- What Are Series I Savings Bonds?
If you’re in a position of wanting protection or stability in your portfolio then you should consider Series I bonds. These are bonds issued by the U.S. government that carry a zero-coupon interest rate and are annually adjusted for inflation. The… read more…
- EBITDA vs. Revenue: What You Need to Know
While a company’s sales, also known as revenue, often get a great deal of attention from the public, business owners, managers, investors and lenders pay particularly close attention to another key metric, EBITDA. EBITDA stands for “earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.” It is a more nuanced tool than revenue and can illuminate how… read more…
- Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (CMBS)?
A commercial mortgage-backed security (CMBS) is a type of income-generating security that’s backed by commercial real estate mortgages instead of residential property mortgages. These assets can be good investments in one regard, given the steady returns they generate but are… read more…
- How to Invest in Esports
StarCraft changed the world. This computer game was arguably the first major esport, or electronic sport, with immense popularity and a professional circuit in many parts of the world, particularly the U.S. and East Asia. Today many games have a… read more…
- How Asset Turnover Ratio Helps Investors
One of the most important questions for investors is how efficiently a company uses its assets generate revenue. This information is not readily found in the most common financial reports, such as balance sheets. The performance numbers of a large business… read more…
- A Guide to FAANG Stocks and Funds
The FAANG stocks are a collection of five high-value securities in the tech sector and some of the most valuable shares traded on the U.S. exchanges. Together they are Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix and Google. The stocks in the FAANG… read more…
- What Is the Russell 2000 Index?
The Russell 2000 Index is a stock market index that measures the performance of approximately 2,000 of the smallest-capitalization U.S. corporations in the Russell 3000 Index, which is made up of 3,000 of the largest American stocks. It is a useful alternative to… read more…
- Bitcoin: What Is It, History and How to Buy
Bitcoin is one of the most valuable and volatile assets on the market. By February 2021 it had soared to an intraday high of nearly $60,000, more than nine times a year-earlier intraday level. Whether you’re interested in this cryptocurrency… read more…
- What Is a Japanese Candlestick Chart?
Perhaps the single greatest mistake that investors make is the idea that trading is a purely technical practice, one driven exclusively by the logic of numbers. But the truth is that traders work on emotion just as often as they… read more…
- What Is a Blend Fund?
Mutual funds and exchange-traded funds can make investing easier. Instead of buying individual stocks or bonds, you can buy a collection of them in a single fund. But all mutual funds aren’t the same, and it’s important to know what… read more…
- How to Calculate Free Cash Flow (FCF)
Free cash flow is a measure that helps business owners, investors and others assess a business’s financial performance and outlook. Free cash flow is defined as operating cash flow minus capital expenditures. Strong free cash flow can indicate that a company is… read more…
- How Insurance Planning Fits Into a Financial Plan
As you build your wealth, it’s important to protect your assets against any unforeseen events. While not as direct a way of saving as investing, insurance planning can save you significant amounts of money over the long-term. Think of insurance… read more…
- What Happens to an Annuity When You Die?
Planning for the future involves understanding what happens to your financial assets after you’re gone. Annuities, which provide regular income payments during retirement, are a common investment vehicle, but what happens to an annuity when you die? The answer depends largely on the type of annuity you own and the specific provisions outlined in your… read more…
- Balance Sheets vs. Income Statements
Three financial documents can evaluate the health of a business: the balance sheet, the income statement and the cash flow statement. Each measures and reports on different aspects of a company’s financial condition. However, the balance sheet and income statement… read more…
- Accredited Investment Fiduciary Analyst (AIFA)
When you go to a doctor, you may prefer one who puts your health first. When it comes to your money, you likely want a professional with your interests in mind. An Accredited Investment Fiduciary Analyst (AIFA) can work in your best interests. Here’s how people get that title and how they work for you.… read more…
- What Is a Sovereign Wealth Fund?
Personal investing is one thing, but can governments invest too? (Hint: The answer is yes.) A sovereign wealth fund, or SWF, is a state-owned investment fund that taps into a country’s cash reserves. The goals of an SWF are to… read more…
- What Is a Real Estate Fund?
Unless you’re dreaming of becoming a landlord or trying your hand at flipping houses, real estate funds might be just the investment you’ve been looking for. There are a number of reasons why real estate holdings make attractive additions to a portfolio. If you’re interested… read more…
- Alternative Investments: What Investors Need to Know
Want to go beyond stocks, bonds and cash? Alternative investments can include everything from real estate to fine art. If you’re looking for another way to diversify your portfolio, alternative investments may be worth considering. Read on to discover if… read more…
- Why Time Horizons Matter in Investing
Your time horizon is a crucial element of your investing plan. By understanding your time horizon you can select the most suitable investments to help you achieve your financial goals. Read on to discover what a time horizon is, why… read more…
- A Guide to Investing in Bear Market Funds
Due to trade war fears, policy uncertainty and a host of other factors, investors are leery about what the future holds for the stock market. But certain funds are designed to bet against the market or weather a bear market.… read more…
- A Guide to Investing in Gold Mutual Funds
Whether they hedged against inflation or worried about the market crashing, investors regularly resorted to gold to offset risk. There are many ways to invest in gold, including gold mutual funds. Read on to discover how to invest in specialized… read more…
- What are High-Yield Municipal Bonds?
Municipal bonds, often referred to as “munis,” are a cornerstone of income-focused investment portfolios. Issued by state and local governments to fund public projects like schools, highways, and utilities, these bonds offer investors a steady stream of interest payments, typically with the added benefit of tax advantages. For investors seeking higher returns, high-yield municipal bonds… read more…
- All About Investing in Small-Cap Value Funds
Investing in a small-cap value fund is a simple way to diversify your portfolio. These funds offer exposure to companies with a smaller market capitalization and an investment focus on value instead of growth. Small-cap value funds can come in a few different forms, such as traditional mutual funds, index funds or even ETFs. But although… read more…
- What Is an Outsourced Chief Investment Officer?
Many companies have a chief investment officer (CIO), someone who’s in charge of a company’s financial assets. They typically manage long-term investments, portfolios of securities, pension funds, ensure adequate liquidity and a team of financial experts. Not all companies need to hire… read more…
- How to Invest in High-Yield Bonds
High-yield bonds, also known as junk bonds, are corporate or government debt securities that analysts believe are likely to default. Junk bonds are suitable for investors comfortable with high risk. For retail investors, these securities can play an important role in… read more…