Investing News

Rates on certificates of deposit (CDs) are notably up to start October, which is no surprise following the Fed’s September 21 announcement of another massive rate hike. In six of the eight major CD terms, the top nationally available rate climbed at least 20 basis points, and as much as two-thirds of a percentage point

The money supply of a country is a major contributor to whether inflation occurs. As a government evaluates economic conditions, price stability goals, and public unemployment, it enacts specific monetary and fiscal policies to promote the long-term well-being of its citizens. These monetary and fiscal policies may change the money supply, and changes to the

Interest is defined as the cost of borrowing money, as in the case of interest charged on a loan balance. Conversely, interest can also be the rate paid for money on deposit, as in the case of a certificate of deposit. Interest can be calculated in two ways: simple interest or compound interest. Simple interest is calculated on the

One of the rules governing 529 savings plans, which parents often set up to fund a child’s college education, is that the money must go toward covering qualified education expenses. Otherwise, the earnings portion of any withdrawals will be subject to taxes and a 10% penalty. Happily, there are a number of ways to avoid

The staggering cost of higher education in the United States has many prospective college students wondering about countries with free college and pursuing a degree abroad. While conventional wisdom still points to the benefits of having a college degree, more students and their families are seeking alternatives to lower their college tuition bills. More Americans

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is an odorless gas that is highly important to life on Earth. CO2 is also known as a greenhouse gas; an excessive concentration can disrupt the natural regulation of temperature in the atmosphere and lead to global warming. The concentration of CO2 has especially increased as a result of the Industrial Revolution

Yield to Maturity vs. Holding Period Return: An Overview There are many yields associated with bonds. Some examples are yield to call, yield to worst, current yield, running yield, nominal yield (coupon rate), and yield to maturity (YTM). Most investors are concerned with the yield to maturity because if an investor purchases a bond and

The unemployment rate is one of the most closely followed indicators used by businesses, investors, and others to gauge the state of the U.S. economy. Investor sentiment and consumer confidence have strong inverse relationships with the percentage of unemployed Americans. When the unemployment rate rises, investors guard their money more closely, and consumers become reticent,

The first futures trading exchange was the Dojima Rice Exchange, established in 1730 in Japan for the purpose of trading rice futures. Western commodity futures markets started trading in England during the 16th century, but the nation’s first official commodity trading exchange, the London Metals and Market Exchange, was not established until 1877. Commodities markets

The national debt level has been a significant subject of controversy for U.S. domestic policy. Given the amount of fiscal stimulus pumped into the U.S. economy over the past couple of years, it is easy to understand why many people are starting to pay close attention to this issue. Unfortunately, the manner in which the

A simple will, also called a “basic will,” lays out what you’d like to happen to your assets after you die. If you’ve ever worried about who will get your wedding ring, inherit your house, or take care of your cat after you die, it might be time to create a will—or update an existing

Chase has launched a limited-time offer for the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card, giving new cardholders 100,000 bonus points after they meet the offer’s spending requirement. Consumers who are considering a new credit card should consider the bonus, along with the card’s other features, to determine if it’s a good fit. Key Takeaways New Marriott

What Is the SPY ETF? The SPDR S&P 500 Trust ETF, also known as the SPY ETF, is one of the most popular funds that aims to track the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, which comprises 500 large- and mid-cap U.S. stocks. These stocks are selected by a committee based on market size, liquidity, and industry.

Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks during Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference in San Jose, California, June 6, 2022. Peter Dasilva | Reuters Using a market downcycle to accumulate shares of companies with strong fundamentals and prospects can lead to good returns when the market goes up. To that end, keeping an eye on which stocks

A price war is when two or more rival companies lower prices of comparable products or services with the goal of stealing customers from their competitors–or gaining market share. Price wars can come at a great cost since it decreases a company’s profit margins in the short-term. However, if a company gains a sizable increase

Paying off the mortgage after 30 years used to be a rite of passage for Americans approaching retirement age but this once-common scenario is no longer the norm. Baby boomers, those born between 1946 and 1965, are carrying more mortgage debt than earlier generations and are less likely than earlier generations to own their homes

Bank Guarantee vs. Bond: An Overview A bank guarantee is often included as part of a bank loan as a provision promising that if a borrower defaults on the repayment of a loan, the bank will cover the loss. A bond is a debt instrument that allows an investor to lend money to a corporation

Cash Flow vs. Asset-Based Business Lending: An Overview Whether a company is a startup or a 200-year-old conglomerate like E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (DD), it relies on borrowed capital to operate the way that an automobile runs on gasoline. Business entities have many more options than individuals when it comes to borrowing which can make business

While the math behind options-pricing models may seem daunting, the underlying concepts are not. The variables used to calculate a fair value for a stock option are the price of the underlying stock, volatility, time, dividends, and interest rates. The first three deservedly get most of the attention because they have the largest effect on option prices.

When a trader looks at the price chart of a stock, it can appear to be completely random movements. This is often true and, yet, within those price movements are patterns. Chart patterns are geometric shapes found in the price data that can help a trader understand the price action, as well as make predictions about