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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
In this article, major companies including Amazon, IBM, Exxon Mobil, Starbucks, and others are set to release their earnings reports from July 24-26. These reports are crucial for investors as they provide insights into the financial health and performance of companies across various sectors like technology, retail, and energy. The earnings data can significantly impact market trends and investor sentiment, making this a critical period for market analysis and decision-making. Continue reading...
U.S. tariff tensions rocked markets this week, sending tech stocks into retreat and safe-haven assets like gold and the yen soaring. As investors brace for major earnings and global policy shifts, volatility remains high across equities, currencies, and commodities. Continue reading...
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...
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...
Markets swung wildly this week as gold hit a record $3,500 before falling, stocks rebounded from correction, and Bitcoin surged to $94K—all driven by shifting political rhetoric and strong tech earnings. Continue reading...
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...
The S&P 500 just recorded its steepest weekly drop since the 2020 crash, sparking fears of a prolonged downturn. As trade tensions rise and volatility surges, this article explores the market outlook, lessons from past corrections, and how AI and inverse ETFs can help manage risk. Continue reading...
AI trading bots are reshaping financial markets with exceptional success rates. From day trading to long-term investing, discover how AI-driven strategies leverage Financial Learning Models to optimize ETF trading. Learn which bots are outperforming and how traders can maximize gains using AI insights! 🚀 Continue reading...
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...