Investing

March 19, 2023Most investors are familiar with mutual funds and retirement savings vehicles like 401(k)s. But a collective investment trust (CIT) combines some of the characteristics of both. While CITs are similar to mutual funds, they’re generally only available to participants in… read more…

October 20, 2025A separately managed account (SMA) is an individually tailored investment portfolio overseen by a professional asset manager on behalf of a individual investor. Unlike mutual funds, which pool assets, SMAs grant investors direct ownership of the underlying securities, enabling customized strategies and tax-efficient management. Typically available through wealth management firms, these accounts often have high… read more…

January 19, 2025Large-cap, or large capitalization, stocks are a type of stock that belongs to very large, established companies like Apple and Microsoft. As a result of this, these stocks are often considered the safest of all equity investments. But like all other types of securities, large-cap stocks have both advantages and drawbacks. Investing in large-cap stocks is… read more…

November 16, 2022Government securities refer to a variety of investment vehicles issued by a governing body, national, state or local. You may be familiar with treasury bills, bonds or notes, but you may not be aware that other countries issue debt to… read more…

April 2, 2024Choosing a financial advisor isn’t easy. You’ll need to determine if you need an in-person financial advisor or a robo-advisor. Then you’ll choose a firm. It may be one close to home or with a certain area of expertise. Once you pick, check their credentials. If an advisory firm says it’s CEFEX-certified, it’s certified by… read more…

May 30, 2023There is always risk associated with investing. Sure, you can diversify your portfolio or hedge against risk by purchasing low-risk securities such as bonds, money market funds, or certificates of deposit. You can also predict your portfolio’s growth based on… read more…

February 18, 2023Closed-end funds may not be something you’ve heard mentioned often. Your investment portfolio is more likely to include open-end funds, mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) instead. However, closed-end funds can offer some advantages for investors. This guide explains what… read more…

February 18, 2023Securities that trade “over-the-counter,” or OTC, are not traded on a formal exchange. While the biggest publicly traded companies trade on stock exchanges like the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) or NASDAQ, over-the-counter securities trade outside of them, through a… read more…

February 19, 2025Mutual funds can be a good way to invest if you want to diversify your portfolio without buying individual stocks or bonds. Aside from knowing which share class you’re investing in, you also need to know whether you’re buying an open-end… read more…

May 30, 2023Bonds can help the federal government or other agencies raise money for specific projects. They’re like loans that investors make to government agencies or corporations. A bond’s face value will give an investor some idea of what it’s worth. However,… read more…

August 24, 2023Asset-backed securities, or ABS, are securities backed by a pool of fundamental assets. Typically, the pool of assets is a small group of loans or debt obligations that cannot individually be sold to individual investors. Packaging these assets as a single financial instrument allows them to be sold to investors. Since the underlying assets are… read more…

February 18, 2023Technical analysis is one way to evaluate a stock to decide if it’s a good investment for you. If you’re a DIY stock trader, then understanding how this approach works can be helpful in shaping your portfolio. Here’s an overview… read more…

February 18, 2023Stocks are a great option for diversifying your investment portfolio. However, choosing the right ones isn’t always a simple process. Different investment tools and strategies, such as fundamental analysis, can help you decide which securities are worth your time and money.… read more…

January 17, 2025When it comes to investing, there are generally two different approaches you can take if you’re looking to grow your wealth. You can practice either active investing or passive investing. Both styles allow for financial return, but just in different ways. Whether you’re new to the stock market or you’re an experienced shareholder, it’s important… read more…

August 12, 2025Advisory shares are a type of stock option given to company advisors rather than employees. They may be issued to startup company advisors in lieu of cash compensation. Advisors are usually granted options to buy shares rather than given the… read more…

April 19, 2023The internal rate of return (IRR) measures the return of a potential investment. The calculation excludes external factors such as inflation and the cost of capital, which is why it’s called internal. IRR, which is expressed as a percentage, helps… read more…

November 16, 2022Though most stock market business takes place during the regular operating hours, even average investors can now trade after-hours through use various technology platforms. The stock market’s regular operating hours for buying and selling stocks and other securities are 9:30… read more…

May 6, 2024Before jumping headfirst into the world of investing, it may be smart to educate yourself on where your money will be invested. This is where asset classes come in. Simply put, asset classes are groups of similar investments, like commodities… read more…

August 31, 2023Opportunity Zone Funds are investment vehicles that provide tax incentives for investors. Partnerships or corporations can establish Opportunity Zone Funds and then invest in a property located within a Qualified Opportunity Zone. These investment vehicles are designed to increase economic development and job creation in distressed communities, as well as offer tax benefits to investors.… read more…

March 19, 2023Looking for a low-risk means of diversifying your investment portfolio? Then you may want to consider investing in commercial paper. No, we’re not talking about buying stock in a paper company (though Dunder Mifflin would be our first choice). This… read more…

May 30, 2023Day trading involves a degree of risk. Day traders are buying then selling or selling then buying the same security on the same day. The high-risk, high-frequency traders known as pattern day traders warrant regulatory scrutiny all their own. A… read more…

July 20, 2022If you can’t afford to buy a share of a pricey stock, fractional share investing is worth considering. Investors can purchase a fraction of a security (such as a mutual fund, stock or exchange-traded fund) with the hope to increase their holdings over time. Purchasing fractional shares makes investing accessible, especially to those beginning their… read more…

May 30, 2023If you’re betting on the rise and fall of securities, you may be a speculator, not an investor. Investors and speculators both put money into assets, enterprises and instruments in the hope of generating a profit. Beyond that, however, they… read more…

March 19, 2023Both annual percentage rate (APR) and annual percentage yield (APY) describe the interest associated with either an investment or loan. Essentially, the difference boils down to this — APR is the rate charged for borrowing or earned through an investment… read more…

March 18, 2023Getting your finances under control isn’t easy. Young Americans have a lot of expenses. It isn’t as simple as learning to balance your checkbook, no matter what your parents might tell you. Empower and Mint are two of the most… read more…