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<p>Exchange-Traded Funds, or ETFs, have gained popularity in recent years as a popular investment vehicle. But what exactly is an ETF and how does it work?</p><h3>What is an ETF?</h3><p>An ETF is a type of investment fund that is traded on stock exchanges, similar to individual stocks. It combines the diversification of a mutual fund with the flexibility of a stock. ETFs typically track an index, commodity, bonds, or a basket of assets.</p><h3>How do ETFs work?</h3><p>ETFs are designed to mirror the performance of the underlying asset or index they are tracking. This means that when you invest in an ETF, you are essentially investing in the performance of the underlying assets without directly owning them.</p><figure id="figure-c62a55ncvrlpars47z"><iframe id="c62a55ncvrlpars47z" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OwpFBi-jZVg" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwpFBi-jZVg" data-corners="large" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OwpFBi-jZVg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure><h3><br></h3><h3>Types of ETFs</h3><p>There are several types of ETFs, including equity ETFs, bond ETFs, commodity ETFs, and sector ETFs. Equity ETFs track a specific stock market index, while bond ETFs track the performance of bonds. Commodity ETFs invest in commodities such as gold, silver, or oil, and sector ETFs focus on specific sectors of the economy, such as technology or healthcare.</p><figure id="figure-e3ahc04dplparrv1i"><img id="e3ahc04dplparrv1i" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1574607407517-cd664b1504f5?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyNnx8ZXRmJTIwaW52ZXN0bWVudHxlbnwwfHx8fDE3MDA3MTgzMTV8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="etf investment" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" data-mce-src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1574607407517-cd664b1504f5?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyNnx8ZXRmJTIwaW52ZXN0bWVudHxlbnwwfHx8fDE3MDA3MTgzMTV8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></figure><h3>Benefits of ETFs</h3><p>ETFs offer several benefits to investors, including diversification, liquidity, and lower expense ratios compared to mutual funds. They also provide the flexibility to trade throughout the day at market prices.</p><figure id="figure-rzlj98ywqblpas8l15"><iframe id="rzlj98ywqblpas8l15" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FcXn7eR3RAo" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowFullScreen="" data-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcXn7eR3RAo" data-corners="default"></iframe></figure><p><br data-mce-bogus="1"></p><h3>Considerations for Investing in ETFs</h3><p>Before investing in ETFs, it's important to consider factors such as the expense ratio, tracking error, and the liquidity of the ETF. Additionally, investors should research the underlying assets the ETF tracks to ensure it aligns with their investment goals.</p><figure id="figure-4m9gwwx48tlparrvhw"><img id="4m9gwwx48tlparrvhw" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1581343191085-f2ded7b8d9d0?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyMXx8ZXRmJTIwZGl2ZXJzaXR5fGVufDB8fHx8MTcwMDcxODMxNnww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="etf diversity" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" data-mce-src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1581343191085-f2ded7b8d9d0?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyMXx8ZXRmJTIwZGl2ZXJzaXR5fGVufDB8fHx8MTcwMDcxODMxNnww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></figure><h3>How to Invest in ETFs</h3><p>Investors can buy and sell ETFs through a brokerage account, similar to how they would trade individual stocks. They can also invest in ETFs through retirement accounts such as IRAs or 401(k)s.</p><h3>ETFs vs. Mutual Funds</h3><p>While ETFs and mutual funds share similarities, such as diversification and professional management, ETFs have some distinct advantages, including intraday trading and potentially lower tax implications due to their structure.</p><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>ETFs are a versatile investment option that offers diversification, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness for investors. By understanding how ETFs work and their potential benefits, investors can make informed decisions when incorporating ETFs into their investment portfolios.</p><figure id="figure-ioz9v4bt47lparrwdp"><img id="ioz9v4bt47lparrwdp" src="https://images.unsplash.com/flagged/photo-1564767609342-620cb19b2357?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxNXx8ZXRmJTIwaW52ZXN0bWVudCUyMHBvcnRmb2xpb3xlbnwwfHx8fDE3MDA3MTgzMTd8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="etf investment portfolio" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" data-mce-src="https://images.unsplash.com/flagged/photo-1564767609342-620cb19b2357?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxNXx8ZXRmJTIwaW52ZXN0bWVudCUyMHBvcnRmb2xpb3xlbnwwfHx8fDE3MDA3MTgzMTd8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></figure>

