Articles Index
What Does It Mean To Own Shares of Stock In "A Street Name"?
Holding shares of stock in a street name merely means that the certificates, if any, are registered to your broker or financial firm.
Traditional IRA
Traditional individual retirement accounts, or traditional IRA for short, is a type of investment account which allows money to grow tax-free until the account owner turns 59 1/2. This FAQ explains the benefits and drawbacks of a traditional IRA.
What is the Dow Jones Industrial Average
The Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA investing index benchmark investing beginners
What is a Tracking Stock?
A tracking stock is a special type of stock used to track an operating division or segment. Find out about the pros and cons of owning tracking stock in your portfolio in this investing for beginners article.
Traditional IRA vs. Roth IRA - Which is Better
Deciding whether to open a Roth IRA or Traditional IRA is a major decision with potentially large financial consequences. Both forms of the IRA are great ways to save for retirement, although each offers different advantages. This IRA FAQ lists the pros and cons of each type.
What is Dividend Yield and How is Dividend Yield Calculated
Dividend yield is an easy way to compare the relative attractiveness of various dividend-paying stocks. This FAQ will teach you how to calculate dividend yield.
What is the NASDAQ?
The NASDAQ is an electronic exchange where stocks are traded through an automated network. NASDAQ stands for National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations System.
What Is a Stock Split?
Have you ever asked, what is a stock split? A stock split is a cosmetic increase in the number of shares outstanding, thereby reducing the total value of each share. Many investors incorrectly assume stock splits are a good thing.
What are Penny Stocks
Penny stocks are high risk, speculative stocks with a share price of under five dollars. Penny stocks are often the target of pump-em and dump-em scams.
What is a Blue Chip
This FAQ provides blue chip stock definitions, examples and links.
Where did the term blue chip originate
The term blue chip for blue chip stocks originated from poker.
What is a Dividend
A dividend is a portion of corporate earnings paid out to shareholders. Most dividends are paid quarterly.
Why Do Stock Prices Fluctuate?
Have you ever wondered what determines stock price? This FAQ explains why stock prices fluctuate.
What is a Brokerage Account
A brokerage account is an account at a financial institution that allows an investor to buy, sell, trade and hold stocks, bonds, mutual funds, options, etc. There are a number of different types of brokers and brokerage accounts.
What is a Bond?
Bonds are long term debt sold to investors by companies. The proceeds of the bond issue are used for many purposes, including operational expansion.
What is the Fed Funds Rate?
Have you ever wondered what the Fed fund rate is and why the Fed fund rate should be important to you? This article on the Federal Reserve will help you find the answer.
What is an Accredited Investor?
According to Rule 501 of Regulation D, an accredited investor is defined as a wealthy individual with a net worth in excess of $1 million or annual earnings in excess of $200,000. An accredited investor can invest in stocks and other assets that are not available to small investors.
Mortgage Backed Securities
Mortgage Backed Securities, or MBS, are securitized mortgages held for fixed income investment by financial institutions such as banks, insurance companies, and private equity groups. Most mortgage backed securities are packaged by Ginnie Mae, Freddie Mac, or Fannie Mae.
What is a Reverse Stock Split?
A reverse stock split is used to avoid delisting of a corporation's securities on a stock exchange. Following the Internet bubble, investors saw a flurry of reverse stock splits.
What is the current estate tax rate and limits?
The estate tax rate and estate tax rate exemptions applied to the assets passed onto your heirs depends upon the year in which you pass away.
How Can I Lower Estate Tax with a Qualified Terminable Interest Property Trust
A QTIP allows you to take advantage of the marital spouse estate tax deduction while ensuring that your children or other designated beneficiaries eventually receive an inheritance. Discover how to lower your estate tax with a QTIP in this helpful article.
What is Included in the Calculation of My Estate?
When calculating your estate tax liability based upon your gross estate, you must include stocks, bonds, mutual funds, real estate, collectibles, automobiles, and more. This quick tip will show you what is included in the calculation of your gross estate.
What is the Generation Skipping Tax?
The generation skipping tax is an additional tax on top of the estate tax that is meant to prevent the wealthy from passing on large fortunes directly to third generations.
What is the Preemptive Right?
The preemptive right is the right belonging to existing shareholders of a corporation to avoid involuntary dilution of their ownership stake by giving them the chance to buy a proportional interest of any future issuance of common stock. The preemptive right is an anti-dilutive provision and is also known as the subscription right or subscription privilege.
Roth IRA
The Roth IRA was created when Congress passed the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997. A Roth IRA allows investors who do not exceed a specific income levels to contribute a limited amount of money toward retirement annually.