Financial Articles - Investing Basics
Market Speculators: More Help Than Harm
Speculators often get a bad rap, but it's important to remember that they only observe trends, not manipulate them.
What Owning A Stock Actually Means
Think owning a stock gives you special privileges with the company? Think again.
How To Talk Like An Investor
Learn all the lingo you'll need to start investing - or to impress your coworkers around the water cooler.
The Alphabet Soup Of Stocks
Are the countless stock categories leaving you puzzled? Here we help you sort through the confusion.
Will Corporate Debt Drag Your Stock Down?
Borrowed funds can mean a leg up for companies, or the boot for investors. Find out how to tell the difference.
The 4 Ways To Buy And Sell Securities
Know the four main avenues of buying and selling investment instruments.
Data Mining For Investors
Being an informed investor is extremely important, but where and how do you get the data for your research?
Cash Flow On Steroids: Why Companies Cheat
Pressure to be the best can sometimes push corporations to cheat. Learn how they do it and how to spot it.
Playing Investment Defense
Learn how to protect yourself from the potential risks that can impact a company's share price - and your investments.
Investing Basics: Flight To Quality
At times of market stress, investors flee from risky assets to investments the safest ones available.
The Advantages Of Investing In Aggressive Companies
Often the most attractive companies are also a little fierce - learn how to spot healthy corporate aggression.
Fight Back Against Inflation
Inflation is often a consequence of economic recovery. Here's how you can protect your financial portfolio.
A Simplified Approach To Calculating Volatility
Though most investors use standard deviation to determine volatility, there's an easier and more accurate way of doing it.
The Importance Of Diversification
Without this risk-reduction technique, your chance of loss will be unnecessarily high.
Don't Let Brokerage Fees Undermine Your Returns
Smart investors don't give away more money than necessary in commissions and fees. Find out how to save.
Contemplating Collectible Investments
Profit margins are slim, but that needn't deter those with a passion for eras past.
Alternative Assets For Average Investors
These investments can add a new level of diversification to your portoflio.
Real Estate Vs. Stocks: Which One's Right For You?
There are ups and downs for both real estate and stock investments, so before diving in, know the differences between the two.
Get Organized With An Investment Analysis Form
Your research will be easy if you compile all the decision-making information you need.
Stock Market Simulators: Play Your Way To Profits
Learning about stocks is as easy as playing a game. Online stock simulators make learning fun.
Bailout Acronyms 101
The subprime meltdown gave rise to a mouthful of financial acronyms. Learn how to sort through this alphabet soup.
10 Golf Tips To Help Investors Tee Off
There are a lot of similarities between golf and investing. Find out how to keep your game out of the rough.
The Seasons Of An Investor's Life
From a tentative spring to a comfortable winter, learn how to weather the phases of your investing journey.
Understanding Credit Card Interest
Paying these rates can impact your disposable income and your investment returns.
How Dividends Work For Investors
Find out how a company can put its profits directly into your hands.
The Power Of Dividend Growth
Dividends may not seem exciting, but they can certainly be lucrative. Learn more here!
Trust In Utilities
Even in times of economic turmoil, utilities can be a good investment.
Ten Books Every Investor Should Read
Want advice from some of the most successful investors of all time? Check out our reading list.
Get Personal With Your Portfolio
Use personal experiences and milestones to help determine your stock picks and investments.
Buy-And-Hold Investing Vs. Market Timing
If volatility and emotion are removed, passive, long-term investing comes out on top.
War's Influence On Wall Street
Blitzkrieg? Dawn raids? Sounds like the markets and the battlefield have a few things in common!
Don't Be Misled By Investment Advertising
Investment companies and brokers want to sell. Unfortunately, this can result in promotional material that is not entirely frank, or far worse, truly misleading.
10 Tips For The Successful Long-Term Investor
These guiding principles will help you avoid common folly during the decision-making process.
The Basics Of Corporate Structure
CEOs, CFOs, presidents and vice presidents: learn how to tell the difference.
Surviving Bear Country
Stay calm, play dead and keep your eyes open for attractive valuations.
Five Things To Know About Asset Allocation
Overwhelmed by investment options? Learn how to create an asset allocation strategy that works for you.
