open to creative ways of achieving their goals.

Armstrong, too, said her clients have great confidence in themselves and others, and firmly believe the world will accommodate their business ideas.

Also common, though, among some of Gottfurcht's wealthiest clients is what he termed "narcissistic personality disorder." That is, they think they're special, "require excessive admiration," have a high sense of entitlement and lack empathy for others, he said.

Related: Rich, really rich, and ultra rich

Discerning: For all their confidence, Armstrong's clients know they're not the smartest person in the room on every given issue. But they know to surround themselves with people who are -- which will help them realize their vision.

Among business owners, those who do best are the ones who move past sole proprietorship, and partner with others to expand their enterprises, said Flynn.

Modest: Despite glamorous Hollywood portrayals of the rich life, many multi-millionaires live more modestly. Most of Flynn's richest clients have chosen not to bump up their lifestyles in lockstep with their growing wealth.

"They still wear their old plaid shirt," he said. Or at least the men do.

Risk tolerant, but not impulsive: Anyone who runs a business is by nature a risk taker, Flynn noted. But there are no investing swashbucklers among his clients.

They have some short-term investments but tend to have a longer time horizon than most investors. Whether they invest in a stock or a building, they stick with it as long as it still makes sense to them.

But they won't go all in on one bet, according to Flynn.

"There's always the guy who bets it all on something, gets lucky and then gets out. But that's not the recipe for most people," Flynn said.

First Published: June 1, 2014: 4:06 PM ET

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Co-owner's death in plane crash won't stop Inquirer sale

After the death Saturday of Lewis Katz, his spot on the Inquirer board will be transferred to his son.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney)

Katz's death on Saturday night stunned and saddened many in the newspaper business, including his employees at the Inquirer, which is one of the country's most widely-circulated daily newspapers. On Sunday, a small headline under the newspaper Web site's main story about Katz affirmed that "Sale of Inquirer's company will move ahead."

On Tuesday, Katz and his business partner, H.F. "Gerry" Lenfest, had purchased the Inquirer, the tabloid Philadelphia Daily News and Philly.com for $88 million.

In a statement Sunday, Lenfest said: "We all deeply mourn the loss of my true friend and fellow investor. ... It is a severe loss, but I am pleased to announce that Drew Katz, Lewis's son, will replace his father on the board of our new company."

Drew Katz has been the chief executive of a regional outdoor advertising company for the past 15 years. He could not be reached for comment on Sunday.

But Stephen Harmelin, a lawyer who did work for Lewis Katz, told the Inquirer that "Lewis spent his time grooming Drew into the young businessman he is."

Katz, a native of Camden, New Jersey, just across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, first invested in the Inquirer in 2012. The paper had seen better days -- by the time Katz became involved, it had been bought and sold almost too many times to count.

Katz invested along with Lenfest and several other businessmen, including George Norcross, William P. Hankowsky and Joseph E. Buckelew.

But the partnership disintegrated, partly due to a dispute over the October 2013 firing of Inquirer editor Bill Marimow, who was later reinstated.

Katz sued Norcross, and control of the newspaper's parent company wound up being determined through a private auction last Tuesday. Katz and Lenfest outbid Norcross, Hankowsky and Buckelew.

The three men released a statement Sunday that praised Katz for his "long-standing commitment to the community and record of strong philanthropy across the region."

In light of Katz's death, they have offered to extend the closing of the sale "30 days if necessary," the Inquirer reported Sunday.

Stan Wischnowski, the executive editor of the Inquirer, wrote on Twitter that "words can't describe the sadness felt at" the Inquirer over Katz's death. "His support for what we do will never, ever be forgotten."

First Published: June 1, 2014: 4:33 PM ET

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Carl Icahn, Phil Mickelson in trading probe

NEW YORK (CNNMoney)

There is no allegation of wrongdoing and the probe may find none.

The probe involves stock trades made in 2011 after Icahn made an investment in Clorox (CLX, Fortune 500), according to the sources, who are not authorized to speak publicly about the case.

Icahn bought shares in Clorox and later announced a takeover bid for the company, causing shares to rise significantly.

Prior to the takeover bid, there was suspicious trading in the Clorox shares, and both Mickelson and Walters had bought shares in Clorox at about that time, according to The New York Times, citing people briefed on the investigation.

The FBI and the Securities and Exchange Commission are looking into whether Icahn told Walters about the takeover bid ahead of time, according to the Times, and also the possibility that Walters then told Mickelson. Both agencies declined to comment about the investigation.

