• Call Us (888) 229-7163

Category Archives: Investing

How Do Mutual Funds and Stocks Differ?

How Do Mutual Funds and Stocks Differ?

Whether you’re a first-time stock investor or a seasoned veteran, you should understand what differentiates single stock investments from mutual fund investing. First, Some Working Definitions Picture a collection of stocks, bonds, or other securities that are purchased by a group of investors and then managed by an investment company. That’s a mutual fund. When […]

read more »
What Is a Stock Index?

What Is a Stock Index?

In 1884, Charles Henry Dow averaged the closing prices of 11 stocks he considered representative of the strength of the U.S. economy in a paper that preceded The Wall Street Journal. By 1896, The Wall Street Journalwas publishing this average on a regular basis, and the most famous indicator of stock market performance was born: the Dow […]

read more »
What Do Bond Ratings Mean?

What Do Bond Ratings Mean?

Bond ratings gauge a bond issuer’s financial ability to repay its promised principal and interest payments. Ratings are based on an analysis of the issuer’s financial condition and creditworthiness. In essence, the higher the rating, the more likely it is that a bondholder will receive his or her principal again when the bond matures. Credit […]

read more »
What Is Diversification?

What Is Diversification?

Virtually every investment has some type of risk associated with it. The stock market rises and falls. An increase in interest rates can cause a decline in the bond market. No matter what you decide to invest in, risk is something you must consider. One key to successful investing is managing risk while maintaining the […]

read more »
Averaging Ups and Downs

Averaging Ups and Downs

Market volatility seemed to be the norm in 2011. In just two trading days (October 31 and November 1), for example, the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost almost 4.7% of its value. At the end of the month, the Dow gained 4.2% in a single day (November 30).1 As an investor, you may find that […]

read more »
Investing in the Future

Investing in the Future

  Parents generally don’t have to be convinced of the value of a college education for their children. Studies show that college graduates not only earn more but are healthier, more satisfied with their jobs, and more likely to remain employed during tough economic times.1 But paying for college becomes more challenging every year. Over […]

read more »
Inherited IRAs Come with Critical Choices

Inherited IRAs Come with Critical Choices

Many people who inherit a tax-deferred IRA are confronted with a complex array of rules, restrictions, and deadlines that may make it difficult for them to determine how to proceed. Unfortunately, beneficiaries must often make binding decisions about inherited retirement assets before they may be prepared to do so. Of course, beneficiaries can liquidate inherited […]

read more »
Growing Interest in ETFs

Growing Interest in ETFs

The first exchange-traded fund (ETF) in the United States debuted in 1993 as an alternative to mutual funds. Interest in ETFs grew slowly at first but increased substantially over the last decade. By May 2012, there were more than 1,200 ETFs available with total assets exceeding $1.1 trillion.1 Even so, ETFs remain somewhat mysterious to […]

read more »
Big, Medium, and Small: Spreading the Risk

Big, Medium, and Small: Spreading the Risk

During the five-year period from 2007 to 2011, the total return of the S&P 500 index (representing large-cap stocks) was a disappointing –1.24%, which may not be surprising considering the impact of the Great Recession. On the other hand, the performance of small- and mid-sized company stocks during this period might surprise you: Total returns […]

read more »

Securities and Advisory Services offered through Geneos Wealth Management Inc., Member FINRA and SIPC (The materials at this web site are maintained for the sole purpose of providing general information about the law and do not under any circumstances constitute legal advice. You should not act or refrain from acting based on these materials without first obtaining the advice of professional legal counsel. Please carefully read the terms and conditions for using this site. This website contains links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for, and make no representations or endorsements with respect to, third-party websites, or with respect to any information, products or services that may be provided by or through such websites.) © Copyright 1998-2002 by Silverman Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy For comments and questions, please email marc@sfinancial.com