The short answer is, you can’t. Private placements have no reporting or registration requirements with the SEC or other entities. Sometimes this can be good for investors who enjoy the discretion. But it can also be a shield for unethical business people who prefer to avoid regulatory oversight. There is no source for detailed information about private placements unless you personally know a general partner who can describe to you his project, or who comes highly recommended with a lot of references. If an offering seeks to raise over $2 million in the capital in a year’s time, they are obligated under Regulation D to provide audited financial statements to the investors. Continue reading...
In the realm of financial markets, the Better Alternative Trading System (BATS) stands as a noteworthy name that, over the years, transformed into Bats Global Markets. This article delves into the intriguing journey of Bats Global Markets, its evolution from an innovative trading platform to a prominent exchange, and its ultimate acquisition by the Cboe Options Exchange. Continue reading...
Under current law (the Affordable Care Act), everyone is eligible to receive health insurance coverage. However, not everyone may be able to afford health insurance. There are subsidies provided by the federal government for those who cannot afford it, but cost may still be an issue for many. How Much Will Individual Health Coverage Cost? Can I Purchase Individual Health Insurance? What Health Insurance Do I Need if I Don't Have a Job? Continue reading...
Unemployed people are still required to have health insurance. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), you will likely qualify for a federal subsidy to help you pay for it. Younger people can buy a catastrophic policy, which offers minimal coverage but can still help prevent eroding all of your savings in the event of a major accident. How Much Will Individual Health Coverage Cost? What is Medicare Part D? Continue reading...
Discover how Bitcoin is transitioning towards mass adoption as we delve into its current position in the market. Learn from the strategies of the top five cryptocurrency funds and understand how they're driving this change. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of Bitcoin's potential as a new asset class. Continue reading...
A cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is a crucial component of Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs aimed at safeguarding recipients against the corrosive impact of inflation. Rising prices in the economy can erode the purchasing power of fixed-income beneficiaries, making it essential to periodically adjust their benefits to keep pace with the increasing cost of living. COLAs are calculated based on the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for a specific period. Continue reading...
Stock market crashes have posed a threat to both U.S. financial markets and citizens throughout history. Here is a timeline detailing each event. When a stock market crashes, it represents the culmination of a complex array of events that drive unexpected results. Markets can often absorb unexpected events, but if the level of uncertainty implied by these economic events spurs many investors to act out of fear, a market crash is far more likely to happen. Continue reading...
J.C. Penney, an iconic name in American retail, faces turbulent times. With its stock plummeting to historic lows and the shadow of competitors' failures looming, is there hope on the horizon? This analysis delves into the factors influencing J.C. Penney's stock trajectory, from economic challenges to internal strategies. Discover the company's financial maneuvers, its position in the broader retail landscape, and the potential paths it might take in the coming years. Whether you're an investor or just curious about the fate of a retail giant, this exploration offers insights into the complexities of the modern retail market. Continue reading...
Unlock the secrets behind the FAANG stocks phenomenon! Dive into the world of Meta, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, and Alphabet (formerly Google) in this insightful exploration. Discover their rise, market impact, and the ongoing debate about their valuations. Are they overvalued, or is their dominance justified? Explore the allure and accessibility of these tech giants. Don't miss this captivating journey through the FAANG universe. #FAANGStocks #Investing #TechGiants Continue reading...
Investment banking activity is different than traditional banking. Investment banks often serve as intermediaries that underwrite a new issue of stock and help to distribute it. They also trade in their own accounts, run hedge funds, and generally invest and speculate in ways that most institutions can’t. Investment banks can assist with new issues of stocks and bonds, purchasing large blocks of them to distribute at a premium. Continue reading...
There have been many incidents where cryptocurrency has been stolen, but the Mt. Gox incident is the largest to date Mt. Gox was at one time the largest cryptocurrency exchange on the net, facilitating as much as 80% of global bitcoin trades, according to some sources. And then about 850,000 bitcoin suddenly went missing. At the exchange rate in 2014, when the problem came to light, that many bitcoin were worth about $450 USD. At the time of this writing, with Bitcoin at a high in 2017, that man... Continue reading...