"I have done absolutely nothing wrong," Mickelson said in a statement provided to CNN by his agent. "I have cooperated with the government in this investigation and will continue to do so. I wish I could fully discuss this matter, but under the current circumstances it's just not possible."

CNN reached out to representatives for Icahn, who told the Wall Street Journal that he did not know about any investigation.

"We are always very careful to observe all legal requirements in all of our activities," he told the paper. The suggestion that he was involved in improper trading, he said, was "inflammatory and speculative."

Attempts by CNN to reach Walters through one of his companies were not immediately successful. But he told the Wall Street Journal, "I don't have any comment about anything."

--CNN's Lex Haris and Mariano Castillo contributed to this report.

First Published: May 31, 2014: 1:00 PM ET

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Sonic & Chili's: Leave guns at home

Chili's told guests Friday to "refrain from openly carrying firearms into our restaurants."

NEW YORK (CNNMoney)

Chili's, which is owned by Brinker International (EAT), said Friday, "We kindly ask that guests refrain from openly carrying firearms into our restaurants and we will continue to follow state and local laws on this issue."

Sonic (SONC) said, "We're asking that customers refrain from bringing guns onto our patios or into our indoor dining areas."

Related: Chipotle: Guns not welcome here

In recent months, gun enthusiasts have held rallies and openly carried firearms, including large automatic weapons, into restaurants. It's alarmed customers and led to campaigns against guns in restaurants from advocacy groups like "Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America."

Earlier this month, Chipotle (CMG)said it did not want customers to bring guns into its restaurants "unless they are authorized law enforcement personnel."

Last year, Starbucks (SBUX, Fortune 500) also told customers they shouldn't bring guns into its stores. The company said the debate about whether people should openly carry guns had become increasingly uncivil and that the chain did not want its stores to be used as a political stage.

First Published: May 30, 2014: 5:52 PM ET

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These stock market 'records' aren't that great

NEW YORK (CNNMoney)

When people talk about how the "stock market" is doing, they often look at the S&P 500 index. It's currently at 1,923, the highest level it has ever been.

There's just one problem: That record level is in "nominal" terms. It doesn't account for inflation.

Consider that $1 doesn't buy as much as it used to -- in the stock market or even at a fast food restaurant. Thanks to inflation, you have to make more money today to be able to buy as much as you did a few years ago.

Will Hausman, an economics professor at the College of William and Mary, calculates that the S&P 500 hit its true high -- its inflation-adjusted high -- of 2,120 on January 14, 1999.

To put that another way, the market still needs to rise about 200 more points -- over 10% -- to be on par with where it was in the late 1990s. Perhaps Prince was onto something when he told us all to "Party like it's 1999."

If you don't account for inflation, you suffer from what Hausman dubs a "money illusion."

You think you're richer than you actually are. When you go out to spend your earnings from the stock market, you quickly realize that inflation has eaten up some of your gains.

Related: Get ready for lousy stock returns

Dividends make the story even more complicated.

Many of the companies in the S&P 500 send investors a check each month called a dividend. This stream of income remains relatively steady whether the company's stock price goes up or down.

When dividends are included, the so-called "total return" of the S&P 500 has already surpassed its inflation adjusted high. It first crossed that line in May 2013, according to Ed Clissold, U.S. market strategist for Ned Davis Research Group.

Related: Stop selling! Stocks are still your best investment

There's yet another wrinkle.

The Dow Jones industrial average, another closely watched measure of the U.S. stock market, has already surpassed its inflation-adjusted high.

The Dow's prior peak occurred in 2000, but it passed that level last year.

So why the discrepancy between the Dow and the S&P 500?

It comes down to how the two indexes are composed.

The Dow is calculated using the average stock price of a group of 30 big companies. By contrast, the S&P 500 is based on the market capitalization of (as the name suggests) 500 large companies.

Related: How high can Apple stock go?

Then there is the Nasdaq. Considered a proxy for the technology industry, the Nasdaq has yet to reach its nominal all-time high, let alone its inflation-adjusted high, from 2000. At that time, there was a massive bubble in Internet stocks.

So what does all this mean for the future of the stock market?

Clissold says the fact that the S&P 500 remains significantly below its inflation-adjusted high is "part of a growing body of evidence that we're in a secular bull market."

In other words, stocks could go up more, but investors shouldn't get complacent. The fact that stocks are at all-time nominal highs suggests the market is vulnerable to a pullback.

Clissold say the S&P 500 could experience a correction, usually defined as a drop of 10% or more, in the short run. Still, he added, "corrections in a secular bull market tend to be short and shallow."

-- CNNMoney's Annalyn Kurtz contributed to this report.

