2020 was a financially difficult year for many. Industries tanked. Major companies filed for bankruptcy. Thousands of people lost their jobs, and many more had their hours cut. Even a year later, countless businesses and households are still reeling from the pandemic. But if you take a look at the S&P 500 index, it tells […]
Should You Pay Attention to Stock Prices?
If you’ve been following the news from Wall Street, you know that just a handful of stocks had record returns recently. The most noteworthy example is Gamestop, where institutional investors saw an opportunity to make money by betting against its share price – a.k.a. short-selling. Short-selling is a way to make money off the price […]
2016 – A Review on Financial Market Growth
This year is ending on a high note for the U.S. financial markets, but those numbers don’t tell the whole story. The Dow Jones Industrial is closing out 2016 with an 8 percent increase and 17 record closes since November, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq composite rose about 0.3 and 0.5 percent respectively in […]
Target Date Funds 101: Everything You Need to Know
While browsing your employer’s 401(k) options or searching for a fund to open in a brokerage account, you may have come across target date funds. Some people love these so-called “set it and forget it” funds, while others dislike them for the ability to take a completely hands-off approach to investing. When considering target date […]
Stock Options Explained
Many companies now offer employees the opportunity to own company stock. In fact, about 36% of the work force owns stock in their employers. Stock options can be a great benefit for both the employer and the employee. Employees get additional benefits, and companies attract and retain valued employees who are invested in the company. […]