Investing News

Rent or buy? It’s a big decision, particularly for young professionals as they launch their careers and begin shaping their long-term financial plan. A July 2022 IPropertyManagement report found that more than 100 million Americans rent their homes and nearly 35% of them are under the age of 35, but that doesn’t mean they’re taking

Mutual fund giant Vanguard popularized low-cost passive investing through index funds. It is now a leader in the rapidly-growing market for exchange-traded funds (ETFs). These are some of the most popular and cost-effective investment options available to investors. Investors can purchase shares of these securities on stock exchanges just like shares in a corporation. ETFs

If you’re an investor who favors the buy-and-hold strategy of letting carefully vetted investments accumulate meaningful returns over time, index-based exchange-traded funds (ETFs) may be the right vehicle for you. Even investment icon Warren Buffett knows it’s difficult to beat index funds, which is why he famously mandated that 90% of the money he bequeaths

Some mortgage lenders have expanded their home loan programs to make it easier for people in low-income and minority communities to become homeowners. Earlier this year, a report by the National Association of Realtors highlighted a disparity in homeownership between white consumers and people of color. Lenders like Bank of America, TD Bank, and Chase

Interactive Brokers (IBKR) and Lightspeed both cater to sophisticated investors and traders. These brokers have a lot to offer, especially for investors who put a premium on order execution and might want more flexibility on order routing than they can get at zero commission brokers. Although Lightspeed and Interactive Brokers both focus on more active

Once upon a time, a pension and Social Security benefits were enough to cover expenses during retirement. Today, not so much. Instead, most people fund their own post-work years with various retirement plans that offer tax breaks and other benefits. Here’s a look at different scenarios and factors to consider when you come to choose

Many factors influence where we choose to live. While our home’s proximity to friends and family is a crucial deciding factor, ultimately where we decide to live is influenced by our finances. The two major factors influencing where we live are the cost of living and the income potential in a given region. The problem

A key part of retirement planning is to answer the question: How much do I need to retire? The answer varies by individual, and it depends largely on your income now and the lifestyle you want (and can afford) in retirement. Knowing how much you need to save based on how old you are now

Among the middlemen tasked with making today’s healthcare efficient and cost-effective is UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH), the largest healthcare company in the United States and Canada by revenue. UnitedHealth Group generates revenue from a variety of sources, including premiums on risk-based products, fees from various services, sales on healthcare products, and services and investment. UnitedHealth Group began

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has finalized regulations to clarify the new law that provides a 20% deduction on pass-through business income. Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed in December 2017, this law will be in effect for tax years 2018 through 2025. The regulations clarify who is eligible for the new 20%

Thirty-year mortgage rates eased a bit Thursday, after twice approaching their 14-year high during the past week. The average remains elevated above the 6% mark. Today’s National Mortgage Rate Averages Rates on 30-year mortgages dropped back a step Thursday, subtracting 11 basis points to rest at 6.20%. Though still elevated, this brings them down from

Many financial advisors get paid a base salary plus any performance-based bonuses they may have earned that year. However, it really depends on whether the financial advisor is employed by a large company or is a self-employed registered investment advisor (RIA). Salary As of May 2021, the median annual salary for financial advisors was $119,960, according

Higher education has long been seen as a ticket to upward mobility in the U.S. In large measure, it still is, with college graduates earning nearly 75% more on average than peers whose education concluded with a high school diploma. Unfortunately, that ticket has become increasingly expensive. The likelihood of graduating with debt from a

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) signed by President Biden on Nov. 15, 2021, retroactively eliminated the ability of most employers to claim an Employee Retention Credit (ERC) for wages paid after Sept. 30, 2021. That meant that the maximum ERC per employee for most employers was $21,000, not $28,000, for the tax year

Cryptocurrencies have experienced significant growth in popularity since they were first introduced in 2009. They are somewhat obscure in nature and difficult to understand; this confusion brings about myths and rumors regarding these digital currencies. In no particular order, here are some of the most common cryptocurrency myths, accompanied by an examination of facts to help

Value at Risk (VaR) has been called the “new science of risk management,” and is a statistic that is used to predict the greatest possible losses over a specific time frame. Commonly used by financial firms and commercial banks in investment analysis, VaR can determine the extent and probabilities of potential losses in portfolios. Risk

What Is the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX)? The CBOE Options Exchange calculates a real-time index to show the expected level of price fluctuation in the S&P 500 Index options over the next 12 months. Officially called the CBOE Volatility Index and listed under the ticker symbol VIX, investors and analysts sometimes refer to it by

The correlation coefficient has limited ability in predicting returns in the stock market for individual stocks. Still, the statistical measurement may have value in predicting the extent to which two stocks move in relation to each other because the correlation coefficient is a measure of the relationship between how two stocks move in tandem with

For investors with limited time to spend watching the ups and downs of the markets, mutual funds offer a good alternative. Here are a few reasons to give up individual stock picking and turn to mutual funds. Diversification One golden rule of investing for both large and small investors is to go for asset diversification.

As a renter, you’re bound by the terms and responsibilities in your lease or rental agreement. At the same time, federal, state, and local laws protect you against unlawful landlord practices. Here’s what you need to know about your rights as a tenant—under normal circumstances and in the age of COVID.  Key Takeaways Federal, state,