Financial Topics Archives | Page 255 of 800

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.

💡 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.

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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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.

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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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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,
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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

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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

SoFi Invest®

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

May

2024

Margin Account: What It Is and How It Works

By Kate Ashford | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing | Comments Off

Margin accounts give investors the ability to borrow money from a brokerage to make bigger trades or investments than they would have been able to make otherwise. Just as you can borrow money against the equity in your home, you can also borrow money against the value of certain investments in your portfolio.

This is called margin lending, and it happens within a margin account, which is a type of account you can get at a brokerage. Most brokerages offer the option of making a taxable account a margin account. Tax-advantaged retirement accounts, such as traditional IRAs or Roth IRAs, generally are not eligible for margin trading.

Key Points

• A margin account allows investors to borrow money from a brokerage to make larger trades or investments.

• Margin extends purchasing power by allowing investors to buy securities worth more than the cash they have on hand.

• Margin accounts have rules and regulations set by regulatory bodies, including minimum margin requirements and maintenance margin thresholds.

• While margin accounts offer benefits like increased purchasing power and short-term cash access, they also come with risks, such as potential losses and margin calls.

• Opening a margin account requires signing a margin agreement with the brokerage, and it is generally recommended for experienced investors.

What Is a Margin Account?

As mentioned, a margin account is used for margin trading, which involves borrowing money from a brokerage to fund trades or investments.A margin account allows you to borrow from the brokerage to purchase securities that are worth more than the cash you have on hand. In this case, the cash or securities already in your account act as your collateral.

Margin accounts are generally considered to be more appropriate for experienced investors, since trading on margin means taking on additional costs and risks.

When defining a margin account, it helps to understand its counterpart — the cash account. With a cash brokerage account, you can only buy as many investments as you can cover with cash. If you have $10,000 in your account, you can buy $10,000 of stock.

Margin Account Rules and Regulations

When it comes to margin accounts, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), FINRA, and other bodies have set some rules:

• Minimum margin: There is a minimum margin requirement before you can start trading on margin. FINRA requires that you deposit the lesser of $2,000 or 100% of the purchase price of the stocks you plan to purchase on margin.

• Initial margin: Your margin buying power has limits — generally you can borrow up to 50% of the cost of the securities you plan to buy. This means, for example, that if you have $10,000 in your margin account, you can effectively purchase up to $20,000 of securities on margin. You would spend $10,000 of your own money and borrow the other 50% from the brokerage. (You can also borrow much less than this.) Your buying power varies, depending on the value of your portfolio on any given day.

• Maintenance margin: Once you’ve bought investments on margin, regulators require that you keep a specific balance in your margin account. Under FINRA rules, your equity in the account must not fall below 25% of the current market value of the securities in the account. If your equity drops below this level, either because you withdrew money or because your investments have fallen in value, you may get a margin call from your brokerage.

Example of a Margin Account

An example of using a margin account could look like this: Say you have a margin account with $5,000 in cash in it. This allows you to use 50% more in margin, so you actually have $10,000 in purchasing power – you are able to actually make a trade for $10,000 in securities, using $5,000 in margin.

In effect, margin extends your purchasing power as an investor, and you’re not obligated to use it all.

Increase your buying power with a margin loan from SoFi.

Borrow against your current investments at just 11%* and start margin trading.

*For full margin details, see terms.

Benefits of a Margin Account

For an experienced investor who enjoys day trading, having a margin account and trading on margin can have some advantages:

• More purchase power. A margin account allows an investor to buy more investments than they could with cash. That might lead to higher returns, since they’re buying more securities and may be able to diversify their investments in different ways.

• A safety net. Just as an emergency fund offers access to cash when you need it, so does a margin account. If you need funds but you don’t want to sell investments at their current price point, you can take a margin loan for short-term cash needs.

• You can leave your losers alone. In another scenario, if you need cash but your investments aren’t doing so well, taking a margin loan allows you to keep your securities where they are instead of selling them right now at a loss.

• No loan repayment schedule. There is no repayment schedule for a margin loan, so you can repay it at any rate you please, as long as your equity in the account maintains the proper threshold. Monthly interest will accrue, however, and be added to your account.

• Potentially deductible interest. There may be tax situations in which the interest in a margin loan can be used to offset taxable income. A tax professional will tell you whether this is a move you can consider.

Drawbacks of a Margin Account

Despite the advantages, using a margin account has risks. Here are some things to consider before trading on margin:

• You could lose substantially. While it’s possible that trading on margin can help realize greater returns if an investment does well, you will also see greater losses if an investment takes a dive. And even if an investment you’ve purchased on margin loses all of its value, you’ll still owe the margin loan back to the brokerage — plus interest.

• There may be a margin call. If your investments tank, it’s possible that you’ll have to sell securities or deposit additional funds to bring your account back up to the required margin threshold. It’s also possible for a brokerage to sell securities from your account without alerting you.