Investing In A Unit Investment Trust
UITs offer professional portfolio selection and a definitive investment objective. Are they right for you?
Translating Ticker Talk
Stock tickers can say a lot about a company in just a few letters. Find out how to read them.
Dissecting Declarations, Ex-Dividends And Record Dates
Understanding the dates of the dividend payout process can be tricky. We clear up the confusion.
Market Capitalization Defined
Find out the difference between mega-, large-, mid- and small-cap stocks. We show how each suits particular investing styles.
Conglomerates: Cash Cows Or Corporate Chaos?
Huge companies may not be as infallible as previously assumed. Find out why bigger isn't always better.
Testing 3 Types Of Analysts
Different clients require different research reports. Which type of analyst do you need?
When Stock Prices Drop, Where's The Money?
Market perception can create money - and make it disappear into thin air.
A Beginner's Guide To Precious Metals
All that glitters isn't gold. Find out how to get started on your treasure hunt.
10 Tips For Choosing An Online Broker
This important investment decision happens before you pick your first stock. Find out how to get it right.
What Makes Investors Tick?
Every style of investing is different, so where do you fit in?
Investing During Uncertainty
The inability to forecast future events can turn the markets upside down. Find out how to stay right-side up.
Stashing Your Cash: Mattress Or Market?
Pulling your money out of the market may help you sleep at night, but is it a smart move?
Why Do Companies Care About Their Stock Prices?
Read on to learn more about the the nature of stocks and the true meaning of ownership.
Taking The Bite Out Of A Bear Market
Find out which financial instruments will protect you from bear market volatility.
Do Your Investments Have Short-Term Health?
If a company is strong enough to survive tough times, it is more likely to provide long-term value.
The Knowledge-Experience Continuum: Where Do You Fall?
Theory and practice are worlds apart, but problems arise when people treat them as one and the same.
9 Tips For Safeguarding Your Accounts
When it comes to keeping your money safe, don't rely on the FDIC - there's much more you can do.
The Frosty, Festive World Of Investing
From Santa Claus rallies to evergreen loans, Wall Street can be a veritable winter wonderland for investors.
Financial Wisdom From Three Wise Men
Learn nine simple rules to success from the talented Buffett, Gartman and Pearson.
The Christmas Saints Of Wall Street
Learn how some of world's richest people spread holiday cheer year-round.
The Wall Street Animal Farm: Getting To Know The Lingo
Finance professionals speak a different language, but the terms they use are more familiar than you think.
Finding Your Investing Comfort Zone
Choosing the right investments for you is the best way to feel comfortable with your portfolio.
J.D. Rockefeller: From Oil Baron To Billionaire
More than 70 years after his death, this man remains one of the great figures of Wall Street.
5 Investing Statements That Make You Sound Stupid
Learn to talk stocks without sounding like a newbie.
Ostrich Approach To Investing A Bird-Brained Idea
Learn how to take a hands-off approach to your portfolio without sticking your head in the sand.
8 Reasons To Own Gold
This precious metal's rich history stems from its ability to maintain value over the long term.
Investing In Oil And Gas UITs
Unit investment trusts provide direct exposure to the energy sector, fueling better returns.
7 Lessons To Learn From A Market Downturn
Don't learn these lessons the hard way. Read on to make sure you can weather an unstable market.
Does It Still Pay To Invest In Gold?
This asset's appeal dates back thousands of years. Find out whether it can live up to the hype.
A Guide To Risk Warnings And Disclaimers
Learn what the phrase "Past performance may not reflect future performance" really means.
Getting Into The Gold Market
Add some sparkle to your portfolio by getting in on this classic commodity.
Get A Hold On Mishandled Accounts
Find out what to do if you have a dispute with your broker.
ADRs: Invest Offshore Without Leaving Home
By investing globally and trading locally, American depositary receipts offer the best of both worlds.
Why Being A Copycat Investor Can Get You Hurt
Copying the portfolios of big-time investors is unlikely to yield comparable returns.
Coping With Inflation Risk
Inflation is less dramatic than a crash, but it can be more devastating to your portfolio.
Who's Looking Out For Investors?
If your account has been mishandled, FINRA and the SEC are among several organizations that can help.
What Your Broker's Reports Should Tell You
Don't let second-rate analysis confuse you. Find out what information you need from your broker.
