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May

2024

Mega Backdoor Roths, Explained

By Samuel Becker | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing, Terminology | Comments Off

For those who earn an income that makes them ineligible to contribute to a Roth IRA, a mega backdoor Roth IRA may be an effective tool to help them save for retirement, and also get a potential tax break in their golden years.

Only a certain type of individual will likely choose to employ a mega backdoor Roth IRA as a part of their financial plans. And there are a number of conditions that have to be met for mega backdoor Roth to be possible.

Read on to learn what mega backdoor Roth IRAs are, how they work, and the important details that investors need to know about them.

Key Points

• A mega backdoor Roth IRA allows high earners to save for retirement with potential tax benefits, despite income limits on traditional Roth IRAs.

• This strategy involves making after-tax contributions to a 401(k) and then transferring these to a Roth IRA.

• Eligibility for a mega backdoor Roth depends on specific 401(k) plan features, including the allowance of after-tax contributions and in-service distributions.

• Contribution limits for 401(k) plans in 2023 allow for significant after-tax contributions, enhancing the potential retirement savings.

• The process, while beneficial, can be complex and may require consultation with a financial professional to navigate potential hurdles.

What Is a Mega Backdoor Roth IRA?

The mega backdoor Roth IRA is a retirement savings strategy in which people who have 401(k) plans through their employer — along with the ability to make after-tax contributions to that plan — can roll over the after-tax contributions into a Roth IRA.

But first, it’s important to understand the basics of regular Roth IRAs. A Roth IRA is a retirement account for individuals. For tax year 2023, Roth account holders can contribute up to $6,500 per year (or $7,500 for those 50 and older) of their post-tax earnings. That is, income tax is being paid upfront on those earnings — the opposite of a traditional IRA. For 2024, they can contribute up to $7,000 (or $8,000 for those 50 and older).

Individuals can withdraw their contributions at any time, without paying taxes or penalties. For that reason, Roth IRAs are attractive and useful savings vehicles for many people.

But Roth IRAs have their limits — and one of them is that people can only contribute to one if their income is below a certain threshold.

In 2023 the limit is $138,000 for single people (people earning more than $138,000 but less than $153,000 can contribute a reduced amount); for married people who file taxes jointly, the limit is $218,000 (or between $218,000 to $228,000 to contribute a reduced amount).

In 2024 the limit is $146,000 for single people (people earning more than $146,000 but less than $161,000 can contribute a reduced amount); for married people who file taxes jointly, the limit is $230,000 (or between $230,000 to $240,000 to contribute a reduced amount).

💡 Quick Tip: Did you know that you must choose the investments in your IRA? Once you open a new IRA and start saving, you get to decide which mutual funds, ETFs, or other investments you want — it’s totally up to you.

¹Terms and conditions apply. Roll over a minimum of $20K to receive the 1% match offer. Matches on contributions are made up to the annual limits.

How Does a Mega Backdoor Roth Work?

When discussing a mega backdoor Roth, it’s helpful to understand how a regular backdoor Roth IRA works. Generally, individuals with income levels above the thresholds mentioned who wish to contribute to a Roth IRA are out of luck. However, there is a workaround: the backdoor Roth IRA, a strategy that allows high-earners to fund a Roth IRA account by converting funds in a traditional IRA (which has no limits on a contributors’ earnings) into a Roth IRA. This could be useful if an individual expects to be in a higher income bracket at retirement than they are currently.

Mega backdoor Roth IRAs involve 401(k) plans. People who have 401(k) plans through their employer — along with the ability to make after-tax contributions to that plan — can potentially roll over up to $46,000 in 2024, and $43,500 in 2023, in after-tax contributions into a Roth IRA. That mega Roth transfer limit has the potential to boost an individual’s retirement savings.

Example Scenario: How to Pull Off a Mega Backdoor Roth IRA

The mega backdoor Roth IRA process is pretty much the same as that of a backdoor Roth IRA. The key difference is that while the regular backdoor involves converting funds from a traditional IRA into a Roth IRA, the mega backdoor involves converting after-tax funds from a 401(k) into a Roth IRA.

Whether a mega backdoor Roth IRA is even an option will depend on an individual’s specific circumstances. These are the necessary conditions that need to be in place for someone to try a mega backdoor strategy:

• You have a 401(k) plan. People hoping to enact the mega backdoor strategy will need to be enrolled in their employer-sponsored 401(k) plan.

• You can make after-tax contributions to your 401(k). Determine whether an employer will allow for additional, after-tax contributions.

• The 401(k) plan allows for in-service distributions. A final piece of the puzzle is to determine whether a 401(k) plan allows non-hardship distributions to either a Roth IRA or Roth 401(k). If not, that money will remain in the 401(k) account until the owner leaves the company, with no chance of a mega backdoor Roth IRA move.

If these conditions exist, a mega backdoor strategy should be possible. Here’s how the process would work:

Open a Roth IRA — so there’s an account to transfer those additional funds to.

From there, pulling off the mega backdoor Roth IRA strategy may sound deceptively straightforward — max out 401(k) contributions and after-tax 401(k) contributions, and then transfer those after-tax contributions to the Roth IRA.

But be warned: There may be many unforeseen hurdles or expenses that arise during the process, and for that reason, consulting with a financial professional to help navigate may be advisable.

Who Is Eligible for a Mega Backdoor Roth

Whether you might be eligible for a mega backdoor Roth depends on your workplace 401(k) retirement plan. First, the plan would need to allow for after-tax contributions. Then the 401(k) plan must also allow for in-service distributions to a Roth IRA or Roth 401(k). If your 401(k) plan meets both these criteria, you should generally be eligible for a mega backdoor Roth IRA.