what is an etf

<p>Options trading is a popular and exciting way to invest in the financial markets. It offers traders the opportunity to profit from the movement of stocks, commodities, or other assets, without actually owning the underlying asset. In this post, we will explore the basics of options trading and how it can be a valuable addition to your investment strategy.</p><h2>What are Options?</h2><p>Options are financial derivatives that give traders the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an underlying asset at a predetermined price within a specific time frame. There are two types of options: calls and puts. A call option gives the holder the right to buy the asset, while a put option gives the holder the right to sell the asset.</p><h2>How to trade options</h2><figure id="figure-6ys6wzaodrllq5lgz1"><iframe id="6ys6wzaodrllq5lgz1" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S7I4DSf5q9s" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7I4DSf5q9s" data-corners="large" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S7I4DSf5q9s" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure><p>Watch this video for an intro to options.</p><h2><br data-mce-bogus="1"></h2><h2>How do Options Work?</h2><p>Options have an expiration date, after which they become worthless. The price at which the underlying asset can be bought or sold is known as the strike price. When trading options, traders can take either a long position (buying options) or a short position (selling options).</p><h3>Long Positions</h3><p>When you take a long position in options, you are buying the right to buy or sell the underlying asset at the strike price. If you believe the price of the asset will rise, you can buy a call option. If you think the price will fall, you can buy a put option. Long positions can offer unlimited profit potential, as the price of the underlying asset can theoretically rise indefinitely.</p><h3>Short Positions</h3><p>Short positions involve selling options that you do not own. This strategy is used when traders believe the price of the underlying asset will not reach the strike price before the option expires. If the price does not reach the strike price, the options expire worthless, and the trader keeps the premium received from selling the options.</p><h2>Benefits of Options Trading</h2><p>Options trading offers several benefits for traders:</p><ul><li><strong>Leverage:</strong> Options allow traders to control a large amount of the underlying asset with a relatively small investment.</li><li><strong>Hedging:</strong> Options can be used to hedge against potential losses in other investments.</li><li><strong>Flexibility:</strong> Options can be used in a variety of strategies to profit from different market conditions.</li></ul><h2>Risks of Options Trading</h2><p>While options trading can be lucrative, it is important to understand the risks involved:</p><ul><li><strong>Limited Time:</strong> Options have an expiration date, so timing is crucial.</li><li><strong>Volatility:</strong> Options prices can be affected by market volatility, which can lead to significant price swings.</li><li><strong>Complexity:</strong> Options trading can be complex, and it is important to have a good understanding of the market and the strategies involved.</li></ul><h2>Conclusion</h2><p>Options trading can be a valuable tool for investors looking to diversify their portfolios and potentially generate additional income. However, it is important to approach options trading with caution and to educate yourself about the risks and strategies involved. With the right knowledge and approach, options trading can be a rewarding investment opportunity.</p>

Options Trading 101 + video

<p>When it comes to saving for the future, two popular options that often come up are the Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) and the Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP). Both of these investment vehicles offer unique advantages and can help you reach your financial goals. In this blog post, we will explore the differences between TFSA and RRSP to help you make an informed decision.</p><h2>Understanding the TFSA</h2><p>The TFSA is a flexible savings account that allows you to contribute money on an after-tax basis. The contributions you make to a TFSA are not tax-deductible, but any growth or income earned within the account is tax-free. This means that you won't have to pay taxes on any withdrawals you make in the future.</p><h3>Benefits of a TFSA</h3><p>One of the key benefits of a TFSA is its flexibility. You can withdraw money from your TFSA at any time without incurring any penalties or taxes. Additionally, any unused contribution room can be carried forward indefinitely, allowing you to catch up on contributions in the future.