Understanding The Time Value Of Money 
Find out why time really is money by learning to calculate present and future value.
Basic Investment Objectives
You might know about different asset types, but do you know how each type contributes to a particular goal?
Getting To Know The Stock Exchanges
Here are the answers to all the questions you have about stock exchanges but are too afraid to ask!
Start Investing With Only $1,000
Growing a small sum poses big challenges. Find out why and learn what you can do about it.
What You Get When You Pay For Investment Services
There are three value components in investing. Can you save money by doing some of them yourself?
Shopping For A Financial Advisor
Finding your perfect advisor is as simple as shopping for a car. Read on to learn more.
Asset Allocation: One Decision To Rule Them All
If you treat all your investments as a single portfolio, you will be better able to maximize returns.
Why Stocks Outperform Bonds
Why have stocks historically produced higher returns than bonds? It's all a matter of risk.
Adapt To A Bear Market
Learn how your portfolio should evolve to suit bear market conditions.
Invest Without Stress
Rid yourself of anxiety with this worry-free investing guide.
In Praise Of Portfolio Simplicity
Find out how you can streamline your investments for greater returns.
A Fresh Look At The Financial Markets
Different markets provide unique opportunities and risk for investors. Find out more here.
Simplify Your Portfolio
Faced with an overabundance of choices, many investors forget to stick to the basics.
Financial Tips From A Heavyweight Champion
Evander Holyfield reveals 5 tips to success in his autobiography. We apply them to finances here.
Seven Forehead-Slapping Stock Blunders
Don't lose your shirt over these seven simple - and preventable - follies.
How To Dispute A Credit Card Charge
Follow these steps if you've been ripped off or spot an error on your bill.
Do You Need A Financial Advisor?
Not everyone needs a professional. Find out how to make the call.
Invest In Spite Of Debt
Get off that sinking ship with a portfolio life preserver.
Getting Started In Stocks
We'll provide a step-by-step introduction on how to invest - and succeed - in this market.
The Impact Of Currency Conversions
Will a rising or falling dollar hurt you or your company?
Green Investors Get Heard
Find out how to make your portfolio and the companies in it greener.
Pre-Qualified Vs. Pre-Approved - What's The Difference?
These terms may sound the same, but they mean very different things for home buyers.
Test Your Money Personality
Find out which of the five profiles fits your style, and how this will affect your future.
The 3 Most Timeless Investment Principles
Benjamin Graham pioneered cutting edge concepts that propelled other top investors to fame.
Earnings Power Drives Stocks
Internal return on investment helps determine a stock's ability to propel shareholder returns.
Is Your Investing Style Hot, Or Not?
Don't let your portfolio construction fall out of fashion.
Subprime Lending: Helping Hand Or Underhanded?
These loans can spell disaster for borrowers, but that doesn't mean they should be condemned.
The Barnyard Basics Of Derivatives
Follow this tale of a fictional chicken farm to learn how derivatives work in the market.
What You Should Know About Inflation
Find out how this figure relates to your investment portfolio.
Sneaky Subsidiary Tricks Can Cloud Financials
Use consolidated financial statements to uncover a parent company's true performance.
Economic Indicators For The Do-It-Yourself Investor
These tools put the market (and any evaluations) in your hands.
Navigating Government And Nonprofit Financial Statements
Learn how to trace where your tax dollars and charitable donations are going.
Seven Common Investor Mistakes
Find out how to avoid - or fix - these frequent investing errors.
The Flow Of Company Information
Learn how to gather all the pieces before you start to put together your puzzle.
The 10 Commandments Of Investing
Use these rules to guide you on the road to financial freedom.
Traders And Investors' Roles In The Marketplace
Discover how these two groups work together to keep the market functioning properly.
Diving In To Financial Liquidity
Understanding how this measure works in the market can help keep your finances afloat.
Discover Master Limited Partnerships
These unique investments provide significant tax advantages.
Do You Understand Investment Risk?
Many investors overestimate their level of financial knowledge.
Looking Deeper Into Capital Allocation
Learn how companies decide how to spend their cash.
How Budgeting Works For Companies
Learn how to break down and understand a corporate budget.
