Our best brokerage accounts for beginners have features that help new investors learn as they begin their investing journey. The best trading platforms for beginners were selected based on top-notch educational resources, easy navigation, clear commission and pricing structures, portfolio construction tools, and a high level of customer service. Some online brokers for beginners also

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies meet this week and will reportedly consider a production cut of over one million barrels per day to address what it considers a weak market. That would mark the biggest move by the oil cartel since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Oil prices have fallen

In an effort to be transparent and prevent conflicts of interest, the Ethics in Government Act requires many elected officials to file an annual financial disclosure statement that reveals their assets, investments, and businesses interests. Senators are one of the groups of people who must make this disclosure. Their statements are made available to the public and

What Is the Internal Rate of Return (IRR)? The internal rate of return (IRR) is the discount rate providing a net value of zero for a future series of cash flows. Both the IRR and net present value (NPV) are used when selecting investments based on their returns. Excel has three functions for calculating the

Breaking into the securities industry is extremely difficult. Success takes years of study and hard work, followed by a few more years of “paying your dues.” So what happens if you reach the pinnacle only to realize you’ve been climbing the wrong mountain? Financial professionals who aren’t happy in their chosen fields are not doomed to

Fabless chip makers are companies that produce semiconductors for use in various types of electronics, such as digital cameras, smartphones, and the new technologically sophisticated “smart” cars. The term “fabless” means that the company designs and sells the hardware and semiconductor chips but does not manufacture the silicon wafers, or chips, used in its products;

Janet Louise Yellen is an American economist and educator. As a member of President Joe Biden’s Cabinet, Yellen is the first woman to head the U.S. Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve. She is the first person in history to head both of those groups and the White House Council of Economic Advisors. Yellen is

Despite their infamous reputation and presumed involvement in the financial crisis of 2007-2008, there are several different arguments in favor of allowing market participants to trade and own mortgage-backed securities (MBS). At its basic level, an MBS is any investment solution that uses commercial or residential mortgage or a pool of mortgages as the underlying

The utilities sector encompasses all companies whose core business involves producing, generating, or distributing basic utilities: gas, electricity, and water. The average debt-to-equity ratio, or D/E ratio, for the utilities sector in the second quarter of 2022 was 0.12. In the fourth quarter of 2018, it reached .15, which was enough for Moody’s Investors Service

The U.K. is the highest net exporter of financial services and London, with its convenient time zone, use of English and feather-light regulations, is the world’s financial capital. Various cities, including Venice and Amsterdam, have held and lost the title throughout history.  Brexit and the possible loss of passporting rights of firms in Britain have

Your credit report provides a snapshot for prospective lenders, landlords, and employers of how you handle credit. For any mortgage, car loan, personal loan, or credit card you have had, your credit report lists such details as the creditor’s name, your payment history, account balance, and, in the case of credit cards and other revolving

If you’re saving for retirement in a Roth IRA, index funds and actively managed mutual funds are two of your investment options. Both help diversify your portfolio, but they have different investment objectives, management styles, and—especially—costs. Key Takeaways You can hold a variety of investments in your Roth IRA, including actively managed mutual funds and