There are fixed annuities, fixed/indexed annuities, variable annuities, hybrid annuities, income annuities, period income annuities, and possibly more. Insurance companies, and the insurance subsidiary wings of investment companies, have had many years to develop strategies and marketing ploys that help clients accumulate, protect, and distribute assets within various kinds of annuities. Variable annuities allow the annuitant to participate in the market through mutual funds — or, more accurately, “separate accounts” that mimic mutual funds. Continue reading...
Fixed annuities, generally speaking, are annuity products that give the purchaser of the annuity the guarantee of fixed income payments for life. Annuities must come with the option to be paid out in equal payments either over a certain number of years or the lifetime(s) of the annuitant(s). This is the case for variable and fixed annuities, and these payments will be fixed and guaranteed. Where they differ is how they are invested before any annuitization takes place. Continue reading...
A spin-off is when a division or subsidiary of a company is separated from the parent corporation and starts to offer its own shares. The term can also colloquially refer to a situation where a group of talent leaves the larger company to start their own firm doing similar work as they used to do. As far as the SEC is concerned, the definition of a spin-off must include the shareholders of the parent corporation being offered a substantially proportionate amount of shares in the new company. Continue reading...
Social Security retirement benefits are computed by finding the average monthly income of a worker during the highest-earning 35 years of employment, and then it plugs that amount into a formula for to determine their full benefit at Normal Retirement Age (NRA). A person may then choose to take benefits before or after NRA, with applicable reductions or additions. There are different equations for spousal benefits, survivor’s benefits, and maximum family benefits. Continue reading...
Social Security uses a formula that applies a factor to your average monthly income from the 35 years in which you earned the most. The benefit will be calculated for your Normal Retirement Age (67 for most people today), and you should receive statements in the mail keeping you updated on your projected or actual Social Security Retirement Benefits. Every year, you should get a statement from the Social Security Administration that provides you with exact numbers. The amount depends on the age at which you retire, and the contributions you made to Social Security over the years. The formula uses the 35 years in which you earned the most, and divides it by the total number of months in 35 years, which is 420, which leads to your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME). Continue reading...
Active management is the practice of attempting to outperform the market with selection and timing. Active management is a thoughtful and time-consuming approach to investing and is the opposite of Passive management. Active managers seek to outperform the benchmarks for their portfolio by researching and selecting stocks and other assets based on strategies and analysis methods thought to be superior. Continue reading...
Unlock the secrets of the financial markets with candlestick patterns. Originating from 18th-century Japanese rice traders, these patterns are more than just visual charts; they're powerful predictors of market movements. From the basic anatomy of a candlestick to intricate patterns like bullish engulfing lines and abandoned baby tops, this guide offers a deep dive into the art of candlestick analysis. Whether you're a novice trader or a market veteran, understanding these patterns can be a game-changer for your trading strategy. Equip yourself with the knowledge to make well-informed decisions in the ever-evolving world of finance. Continue reading...
Unlock Market Insights with the Hanging Man Candlestick Pattern 🕯️ Discover the power of the Hanging Man in predicting bearish market reversals. Learn its attributes, interpretation, and trading strategies. Find out how volume and confirmation candles enhance reliability. Plus, get tips on distinguishing it from similar patterns. Master your trading game! 💹 #HangingMan #TradingTips Continue reading...
Navigating retirement? The Full Retirement Age (FRA) is a key term you need to grasp. Determining when you're eligible for full Social Security benefits, FRA has evolved with changing life expectancies. Claim too early, and you face reduced benefits; delay, and they grow. But with concerns about the Social Security Trust Fund's future and shifting retirement trends, understanding FRA is more crucial than ever. Whether you're eyeing early retirement or considering a delay, get the insights you need to make an informed decision and maximize your benefits. Dive into the world of FRA and prepare for a secure retirement. Continue reading...
When a company “deleverages,” it means it is attempting to shrink the amount of debt on its books relative to its assets. In some cases the act of deleveraging requires a company to sell-off/liquidate key assets in order to pay down debt, which ultimately means downsizing as well. A company may choose to deleverage as a strategic tactic, but often times they are forced to as a result of economic circumstances. Continue reading...
Leveraged Recapitalizations involve issuing new corporate bonds to finance a share buyback or large dividend, essentially rebalancing the capital structure of the business. Dividend recapitalizations will cause the share price to reduce, largely because the company’s debt-to-equity ratio has changed. This can be used to make the company look unattractive to potential acquirers. Recapitalizations are restructuring of a company’s capital. Dividend recapitalizations are sometimes called dividend recaps. Continue reading...
When it comes to investing, one of the fundamental challenges is determining whether a price movement in a financial asset is a temporary blip or the start of a significant trend change. This distinction between a retracement and a reversal is crucial for traders and investors, as it can impact their decision-making and risk management strategies. In this article, we will delve into the key differences between retracement and reversal, helping you make informed choices in your financial endeavors. Continue reading...
Unleash the potential of the booming pet industry! Discover the top pet stocks poised for growth in 2023, from healthcare to daily pet needs. Dive in to fetch the best investment opportunities in this ever-evolving market. Continue reading...