Gifts For Financial Geeks
Put one of these unique offerings under someone's tree this year.
Benchmark Your Returns With Indexes
If your portfolio is always falling short, you may not be making an apples-to-apples comparison.
Evaluating A Company's Capital Structure
Learn to use the composition of debt and equity to evaluate balance sheet strength.
Testing Balance Sheet Strength
Asset performance shows how what a company owes and owns affects its investment quality.
The Merger - What To Do When Companies Converge
Learn how to invest in companies before, during and after they join together.
Breaking Down The Balance Sheet
Knowing what the company's financial statements mean will help you to anaylze your investments.
The Working Capital Position
Learn how to correctly analyze a company's liquidity and beat the average investor.
What You Need To Know About Financial Statements
Discover how to keep score of companies to increase your chances of choosing a winner.
Investing With A Purpose
Setting goals is the first step in determining which investment vehicles are right for you.
The Successful Investment Journey
We'll show you how to reach your financial goals, one step at a time.
The Impact Of An Inverted Yield Curve
Find out what happens when short-term interest rates exceed long-term rates.
The Stock Market: A Look Back
The past century was marked by furious economic change. What can it tell us about what lies ahead?
Introduction To Gemology
This investment alternative may seem glamorous, but it's not for the faint of heart.
Footnotes: Start Reading The Fine Print
Find out what could be hidden in this often-overlooked part of the financial statements.
Introduction To Diversification
Reducing risk and increasing returns in your portfolio is all about finding the right balance.
The Dirt On Delisting
Listed securities are 'the cream of the crop'. Find out how a firm can lose that status and why you should be wary.
Conference Call Basics
These events offer the average investor a chance to hear management respond to analysts' hard-hitting questions.
A Market By Any Other Name
Be in the know - learn about the five most talked about indexes and what makes them all different.
Markets Demystified
Knowing how the primary and secondary markets work is key to understanding how stocks trade.
What To Know About Financial Analysts
Thinking about relying on analyst recommendations for your next trade? We'll show you what to watch out for.
Policing The Securities Market: An Overview Of The SEC
Find out how this regulatory body protects the rights of investors.
Whisper Numbers: Should You Listen?
These unofficial forecasts hold the potential for insider insight - and investment risk.
Pros And Cons Of Offshore Investing
Tax loopholes are shrinking, but there are still plenty of viable prospects. Get the big picture.
The Perks Of Dividend Reinvestment Plans
These plans offer shareholders a way to directly invest in some of the top companies without the commissions.
The Essentials Of Cash Flow
Tune out the accounting noise and see whether a company is generating the stuff it needs to sustain itself.
Choosing An Advisor: Wall Street Vs Main Street
A high-profile brand name alone won't meet your personal investing needs. We show you what else to look for.
Investment Clubs Offer Experience And Insight
These circles of like-minded people are a wonderful way to explore investing without laying out large sums.
Understanding The Subtleties Of ROA Vs ROE
Both measure performance, but sometimes they tell a very different picture. We explain why.
Understanding Dishonest Broker Tactics
Protecting yourself from unscrupulous practices means knowing how to spot them.
Warren Buffett: How He Does It
We look at the Sage of Omaha's methodology for evaluating value stocks.
The Alphabet Soup Of Financial Certifications
We decode the meaning of those letters that follow the names of different financial professionals.
Choosing A Compatible Broker
We go over the factors that determine different investing personalities, and the services that best suit them.
Introduction To Exchange-Traded Funds
Get into ETFs and enjoy the benefits of a mutual fund with the flexibility of a stock.
DCA: It Gets You In At The Bottom
We explain how dollar-cost averaging offers protection and opportunity in a sinking market.
Understanding Stock Splits
We explain what they are, the thinking behind them as well as their results.
Understanding The Ticker Tape
We explain the meaning and use of that reel of symbols whizzing across your TV or computer screen.
Convertible Bonds: An Introduction
Find out about the nuts and bolts, pros and cons of investing in bonds.
Diversification Beyond Equities
We talk about diversifying among - rather than within - different asset classes.
The Dangers Of Over-Diversification
We help to make clear the fine line between diversifying and overstretching your portfolio.
Wrap It Up: The Vocabulary and Benefits of Managed Money
Find out if fee-based investing is for you by learning its terminology and types of investment vehicles.
