SPDRs (Spiders) are index ETF shares that track the S&P 500, or could refer to other similar ETFs tracking other indices. The SPDR is the longest standing ETF (exchange traded fund), and has existed since 1993. Unlike index mutual funds that track the S&P, ETFs can trade intraday, can be sold short, and bought on margin. There are other SPDR ETFs that are spin-offs, and using “SPDRs” in the plural might refer to these as well. SPDRs are managed by State Street Global Advisors, and the S&P 500 SPDR is listed on the NYSE under the ticker symbol SPY. Continue reading...
In general, the answer is “Yes,” but there are a few exceptions. If you decide to establish a SIMPLE IRA, every eligible employee must be offered a SIMPLE IRA account. An employee is eligible if they have earned $5,000 in compensation during any two previous years, and are expected to earn $5,000 the current year. If an employee is unwilling to participate, the employer must open up a SIMPLE IRA on behalf of the employee. Continue reading...
Like other qualified plans, these need a written plan document and investments to fund. A written plan document must be established and distributed to all employees notifying them of the plan and of all pertinent details, in language they can understand. Plans must be established by December 31 of the year for which contributions will be made, and, since the contributions come from the employer for both of these, the employer has at least 8 months of the following year to meet funding requirements. Continue reading...
Social Security benefits are streams of income available for retired workers, their spouses, children and dependents, and survivors. It provides insurance against longevity, disability, and, to some extent, the death of the primary contributor. Social Security benefits are available to a worker and their dependents if the worker has triggered eligibility, which usually calculated as earning over $5,040 for 10 years, but is modified if the worker dies or is disabled at a young age. Benefits can be paid to multiple people within a household (and an ex-spouse) based on one worker’s contributions to the system, up to a Maximum Family Limit, which is somewhere between 150-180% of a worker’s full benefit amount. Continue reading...
Social Security uses mandatory payroll taxes to grow trust funds that are used to pay income to retirees and other qualifying persons. Any surplus that is collected in a given year and not paid out is used to purchase Treasury Bonds, which pay a guaranteed rate of interest to the trusts and allows the government to use this surplus money in the meantime. When you receive your paycheck, you’ll see a deduction for FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act), which is a “combined payroll tax” for both Social Security and Medicare. Continue reading...
Ever wondered about the allure of the SPY ETF? Dive into the legacy of this pioneering fund, its ties to the S&P 500 Index, and its impact on the investment landscape. Discover the nuances that set it apart and why it remains a cornerstone for investors navigating the U.S. equity marketContinue reading...
Markets are shifting into a risk-off regime as the S&P 500 extends its losing streak. Rising yields, geopolitical tensions, and inflation concerns are driving a broad repricing—creating clear winners and losers across sectors while forcing investors to rethink strategy in a volatile environment.Continue reading...
December 2024's financial markets faced heightened volatility, steep crypto declines, and shifting sector trends. Discover key insights, winners, losers, and how AI tools shaped strategies during this tumultuous weekContinue reading...
The financial markets experienced notable volatility during the week of July 29 to August 2, driven by a complex interaction of economic indicators and investor sentiment. Key indices showed mixed performances, reflecting the unpredictable nature of the market.Continue reading...
Markets surged this week as tech stocks rallied and inflation data cooled, sparking optimism among investors. With QQQ up over 5% and inverse ETFs tumbling, bullish sentiment returned. AI trading tools like Tickeron’s FLMs helped traders navigate the rapid shifts.Continue reading...
The AI boom has pushed market concentration to levels last seen before the dot-com crash, while institutional investors are quietly rotating into defensive sectors. This analysis examines the historical parallels, the risks facing the most crowded AI and semiconductor ETFs, and the defensive ETFs that could benefit if the market shifts from growth to safety.Continue reading...
November markets faced volatility as tech stocks plunged, small-caps tumbled, and energy ETFs surged. Explore top-performing sectors, global trends, and the tools driving smarter trading decisions.Continue reading...
A week of rising volatility saw U.S. small-cap stocks dip while inverse ETFs gained as investors turned cautious. Discover the market trends, sector resilience, and global shifts shaping November's financial landscape.Continue reading...
🚀 Markets on the Move! From crypto surges to rising volatility in QQQ, SPY, DIA, & IWM, the week of Feb 10-14, 2025, brought major shifts. Discover how AI-driven financial models and sector trends are shaping investment strategies in today's fast-changing market! 📊📈Continue reading...
Technical signals are becoming increasingly important as major indexes test key support levels and sector rotation accelerates. Tickeron’s Financial Learning Models (FLMs) analyze Head & Shoulders patterns, Death Cross formations, moving averages, RSI, and MACD to identify the stocks most likely to outperform or underperform in the weeks ahead.Continue reading...
The financial markets experienced mixed performance during the week of September 2-6, with the Dow Jones gaining 1.05% and the Nasdaq 100 dropping by 0.77%. Rising volatility, particularly in the tech sector, signals growing uncertainty. Explore key trends shaping market dynamics and investor sentiment.Continue reading...
The week of September 16-20 saw strong performances across major financial markets, with tech and industrial sectors leading the charge. The NASDAQ-100 (QQQ) posted a 5.93% return, while volatility remained mixed across large and small-cap stocks. Global markets, including cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, also experienced significant gains, highlighting investor optimism.Continue reading...
This past week, the market showed significant volatility due to economic uncertainties and changing investor sentiment. Major indices like SPY and QQQ displayed strong bullish trends, while IWM and DIA had mixed signals, indicating cautious outlooks for smaller cap stocks. Tickeron's Swing Trader robots achieved impressive profits and high annualized returns, demonstrating their effectiveness in navigating and capitalizing on market fluctuations.Continue reading...
The week of June 17–24, 2025, saw strong gains in SPY, QQQ, and DIA, while IWM struggled. Explore key drivers behind the moves, AI-powered insights from Tickeron, and how inverse ETFs like SH can help you manage risk and trade smarter in volatile markets.Continue reading...
The SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) remains a top choice for investors in 2025, offering broad market exposure and stability. This article explores SPY’s recent performance, key market drivers, and how AI-powered tools from Tickeron enhance trading strategies in today’s volatile environment.Continue reading...