- Fidelity Says Now May Be the Time for Premium Bonds
When building a portfolio, it is important to look for balance in terms of the types of assets you purchase. While stocks are often viewed as more exciting, that doesn’t mean bonds can’t play an important role in building your investment base, even if you’re younger and generally more interested in an aggressive strategy. This… read more…
- How to Invest in Rivian
Rivian is an American electric vehicle manufacturer. Founded in 2009, this firm isn’t one of the big car companies that have dominated the market for years. Nevertheless, it is considered one of the main rivals to Tesla. Instead, this newcomer… read more…
- How to Invest in Lithium
Lithium, the lightest metal on the periodic table of elements, has emerged as a metal of choice for many 21st century electronics and electrical devices. In particular, it is the basis of the lithium-ion battery, as well as consumer products such as computers and smartphones. While any investment in future-oriented technology is a gamble, since someone… read more…
- 6 Investments That Can Help Combat Inflation
With the consumer price index increasing during the last few years at a rate not seen for nearly 40 years, the investing challenge for the coming year is finding ways to generate real returns during exceptionally high inflation. Traditional inflation-resistant… read more…
- How Stable Value Funds Can Protect Retirement Savings From Volatility
Stable value funds post high yields with relatively low risk, and your retirement plan could already be invested in this asset class. MetLife says that more than eight in 10 defined contribution plan sponsors offer stable value funds as an option to preserve capital, and retirement savers would do well to consider adding this asset… read more…
- 10 Investment Styles: Which Works for You?
Choosing an investment style matters because those strategies, methods, and ideas will shape your portfolio. Of course, there are several different ways to approach investing depending on your risk tolerance and overall goals. By comparing some of the most popular options you can find your ideal style for growing wealth. A financial advisor can provide… read more…
- Vanguard Is Giving $1 Billion Back to Investors: Are You Entitled to Some Money?
Pretty much everything in life costs money, including financial services. One mutual fund firm — Vanguard, already famous for its relatively low fees — is changing its expense ratios with the aim of returning a total of $1 billion in fees to its customers by 2025. This could impact you if you use Vanguard products… read more…
- 5 Moves Investors Should Make as the Russia-Ukraine Crisis Intensifies
The conflict in Ukraine is evolving rapidly. While the focus is understandably on the loss of life and the geopolitical consequences of the conflict, there is also a significant impact on the global financial system that can’t be ignored. Global stocks and bonds plummeted last week following Russia’s “special military operation” announcement, and several Western… read more…
- What’s the Right Equity Balance for Your Fund Portfolio?
As inflation rages and the stock market logs consistent declines, investors around the world are reconsidering their portfolio strategies. Too much exposure to any one type of asset could wipe thousands from your account balance — and many investors are left wondering what to do. Recent findings suggest that the time for rebalancing your portfolio… read more…
- How to Invest $3 Million
So you have $3 million to invest. Maybe you saved up meticulously and well. Maybe you sold your company or wrote a best-selling novel. Maybe you simply won the lottery (fun in theory, but not a financial plan we recommend). First… read more…
- Cashing Out a 401(k) After Leaving a Job
The IRS established the 401(k) as a tax-advantaged plan for employees, but in an era when people change jobs far more often than they used to it also has created some confusion. What do you do with this account, that’s supposed to grow over decades, when you change employers? There are a few common options.… read more…
- Understanding How Foreign Bonds Work
The United States is a magnet for investors all over the globe. According to the 10th-anniversary edition of the Venture Capital (VC) & Private Equity (PE) Country Attractiveness Index, the U.S. ranks No. 1 among 125 countries in attractiveness to VC and PE asset class investors. For savvy investors, though, looking outside of the U.S. may… read more…
- How to Invest $15,000: 8 Smart Investments
If you suddenly find yourself with a bit of cash to invest – a bonus, a big tax refund or a small inheritance – it can be a bit overwhelming. There are so many options available to investors, and it isn’t easy to know what to do. Depending on your financial needs and goals, when… read more…
- What Is Residual Dividend Policy?
A company’s dividend policy determines how dividends are paid out to shareholders. Companies that follow a residual dividend policy use profits to fund operations first, then pay out any remaining or residual amounts to investors. If you’re investing for dividend income, it’s important to understand how payout policies work. A financial advisor may also be… read more…
- Dividend Capture Strategy: How It Works
A dividend capture strategy involves purchasing stocks before their ex-dividend date, then holding onto them just long enough to receive a dividend payout. This approach is also called buying the dividend. Using a dividend capture strategy could be profitable if you’re investing in stocks that pay above-average dividends. But it’s not for beginners and there… read more…
- What Is the 50% Rule in Real Estate?
Applying certain rules of thumb can help when determining whether a real estate investment is likely to be profitable. The 50% rule in real estate says that investors should expect a property’s operating expenses to be roughly 50% of its gross income. This is useful for estimating potential cash flow from a rental property, but… read more…
- What the Fed Means by ‘Tapering’
When prices are rising and nearly everyone who wants a job can find one, the Federal Reserve slows down economic stimulus to boost the economy after the government’s goals have been met. This is known as “tapering,” and the central… read more…
- How to Build a Dividend Portfolio
Investors seeking income often turn to dividends because of their advantages over bonds and bank deposit accounts. Dividends not only provide consistent cash flow, but they can also allow investors to participate in the appreciation of the asset as well.… read more…
- How to Avoid Taxes on Crypto Investments
The IRS treats cryptocurrency as a standard type of property, the same as receiving comic books or a car. The government taxes this asset as either ordinary income or capital gains. This means that if you sell it and make a profit, you will ordinarily owe taxes on those gains. As with all investment assets,… read more…
- A Guide to Income Investment Strategies
Maybe you are looking for a way to build a supplemental income stream during your working years, or perhaps, you’re planning for retirement. Whatever your motivation, this is where income investing strategies can help. An income investing strategy revolves around building a portfolio that generates a steady income. With the right strategy, you can up… read more…
- How to Calculate Cash Flow in Real Estate
Investing in cash flow real estate, also known as rental property, can be an effective way to generate a largely passive stream of income. You buy a property, install a tenant or two and collect monthly rent payments. It sounds simple enough, but there’s a little more involved in making sure that a rental property… read more…
- What Is a Joint Brokerage Account and When Should You Use One?
Joint brokerage accounts, of which there are several types, are shared by two or more people. There are some advantages to opening a joint brokerage account with your spouse, a relative or a business partner. There are also some potential… read more…
- How to Build a Bond Ladder ETF
Bonds can offer a relatively safe way to invest and earn consistent interest income over time. A bond ladder exchange-traded fund (ETF) offers exposure to multiple bonds with varying maturity dates. Investing in a bond ladder ETF can help with… read more…
- A Guide to Investing in Dividend Index Funds
Dividend index funds are mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that are indexed to dividend stocks. This is different from an index fund that pays dividends to investors, based on the profits realized by its underlying investments. Investing in dividend index funds can offer diversification, income and a potential hedge against inflation. Understanding how these… read more…
- Capital Gains Tax: Definition, Rates & Calculation
If you make money from just about any source, you’re likely to find Uncle Sam nearby. It’s true of money you earn from a job, and it’s true of money you earn from investments – whether that’s stocks, real estate… read more…