</p><p>Another advantage of a TFSA is that it can be used for a variety of savings goals. Whether you're saving for a down payment on a house, a dream vacation, or your retirement, a TFSA can accommodate your needs.</p><figure id="figure-57e05sszp8llukko14"><iframe id="57e05sszp8llukko14" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i_bWf1NyUbE" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_bWf1NyUbE&amp;list=PLj8bU3AuW2qF-J3m9w8qLbiyLdkw0BoxB&amp;index=1" data-corners="medium" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i_bWf1NyUbE" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure><p><br></p><h2>Exploring the RRSP</h2><p>The RRSP is a retirement savings plan that offers tax advantages for Canadians. Contributions made to an RRSP are tax-deductible, meaning you can reduce your taxable income by the amount of your contribution. This can result in significant tax savings, especially if you're in a higher tax bracket.</p><h3>Benefits of an RRSP</h3><p>One of the main benefits of an RRSP is its ability to defer taxes. While you will eventually have to pay taxes on withdrawals from your RRSP, the idea is that you'll be in a lower tax bracket during retirement, resulting in potentially lower taxes paid overall.</p><p>Additionally, an RRSP can be a powerful tool for long-term retirement savings. The contributions you make to an RRSP grow tax-free, allowing your investments to compound over time. This can lead to significant growth in your retirement savings.</p><figure id="figure-j71fu4s8lillukluh4"><iframe id="j71fu4s8lillukluh4" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mR2jA0sd3cE" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mR2jA0sd3cE" data-corners="small" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mR2jA0sd3cE" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure><p><br></p><h2>Which one is right for you?</h2><p>Deciding between a TFSA and an RRSP depends on your individual circumstances and financial goals. If you anticipate needing access to your savings in the short term or have already maximized your TFSA contributions, a TFSA may be the better option.</p><p>On the other hand, if you're focused on long-term retirement savings and can benefit from the tax deductions, an RRSP may be more suitable. It's important to consider factors such as your current income, tax bracket, and future financial needs when making this decision.</p><p>In conclusion, both the TFSA and RRSP have their own unique advantages, and the right choice for you will depend on your individual circumstances. It's always a good idea to consult with a financial advisor who can provide personalized guidance based on your specific needs and goals.</p><figure id="figure-7ut1qpc9illukeul7"><img id="7ut1qpc9illukeul7" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1641790016911-0353099329f6?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0fHxURlNBJTIwUlJTUHxlbnwwfHx8fDE2OTMyMDgxMTR8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="TFSA RRSP" class="object-cover bg-gray-100" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" data-mce-src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1641790016911-0353099329f6?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0fHxURlNBJTIwUlJTUHxlbnwwfHx8fDE2OTMyMDgxMTR8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></figure><p>Remember, saving for the future is an important step towards financial security. Whether you choose a TFSA, an RRSP, or a combination of both, starting early and staying consistent with your contributions will put you on the path to a comfortable retirement.</p>

TFSA vs RRSP

<p>Peter Lynch is one of the greatest of all times to do it ! I absolutely love his investing rules &amp; the discipline he has. Watch this video to improve your market psychology &amp; watch if you're stocks are red &amp; you don't know what to do.</p><figure id="figure-s0dsn9jhhllqtoqte"><iframe id="s0dsn9jhhllqtoqte" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SdBRtkoL06Q" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://youtu.be/SdBRtkoL06Q?si=AL420hxqbNqkyhuX" data-corners="large" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SdBRtkoL06Q" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure><blockquote><h2 class="entry-title entry-title-single">5 Investment Lessons From Peter Lynch</h2></blockquote><p>After numerous portrayals investors' life stories and investment philosophies in movies, the concept of stock market investment has gained worldwide attention. People are now becoming more familiar with the stock market.</p><p>Outlined below are seven investment insights drawn from Peter Lynch's expertise, which can significantly contribute to improving your skills as an investor.</p><h3>1. Every Setback Offers a Chance for Success</h3><p>Peter Lynch, drawing from his extensive stock market experience, advocates that successful individuals in the stock market are those who accept occasional losses, setbacks, and unforeseen events. They remain undeterred by drastic market declines.