💡 Quick Tip: Did you know that opening a brokerage account typically doesn’t come with any setup costs? Often, the only requirement to open a brokerage account — aside from providing personal details — is making an initial deposit.

Contribution Limits

If your employer allows for additional, after-tax contributions to your 401(k), you’ll need to figure out what your maximum after-tax contribution is. The standard 401(k) contribution limit for all types of contributions to a 401(k) (meaning employee, employer, and after-tax contributions) in 2023 is $22,500 (or $30,000 for those 50 and older). For 2024, the limit is $23,000 (or $30,500 for those 50 and older).

The IRS allows up to $66,000, or $73,500 including catch-up contributions for those 50 and up, in total contributions to a 401(k) in 2023. For 2024, the total limits are $69,000, or 76,500 including catch-up contributions for those 50 and up.

So how much can you contribute in after-tax funds? Here’s an example. Say you are under age 50 and you contributed the max of $22,500 to your 401(k) in 2023, and your employer contributed $8,000, for a total of $30,500. That means you can contribute up to $35,500 in after-tax contributions to reach the total contribution level of $66,000.

Is a Mega Backdoor Roth Right For Me?

Given that this Roth IRA workaround has so many moving parts, it’s worth thinking carefully about whether a mega backdoor Roth IRA makes sense for you. These are the advantages and disadvantages.

Benefits

The main upside of a mega backdoor Roth is that it allows those who are earning too much to contribute to a Roth IRA a way to potentially take advantage of tax-free growth.

Plus, with a mega backdoor Roth IRA an individual can effectively supercharge retirement savings because more money can be stashed away. It may also offer a way to further diversify retirement savings.

Downsides

The mega backdoor Roth IRA is a complicated process, and there are a lot of factors at play that an individual needs to understand and stay on top of.

In addition, when executing a mega backdoor Roth IRA and converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, it could result in significant taxes, as the IRS will apply income tax to contributions that were previously deducted.

The Future of Mega Backdoor Roths

Mega backdoor Roths are currently permitted as long as you have a 401(k) plan that meets all the criteria to make you eligible.

However, it’s possible that the mega backdoor Roth IRA could go away at some point. In prior years, there was some legislation introduced that would have eliminated the strategy, but that legislation was not enacted.

The Takeaway

Strategies like the mega backdoor Roth IRA may be used by some investors to help achieve their retirement goals — as long as specific conditions are met, including having a 401(k) plan that accepts after-tax contributions.

While retirement may feel like far off, especially if you’re early in your career or still relatively young, it’s generally wise to start thinking about it sooner rather than later.

Ready to invest for your retirement? It’s easy to get started when you open a traditional or Roth IRA with SoFi. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).

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FAQ

Are mega backdoor Roths still allowed in 2023?

Yes, mega backdoor Roths are still permissible in 2023.

Is a mega backdoor Roth worth it?

Whether a mega backdoor Roth is worth it depends on your specific situation. It may be worth it for you if you earn too much to otherwise be eligible for a Roth IRA and if you have a 401(k) plan that allows you to make after-tax contributions.

Is a mega backdoor Roth legal?

Yes, a mega backdoor Roth IRA is currently legal.

Are mega backdoor Roths popular among Fortune 500 companies?

A number of Fortune 500 companies allow the after-tax contributions to a 401(k) that are necessary for executing a mega backdoor Roth IRA.

What is a super backdoor Roth?

A super backdoor Roth IRA is the same thing as a mega backdoor Roth IRA. It is a strategy in which people who have 401(k) plans through their employer — along with the ability to make after-tax contributions to that plan — can roll over the after-tax contributions into a Roth IRA.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

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May

2024

Dollar Cost Averaging: Definition, Formula, Examples

By AJ Smith | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing | No Comments

Dollar cost averaging is a way to manage volatility as you continue to save and build wealth. Volatility is a natural part of investing. Virtually every part of the market is impacted by volatility in one way or another — thus, nearly every investor must contend with inevitable price fluctuations, and one way to do this is by using dollar cost averaging.

With this strategy, you decide on the securities you want to purchase, and the dollar amount you want to invest each month (or the interval you choose), and then ideally automate that amount to be invested on a regular basis.

Key Points

• Dollar cost averaging (DCA) is an investment strategy that helps manage volatility by investing a fixed dollar amount regularly.

• DCA involves buying securities at regular intervals, regardless of market prices, to avoid trying to time the market.

• Dollar cost averaging works by investing the same amount consistently, resulting in buying more shares when prices are low and fewer when prices are high.

• The strategy can help investors stay the course and avoid emotional decision-making based on market fluctuations.

• While dollar cost averaging has benefits like consistency and automation, it may not maximize returns compared to lump-sum investing and may not address the need for portfolio rebalancing.

What Is Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA)?

Dollar cost averaging is a basic investment strategy where you buy a fixed dollar amount of an investment on a regular basis (e.g. weekly or monthly). The goal is not to invest when prices are high or low, but rather to keep your investment steady and repeatable, and thereby avoid the temptation to time the market.

That’s because with dollar cost averaging (DCA) you invest the same dollar amount each time, so that, effectively, when prices are lower, you buy more; when prices are higher, you buy less. Otherwise, you might be tempted to follow your emotions and buy less when prices drop, and more when prices are increasing (a common tendency among investors).

How Dollar Cost Averaging Works

Dollar cost averaging works by making more or less the same investment over and over on a repeating basis. For an investor, it may be as simple as investing $5 in Stock A every Monday, or something similar, no matter what’s going on in the market.

