A single stock future (SSF) is a futures contract between two parties. The buyer of the SSF, or the “long” side of the contract, promises to pay a specified price for 100 shares of a single stock at a predetermined future date (the delivery date). The seller, who is on the “short” side of the

Ethereum is a name that comes up often in discussions about digital currency. Ether is also a name you’ll hear often, but many people are confused between the two because both names are sometimes used to refer to the cryptocurrency. There are key differences between Ethereum and its cryptocurrency, ether (ETH). Ethereum is a blockchain

Rates on certificates of deposit (CDs) are notably up to start October, which is no surprise following the Fed’s September 21 announcement of another massive rate hike. In six of the eight major CD terms, the top nationally available rate climbed at least 20 basis points, and as much as two-thirds of a percentage point

Keep An Eye On These Coins The last week in the crypto market continued the theme of the past quarter, namely of most assets holding just above their support levels. The asset class is hoping that there will be a reason for it to break out of its slump, and some coins are at least

Interest is defined as the cost of borrowing money, as in the case of interest charged on a loan balance. Conversely, interest can also be the rate paid for money on deposit, as in the case of a certificate of deposit. Interest can be calculated in two ways: simple interest or compound interest. Simple interest is calculated on the

One of the rules governing 529 savings plans, which parents often set up to fund a child’s college education, is that the money must go toward covering qualified education expenses. Otherwise, the earnings portion of any withdrawals will be subject to taxes and a 10% penalty. Happily, there are a number of ways to avoid

The staggering cost of higher education in the United States has many prospective college students wondering about countries with free college and pursuing a degree abroad. While conventional wisdom still points to the benefits of having a college degree, more students and their families are seeking alternatives to lower their college tuition bills. More Americans

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is an odorless gas that is highly important to life on Earth. CO2 is also known as a greenhouse gas; an excessive concentration can disrupt the natural regulation of temperature in the atmosphere and lead to global warming. The concentration of CO2 has especially increased as a result of the Industrial Revolution

The unemployment rate is one of the most closely followed indicators used by businesses, investors, and others to gauge the state of the U.S. economy. Investor sentiment and consumer confidence have strong inverse relationships with the percentage of unemployed Americans. When the unemployment rate rises, investors guard their money more closely, and consumers become reticent,

The national debt level has been a significant subject of controversy for U.S. domestic policy. Given the amount of fiscal stimulus pumped into the U.S. economy over the past couple of years, it is easy to understand why many people are starting to pay close attention to this issue. Unfortunately, the manner in which the

The first futures trading exchange was the Dojima Rice Exchange, established in 1730 in Japan for the purpose of trading rice futures. Western commodity futures markets started trading in England during the 16th century, but the nation’s first official commodity trading exchange, the London Metals and Market Exchange, was not established until 1877. Commodities markets

A simple will, also called a “basic will,” lays out what you’d like to happen to your assets after you die. If you’ve ever worried about who will get your wedding ring, inherit your house, or take care of your cat after you die, it might be time to create a will—or update an existing