Who is the best custodian for my investments?

Custodians are the institutions which hold your securities for you and provide some related services. Some will have various arrangements and relationships with exchanges and broker-dealers, and some may do everything in-house; such things have bearing on what your investment options are, how much equity you must have for margin, what kind of fees you pay for various services, and so on. Different custodians tend to structure their fees and services to a particular type of clientele or a particular account size. You may outgrow the custodian you have, or you may discover that there is a better, more affordable option for an account like yours.

What are Utilities Stocks?

Utilities stocks are those who deal in services like water, electricity, gas, and other critical infrastructure. Recently, alternative energy has been added as a sub-sector due to its incremental rise in importance. Utilities are categorized as non-cyclical - even if the economy is in a recession, people still need water and electricity. For that reason, they are often treated as defensive stocks, which investors hope will outperform during more difficult economic times. There is little competition in the utilities sector, as the barrier to entry is generally extremely high for a new entrant, given the amount of infrastructure required.

What is a Secondary Offering?

A secondary offering is the sale of a large block of previously-issued, privately-held stock, which actually requires registration with the SEC, but does not raise capital for the company which issued the shares originally. A secondary offering is a non-dilutive sale of existing shares which were previously held by one, or a few, investors. The proceeds of the sale go to the sellers of the shares and not to the company which issued the shares.

What Are the Contribution Limits for My SEP IRA?

SEPs contain only employer contributions, and they must contribute the same percentage of every employee’s compensation. As of 2016, an employer may contribute the lesser of either 25% of an employee’s compensation or $53,000 annually. An important thing to note is that the employer decides whether to contribute to the employees’ SEP IRA each year; the employer is not required to make continuous yearly contributions. The equal treatment of all employees with respect to the retirement plans is a fundamental principle of all employer-sponsored retirement programs.

Should I Notarize my Will?

In general, a will must be signed in the presence of two witnesses, each of whom must also sign your will. Whether or not a notarized will is accepted by the court depends on the rules of the state in which you live. You should cross-reference the rules of your state and comply to them, or simply consult an estate planning attorney for the best approach. How is a Will Implemented After my Death? Do I Need Professional Help to Prepare a Will? What is Probate?

What is a Sale and How Do Different Payment Methods Impact It?

Unlock the complexities of sales with this comprehensive guide. From the basic definition of a sale to the intricate mechanics of transactions, delve into the various types of sales, including retail, financial markets, and individual exchanges. Discover the significance of different payment methods, such as cash, credit, and advance payments. Whether you're a business owner aiming to drive growth, a consumer navigating the retail landscape, or an investor exploring financial markets, this guide offers invaluable insights into the world of sales. Equip yourself with the knowledge to make informed decisions in our interconnected global economy.

What are Required Minimum Distributions?

RMDs are withdrawals that are mandatory for an individual to take from an IRA or 401(k) after the person has reached 70 ½. The government created laws that help and encourage people to save for their retirement by deferring taxes on the growth on certain qualified retirement investment accounts. On Traditional IRAs and 401(k) accounts, they are only waiting to get the tax revenue from distributions/withdrawals that are fully taxable as income.

Why Use a Blockchain?

Blockchains create an indisputable digital record that is decentralized, i.e, cannot be changed by a single actor. Using blockchain is generally for digital security. Here are  few reasons to use a blockchain: Tokenization A user can authenticate a unique physical item by pairing them with a corresponding digital token. In that sense, these tokens serve to connect the physical and digital worlds. With a token assigned to each physical good, that can revolutionize supply chain management, managing intellectual property to prevent against counterfeiting, and fraud detection.

AI for Traders: Optimizing Price Action Strategies with Backtesting

The article explores how artificial intelligence (AI) is used to predict stock market trends, focusing on weekly and monthly forecasts. It covers trend trading strategies, including bullish, bearish, and sideways movements, and explains how AI-driven analysis can enhance investment decisions using tools like moving averages and momentum indicators.

The Powerhouses of Industrial Conglomerates: A Deep Dive into Top Stocks

In the ever-evolving landscape of the stock market, industrial conglomerates stand as titans, encompassing a broad spectrum of products and services. These companies, often multi-national and multi-industry, are significant players, offering investors diverse opportunities. In this article, we focus on some of the most notable companies in this sector: General Electric Company (GE), Honeywell International (HON), 3M Company (MMM), and Ingersoll Rand (IR).