</p><p>Much like other accomplished investors, Peter Lynch firmly endorses the value of long-term investment as the key to maximizing returns. In the context of long-term investing, he advises fellow investors to detach themselves from concerns and hasty decisions, which often stem from emotional responses that can jeopardize their investment endeavors.</p><p>During times of market turbulence, marked by extreme fluctuations, investors are prone to experiencing apprehension. However, to excel as an investor, it's crucial to harness this concern and transform setbacks into opportunities for success, even if it requires embracing an undervalued asset.</p><p>Similarly, the emotion of "Capitulation" can grip investors when their investments experience declines due to market dynamics. Peter Lynch highlights that many investors maintain their stance as long-term investors until substantial losses compel them to shift towards short-term perspectives.</p><p>Lesson: To attain enhanced returns, maintain a commitment to long-term investment while conducting thorough research to secure profits. Do not be intimidated by market downturns; exercise patience, trust your analysis, and stay focused amidst the noise.</p><figure id="figure-ninw09z8p7llujiusz"><img id="ninw09z8p7llujiusz" src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/27noQGmN7xLpqKmqQnfyo9XgIyWWdLYA1gmwqDp55vowdqNPDtIGgpGxe9Sekr84.jpg" alt="peter lynch investing tips" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="no-rounded" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/27noQGmN7xLpqKmqQnfyo9XgIyWWdLYA1gmwqDp55vowdqNPDtIGgpGxe9Sekr84.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><p><br></p><h3>2. Rely on Research, Not Assumptions or Tips</h3><p>Within the market, numerous investors seek rapid profit avenues or tips to capitalize on investments, often overlooking the fact that such "hot tips" frequently lead to disappointment.</p><p>Peter Lynch's guidance, "Never invest in any idea you can’t illustrate with a crayon," underscores the significance of relying on your own insights and research. He emphasizes understanding the underlying rationale behind an investment idea and its potential performance in the future.</p><p>Before committing to an investment, comprehensive research into the company is essential. This includes understanding its origin, initial funding, conversion of investments into assets, profit margins, competition, customer trust, and prospects based on current performance. Evaluating associated risks and recovery strategies is also vital.</p><p>Lesson: As an investor, active engagement and discernment are crucial. Know when to expand or withdraw investments to mitigate losses and maintain a sound investment strategy.</p><h3>3. Embrace Mistakes as Learning Opportunities</h3><p>Peter Lynch advocates a strategy of allowing successful investments to thrive while cutting losses on underperforming investments. He likens the inverse approach to uprooting flowers and nurturing weeds.</p><p>His message underscores the inevitability of making mistakes in the stock market. Instead of letting failures dampen future investment enthusiasm, Lynch suggests a methodical analysis of investments, identifying gaps in research, and incorporating lessons learned into future investment strategies.</p><p>Lynch's own investment journey includes both remarkable successes and modest outcomes. He coined the term "ten-bagger" to describe investments that yielded tenfold returns, emphasizing their potential for long-term growth.</p><p>Lesson: Exercise patience with high-performing investments, allowing them to mature fully. Continually evaluate your investments to maximize their potential, applying lessons from both triumphs and setbacks.</p><figure id="figure-b9v5b2xbh9llujqgxv"><img id="b9v5b2xbh9llujqgxv" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/37zGEQYTTlOLyY1MwvW3vjkwBSKl2LJ0qEGRwWKDNM0AU7w79kEyW4C4vVF41fOU.jpg" alt="Peter lynch mistakes timing the market" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="no-rounded" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/37zGEQYTTlOLyY1MwvW3vjkwBSKl2LJ0qEGRwWKDNM0AU7w79kEyW4C4vVF41fOU.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><p><br></p><h3>4. Timing Matters, Be early but not earlier&nbsp;</h3><p>Peter Lynch draws an analogy between investing in growing companies and the game of baseball. He warns against investing too early, comparing it to unnecessary risk-taking.</p><p>While Lynch advocates investing in promising startups after they've solidified their market position, he cautions against premature commitments. Companies can experience early successes due to market trends, but their quality of service may falter over time, impacting their growth potential.</p><p>Lesson: Invest in companies during their second or third funding rounds, once they've proven their capabilities and fulfilled investor expectations. For publicly listed companies, monitor performance for several quarters post-IPO.</p><h3>5. Timing the Market vs. Time in the Market</h3><p>Peter Lynch dismisses the notion of "timing the market" and emphasizes that more losses result from anticipating corrections than from the corrections themselves.</p><p>While advocating long-term investment in quality stocks, Lynch also advises against an indefinite commitment to a particular stock. He recommends periodically reviewing investments, questioning their initial rationale, assessing changes in fundamentals, and determining whether to continue or exit the investment.</p><p>Lesson: Maintain a vigilant stance on investments, periodically evaluating their alignment with your goals and market dynamics. Adjust your portfolio as needed to optimize returns.</p><p><br></p>