That way, you’re investing the same amount whether the market goes up, down, or sideways. For example, if you invest $100 in Stock A at $20 per share, you get 5 shares. The following month, say, the price has dropped to $10 per share, but you stay the course and invest $100 in Stock A — and you get 10 shares.

Over time, the average cost of your investments – the dollar amount you’ve paid – may end up being a little lower, which can benefit the overall value of your portfolio.

Example of Dollar Cost Averaging

Here’s an example of how dollar cost averaging might look in practice.

Investor A might buy 20 shares of an exchange-traded fund (ETF) at $50 per share, for $1,000 total. This would be investing a lump-sum, rather than using a dollar cost averaging strategy.

Investor B, however, decides to use a dollar cost averaging strategy.

• The first month, Investor B buys shares of the same ETF at $50/share, but spends $300 and gets six shares.

• The next month the ETF price drops to $30 per share. So Investor B once again invests $300 and now gets 10 shares.

• By the third month, the ETF is worth $50 per share again, and their regular $300 investment gets them six shares.

Investor B now owns 22 shares of the ETF, at an average price of $40.90 per share, compared with Investor A, who paid $1,000 ($50 per share for 20 shares) in one lump sum.

Benefits and Disadvantages of DCA

Every strategy has its pros and cons, of course. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of DCA.

Dollar Cost Averaging Benefits

DCA forces you to stay the course, regardless of volatility. It keeps you from trying to “time the market.” By investing the same amount of money every month, you will buy more shares when the market is down and fewer shares when the market is up. You’re not investing with your emotions, which can lead to impulsive choices.

DCA allows you to “set it and forget it.” Investing the same dollar amount every month is a straightforward strategy, and technology makes it easy to automate. You don’t have to keep your eye on different investments or even market volatility. Just stick to the plan.

You also don’t have to be wealthy in order to use the dollar cost averaging method. You can start small, but all the while, you will be contributing to and growing an investment portfolio.

Dollar Cost Averaging Disadvantages

In some cases, investing a lump sum may net you a higher return over time. Although DCA works well in terms of helping to manage the impact of volatility, the reality is that over the course of many years, the market trends upward, as the average market return shows. Although there are many factors to consider when it comes to investing returns — including the impact of fees, of selling when the market is down and locking in losses, and so forth — the market’s upward trajectory is something to bear in mind.

When you use any kind of “set it and forget it” strategy, you run the risk of missing out on certain market opportunities — and red flags. Although the upside of dollar cost averaging is its consistency, the potential downside is that you may be less aware if there are new opportunities or the need to avoid losses.

Last, dollar cost averaging doesn’t solve the problem of rebalancing — another strategy that’s designed to mitigate volatility.

💡 Quick Tip: How to manage potential risk factors in a self-directed investment account? Doing your research and employing strategies like dollar-cost averaging and diversification may help mitigate financial risk when trading stocks.

When to Use Dollar Cost Averaging

There are certain times when dollar cost averaging makes sense, and certain investments that are suited to this strategy.

• For example, many people believe they need to invest large sums of money to invest successfully. In fact, DCA is evidence that you can invest small amounts, steadily over time, and reap the benefits of market growth.

• Funds: Mutual funds allow you to purchase a share, which represents a very small allocation of the underlying investment portfolio. This means that you can diversify with much smaller dollar amounts than if you purchased the securities on your own.

• ETFs (exchange-traded funds): Similar to mutual funds, ETFs provide an opportunity to diversify with smaller dollar amounts. Additionally, ETFs are available to trade throughout the day, generally have low expenses, no investment minimums, and may offer greater tax-efficiency.

The Takeaway

Dollar cost averaging is a fairly straightforward strategy that can help mitigate the impact of volatility on your portfolio, and also help you avoid giving into emotional impulses when it comes to buying or selling. Thus, dollar cost averaging can help you stay in the market, even when it’s fluctuating, with the result that you buy more when prices are low and less when prices are high — but overall, you may end up paying less on average.

But dollar cost averaging isn’t an excuse for literally “setting and forgetting” your portfolio. It’s still important to check on your investments in case there are any new opportunities or bona fide laggards. And once a year, it’s wise to rebalance your portfolio to restore your original asset allocation (unless of course your risk tolerance or goals have changed).

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For a limited time, opening and funding an Active Invest account gives you the opportunity to get up to $1,000 in the stock of your choice.

FAQ

Is dollar cost averaging a good idea?

Dollar cost averaging may be a good strategy for many investors to employ, as it has certain advantages that beginner investors, in particular, may use to their benefits. But it’s important to consider the downsides or disadvantages, too.

When is the best time to do dollar cost averaging?

There isn’t really a bad time to use a dollar cost averaging strategy, as such, investors interested in implementing one could likely do it at nearly any time.

How often should you do dollar-cost averaging?

When using a dollar cost averaging strategy, investors can choose a cadence that is best suited to their overall financial goals. For some, it may involve weekly investments, while it may involve daily or monthly investments for others.

Where is dollar-cost averaging most commonly done?

Dollar cost averaging is a strategy commonly used in retirement plans, such as 401(k)s, although it can be used in various types of investment accounts.

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May

2024

Commodity ETF: What It Is and Examples

By Rebecca Lake | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing | Comments Off

Commodity exchange-traded funds are ETFs that invest in hard and soft commodities. Commodities are raw materials — e.g. grain, precious metals, livestock, energy products — used for direct consumption or to produce other goods. Crude oil, corn, and copper are examples of commonly traded commodities.

Investing in a commodity ETF can offer exposure to one or more types of commodities within a single vehicle. There are different types of commodity ETFs to choose when building a diversified portfolio.