The Glass-Steagall Act was passed in 1933 to place a dividing wall between commercial banking and investment banking. It was in an effort to protect consumers and the economy from the risks of speculative investment banking. JP Morgan and other large institutions were targeted. The act was partially repealed and replaced in 1999 by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. After 2008, some opined that the repeal of the original act contributed to the financial crises, and they instituted the Volcker Rule, which reinstated part of the original Glass-Steagall act. Continue reading...
IRS Link to Form — Found Here The Form 6251 is used to calculate the alternative minimum tax (AMT) for individuals who may have high income but relatively low taxes due after deductions. The individual first computes his or her adjusted gross income, which does not allow for some deductions that may have been taken for the tax filing. If the AMT is higher than the taxes already paid, the individual will have to pay the difference. Continue reading...
The ‘40 Act, as it’s sometimes called, defined and delineated rules for investment companies, which today are known as mutual funds, investment trusts, ETFs, and so on. The ‘40 Act, along with the Securities Act of 1933, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, have formed the foundation for regulation in the investment industry in the US. The ‘40 Act defines investment companies and stipulates how they are to represent themselves and disclose information about the funds they sell to the public. Continue reading...
Hedge funds have historically been very secretive. They still mainly fall under Regulation D and private-placement laws, but their reporting requirements have been slightly expanded after the Dodd-Frank Act in 2010. Now, they are a little more transparent, but not fully. Up until the Dodd-Frank Act, it was basically impossible to know what hedge funds were investing in and who was involved. Hedge fund managers and their investment banks were under no obligation to report the holdings, and they generally avoided leaking any information about their market positions for fear of damaging their advantages. Continue reading...
Explore the fascinating world of stock market history with our top 10 highest stock prices ever recorded! From Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway at $445,000 to Lindt & Sprüngli's sweet success, delve into the stories behind these iconic numbers. Witness Next PLC's fashion-forward rise, NVR's housing highs, and Amazon's online dominance. Discover the tech giants Alphabet and Apple, and journey back to the early 1900s with Calumet and Hecla and General Motors. These tales offer insights into market dynamics and business resilience. Continue reading...
The IAA sought to regulate an industry that was deemed to be of public concern and within the Federal jurisdiction, though it did define some state-specific jurisdictions. It defines investment advisors and made laws dealing with fraud, advertising, non-public client information, disclosures, handling of client funds, and so forth. The Investment Advisors Act of 1940 established definitions for the capacity in which an investment adviser and investment advice could be defined, and made rules concerning the standards by which advisors should operate. Continue reading...
Unravel the story of Cyber Monday, the e-commerce giant that transformed online shopping. Born in 2005, this post-Thanksgiving event has grown exponentially, overshadowing even Black Friday in online sales. From its U.S. origins, Cyber Monday has expanded globally, with countries worldwide embracing the online shopping frenzy. As technology advances and consumer habits shift, Cyber Monday's influence is poised to grow even further. Dive into its history, understand its impact, and get a glimpse of what the future holds for this remarkable shopping event. Whether you're a shopper or a retailer, this is a tale of innovation and global influence you won't want to miss. Continue reading...
The Investment Advisers Supervision Coordination Act of 1996 sought to delegate the responsibility of monitoring investment advisors between the states and the federal government. It amended the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, which required all advisors to register with the SEC. The Dodd-Frank Act further amended the IAA, such that only advisors with assets under management exceeding $100 million had to register with the SEC. The IASC was part of the NSMIA legislation passed in 1996. Up until that point, all advisors were regulated and monitored by the SEC. Continue reading...
Investment bankers are proficient analysts themselves, but they have subordinate financial analysts that crunch the numbers for them. They are primarily in the business of procuring clients for deals such as IPOs which their investment bank will underwrite. Investment bankers are employees of investment banks whose role is to acquire clients for the bank and to be the liaison between clients and the back office of the investment bank. Continue reading...