Peter Lynch: Investing tips(video)

<div class="page" title="Page 1"><div class="section"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><h2>Markets 101: How to Read Stock Indexes and Securities</h2></div></div></div></div><figure id="figure-65hqt0aaolllq5b4i4"><iframe id="65hqt0aaolllq5b4i4" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VJQ6-DDr3jA" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJQ6-DDr3jA" data-corners="medium" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VJQ6-DDr3jA" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure><h3>Maybe you’ve heard people talk about a stock market index on the news. But what is an index and why does it matter?</h3><div class="page" title="Page 1"><div class="section"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p>Every morning, millions of people around the world wake up, make
their coffee, and check a few key numbers—200 points on DOW, $1,100 GOLD,&nbsp; $40 a barrel. Those numbers provide clues about how the
markets are performing each day.
</p><p>We cover the indicators every morning on instgram &amp; the discord—the S&amp;P, Nasdaq, and Dow Jones indexes, the 10-year
Treasury note, and (now) bitcoin</p><div class="page" title="Page 2"><div class="section"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><h2>Dow Jones</h2><p><strong>What it is</strong>: The Dow Jones Industrial Average, aka the Dow, is a
collection of 30 "blue-chip" U.S. stocks. Blue chip = big, established, and
influential companies like Microsoft, JPMorgan, Disney, and
McDonald's. The Dow recently updated its roster, swapping
ExxonMobil, Pfizer, and Raytheon for Salesforce, biotech Amgen, and
manufacturing heavyweight Honeywell.
</p><p><strong>How it works:</strong> The Dow is weighted by share price, so higher-priced
stocks have more influence on the index's total value. Price-weighting
also means that if the price of any stock in the Dow changes by $1, it
has the same impact on the index, even though a $1 increase to a stock
worth $20 is more significant (relatively) than a $1 change to a stock
worth, say, $40.
</p><p>During stock splits—when a company increases its number of
outstanding shares and chops prices by the same factor—a
company's influence in the Dow can fall even if their market value
doesn't change. The Dow has some mechanisms to account for
stock splits, but they can still lead to a shakeup in the index (like
what happened last summer).
</p></div></div></div></div><div class="page" title="Page 3"><div class="section"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p>Why it matters: At 124 years old, the Dow has had plenty of time to
cement its reputation as a leading indicator of the stock market. But
with only 30 stocks representing a smattering of U.S. corporate titans,
it's not exactly representative.</p><figure id="figure-fnsx5nvakflluk6qc3"><img id="fnsx5nvakflluk6qc3" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1623524713064-257294b0e34b?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxN3x8d2FsbCUyMHN0cmVldHxlbnwwfHx8fDE2OTMyMDUxNDJ8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="wall street nasdaq dow jones " data-corners="medium" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-mce-src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1623524713064-257294b0e34b?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxN3x8d2FsbCUyMHN0cmVldHxlbnwwfHx8fDE2OTMyMDUxNDJ8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><p><br></p><h2>Nasdaq</h2><p><strong>What it is:</strong> The Nasdaq Composite is an index composed of 2,500+
stocks as well as other equities such as American depositary receipts
and real estate investment trusts. This can get a little confusing,
because it's not the only Nasdaq: The Nasdaq Composite tracks
securities on the Nasdaq exchange.</p><figure id="figure-u4f0f488ijlpasluyt"><iframe id="u4f0f488ijlpasluyt" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t1A-CxSf5xw" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowFullScreen="" data-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1A-CxSf5xw" data-corners="default"></iframe></figure><p><br data-mce-bogus="1"></p><p><strong>How it works:</strong> Unlike the Dow, the Nasdaq weights by market cap
(number of outstanding shares a company has multiplied by the share
price), a setup that gives extra-large companies an extra-large impact.
