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What is the NASDAQ?
The NASDAQ (National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations) is an electronic marketplace for trading stocks, and is also used to track major Technology stocks. The NASDAQ Composite is an index of over 3,000 publicly traded companies on the NASDAQ stock market, which includes the world's biggest and most relevant technology companies - Apple, Google, Amazon, Intel, Oracle, and so on. Continue reading...
What is After-Hours Trading?
After-Hours Trading on the Nasdaq can take place after market close from 4-8pm EST or in the pre-market hours from 4-9:30am EST. Pre- and Post-market trading used to be reserved for large institutional investors or high net worth individuals, but is now made possible through the improvements to electronic trading networks and the demand from individuals trading from their computers at home. Interestingly, institutional investors can trade anonymously on the after-hours Nasdaq market, such that virtually no one knows what positions they take during that time. This is called trading in “dark pools of liquidity.” Traders on the after-hours Nasdaq cannot make certain kinds of trades or use certain instruments. Continue reading...
What does Ticker Mean?
A ticker symbol is an abbreviation used to uniquely identify publicly traded shares of a particular stock or security on whatever market it trades on. Stocks are usually represented by a combination of letters (typically 3-4), ETFs are generally identified with 3 letters, and mutual funds often have 5-letter combinations that end in the letter “X”, but they can also be alphanumeric. A ticker can consist of a combination of letters, numbers, and sometimes (but not often) both. Continue reading...
What is a Stock?
Buying a stock means taking an ownership position in a publicly traded company. Once you purchase a stock, you become a shareholder. A company has two ways of acquiring capital needed for growth: borrowing it (often in the form of issuing bonds), or selling shares of their company's equity, which is known as stock. In other words, when you buy shares of a company’s stock, you are buying a claim to the company's profit margin, because you are technically a part-owner in the company. Those who hold shares of Common Stock, the most typical form of stock, have voting rights in the election of the company’s board members. Continue reading...
What is NASD?
The NASD stands for the National Association of Securities Dealers. It was a self-regulated, regulatory body that oversaw the NASDAQ market to ensure proper and non-fraudulent operations. In 2007, the NASD merged with the New York Stock Exchanges regulatory body to form the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA. What is Minimum Margin? What is the SEC? Continue reading...
What is an ADV form?
A form ADV can be requested to find out all about the fees and professional backgrounds of a financial advisory firm. Firms who engage in the solicitation of securities or give investment advice must file form ADV with the SEC and keep it updated, usually on an annual basis. It is similar to the form U4 that individual securities-licensed professionals must submit and keep updated in the event of changes of address, tax liens, industry disciplinary actions, and so forth, but the ADV is filed on behalf of a firm instead of an individual. FINRA and the NASAA keep up with the filings as well. Continue reading...
What is the Investment Advisor Registration Depository (IARD)?
The IARD system is maintained by FINRA, and keeps track of all adviser registrations, which states they are licensed to work in, all licenses they hold, and any customer complaints. It simplified the registration requirements of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. The Investment Adviser Registration Depository (IARD) was established in 2001 to streamline the registration requirements of the Investment Advisors Act of 1940. The act required that all advisers register with the SEC and the states in which they practice. Continue reading...
What Is the Nasdaq 100 Index?
Unlock the secrets of the Nasdaq 100 Index! From tech titans like Microsoft and Apple to innovative sectors shaping our future, dive deep into the world of top companies and investment avenues. Your journey into global market performance starts here. Continue reading...
What is Minimum Margin?
Minimum margin is the minimum amount needed to open a margin account. The custodian or broker typically sets the minimum margin, but it cannot be for any less than the $2,000 required by the NYSE and NASD. What is 'Buying on Margin' and Margin Trading? What is a Margin Account? Continue reading...
What is the Nasdaq Composite Index designed to measure?
Explore the Nasdaq Composite Index, a vital global stock market benchmark with over 3,700 stocks. With heavy weighting in tech and inclusion of both domestic and international companies, it's a key indicator of market health. Dive into its composition, relevance, and unique features in our detailed guide. Continue reading...
What is the SEC?
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is a governmental regulatory agency established by Congress which polices the practices of the securities industry. Since 1934, the SEC's mission has been to protect investors and the market from malfeasance. FINRA (the 2007 successor to the NASD which was formed in 1939) is a self-regulatory organization in the industry which seeks to keep member firms more than compliant with SEC regulations. Continue reading...
What are the top three U.S. stock market indexes?
Unlock the secrets of U.S. stock market performance with our guide! Explore the iconic Dow Jones, broad S&P 500, and tech-centric NASDAQ indexes. Gain insights to make informed investment decisions. #StockMarket #Investing 📈📊 Continue reading...
What Is the UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ) ETF?
In the world of Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), where investors have access to a wide array of investment strategies, the ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ ETF (SQQQ) stands out as a unique and intriguing option. Launched in February 2010 by ProShares, this inverse-leveraged ETF has garnered attention for its focus on delivering results that move inversely to the Nasdaq 100 Index. In this article, we will delve into the details of SQQQ, examining what it is, how it operates, its performance, advantages, disadvantages, and the best use cases for this specialized investment vehicle. Continue reading...
What are the three most prominent U.S. stock market indexes?
Unlock the Power of Stock Market Indexes! 📈 Explore the significance of S&P 500, DJIA, and Nasdaq Composite in guiding investment decisions. Discover diverse investment opportunities and smart beta strategies. Stay ahead in the dynamic financial landscape. #Investing #StockMarket Continue reading...
What are the historical returns and rewards that investors have experienced with QQQ ETFs?
Unlock the world of QQQ ETFs! 📈 Dive into historical returns, top holdings (think Apple, Amazon, Alphabet), and dividend growth. Discover pros like bull market rewards, long-term tech growth, and low expenses, but watch out for bear market risk, volatility, and sector concentration. Invest wisely! #QQQETFs #InvestingInsights Continue reading...
Best Hospitality Stocks To Buy: A Financial Analysis
Discover the Giants of Leisure: Unveiling the Best Hospitality Stocks to Invest in 2023! Dive into our expert financial analysis of industry leaders like Marriott, Hilton, and Las Vegas Sands. Find out which stocks are poised to redefine luxury and profit in a sector bouncing back with vigor. Stay tuned for our in-depth exploration! Continue reading...
Best 5G stocks
Unveiling the titans of the 5G era! Dive into the companies at the forefront of the next-gen connectivity revolution, shaping a future where technology knows no bounds. From chipmakers to telecom giants, discover who's who in the 5G landscape." Continue reading...
What does it Mean to be "Listed"?
To be “listed” means a stock has been registered and approved for trading on an exchange. The most relevant companies will aim to be listed on a major exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) or the NASDAQ. Who are Venture Capitalists? Should I Listen to Commentators on Financial News Programs? Continue reading...
Best Communication Stocks To Watch in 2024
Unlock the future of communication! Dive deep into the stocks leading the digital revolution, from global giants like Cisco to innovators like Palo Alto Networks. Stay ahead in the investment game with insights on the industry's game-changers. Continue reading...
What is the purpose of exploring stock exchanges?
Unlock the secrets of stock exchanges: where companies meet investors. Learn about NYSE's auction system, Nasdaq's efficiency, and digital platforms like Coinbase. Discover the heart of the financial system. #StockExchanges #Investing Continue reading...