First Published: May 31, 2014: 9:19 PM ET

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Sonic & Chili's: Leave guns at home

Chili's told guests Friday to "refrain from openly carrying firearms into our restaurants."

NEW YORK (CNNMoney)

Chili's, which is owned by Brinker International (EAT), said Friday, "We kindly ask that guests refrain from openly carrying firearms into our restaurants and we will continue to follow state and local laws on this issue."

Sonic (SONC) said, "We're asking that customers refrain from bringing guns onto our patios or into our indoor dining areas."

Related: Chipotle: Guns not welcome here

In recent months, gun enthusiasts have held rallies and openly carried firearms, including large automatic weapons, into restaurants. It's alarmed customers and led to campaigns against guns in restaurants from advocacy groups like "Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America."

Earlier this month, Chipotle (CMG)said it did not want customers to bring guns into its restaurants "unless they are authorized law enforcement personnel."

Last year, Starbucks (SBUX, Fortune 500) also told customers they shouldn't bring guns into its stores. The company said the debate about whether people should openly carry guns had become increasingly uncivil and that the chain did not want its stores to be used as a political stage.

First Published: May 30, 2014: 5:52 PM ET

15.30 | 0 komentar | Read More

Carl Icahn, Phil Mickelson in trading probe

NEW YORK (CNNMoney)

There is no allegation of wrongdoing and the probe may find none.

The probe involves stock trades made in 2011 after Icahn made an investment in Clorox (CLX, Fortune 500), according to the sources, who are not authorized to speak publicly about the case.

Icahn bought shares in Clorox and later announced a takeover bid for the company, causing shares to rise significantly.

Prior to the takeover bid, there was suspicious trading in the Clorox shares, and both Mickelson and Walters had bought shares in Clorox at about that time, according to The New York Times, citing people briefed on the investigation.

The FBI and the Securities and Exchange Commission are looking into whether Icahn told Walters about the takeover bid ahead of time, according to the Times, and also the possibility that Walters then told Mickelson. Both agencies declined to comment about the investigation.

"I have done absolutely nothing wrong," Mickelson said in a statement provided to CNN by his agent. "I have cooperated with the government in this investigation and will continue to do so. I wish I could fully discuss this matter, but under the current circumstances it's just not possible."

CNN reached out to representatives for Icahn, who told the Wall Street Journal that he did not know about any investigation.

"We are always very careful to observe all legal requirements in all of our activities," he told the paper. The suggestion that he was involved in improper trading, he said, was "inflammatory and speculative."

Attempts by CNN to reach Walters through one of his companies were not immediately successful. But he told the Wall Street Journal, "I don't have any comment about anything."

--CNN's Lex Haris and Mariano Castillo contributed to this report.

First Published: May 31, 2014: 1:00 PM ET

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These stock market 'records' aren't that great

NEW YORK (CNNMoney)

When people talk about how the "stock market" is doing, they often look at the S&P 500 index. It's currently at 1,923, the highest level it has ever been.

There's just one problem: That record level is in "nominal" terms. It doesn't account for inflation.

Consider that $1 doesn't buy as much as it used to -- in the stock market or even at a fast food restaurant. Thanks to inflation, you have to make more money today to be able to buy as much as you did a few years ago.

Will Hausman, an economics professor at the College of William and Mary, calculates that the S&P 500 hit its true high -- its inflation-adjusted high -- of 2,120 on January 14, 1999.

To put that another way, the market still needs to rise about 200 more points -- over 10% -- to be on par with where it was in the late 1990s. Perhaps Prince was onto something when he told us all to "Party like it's 1999."

If you don't account for inflation, you suffer from what Hausman dubs a "money illusion."

You think you're richer than you actually are. When you go out to spend your earnings from the stock market, you quickly realize that inflation has eaten up some of your gains.

Related: Get ready for lousy stock returns

Dividends make the story even more complicated.

Many of the companies in the S&P 500 send investors a check each month called a dividend. This stream of income remains relatively steady whether the company's stock price goes up or down.

When dividends are included, the so-called "total return" of the S&P 500 has already surpassed its inflation adjusted high. It first crossed that line in May 2013, according to Ed Clissold, U.S. market strategist for Ned Davis Research Group.

Related: Stop selling! Stocks are still your best investment

There's yet another wrinkle.

The Dow Jones industrial average, another closely watched measure of the U.S. stock market, has already surpassed its inflation-adjusted high.

The Dow's prior peak occurred in 2000, but it passed that level last year.

So why the discrepancy between the Dow and the S&P 500?

It comes down to how the two indexes are composed.