The Nasdaq is also heavily skewed toward tech companies, which
account for nearly half the index's total value.
</p><p><strong>Why it matters: </strong>As the world's first electronic
exchange, the Nasdaq has historically attracted more
tech-focused companies. While the index tracks more
stocks than the S&amp;P and Dow combined, tech's heavy
influence means the Nasdaq doesn't always illustrate
how other industries are faring. The index can also be
volatile because it includes more small, speculative
companies.</p><div class="page" title="Page 4"><div class="section"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><h2>S&amp;P 500</h2><p><strong>What it is:</strong> Investment company Standard &amp; Poor's maintains an index
of 500 stocks from the largest companies listed on the Nasdaq and New
York Stock Exchange. To be eligible for consideration, companies have
to meet certain criteria—including a market cap of $8.2+ billion, a U.S.
headquarters, and positive earnings for at least four consecutive
quarters. They can be kicked out if they slip.
</p><p><strong>How it works:</strong> Magic, of the mathematical kind. Companies are
weighted by their market cap, specifically their float-adjusted market
cap (which only counts shares that are theoretically available for retail
investors to buy). That means the S&amp;P skews toward larger cap
companies, and tech stocks now account for over a quarter of the
index's total value.
</p><p><strong>Why it matters: </strong>With 500 stocks covering a broad range of industries,
the S&amp;P is widely considered the best indicator of large-cap stocks in
the U.S. While the S&amp;P's weighting-by-market-cap method is more
common than the Dow's weighting by share price, it does introduce
some risk that overvalued stocks will inflate the overall index.
</p></div></div></div></div><div class="page" title="Page 5"><div class="section"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><h3>10-Year</h3><p>What it is: The 10-year Treasury note is a debt instrument the U.S.
government issues to fund itself. The Federal Reserve closely watches
the "yield" (i.e. the return on investment) as a benchmark for other
interest rates.
</p><p><strong>How it works:</strong> The U.S. Treasury issues bonds that are auctioned to
investment banks by the Federal Reserve; banks can then sell those
bonds to investors. The 10-year matures over—you guessed it—10
years, with interest paid out every six months until the full value is paid
out at the end.
</p><p><strong>Why it matters:</strong> The 10-year is considered another safe-haven asset
for investors. But as demand goes up, the yield goes down. Investors
can even end up paying more than the face value of the Treasury note
(but some are willing to accept the tradeoff for the low-risk
investment).</p><figure id="figure-du72hhhfcllukbhdl"><img id="du72hhhfcllukbhdl" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1611967556157-d5c8830b5161?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwzfHxnYW1lc3RvcHxlbnwwfHx8fDE2OTMyMDc5OTd8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="game stop AMC" data-corners="no-rounded" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-mce-src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1611967556157-d5c8830b5161?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwzfHxnYW1lc3RvcHxlbnwwfHx8fDE2OTMyMDc5OTd8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;"></figure><p><br></p><h3>Bitcoin</h3><p><strong>What it is:</strong> Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency that was created in 2009 by a
mystery person, or group, who goes by Satoshi Nakamoto. Unlike
government-issued currencies, it is “decentralized” and not run by any
central authority. New bitcoins are released (aka “mined”) on a fixed
schedule until the number of tokens caps out at 21 million.</p><div class="page" title="Page 6"><div class="section"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p><strong>How it works:</strong> There is no such thing as a physical bitcoin you can hold
in your hand. Bitcoins are completely digital and maintained on a
blockchain-based public ledger hosted across a system of computers.
