To have a “duty of best execution” means that a broker or entity fulfilling a trade request has to do so at the best possible execution for their client. The ‘duty of best execution’ is more than just a guideline - it’s an SEC law. Broker-dealers must report quarterly to the SEC on how they route customers' orders, to ensure compliance. "Best execution” refers to both timing and price. What is the Fiduciary Standard? What is the Suitability Standard? How do Advisors Charge and How Much Should I Pay? Continue reading...
Discount Broker is a financial organization that places trades at a discount to a full service broker, and also often will serve as a custodian for assets. With the onset of online trading platforms, the discount brokerage industry has seen plenty of growth over the last few years. In many cases, however, a discount broker will not offer any investment advice - hence the discounted price for trading services. An investor that wants a lot of personalized service should probably consider a full service broker over a discount broker, since a discount broker literally only focuses on trade execution and will not provide additional services, like research and advice. Continue reading...
The IRS Code allows for certain penalty-free withdrawals, and gives the plan administrator the freedom to define certain other hardship exemptions. Certain kinds of retirement plan withdrawals are excluded from the 10% early withdrawal penalty tax. These include medical expenses which exceed 7.5% or 10% of Adjusted Gross Income, distributions to the family members of active duty military personnel who have been called to active duty, and distributions needed if the participant becomes disabled. Continue reading...
Withdrawals and loans can be taken out of a 401(k) before retirement, but the money may be subject to penalties, conditions, and taxes. It is quite common that 401(k) funds are needed before retirement, even though the IRS wants you to wait until you’re 59 ½, and will generally want to levy a 10% penalty on any premature withdrawals. Most plans allow employees to take non-taxed loans out on their balance, which may stunt the growth of the account which was intended for retirement, but if the funds are paid back on-schedule, as stipulated in the plan’s loan agreement, the employee can get back on track quickly. Continue reading...
Earnings week kicks off September 8–11 with ORCL, ADBE, GME, CHWY, KR, and more. Get Stock Analysis across tech, retail, defense, and infrastructure as markets weigh AI growth, Fed cuts, and corporate resilience. Continue reading...
Life360 (LIF) Stock Analysis: Discover how the family safety app surged 248% in 2025, transforming into a global platform redefining digital safety and investor expectations. Continue reading...
The S&P 500 hit 6,500, but Fed drama, Nvidia earnings, and Bitcoin’s slide sparked volatility in a pivotal week for markets. Continue reading...
Mid-August earnings spotlight a high-stakes mix of AI innovators, global cyclicals, and emerging-market leaders, offering key insights into inflation pressures, capital investment risks, and the resilience of 2025’s market rally. Continue reading...
Palantir (PLTR) Stock Analysis highlights a 145% rally in 2025, fueled by AI adoption, billion-dollar contracts, and soaring enterprise demand Continue reading...
Astera Labs (ALAB) surges 358% in 2025 as demand for AI connectivity accelerates, redefining semiconductor infrastructure and boosting investor confidence Continue reading...
Bloom Energy (BE) Stock Analysis: Soaring 263% in 2025, fueled by AI data center demand, Oracle partnership, and cutting-edge fuel cell tech, positioning the company as a key player in clean energy and digital infrastructure. Continue reading...
Tech giants Microsoft, Oracle, Meta, Amazon, and Alphabet (MOMAA) are set to invest a record $320B in AI and cloud infrastructure in 2025—a bold move that could reshape the digital economy. This article explores what’s driving the surge and how investors can respond. Continue reading...
Lump sum distributions are when the entire balance of an account is paid out at once. After you retire, you can elect to receive your money in a lump sum. Of course, you will end up paying income taxes on the entire distributed amount that year. There is also what’s called the mandatory 20% withholding, which requires custodians to withhold 20% from retirement plan distributions if they are not part of a trustee-to-trustee transfer (such as funding an IRA). Continue reading...
Unlock smarter trading with Tickeron’s AI Trend Prediction Engine. Get reliable Stock Analysis, forecast market moves, and start with a free 14-day trial. Continue reading...
Markets faced volatility as Powell’s Jackson Hole speech, tech selloffs, crypto corrections, and AI bubble warnings shaped the week of Aug 18–22, 2025. Continue reading...
There is no vesting required for self-employed 401(k) (aka Solo K) plans, since you are the employer and the employee. Vesting is a process in which assets that were completely owned by one party are eventually made the property of another party who has had use of the assets. In retirement plans, employer contributions typically have a vesting schedule, partially to give employees a reason to stick around for a few more years. Continue reading...
Markets ended April with mixed signals—gold slid on trade optimism, Big Tech lifted the Nasdaq, and Bitcoin steadied near $94K. With U.S. GDP contracting and job growth beating forecasts, investors brace for more volatility amid tariffs and central bank moves. Continue reading...
Employers can contribute to an employee’s 401(k) on a matching basis. Some employers will make additional contributions to your 401(k) based on the amount of your own contributions. Matching can be done on a dollar-for-dollar basis, meaning that for every dollar you contribute to your account, they will add a dollar as well. It can also be done using a factor, such as ½, meaning they will contribute a dollar every time you contribute two. Continue reading...
All SEP contributions are immediately vested for employees. SEPs are funded entirely by employer contributions, and these contributions are immediately vested for the employee. In other words, the contribution belongs to you immediately after it has been made, notwithstanding standard withdrawal rules. Withdrawal rules for a SEP are the same as those for Traditional IRAs. Continue reading...
The Sept 15–18 earnings week brings PLAY, MANU, LEN, GIS, FDX and more into focus as investors brace for a Fed rate cut, rising inflation, and shifting demand trends. Continue reading...