The Dow is calculated using the average stock price of a group of 30 big companies. By contrast, the S&P 500 is based on the market capitalization of (as the name suggests) 500 large companies.

Related: How high can Apple stock go?

Then there is the Nasdaq. Considered a proxy for the technology industry, the Nasdaq has yet to reach its nominal all-time high, let alone its inflation-adjusted high, from 2000. At that time, there was a massive bubble in Internet stocks.

So what does all this mean for the future of the stock market?

Clissold says the fact that the S&P 500 remains significantly below its inflation-adjusted high is "part of a growing body of evidence that we're in a secular bull market."

In other words, stocks could go up more, but investors shouldn't get complacent. The fact that stocks are at all-time nominal highs suggests the market is vulnerable to a pullback.

Clissold say the S&P 500 could experience a correction, usually defined as a drop of 10% or more, in the short run. Still, he added, "corrections in a secular bull market tend to be short and shallow."

-- CNNMoney's Annalyn Kurtz contributed to this report.

First Published: May 31, 2014: 9:19 PM ET

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Hot stocks: 5 sizzling performers in May

NEW YORK (CNNMoney)

While there were many winners this month (sorry Whole Foods (WFM, Fortune 500) -- you definitely didn't make the cut), check out the rankings of the five hottest companies in the S&P 500 in May.

1. Netflix: Binge watching is the new black

Netflix (NFLX) was hammered by the risk aversion on Wall Street in recent months. The streaming movie rental service saw its shares slump 26% in March and April.

But investors quickly realized that lovers of "Breaking Bad" and "House of Cards" aren't abandoning Netflix any time soon. Shares spiked 30% in May, making it easily the best performer in both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100.

Netflix also announced a price increase for new members and plans to expand services to six more European countries: France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium and Luxembourg.

Related: CNNMoney's Tech 30 Index

2. Electronic Arts: The World Cup effect?

The second hottest S&P 500 stock this month can trace its sparkling performance to a single day: May 6.

That was the day Electronic Arts (EA) blew Wall Street's socks off with earnings that crushed expectations. Buoyed by sales of games for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, the video game maker also sounded a very positive tone for the rest of the year and unleashed a $750 million stock buyback.

The company, known as EA, also highlighted how strong its sports titles are, especially the blockbuster FIFA game ahead of this summer's World Cup. EA is one of the few non-apparel companies to serve as a major sponsor of top soccer stars.

Other video game makers have also enjoyed success this year, including France's Ubisoft (UBSFF), Activision Blizzard (ATVI) and Take-Two Interactive (TTWO).

After EA's 23% surge in May, the company has spiked 52% so far this year, good for No. 3 in the S&P 500 in 2014.

Related: Three tech stocks worth buying

3. Green Mountain juiced by Coke (again)

It's been a wild ride this year for investors of the company formerly known as Green Mountain Coffee Roasters.

Keurig Green Mountain (GMCR) spiked 36% in February after Coca-Cola (KO, Fortune 500) acquired a 10% stake in the company for $1.25 billion. But the coffee maker slumped 11% in April and continued to face skepticism from short sellers like hedge fund giant David Einhorn.

Coke came to the rescue once again, announcing plans on May 13 to boost its stake to 16%, adding more than $1 billion more. Green Mountain also impressed Wall Street wtih a 22% jump in profits.

The final result for Green Mountain is a heavily caffeinated 21% return for the month.

4. TripAdvisor charts an upward course

The online travel site finished April a hefty 26% below its all-time high, which was just the month before. But TripAdviso (TRIP)didn't stay home and pout.

The company unveiled a flurry of acquisitions during the month, including European restaurant service Lafourchette, travel guide site Tripbod and Vacation Home Rentals.

TripAdvisor also pleased investors by posting bullish results on May 6 that revealed a 22% jump in revenue and a 44% boost to traffic.

The stock is up 20% in May.

5. SanDisk by a nose

SanDisk (SNDK, Fortune 500), which makes flash memory, benefited from an overall rebound in tech stocks this month.

The company ended May with a 13.7% rally, narrowly besting Tiffany (TIF) for the No. 5 spot amongst S&P 500 stocks.

SanDisk pleased investors by hiking its quarterly dividend by 33% on May 7 after posting a 62% jump in earnings in April.

Related: The wealthy are spending again, baby. Luxury stocks are back

Honorable mention: Tiffany soared 13.6% during May and was easily the month's best performing retailer in the S&P 500. The company has sparkle, but not quite enough for the top 5.

Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly reported that investor Carl Icahn increased his stake in Netflix during the month.

First Published: May 30, 2014: 3:05 PM ET

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