The Wacky World of M&As
Do you want your company to sandbag or greenmail? Welcome to the dramatic world of mergers and acquisitions.
Knowing Your Rights As A Shareholder
We delve into common stock owners' privileges and how to be vigilant in monitoring a company.
Dispelling The Myths Surrounding Financial Planners
Raise your returns or lower your losses; these often misunderstood specialists can guide you.
When Fear And Greed Take Over
If these unpleasant emotions are allowed to influence your decision-making, they may cost you dearly.
A Prelude to Sinful Investing
So-called sin stocks may seen outright undesirable to some but these "naughty" industries often bring stable returns, even in hard times.
APR vs. APY: How the Distinction Affects You
Learn and ensure the different rates quoted to you by banks and institutions are what they claim to be.
Forces That Move Stock Prices
You can't predict exactly how stocks will behave, but knowing what affects prices will put you ahead of the pack.
Get Active, Join a Club!
Don't want to be a passive investor? Discover how investment clubs allow you to take control of your portfolio.
Proxy Voting Gives Fund Shareholders A Say
You have the right to take part in important company decisions - even if you cannot attend the meetings.
Uncovering The Securities Firm
Learn about a securities firm's various departments and the professionals who make the firm tick.
Forces Behind Exchange Rates
Find out how a currency's relative value reflects a country's economic health and impacts your investment returns.
Brokerage Functions: Underwriting And Agency Roles
Learning about these various activities can give insight into how securities are issued and traded.
What Is A Pyramid Scheme?
Considering joining an "investment club" that promises phenomenal returns on your sign-up fee? Read this article and think again!
Looking At Interest Coverage
This ratio represents an important factor of shareholders' returns - find out how to analyze it!
The Stages Of Industry Growth
Look at the big picture when choosing a company - what you see may really be a stage in its industry's growth.
Paying Your Investment Advisor - Fees Or Commissions?
The way a professional is compensated can affect quality of service. Learn more here.
Working Through The Efficient Market Hypothesis
Deciding whether it's possible to attain above average returns requires an understanding of this concept.
Defining Active Trading
Curious about what it means to 'outperform the market'? Learn about an investing style that aims to do just that.
The Tale Of Two Exchanges: NYSE And Nasdaq
Learn some of the important differences in the way they operate and the securities that trade on them.
Digging Deeper Into Bull And Bear Markets
Discover why it's important to know the characteristics of the two types of market conditions.
What Are Depositary Receipts?
Learn about a security that allows you to invest in a foreign company through your local exchange.
Bloodletting And Knights: A Medieval Guide To Investing
From bloodletting to ye olde black knights, things on Wall Street are getting downright medieval!
A Beginner's Guide To Hedging
Learn how investors use strategies to reduce the impact of negative events on investments.
An Exploration of the Development of the Market
We take a look at how the market was born and has continued to develop throughout history.
Hairline Fractures: Exploring The Dismal Science
Learning about the study of economics can help you understand why you face contradictions in the market.
Trees and Apples: The Fundamental Mechanics of Investing
Here's a story that demonstrates why stocks and bonds are created and how they are valued.
How Investors Often Cause The Market's Problems
Investors are only human, and their irrational behavior can often move the market.
What Is Money?
It's a part of everyone's life, and we all want it, but do you know how it gains value and how it is created?
Everything You Need To Know About Earnings
We go over the concepts behind the excitement over the most important figure in the stock market.
Elves And Gnomes: A Fairytale World Of Investing
What do elves have to do with investing? Meet the fairytale creatures running around Wall Street.
Determining Risk And The Risk Pyramid
Many investors do not understand how to determine the level of risk their individual portfolios should bear.
Going International
Diversifying can mean not only investing in various asset classes but also venturing beyond domestic exchanges.
The Lowdown On Index Funds
If you can't beat the market, why not join it? Read on to go over your options.
The Basics Of Order Entry
Taking control of your portfolio means knowing what orders to use when buying or selling stocks.
The Basics Of Outstanding Shares And The Float
We go over different types of stock shares, which are important to understand for analyzing ratios.
The REIT Way
Ever considered investing in real estate? Read about the REIT and see if it's the investment for you.
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