Key Points

• Commodity ETFs are exchange-traded funds that invest in hard and soft commodities like grain, precious metals, livestock, and energy products.

• They offer exposure to commodities within a single investment vehicle and can be bought and sold on a brokerage account.

• Commodity ETFs can be physically backed, futures-based, or focused on commodity companies.

• Pros of commodity ETFs include diversification, inflationary protection, and access to commodities, while cons include volatility and lack of dividends.

What Is a Commodity ETF?

A commodity ETF is an exchange-traded fund that specifically invests in commodities or companies involved in the extraction or production processing of commodities.

An ETF or exchange-traded fund combines features of mutual funds and stocks, in that they offer exposure to an underlying group of assets (e.g. stocks, bonds, derivatives). But unlike mutual funds, ETFs trade on an exchange.Whether you have broad or narrow exposure to commodities within a single ETF can depend on how it’s managed and its objectives.

Like other exchange-traded funds, commodity ETFs can be bought and sold inside a brokerage account. Each fund can have an expense ratio, which determines the cost of owning it annually, and brokerages may charge transaction fees when you buy or sell shares.

Commodity ETFs fall under the rubric of alternative investments, which also applies to private equity and hedge funds.

💡 Quick Tip: Alternative investments provide exposure to sectors outside traditional asset classes like stocks, bonds, and cash. Some of the most common types of alternative investments include commodities, real estate, foreign currency, private credit, private equity, collectibles, and hedge funds.

Alternative investments,
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How Do Commodity ETFs Work?

Commodity ETFs are pooled investments, with multiple investors owning shares. The fund manager determines which commodities the fund will hold and when to buy or sell holdings within the fund. When you buy shares of a commodity ETF, you invest in everything that’s held within the fund.

In many cases, that includes commodities futures contracts. A commodity futures contract is an agreement to buy or sell a set amount of a commodity at a future date for a specified price. That’s an advantage for investors who may be interested in trading futures but lack the know-how to do so.

A commodity ETF may follow an active or passive management strategy. Many commodity ETFs are structured as index funds. An index fund aims to track and match the performance of an underlying benchmark. These types of commodity ETFs are passively managed.

Actively-managed funds, by comparison, typically aim to outstrip market returns but may entail more risk to investors.

Types of Commodity ETFs

Commodity ETFs aren’t all designed with the same objectives in mind. There are different types of commodity ETFs you might invest in, depending on your goals, diversification needs, and risk tolerance.

Here are some of the most common ETF options commodities investors may choose from.

Physically Backed ETFs

A physically backed ETF physically holds the commodity or commodities it trades. For example, a physically backed ETF that invests in precious metals may store gold, silver, platinum, or palladium bars in a secure vault at a bank.

It’s more common for physically backed ETFs to hold hard commodities like precious metals, since these are relatively easy to transport and don’t have a shelf life expiration date. It’s less likely to see physically backed ETFs that invest in agricultural goods like wheat or corn, as they cannot be stored for extended periods.

Futures-Based ETFs

Futures-based ETFs invest in commodities futures contracts, rather than holding or storing physical commodities. That can reduce the overall management costs, resulting in lower expense ratios for investors.

A futures-based ETF may hold commodities contracts that are close to expiration, then roll them into new contracts before the expiration date. Depending on the price of the new futures contract, this strategy may result in a cost or gain for investors.

Commodity Company ETFs

Commodity company ETFs invest in companies that produce or process commodities. For example, this type of ETF may invest in oil and gas companies, cattle farming operations, or companies that operate palm oil plantations.

These types of commodity ETFs are similar to equity ETFs, since the investment is in the company rather than the commodity itself.

Examples of Commodity ETFs

Commodity ETFs are not always easily identifiable for investors who are new to this asset class. Here are some of the largest commodity ETF options with a focus on mitigating inflation.

• SPDR Gold Trust (GLD). SPDR Gold Trust is the largest physically backed gold ETF in the world. The ETF trades on multiple stock exchanges globally, including the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

• Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE). This commodity ETF invests in companies in the energy industry, including oil and gas companies, pipeline companies, and oilfield services providers.

• Invesco DB Agriculture Fund (DBA). The Invesco DB Agriculture Fund tracks changes in the DBIQ Diversified Agriculture Index Return, plus the interest income from the fund’s holdings. The index itself is composed of agricultural commodity futures.

• First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC). This commodity ETF is an actively managed fund that offers exposure to energy commodities futures.

• Invesco Optimum Yield Diversified Commodity Strategy No K-1 ETF (PDBC). PDBC is another actively managed ETF that invests in commodity-linked futures and other financial instruments offering exposure to the most in-demand commodities worldwide.

Pros and Cons of Commodity ETFs

Commodity ETFs have pros and cons like any other investment. It’s helpful to weigh both sides when deciding whether this type of alternative investment aligns with your overall wealth-building strategy.

Pros

• Diversification. Commodity ETFs can offer a very different risk/return profile than traditional stocks or bonds. Commodities in general tend to have a low correlation with stocks, which can help spread out and manage risk in a portfolio.

• Inflationary protection. Commodities and inflation typically move in tandem. As the prices of consumer goods and services rise, commodity prices also rise. That can offer investors a hedge of sorts against the impacts of inflation.

• Access. Direct investment in commodities is generally out of reach for the everyday investor, as it may be quite difficult to hold large quantities of physical goods or raw materials. Commodity ETFs offer a simple and convenient package for investing in commodities without taking physical possession of underlying assets.

