Business & Finance

Articles Index

Dividend Tax Rates Might Increase from 15% to 43.4% on January 1st, 2013

With the current dividend tax structure set to expire, it is possible investors might be facing an unthinkable 43.4% dividend tax on their passive income as soon as January of 2013.

Before You Begin Investing, You Need to Figure Out Why You Want to Invest

Before you begin investing your money for the first time, you need to figure out what you are trying to accomplish. Do you want more income? Do you want to grow your net worth? Why are you investing?

Measure Your Investing Success By Your Annual Passive Income

One of the best ways to measure your success at investing is to look at the passive income you generate each year from your stocks, bonds, real estate, private businesses, and other assets. There are a few drawbacks from this approach, which you need to guard against if you are to be careful.

Opening a Roth IRA for Kids Can Help Your Children Build Serious Wealth

Opening a Roth IRA for kids can be one of the best ways to help your children invest their money, saving cash tax-free to grow for decades as it generates dividends, interest income, and rental income.

Earning Yield and the P/E Ratio of Blue Chip Stocks

Six years ago, we talked about the executive compensation at Home Depot and how the real reason behind the stock's slide was due to the low earnings yield, not management. Now, six years later, we take a look back and see what has happened in the meantime.

Why Home Depot Shareholders Have Lost Their Mind

On Thursday, May 25th, 2006, a firestorm of controversy was ignited in the media when the Board of Directors for Home Depot, the second largest retailer on the planet and one of the thirty stocks included in the vaunted Dow Jones Industrial Index, failed to show up to the shareholder meeting. Shareholders were irate over the pay package of CEO Richard Nardelli, estimated to be around $250 million over the past 5 years, in light of the stock’s fall from $70 per share in 2000 to $37.92 today.

Investing in Equity Funds Versus Investing in Individual Stocks

Picking individual stocks or investing in an equity fund can be a tough decision. Here are some things to help you decide which approach could be right for your family.

5 Things You Should Know About 401(k) Loans

It ia almost always a mistake to take a 401(k) loan against your retirement assets. If you need convincing, here are five reasons why you are probably making a huge mistake if you tap your nest egg.

What Is a 401(k)?

If you have ever asked, "What is a 401(k)?" this basic explanation will walk you through what these retirement accounts are, as well as some of the advantages and disadvantages of using them as the primary vehicle through which you save money for retirement, investing for a better future.

What Is a 401(k) Contribution Limit?

You can't just save as much money as you want in your 401(k) because Congress has put contribution limits on your annual elective deferrals. This year, for example, the 401(k) contribution limits are $17,000 for employees, an extra $5,500 for those 50 years or older, and $50,000 overall including employer contributions in the form of matching funds and other compensation.

Equity Fund Definition

A basic equity fund definition is a type of mutual fund that has a mandate requiring the portfolio manager to invest the shareholders' money in equities, or common stocks.

Dividend Reinvestment Programs, or DRIPs, Could Be Your Portfolio's Best Friend

A dividend reinvestment program, or dividend reinvestment plan, is often called a DRIP. These low-cost or no-cost accounts allow you to buy shares of stock directly from a company through a sponsoring financial institution or transfer agent.

The Securities Investor Protection Corporation - SIPC

The SIPC is an acronym for Securities Investor Protection Corporation. It was created by the Securities Investor Protection Act, and was designed to protect investors from the bankruptcy of a broker or dealer.

What Is a Mutual Fund Sales Load?

There are two types of mutual fund sales loads - the front end load and the back end load. This investing article is designed to help you understand the difference between the two sales loads to help you make better decisions about how to keep more of your money in your own pocket.

3 Mistakes Equity Mutual Fund Investors Should Avoid

There are a handful of common mistakes made by equity mutual fund investors that you should want to avoid at all costs!

What Are Equity Funds Useful For in an Investment Portfolio?

Should equity funds have a role in your family's investment portfolio? For the average person, the answer is probably a resounding yes.

What Is an Equity Fund?

If you have ever asked yourself the question, "What is an equity fund?", this article was written especially for you. An equity fund is essentially a company that invests in ownership of publicly traded businesses.

4 Ways to Come Up with Cash

There are four ways you can come up with cash by simply changing some of your current behaviors and spending patterns, giving you more cash in your pocket for investment into stocks, bonds, mutual funds, real estate, or your own business.

5 Ways to Make Saving and Investing Easier

Saving and investing doesn't have to be hard. These five saving and investing tips will help make building wealth easier.

Spending Money and Saving Money Is Relative To Your Income and Net Worth

When it comes to saving money and spending money, the only thing that matters is how much you are doing in proportion to your household income and net worth. It may be foolish for you to buy a $10 item, while at the same time, your brother might be able to spend $300 on something and it not matter.