The important part: Any sales/transfers or newly created bitcoins must
be verified on that ledger, which is transparent and thus virtually
impossible to cheat.
</p><p><strong>Why it matters:</strong> Bitcoin, which is often stylized as BTC, is the largest
and best-known cryptocurrency. Bullish investors like it because it’s an
alternative to government-issued currency, it has low transaction fees,
and it can be a very lucrative investment. But bitcoin’s price is highly
volatile, which makes it a less stable store of value than something like
the US dollar or gold. And because bitcoin is so young, regulators,
banks, and businesses are still figuring out how it fits into markets and
what rules it needs to play by.</p><figure id="figure-7x7lxiq07illuk83zs"><img id="7x7lxiq07illuk83zs" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1628151015968-3a4429e9ef04?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxMnx8Yml0Y29pbnxlbnwwfHx8fDE2OTMyMDE1MzB8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="bitcoin crypto coin" data-corners="no-rounded" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-mce-src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1628151015968-3a4429e9ef04?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxMnx8Yml0Y29pbnxlbnwwfHx8fDE2OTMyMDE1MzB8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><p><br></p><div class="page" title="Page 8"><div class="section"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><h3>Oil</h3><p><strong>What it is:</strong> Exactly what it sounds like. The North American crude oil
benchmark, known as West Texas Intermediate (WTI), is one of three
main oil benchmarks used around the globe. While WTI is sourced
primarily from Texas, it's considered one of the highest-quality oils and
is often refined into gasoline.
</p><p><strong>How it works: </strong>WTI is the physical commodity behind oil futures
contracts traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Oil futures =
financial instruments that allow investors to buy "abstract oil." When
the futures contract expires, that investment is converted into IRL oil,
cashed out, or rolled into a future futures contract.
</p><p><strong>Why it matters:</strong> Oil prices are affected by economic conditions, good
ol' supply and demand, and geopolitical forces. The coronavirus
pandemic caused a historic collapse in prices this spring, and while
prices have stabilized, the outlook is shaky.</p><div class="page" title="Page 8"><div class="section"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><h3>Gold</h3><p><strong>What it is:</strong> With its use as a commodity tracing back to Ancient Lydian
merchants over 2,500 years ago, gold has the most staying power of any
indicator on this list. When investors talk about gold prices today,
they're most likely referring to the price per ounce of gold bullion
(those gold bars bad guys keep in briefcases).
</p><p><strong>How it works: </strong>Gold is priced in U.S. dollars around the world. Investors
can buy physical gold in the form of bullion or coins or go for more </p><p><strong style="font-family: inherit; background-color: rgba(249,250,251,var(--tw-bg-opacity));" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; background-color: rgba(249,250,251,var(--tw-bg-opacity));">How it works:</strong><span style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; background-color: rgba(249,250,251,var(--tw-bg-opacity));" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; background-color: rgba(249,250,251,var(--tw-bg-opacity));"> Gold is priced in U.S. dollars around the world. Investors
can buy physical gold in the form of bullion or coins or go for more</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; background-color: rgba(249,250,251,var(--tw-bg-opacity));" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; background-color: rgba(249,250,251,var(--tw-bg-opacity));">intangible gold securities, such as futures, ETF shares, or investments
in gold mining companies.</span></p><figure id="figure-l0wrgxhrlslluk93dp"><img id="l0wrgxhrlslluk93dp" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1624365169364-0640dd10e180?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyMHx8Z29sZHxlbnwwfHx8fDE2OTMyMDc4ODR8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="" data-corners="no-rounded" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-mce-src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1624365169364-0640dd10e180?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyMHx8Z29sZHxlbnwwfHx8fDE2OTMyMDc4ODR8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><p><br></p><div class="page" title="Page 9"><div class="section"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p><strong>Why it matters:</strong> In a 21st century economy where currencies aren't
pegged to the gold standard and credit cards are the medium of
exchange, some investors argue gold is a relic. But others turn to the
metal for diversification or as a "safe-haven asset"—something to buy
during times of geopolitical or economic uncertainty because it holds
onto its value.
</p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="page" title="Page 9"><div class="section"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p><br></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>

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