Cons

• Volatility. Compared with other investments, commodities can be much more susceptible to pricing fluctuations as supply and demand wax and wane. Unexpected events, such as a global drought or a war that threatens crop yields, can also catch investors off guard.

• No dividends. While some ETFs may generate current income for investors in the form of dividends, commodity ETFs typically do not. That could make them less attractive if you’re looking for an additional stream of passive income or are interested in reinvesting dividends to buy more shares.

• Cost. Physically backed ETFs may pay storage fees to hold underlying commodities. Those costs may be folded into the expense ratio, making the ETF more expensive for investors to own.

Why Invest in Commodity ETFs?

Commodity ETFs can be worth investing in for those who wish to hedge against inflation or generate positive returns when stocks appear to be faltering. They also represent a more accessible alternative to direct investment in commodities, which may be difficult for an individual investor to manage.

Investors who are already trading futures contracts or are learning how to do so may appreciate the accessibility that commodity ETFs can offer. Commodity ETFs tend to be highly liquid, meaning it’s relatively easy to buy and sell shares on an exchange, a feature other alternative investments don’t always share.

A commodity ETF may be less suitable for an investor who has a lower risk tolerance or isn’t knowledgeable about the commodities market or futures trading. Talking to a financial advisor can help you determine whether commodities are something you should be pursuing as part of your broader investment plan.

💡 Quick Tip: Are self-directed brokerage accounts cost efficient? They can be, because they offer the convenience of being able to buy stocks online without using a traditional full-service broker (and the typical broker fees).

Tax Considerations When Holding Commodity ETFs

The type of commodity ETF you invest in can determine their tax treatment. Futures-based ETFs, for example, may experience losses or gains as contracts that are approaching expiration are replaced with new ones. Additionally, commodity ETFs that hold gold, silver, platinum, or palladium may be subject to a higher capital gains tax rate as the IRS considers precious metals to be collectibles.

Furthermore, the IRS 60/40 rule specifies that 60% of commodity capital gains or losses will be treated as long-term, while 40% are treated as short-term capital gains or losses for tax purposes. This rule does not consider how long you hold the investments, which could make commodity ETFs less favorable for investors who hold assets for one year or more.

It’s also important to be aware of how a commodity ETF is structured legally. Many operate as limited partnerships (LPs), which means they pass on annual income and gains or losses as a return of capital. Investors bear the responsibility of reporting their portion of fund profits and losses on Schedule K-1. If you’re not familiar with how to do so, that could add another wrinkle to your year-end tax prep.

The Takeaway

Adding a commodity ETF or two to your portfolio may appeal to you if you’re hoping to add some diversification to your holdings, and are comfortable with a potentially more volatile investment. When deciding which commodity ETFs to invest in, it’s wise to consider the underlying investments and the fund’s overall management strategy, as well as the fees you’ll pay to own it.

Invest in alts to take your portfolio beyond stocks and bonds.

FAQ

Why is it risky to invest in commodities?

Commodities can be volatile. Commodity prices depend on supply and demand, which can change dramatically owing to weather patterns, technological innovations, supply chain issues, and more.

Do commodity ETFs pay dividends?

Commodity ETFs typically don’t pay dividends to investors, regardless of which type of ETF you have. The goal of investing in commodity ETFs is more often capital appreciation rather than current income.

Is it better to trade physical commodities or ETFs?

For most investors, trading raw material commodities simply isn’t feasible. There are issues of transport, storage, insurance, and liquidity. For that reason, commodity ETFs have emerged to give investors exposure to desired commodities without the physical demands.

Photo credit: iStock/Nastassia Samal

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If you invest in Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) through SoFi Invest (either by buying them yourself or via investing in SoFi Invest’s automated investments, formerly SoFi Wealth), these funds will have their own management fees. These fees are not paid directly by you, but rather by the fund itself. these fees do reduce the fund’s returns. Check out each fund’s prospectus for details. SoFi Invest does not receive sales commissions, 12b-1 fees, or other fees from ETFs for investing such funds on behalf of advisory clients, though if SoFi Invest creates its own funds, it could earn management fees there.
SoFi Invest may waive all, or part of any of these fees, permanently or for a period of time, at its sole discretion for any reason. Fees are subject to change at any time. The current fee schedule will always be available in your Account Documents section of SoFi Invest.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

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May

2024

How to Invest in Commodities: Ways to Invest, Pros/Cons

By Rebecca Lake | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing | Comments Off

Commodities are the raw materials or basic goods that are used to produce many of the things you use every day. Investing in commodities such as crude oil, soybeans, livestock, and wheat can be an effective way to diversify a portfolio, hedge against inflation, and potentially generate returns.

Key Points

• Investing in commodities can diversify a portfolio, hedge against inflation, and potentially generate returns.

• Commodities offer a low correlation to traditional asset classes like stocks and bonds, reducing market volatility impact.

• Different ways to invest in commodities include physical ownership, commodity mutual funds and ETFs, commodity futures contracts, individual stocks, and hedge funds.

• Commodities can act as an inflationary hedge, as their prices tend to rise with increases in consumer prices.

• Investing in commodities carries risks, including price volatility, geopolitical factors, and the feasibility of physical ownership for individual investors.

Why Invest in Commodities?

Commodities are alternative investments that offer a low correlation to traditional asset classes like stocks or bonds. Thus, holding commodities in your portfolio can help minimize the impact of market volatility, as commodities prices are driven largely by supply and demand rather than the mood of the market.

Investing in commodities can also be a strategic play for investors who are hoping to counter the effects of rising inflation. As prices for consumer goods rise, the prices of the underlying commodities used to produce them also tend to rise. Stock prices, by comparison, do not always move in tandem with inflation.

