Investing

December 11, 2025Credit default swaps are a portfolio management tool that gained notoriety during the peak of the 2008 financial crisis. These derivative investments are bit more complex than stocks, mutual funds or bonds, but they can be an effective way to… read more…

February 9, 2023Earnings per share, or EPS, is a financial measurement that tells investors if a company is profitable. You can calculate EPS by determining a company’s net income and dividing it by the number of its outstanding stock shares. Savvy investors… read more…

January 16, 2025Many investors assume that once the closing bell rings, stock trading is over for the day. However, the market doesn’t necessarily shut down at 4:00 PM Eastern Time. After-market trading, also known as after-hours trading, continues into the late afternoon and evening, often extending until 8:00 PM. During this period, investors can buy and sell… read more…

October 12, 2025You may be well-versed in the differences between stocks and bonds or how exchange-traded funds (ETFs) work, but a rights offering is one investing term you may not be as familiar with. A rights offering allows a company’s shareholders the… read more…

March 28, 2025A pooled investment vehicle is one way to put your money into the stock market alongside other investors. There are several ways to pool money to invest if you’re looking for an alternative to trading individual stocks. Some are better… read more…

March 18, 2023Small cap stocks are one type of stock investment you can hold in your portfolio that represent the stocks of smaller companies. These stocks differ from large cap and mid cap stocks in several key ways. There are several advantages… read more…

October 10, 2024Risk tolerance refers to an investor’s ability and willingness to endure market volatility and potential losses in pursuit of financial goals. It is influenced by factors such as age, income, financial obligations and overall investment objectives. Understanding your risk tolerance helps align your investment strategy with your comfort level and long-term financial plan, allowing you… read more…

February 25, 2022Your net worth is a good way to determine how much value you hold, but investable assets might be a better measure. And if you’re considering working with a financial advisor, it’s smart to know what your investable assets are and how much you actually have. Knowing this can offer a much more complete picture… read more…

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…

December 24, 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…