Investing News

Is Social Security taxable? For most Americans, it is. That is, a majority of those who receive Social Security benefits pay income tax on up to half or even 85% of that money because their combined income from Social Security and other sources pushes them above the very low thresholds for taxes to kick in.

The energy sector provides unique opportunities for individuals interested in investing, especially with companies that operate under the oil and gas drilling category. The oil and gas drilling sector focuses on the companies that explore the world for reservoirs of raw materials that can be refined into usable oil and then drill to extract that

Stochastic Oscillator vs. Stochastic Momentum Index: An Overview The Stochastic Oscillator and the Stochastic Momentum Index (SMI) are both tools used to indicate momentum and are often used by financial traders to understand psychological undercurrents and their relation to price movements. Although the two tools are not surefire ways to determine price direction, they can

Bank exchange-traded funds (ETFs) offer investors exposure to the banking and financial sector of the economy. Banking services can range from taking deposits, making loans, and facilitating payments to investment management, retirement planning, insurance, and brokerage services. Aside from charging fees for these services, banks earn profits by charging higher interest rates on the loans

An airline exchange-traded fund (ETF) can provide diversified exposure to the air travel industry, including aircraft manufacturers, airline operators, airports, and terminal services. The U.S. airline industry includes major carriers such as American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL), Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL), and Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV). The industry has begun to recover from more

Make that four weeks in a row of gains for the U.S. stock market, as the rally has become undeniable. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq both climbed more than 3% last week, with the the Dow up 2.9%. The S&P 500 has now climbed 15% from its lows in mid-June, while the Nasdaq has

Various internal and external factors can change the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) for a company over time. One such external factor is the fluctuation of interest rates. Key Takeaways The weighted average cost of capital (WACC) is the average after-tax cost of a company’s various capital sources. The interest rate paid by the

Warren Buffett has built Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. (BRK.A, BRK.B) into one of the most recognizable companies in the world. Despite Berkshire’s phenomenal success, the company has risks for investors. These risks include the choice of a successor who will run the company after Warren Buffett is no longer serving as chair and chief executive. There’s also

Key Takeaways Analysts estimate adjusted EPS of $1.64 vs. $1.78 in Q1 FY 2022. U.S. comparable sales (excluding fuel sales) are expected to rise YOY. Revenue is expected to increase by the widest margin in a year and a half. Earnings and revenue at Walmart Inc. (WMT) grew at a strong pace throughout much of

For more than a week, mortgage rates have bounced around, with dramatic increases and declines. Friday saw the 30-year average continue the pattern with a rise of more than an eighth of a percentage point. Today’s National Mortgage Rate Averages Rates on 30-year mortgages were back on the move Friday, after a brief pause Thursday.

Alibaba (BABA), the global leader by volume in the e-commerce sector, issued a record-shattering $25 billion IPO in September 2014. The company’s IPO in New York set a record as the world’s biggest public stock offering. The company is likened to Amazon, eBay, PayPal, and Google all rolled into one. Alibaba has grown to be

In March 2020, U.S. lawmakers agreed to pass a $2 trillion stimulus bill called the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act to blunt the impact of an economic downturn set in motion by the global coronavirus pandemic. On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed the bill into law. With most forecasters at the time

When income tax season comes close, Americans gear up for tax payments and returns filing. It is also the time to start the work for maintaining fresh records for the next financial year. Amid all the developments, participants who have dealt in cryptocurrencies like bitcoins are a worried lot. In 2017, the Internal Revenue Service

Did you know the buried treasure you found in your grandparent’s backyard is actually taxable? That’s just the start. You may be surprised to learn that the following 10 items are taxable, whether they are things you receive, cash you earn, or money you don’t have to pay back. Key Takeaways When it comes to reporting

Accounting and the law are both professions that attract many college students. Each field offers strong income potential, upward mobility, and a variety of career paths within the profession. Accountants and attorneys can find positions in the public sector (a federal government agency, state, or municipality) and the private sector (businesses and nonprofits). Within private

The U.S. airline industry today is arguably an oligopoly. An oligopoly exists when a market is dominated by a small group of companies, often because the barriers to entry are significant enough to discourage potential competitors. In the U.S. airline industry the barriers to entry include high startup costs, infrastructure constraints limiting the availability of

When you are looking at the investment options for your 401(k), you might consider fixed-income funds. Though these funds are a somewhat niche option for 401(k) investing, they can be useful in specific circumstances, such as if you are close to retirement and need low-risk assets to preserve your capital. In this article, we’ll explain

Hedging is used to reduce the risk of adverse price movements in an asset class by taking an offsetting position in a related asset. Beta hedging involves reducing the overall beta of a portfolio by purchasing stocks with offsetting betas. Conversely, delta hedging is an options strategy that reduces the risk associated with adverse price

Square vs. Stripe: An Overview Square (SQ) and Stripe have emerged as two popular payment processing services for small and growing businesses. As the services have become widely used, their simple fixed-rate payment processing fees have drawn in big-name supporters, such as Starbucks (SBUX), to use and promote their systems. For investors and business owners, it’s

A vacation can boost your energy and help you recharge your batteries for work. However, sometimes we need more than a short break to revive us fully. A sabbatical can provide plenty of time to assess your personal life, your career, and your educational goals in a thorough and relaxed way. Read on to explore