Commodities can also be highly liquid assets, depending on how you’re trading them. Liquidity may be of importance to investors who are focused on generating short-term returns, versus a longer-term buy-and-hold approach.

💡 Quick Tip: While investing directly in alternative assets often requires high minimum amounts, investing in alts assets through a mutual fund or ETF generally involves a low minimum requirement, making them accessible to retail investors.

Alternative investments,
now for the rest of us.

Start trading funds that include commodities, private credit, real estate, venture capital, and more.

5 Ways to Invest in Commodities

If you’re considering investing in commodities, there are several options to choose from. The one that makes the most sense for you will depend on your risk tolerance, time frame for investing, and how much capital you have to invest.

1. Physical/Direct Ownership

Physical ownership of commodities may be impractical for most individual investors as it involves taking ownership of the actual commodity. Purchasing and storing two tons of wheat, or maintaining 1,000 live animals likely isn’t realistic if you don’t have the proper facilities.

On the easier end of the spectrum, precious metal investors may hold gold or silver as bullion, or coins inside a secure bank vault. But even then, holding quantities of specific metals also require storage, insurance; and reselling these commodities comes with liquidity issues.

2. Commodity Mutual Funds and Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)

Commodity mutual funds and exchange-traded funds can offer exposure to commodities without requiring you to hold anything physically. There are three broad categories of commodity funds you might invest in:

• Physically backed funds. These funds maintain direct ownership of commodities, specifically, precious metals. A gold commodity ETF, for example, may hold gold bars at a bank.

• Futures-based funds. Futures-based commodity ETFs invest in futures contracts. We’ll explain those in more detail shortly, but in general, a future contract is an agreement to buy or sell an asset at a predetermined price on a set date.

• Commodity company funds. Commodity company funds invest in commodity producers. For example, you might buy shares in an oil ETF that invests in oil and gas companies, oilfield servicers, and pipeline companies.

The main difference between a commodity mutual fund and a commodity ETF is how they’re traded. Mutual fund prices are set at the end of the trading day, while ETFs trade on an exchange just like a stock. Both commodity mutual funds and ETFs charge expense ratios, which represent the cost of owning the fund on an annual basis.

3. Commodity Futures Contracts

Commodity futures contracts are an agreement to buy or sell an underlying asset at a future date. The contract includes the price at which commodities will be bought or sold. Futures are derivative investments, meaning their value is determined by the price of another asset, i.e., the commodities you’re agreeing to trade.

Trading commodity futures contracts can be risky, as outcomes rely largely on investors making correct assumptions about which commodity prices will move. It’s possible to lose money on futures contracts if you’re expecting prices to increase but they decline instead.

4. Individual Stocks

Investing in stocks of commodity companies is another way to gain exposure to this asset class. For example, if you’re interested in adding energy sector assets to your portfolio you might buy shares in companies that produce oil, natural gas, solar technology, and so on.

Purchasing individual stocks can ensure that you’re only owning the companies that you want to, unlike a commodity mutual fund or ETF, which can hold dozens of different investments. However, picking individual stocks can be a bit more time-consuming and it may take more capital to buy shares if you’re choosing high dollar stocks.

5. Hedge Funds

Hedge funds are private investments that pool money to buy and sell assets, similar to a mutual fund. The difference is that hedge funds tend to use high-risk strategies like short-selling and may require a higher minimum investment to buy in or limit access to accredited investors only. Under SEC rules, an accredited investor is someone who:

• Has $200,000 or more in annual income ($300,000 for married couples) for the previous two years and expects the same level of income going forward

• Has a net worth exceeding $1 million, not including their primary residence

Financial professionals who hold certain securities licenses also qualify for accredited status.

Hedge funds can potentially offer higher returns than other commodity investments, but the risks are greater as well. If you’re considering private investment in commodities through a hedge fund you may want to talk to a professional about the pros and cons.

💡 Quick Tip: All investments come with some degree of risk — and some are riskier than others. Before investing online, decide on your investment goals and how much risk you want to take.

How Do You Open a Commodities Investing Account?

Opening a commodities trading account is no different from opening any other type of brokerage account. You’ll first need to decide which brokerage you want to trade with, then complete the necessary paperwork and funding requirements to start trading.

Personal Information

When you open a brokerage account, you’ll need to provide some basic details about yourself. That includes your:

• Name

• Date of birth

• Social Security number

• Email and phone number

• Mailing address

• Driver’s license number

• Annual income

• Net worth

• Employment status

• Investment objectives and risk tolerance

You may also be asked about your experience with investing and your citizenship status. You’ll need to disclose whether you’re employed by a brokerage firm.

All of this information is required to verify your identity, meet FINRA’s suitability requirements, and comply with anti-money laundering regulations. Net worth and income information may also be used to determine whether you meet the standards for an accredited investor.

Minimum Funds

The minimum amount of money you’ll need to invest in commodities through your brokerage can depend on what you’re investing in. If you’re buying individual commodities stocks, then the stock’s share price will determine how much you’ll need based on the number of shares you plan to buy.

With commodity mutual funds minimums are typically determined by the brokerage. So you might need $1,000, $3,000, or $5,000 to get started, depending on what you’re buying. Commodity ETFs sell on a per-share basis, similar to stocks.

Some brokerages offer fractional share trading, which allows you to buy shares of mutual funds, ETFs, or stocks in increments. The minimum investment may be as low as $1, though it’s important to keep in mind that it can take time to build up the commodity portfolio of your portfolio when investing in such small amounts.

Trading futures can be a little trickier as you may need to meet a minimum investment requirement and margin requirements. Margin is a set amount of money you’re required to deposit with the brokerage as a condition of trading futures contracts.