How to Open a Margin Account

Opening a margin account is as simple as opening a cash account, but you’ll likely need to sign a margin agreement with your brokerage. You may also need to request margin for your account, depending on the brokerage.

But there are some other things to keep in mind.

If you’re a beginner investor, a cash account gives you an opportunity to learn how to trade and invest, and there’s a low level of risk. If you’re a more experienced investor and fully understand the risks of trading on margin, a margin account may offer the opportunity to expand and diversify your investments.

Some financial advisors suggest that clients open margin accounts in case they need cash in a hurry. For instance, if you need money quickly, it takes time to sell investments and for the money to be deposited in your account. If you have a margin account, you can take a margin loan while your securities are being sold. Typically, margin accounts don’t carry any additional fees as long as you aren’t borrowing on margin.

You also need a margin account for short selling. With short selling, you borrow a stock in your brokerage account and sell it for its current price. If the price of the stock falls — which you’re betting will happen — you repurchase shares of the stock and return it to the original owner, pocketing the difference in price.

Like trading on margin, short selling is a strategy for experienced investors and comes with a large amount of risk.

Things to Know About Margin Accounts

Here are a few other things to keep in mind about margin accounts.

Margin Calls

Margin calls are a risk. If the equity in your margin account drops below a certain threshold, you may get an alert from your brokerage, called a margin call. This is meant to spur you to either deposit more money into your account or sell some securities to bolster the equity that’s acting as collateral for your margin loan.

It’s worth noting that if your investment value drops quickly or significantly, you may find that your brokerage has sold some of your securities without notifying you. Commonly, investors are forced by a margin call to sell investments at an inopportune time — such as when the investment is priced at less than you paid for it. This is an inherent risk of trading on margin.

Margin Costs

Investors should also know about relevant margin costs. When you borrow money from the brokerage to buy securities, you are essentially taking out a loan, and the brokerage will charge interest. Margin interest rates are different from company to company, and may be somewhat higher than rates on other kinds of loans.

Consider interest costs when you’re thinking about your margin trading plan. If you use margin for long-term investing, interest costs can affect your returns. And holding investments on margin means the value of your securities must hold steady.

💡 Quick Tip: Look for an online brokerage with low trading commissions as well as no account minimum. Higher fees can cut into investment returns over time.

How to Manage Margin Account Risk

If you decide to open a margin account, there are steps you can take to try to minimize the amount of risk you’re taking by leveraging your trading:

• Skip the dodgy investments. Trading on margin works if you’re earning more than you’re paying in margin interest. Speculative investments can be a risky portfolio move, since a swift loss in value can result in a margin call.

• Watch your interest costs. Although there is no formal repayment schedule for a margin loan, you’re still accruing interest and you are responsible for paying it back over time. Regular payments on interest can help you stay on track.

• Maintain some emergency cash. Having a cushion of cash in your margin account gives you a little wiggle room to keep from facing a margin call.

The Takeaway

A margin account is an account that lets you borrow against the cash or securities you own, to invest in more securities. As with other lending vehicles, margin accounts do charge interest.

While margin accounts do come with risk — including the risk of losing more money than you originally had, plus interest on what you borrowed — they also offer benefits including more purchasing power and a safety net for short-term cash needs. If you’re unsure about using a margin account, it may be worthwhile to discuss it with a financial professional.

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 a margin account right for me?

A margin account may be a good tool for a specific investor if they’re comfortable taking on additional risks and investment costs, but also want to extend their purchasing power.

How much money do you need to open a margin account?

Before opening a trading account, investors will need a minimum of $2,000 in their brokerage account, per regulator rules.

Is a margin account taxable?

Any capital gains earned by using a margin account will be subject to capital gains tax, and the ultimate rate will depend on a few factors.

Should a beginner use a margin account?

It may be best for a beginner to stick to a cash account until they learn the ropes in the markets, as using a margin account can incur additional risks and costs.

Who qualifies for a margin account?

Most investors qualify for a margin account, granted they can reach the minimum margin requirements set forth by regulators, such as having $2,000 in their brokerage account.

What’s the difference between a cash account and a margin account?

A cash account only contains an investor’s funds, while a margin account offers investors additional purchasing power by giving them the ability to borrow money from their brokerage to make bigger trades.

SoFi Invest®

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

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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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?

What Are Examples of Theta?

Finally, user-friendly options trading is here.*

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

What Is a Negative Theta in Options?

Understanding Options Theta Decay

Calculating Theta

The Takeaway

Margin Account: What It Is and How It Works

What Is a Margin Account?

Margin Account Rules and Regulations

Example of a Margin Account

Increase your buying power with a margin loan from SoFi.

Borrow against your current investments at just 11%* and start margin trading.

Benefits of a Margin Account

Drawbacks of a Margin Account

How to Open a Margin Account

Things to Know About Margin Accounts

Margin Calls

Margin Costs

Alternative investments,
now for the rest of us.

Alternative investments,
now for the rest of us.

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