Investing News

Do Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) Harm the Environment? You may have heard about non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and how they impact the environment. Even though NFTs themselves do not cause any environmental impact, their impact on our climate can be linked to how they are produced. The way that NFTs are created can be highly energy intensive.

More than two years after the finalization of Brexit, the impact of Britain’s decision to separate itself from the European Union (EU) continues to be felt in the currency markets. On June 23, 2016, British voters decided unexpectedly that the U.K. would no longer be part of the European Union. Then, on Jan. 31, 2020,

The governing Conservative (Tory) Party has dropped its plan to cut the top U.K. personal income tax rate from 45% to 40%, but other proposed tax cuts remain in play. The 45% rate is levied on annual incomes in excess of 150,000 British pounds sterling (GBP), or approximately $170,000. Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng

Robinhood and eToro have several things in common. Both are online discount brokers created to provide platforms for everyone to have access to trading without excessive fees. Both brokers also focus on providing simpler self-directed investing by incorporating innovative technology. Finally, both brokers were industry disruptors with eToro entering the industry in 2007 and Robinhood

One of the obstacles to mainstream adoption of digital currency has been hacking. Some high-profile thefts have occurred on various cryptocurrency exchanges and platforms, deterring investors from putting their money on them.  Blockchain projects are expected to be secure, but two hacks in August and September 2022 made the top seven of all time, shattering this myth.

When Robinhood launched in 2015, its selling point was commission-free trading, with free stock, ETF, options, and crypto trades. Now that most brokers have dropped commissions, Robinhood has lost that edge. Still, the broker’s low costs, zero account minimums, and overall simplicity remain attractive to new investors.  Meanwhile, TD Ameritrade (TDA) has been around since

Kim Kardashian agreed to pay $1.26 million to settle allegations that she violated Securities and Exchange Commission rules by touting a crypto token on social media without telling her followers she was paid to do so.  The regulator said the reality TV star got $250,000 for posting about EthereumMax (EMAX) tokens on her Instagram account.

The September surge for mortgage rates was dramatic, but the 30-year average backed off to end the week and the month lower, dropping the average to 7% on Friday. Today’s National Mortgage Rate Averages For a third day Friday, the 30-year average hovered around 7%. Though still historically elevated, it’s a notable improvement from the

Our best brokerage accounts for beginners have features that help new investors learn as they begin their investing journey. The best trading platforms for beginners were selected based on top-notch educational resources, easy navigation, clear commission and pricing structures, portfolio construction tools, and a high level of customer service. Some online brokers for beginners also

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, August 29, 2022. Brendan McDermid | Reuters Am I becoming rueful that 2022 will end soon, and we will embark on the unknowns of 2023? Are you joking? The market is more skittish than my dogs in a thunderstorm

A comfortable retirement is a big priority for Americans and one that’s becoming even more important with life expectancy on the rise. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average retirement lasts for 18 years, and many retirees have retirements that last for 20 years or more. Careful planning is a core part of preparing

In an effort to be transparent and prevent conflicts of interest, the Ethics in Government Act requires many elected officials to file an annual financial disclosure statement that reveals their assets, investments, and businesses interests. Senators are one of the groups of people who must make this disclosure. Their statements are made available to the public and

Fabless chip makers are companies that produce semiconductors for use in various types of electronics, such as digital cameras, smartphones, and the new technologically sophisticated “smart” cars. The term “fabless” means that the company designs and sells the hardware and semiconductor chips but does not manufacture the silicon wafers, or chips, used in its products;

Breaking into the securities industry is extremely difficult. Success takes years of study and hard work, followed by a few more years of “paying your dues.” So what happens if you reach the pinnacle only to realize you’ve been climbing the wrong mountain? Financial professionals who aren’t happy in their chosen fields are not doomed to

What Is the Internal Rate of Return (IRR)? The internal rate of return (IRR) is the discount rate providing a net value of zero for a future series of cash flows. Both the IRR and net present value (NPV) are used when selecting investments based on their returns. Excel has three functions for calculating the

Janet Louise Yellen is an American economist and educator. As a member of President Joe Biden’s Cabinet, Yellen is the first woman to head the U.S. Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve. She is the first person in history to head both of those groups and the White House Council of Economic Advisors. Yellen is

The utilities sector encompasses all companies whose core business involves producing, generating, or distributing basic utilities: gas, electricity, and water. The average debt-to-equity ratio, or D/E ratio, for the utilities sector in the second quarter of 2022 was 0.12. In the fourth quarter of 2018, it reached .15, which was enough for Moody’s Investors Service

Despite their infamous reputation and presumed involvement in the financial crisis of 2007-2008, there are several different arguments in favor of allowing market participants to trade and own mortgage-backed securities (MBS). At its basic level, an MBS is any investment solution that uses commercial or residential mortgage or a pool of mortgages as the underlying

The U.K. is the highest net exporter of financial services and London, with its convenient time zone, use of English and feather-light regulations, is the world’s financial capital. Various cities, including Venice and Amsterdam, have held and lost the title throughout history.  Brexit and the possible loss of passporting rights of firms in Britain have

Market Weight vs. Equal Weight S&P 500 ETFs: An Overview Think of the S&P 500 like a pie chart: with a market weight ETF, the pie is broken up into slices based on market cap. With an equal-weight ETF, all the slices are the same size, regardless of the size of the company or sector.