Margin is typically calculated as a percentage of the contract but it can easily run into the thousands of dollars.

Pros and Cons of Investing in Commodities

Investing in commodities has advantages and disadvantages, and it may not be right for every investor. Examining the pros and cons can help you make a more informed decision about whether it’s something you should pursue.

Pros

• Commodities can help you diversify your portfolio beyond traditional stocks and bonds.

• Investing in commodities can act as an inflationary hedge since commodity prices usually move in sync with increases in consumer prices.

• Commodity ETFs and mutual funds offer a lower barrier to entry versus direct investment or hedge funds, making commodities more accessible to a wider range of investors.

• Returns may potentially outstrip stocks, bonds, and other investments.

• Commodity trading may generate short-term profits

Cons

• Commodity prices can be volatile, as they may be affected by natural disasters, geopolitical conditions, and other factors.

• Investing in commodities is generally riskier than other types of investments since supply and demand can impact trading.

• Holding physical ownership of commodities may not be feasible for every investor.

• Futures trading in commodities is highly speculative and while there may be potential for higher returns, there’s also more risk involved.

Is Investing in Commodities Right for Me?

Whether commodity trading makes sense for you can depend on your preferences concerning risk and your time horizon for investing. You might consider commodities if you are:

• Comfortable trading the potential for higher returns against higher risk

• Looking for short-term gains versus a long-term, buy-and-hold investment

• Savvy about futures contracts (if you plan to trade futures)

• Have sufficient capital to meet minimum investment requirements

Before investing in commodities, it’s helpful to learn more about the different types and their associated return profiles. It’s also wise to consider any costs you might pay to trade commodity ETFs, mutual funds, and stocks or the margin requirements for commodity futures trading.

The Takeaway

Although the commodities market is complex, commodities themselves are tangible products that are relatively easy to understand. Investing in commodities can take many forms, including direct or cash investment via the spot market, or by investing in commodity-related funds.

Although trading commodities comes with its own set of risks, commodities may offer some protection against inflation and traditional market movements, because these products are driven by supply and demand.

Invest in alts to take your portfolio beyond stocks and bonds.

FAQ

Are there IRA accounts that specialize in commodity trading?

Some brokerages offer an IRA that’s designed for trading commodity futures contracts. You may also be able to gain exposure to commodity ETFs or mutual funds with a regular traditional or Roth IRA.

How much money do I need to invest in commodities?

The amount of money you’ll need to invest in commodities will depend on which vehicle you’re using. With a commodity stock or ETF, the amount of money required would depend on the share price and the number of shares you plan to purchase. Direct investment, hedge fund investments, or commodity futures contracts may require a larger financial commitment.

Can you make money with commodities?

Investors can make money with commodities through capital appreciation or by trading futures contracts. Returns may be higher than traditional assets but you may need to accept a greater degree of risk when trading commodities.

What is the risk profile for someone investing in commodities?

Investing in commodities often means being comfortable with more risk, as commodity prices can fluctuate quickly. You may want to limit your commodities allocation to 5%-10% of your portfolio to minimize your risk exposure.

Photo credit: iStock/filadendron

SoFi Invest®

INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE

SOIN0124118

May

2024

What Is Theta in Options? All You Need to Know

By Dan Miller | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing, Terminology | Comments Off

Editor's Note: Options are not suitable for all investors. Options involve risks, including substantial risk of loss and the possibility an investor may lose the entire amount invested in a short period of time. Please see the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options.

Theta, in relation to options, describes the rate in change in an option’s value. Options have two sources of value: intrinsic value and time value. From the moment an options contract is created, the time value component decays. This rate of change in value with respect to time is known as theta.

Understanding theta is crucial if you are going to trade options. Several factors, including an option’s moneyness and the time to expiration, will impact theta. Here are the basic concepts that you should know about.

Key Points

• Theta measures the rate at which an option’s value decreases over time, specifically due to the passage of time.

• As options approach their expiration date, their time value decays, which is quantified by theta.

• Theta is typically represented as a negative dollar amount, indicating the daily loss in value of the option.

• The impact of theta is more pronounced as the expiration date nears, accelerating the decay of the option’s time value.

• Understanding theta is essential for options traders, as it helps in timing the market and managing potential risks and returns.

How Does Theta Work?

Holding all other factors equal, options tend to decline in value over time as they approach their expiration date. The intuition behind this relationship is simple: once an option expires, it can no longer be exercised, and thus it no longer has any value.

This rate of change in value of an option is referred to as theta. Usually displayed as a negative dollar amount, an option’s theta value represents how much an option’s price decreases per day as it matures.

💡 Interested in Theta? Check out the other Greeks in options trading.

What Are Examples of Theta?

One way to think of theta in options trading is an analogy of an ice cube sitting on a countertop. As the ice cube sits on the warm countertop, it gradually melts away, and the melting becomes more rapid as time passes. Similarly, an option’s time value always decreases, with the decrease becoming more rapid the closer an option is to expiring.

Let’s say there is a stock ABC with a price of $80. The theta for an options contract expiring in three months with a strike price of $85 might be -$0.05. That means you can expect to lose five cents per day due to time decay, or theta. That doesn’t necessarily mean that the security’s price will go down each day, since it will also be affected by up and down movements of the underlying stock price itself.

In this scenario, not all options of stock ABC will have the same theta value of -$0.05. An option with the same strike price of $85 but a year until expiration will usually have a lower theta than one expiring next month.

💡 Quick Tip: Options can be a cost-efficient way to place certain trades, because you typically purchase options contracts, not the underlying security. That said, options trading can be risky, and best done by those who are not entirely new to investing.

