Investing News

Forward Rate vs. Spot Rate: An Overview The precise meanings of the terms “forward rate” and “spot rate” are somewhat different in different markets. In general, a spot rate refers to the current price or bond yield, while a forward rate refers to the price or yield for the same product or instrument at some

Traders on the floor of the NYSE, June 29, 2022. Source: NYSE (Click here to subscribe to the new Delivering Alpha newsletter.) A majority of Wall Street investors believe the market stands pretty much dead in the water for the rest of 2022 and, as a result, think it’s time to buy dividend-paying stocks, according to the

Chase has announced improved offers for both new and existing Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Credit Card holders ahead of Prime Day, which is set for July 12 and 13 this year. New cardholders can take advantage of an increased welcome bonus while existing cardholders will earn more cash back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods

If you invest in stocks, you should keep an eye on the bond market. If you invest in real estate, you should keep an eye on the bond market. If you invest in bonds or bond ETFs, you definitely should keep an eye on the bond market. The bond market is a great predictor of

Employer-sponsored 401(k) plans can be a great way to save for retirement, but some plans are better (or worse) than others. Though your employer has a fiduciary duty to provide well-chosen investment options for your 401(k), and a responsible employer will try to keep the fees you pay to a minimum, some plans have both

The number of stock trading and robo-advisor options has continued to expand in recent years. While growing competition and innovation is great news for investors, it can be challenging to decide which platform best suits your goals. To help evaluate the best options in the industry, we’ve extensively researched these U.S.-based offerings to determine the

Natural gas has long been a staple resource used in heating, cooking, and electricity production. More recently, it has begun to figure more prominently in industrial applications and even as a fuel source for automobiles. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that about 23 million vehicles worldwide are powered by natural gas. It is difficult

A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, June 16, 2022. Brendan McDermid | Reuters SPACs, once Wall Street’s hottest tickets, have become one of the most hated trades this year. The proprietary CNBC SPAC Post Deal Index, which is comprised of SPACs that have completed their mergers

Vanguard and TD Ameritrade (TDA) are among the largest brokerage firms in the U.S.—but the similarities stop there. Vanguard offers an impressive lineup of low-cost mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) aimed at buy-and-hold investors and retirement savers. Meanwhile, TD Ameritrade offers three trading platforms—a web platform, the professional-level thinkorswim, and a mobile app—designed for

If you’re looking for capitulation in 2022, it’s in the bond market. And that tells you that investors’ confidence in the global economy is very low. Inside the stock market, it’s all about defense. Defensive stocks, which include big healthcare companies and dividend-paying value stocks, have been driving the gains. An index of global defensive

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

In this article IMO-CA SU-CA ADBE AVGO KLAC A sign on the campus offices of chipmaker Broadcom Ltd is shown in Irvine, California. Mike Blake | Reuters As the first half of 2022 winds down, investors can be certain of at least one thing: This year will likely continue to be difficult. Economic risk is

Revenue is the amount of money that a business brings in by selling its goods or services at a certain price. It is the starting point of a company’s income statement that determines how much net income it makes after expenses, taxes, and interest are taken into consideration. As such, it is one of the

For the majority of U.S. history – or at least as far back as reliable information goes – housing prices have increased only slightly more than the level of inflation in the economy. Only during the period between 1990 and 2006, known as the Great Moderation, did housing returns rival those of the stock market.

The cost of capital and the discount rate are two very similar terms and can often be confused with one another. They have important distinctions that make them both necessary in deciding on whether a new investment or project will be profitable. Cost of Capital vs. Discount Rate: An Overview The cost of capital refers

What Is Venmo? Venmo started out as a free-of-charge peer-to-peer (P2P) payment app available for iPhones and Android phones. That service is still free, as is using Venmo to pay participating merchants, who now number in the millions. Some other services carry a fee. Payments that go through a credit card account rather than a

Depreciation Expense vs. Accumulated Depreciation: an Overview The basic difference between depreciation expense and accumulated depreciation lies in the fact that one appears as an expense on the income statement (depreciation), and the other is a contra asset reported on the balance sheet (accumulated depreciation). However, both pertain to the “wearing out” of equipment, machinery,

If you’re in the market to buy or sell a home, odds are you’ll work with a real estate agent to help you through the process. Most real estate agents are paid for their services through commissions that are based on a percentage of the property’s selling price. How much money agents make each year

Rates on 30-year mortgages took a dive Wednesday, dropping almost two-tenths of a point to slip back under the notable 6% threshold they breached on June 13. Averages in the 6% range hadn’t previously been seen since 2008. National averages of the lowest rates offered by more than 200 of the country’s top lenders, with

IRS Form W-9, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification, is used by businesses to get tax information from external parties. The information provided on Form W-9 informs the company of what information to include in the Form 1098 or Form 1099. Let’s take a look at who is required to fill out a W-9,