Finally, user-friendly options trading is here.*

Trade options with SoFi Invest on an easy-to-use, intuitively designed online platform.

*Check out the
OCC Options Disclosure Document.

What Is a Negative Theta in Options?

Because theta represents the amount of money an option contact loses every day, it is customarily represented as a negative number. A theta value of -$0.15 for a particular option means that particular option will lose 15 cents of time value each day.

But because the time value loss of an option (theta) isn’t linear, you shouldn’t expect it to lose exactly 15 cents of time value every day. Theta will increase as the option expiration date gets closer. This is very important to know if you’re attempting to time the market, since it will help you understand when the best time is to make your move.

Understanding Options Theta Decay

There are many different strategies for trading options, and theta affects them differently. Since theta is a negative number, it works against buyers of options. But if you are selling an option (like in a covered call or other option strategy), theta works in your favor.

When you are selling an option contract, you are hoping that the option will decrease in value or expire worthless. So a high theta value works for an option seller since it represents the amount of money the contract will lose each day.

💡 Quick Tip: When you’re actively investing in stocks, it’s important to ask what types of fees you might have to pay. For example, brokers may charge a flat fee for trading stocks, or require some commission for every trade. Taking the time to manage investment costs can be beneficial over the long term.

Calculating Theta

Calculating theta, or any of the other Greeks, requires using advanced mathematical formulas, and depends on the particular pricing model you choose. Options investors typically calculate theta on a daily or weekly basis.

Generally theta will be smaller for options that are far away from their expiration date and larger as you get closer to expiration. You can use this knowledge to determine your best plan depending on your time horizon for investing.

The Takeaway

Whether you’re trading basic options or more complicated options spreads, it is important to understand theta. It represents how much value your option will lose as time moves closer to its maturity, holding other factors constant. One needs to be especially careful to take note of theta when trading out-of-the-money options.

Investors who are ready to try their hand at options trading despite the risks involved, might consider checking out SoFi’s options trading platform offered through SoFi Securities, LLC. The platform’s user-friendly design allows investors to buy put and call options through the mobile app or web platform, and get important metrics like breakeven percentage, maximum profit/loss, and more with the click of a button.

Plus, SoFi offers educational resources — including a step-by-step in-app guide — to help you learn more about options trading. Trading options involves high-risk strategies, and should be undertaken by experienced investors. Currently, investors can not sell options on SoFi Active Invest®.

For a limited time, opening and funding an Active Invest account gives you the opportunity to get up to $1,000 in the stock of your choice.

Photo credit: iStock/fizkes

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INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE

Mega Backdoor Roths, Explained

What Is a Mega Backdoor Roth IRA?

Get a 1% IRA match on rollovers and contributions.

Double down on your retirement goals with a 1% match on every dollar you roll over and contribute to a SoFi IRA.1

How Does a Mega Backdoor Roth Work?

Example Scenario: How to Pull Off a Mega Backdoor Roth IRA

Who Is Eligible for a Mega Backdoor Roth

Contribution Limits

Is a Mega Backdoor Roth Right For Me?

Benefits

Downsides

The Future of Mega Backdoor Roths

The Takeaway

FAQ

Are mega backdoor Roths still allowed in 2023?

Is a mega backdoor Roth worth it?

Is a mega backdoor Roth legal?

Are mega backdoor Roths popular among Fortune 500 companies?

What is a super backdoor Roth?

Dollar Cost Averaging: Definition, Formula, Examples

What Is Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA)?

How Dollar Cost Averaging Works

Example of Dollar Cost Averaging

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Access stock trading, options, alternative investments, IRAs, and more. Get started in just a few minutes.

Benefits and Disadvantages of DCA

Dollar Cost Averaging Benefits

Dollar Cost Averaging Disadvantages

When to Use Dollar Cost Averaging

The Takeaway

FAQ

Is dollar cost averaging a good idea?

When is the best time to do dollar cost averaging?

How often should you do dollar-cost averaging?

Where is dollar-cost averaging most commonly done?

Commodity ETF: What It Is and Examples

What Is a Commodity ETF?

Alternative investments, now for the rest of us.

Start trading funds that include commodities, private credit, real estate, venture capital, and more.

How Do Commodity ETFs Work?

Types of Commodity ETFs

Physically Backed ETFs

Futures-Based ETFs

Commodity Company ETFs

Examples of Commodity ETFs

Pros and Cons of Commodity ETFs

Pros

Cons

Why Invest in Commodity ETFs?

Tax Considerations When Holding Commodity ETFs

The Takeaway

FAQ

Why is it risky to invest in commodities?

Do commodity ETFs pay dividends?

Is it better to trade physical commodities or ETFs?

How to Invest in Commodities: Ways to Invest, Pros/Cons

Why Invest in Commodities?

Alternative investments, now for the rest of us.

Start trading funds that include commodities, private credit, real estate, venture capital, and more.

5 Ways to Invest in Commodities

1. Physical/Direct Ownership

2. Commodity Mutual Funds and Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)

3. Commodity Futures Contracts

4. Individual Stocks

5. Hedge Funds

How Do You Open a Commodities Investing Account?

Personal Information

Minimum Funds

Pros and Cons of Investing in Commodities

Pros

Cons

Is Investing in Commodities Right for Me?

The Takeaway

FAQ

Are there IRA accounts that specialize in commodity trading?

How much money do I need to invest in commodities?

Can you make money with commodities?

What is the risk profile for someone investing in commodities?

What Is Theta in Options? All You Need to Know

How Does Theta Work?

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