Earned wage access is an employer-provided benefit that allows employees to access a portion of their paycheck ahead of payday. This can be immensely helpful for employees living paycheck to paycheck who incur unexpected, emergency expenses.
On-demand access to money that employees have earned can keep them from relying on more dangerous and costly alternatives, like payday loans, cash-advance apps, and even intentionally overdrafting their bank accounts. But earned wage access programs may also carry some fees, and they can inspire bad habits with budgeting and money management.
How Does Earned Wage Access Work?
Earned wage access (EWA) works similarly to a cash advance app, except that it’s an employer-provided benefit. Employees who work at a company offering this benefit can download the app of the third-party EWA provider that their company works with and then apply to access a portion of their paycheck.
Employers typically limit how much of a paycheck employees can access early. EWA providers charge a fee for this access. In some cases, the employee will have to pay the fee every time they use the service; in others, employers foot the bill as part of the benefit.
Here’s an example of how earned wage access (also sometimes called early wage access) might work in the real world:
An hourly employee earns $20 an hour, after taxes and retirement contributions. Though she receives her paycheck every two weeks, the employee realizes she needs money now to cover an emergency vet bill. She has already worked six days, meaning there are four working days before the end of the pay period — and more time before payroll processes.
She uses the EWA app that her company has partnered with to apply for early access to her paycheck. There is a $5 fee, but her company covers the cost as part of the earned wage access benefit. The EWA benefit is limited to 50% of her total pay for the period, so the employee then receives $800 ahead of her paycheck.
On payday, the employee usually receives a check for $1,600. Because she’s accessed $800 early, however, her paycheck will only be $800.
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How to Qualify for Earned Wage Access
Qualifying for earned wage access is easy. You just have to work at a company that offers it as a benefit. EWA is growing increasingly popular. Companies like Uber, McDonalds, and Walmart have all adopted early wage access as an employee benefit.
Unlike personal loans or credit cards, there’s no credit check to access the money early. Instead, you’ll just need to download the app of the program that your company has partnered with and connect it to your bank account or debit card to have the money transfer go through.
Earned Wage Access Pros and Cons
Earned wage access offers tremendous benefits, especially to employees who are struggling financially. However, EWA also has its fair share of drawbacks to consider.
Pros
• Fast access to money: The best way to handle unexpected expenses is to draw money from your emergency savings fund. In theory, the money will have been sitting there — in a high-yield savings account actively earning interest — so you don’t have to rely on credit cards, personal loans, cash advance apps, or payday loans. However, people who live paycheck to paycheck understandably can’t build an emergency savings fund. Earned wage access offers another path forward. You’ll be withdrawing money you’ve earned, just a little early. That means you aren’t taking on debt to cover life’s unexpected expenses.
• Easy to qualify: Taking out a personal loan for emergency expenses is often a smart idea if you don’t have the money in savings. But if your credit score is in poor shape, you might have trouble getting approved for a personal loan. Getting money through earned wage access may be easier. As long as your company offers this as a benefit, you don’t have to worry about credit checks and high-interest debt.
• No fees (or at least low fees): Many employers cover the admin fee of earned wage access for their employees as part of the benefit. Other employers might have arrangements with EWA platforms that don’t charge fees when employees access their funds early. Even if the employee is responsible for a transaction fee for an EWA, the cost is usually low.
Cons
• Smaller paycheck: When you need money in a pinch, earned wage access can be a great solution that doesn’t involve taking on debt. However, when payday arrives, your paycheck could be much smaller. Often, EWA platforms allow you to access up to 50% of your paycheck, meaning your payday will be cut in half. While you’ve covered the cost of the emergency expense, you’re now faced with paying your monthly bills on only half of your normal check. That could mean tightening your belt at the grocery store or making late payments on bills.
• A bad habit: Like cash advance apps or even payday loans, EWAs can be a slippery slope. You may access a portion of your paycheck early during one pay period, get a smaller paycheck as a result, and then need to turn around and access the next paycheck early to make up for your reduced paycheck. According to a 2021 study by the Financial Health Network, more than 70% of employees who utilized earned wage access used it in consecutive pay periods. It’s a difficult pattern to get out of — and could be even more detrimental if you change jobs and your new employer doesn’t offer EWA. In that case, you might be tempted to take out a predatory loan instead.
• Potential fees: In some cases, employees do have to pay for earned wage access. These fees are usually nominal, especially when compared to alternatives — overdraft fees from spending more than they have in their bank account or exorbitantly high interest rates for payday loans — but EWA fees should still be a consideration for people on a budget. Maybe there’s another alternative, like borrowing money from a family member or a payment plan for whatever emergency expense the employee has incurred.
Cash advance apps, also referred to as early payday apps, share some similarities with earned wage access. Both are typically managed through mobile apps and help you access cash flow ahead of your next paycheck.
Earned wage access, however, is offered solely through an employer. The employer may cover fees for the employees, and the amount a person can access is related to their actual paycheck.
With a cash advance app, consumers are responsible for any associated fees. Some apps may advertise no fees (and no interest), but they may charge a fee for instant transfers. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait a few days to get the money, which often defeats the purpose. Other cash advance apps might have a monthly charge.
The amount you can borrow through a cash advance app varies and may be tied to the cash flow of your linked bank account. Repeat borrowers may get approved for higher funds. Repayment is due on the borrower’s next payday.
Though hidden fees can make cash advance apps expensive, they’re generally a safer option than payday loans.
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The Takeaway
Earned wage access can be helpful in an emergency situation, if your employer offers this benefit. However, EWA may come with fees, can make it more challenging to budget on payday, and may even lead to a recurring habit. As an alternative in an emergency solution, you can take out a personal loan. It won’t affect your upcoming paycheck, you can use loan moneyfor a variety of purposes, and it can give you the funds you need, at a low cost, to get through a financial hardship.
Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. Checking your rate takes just a minute.
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FAQ
Is earned wage access a loan?
Earned wage access is not a loan. It allows employees at participating companies to access money they’ve already earned, just ahead of schedule.
What are the benefits of earned wage access for employees
Earned wage access offers employees several benefits, including fast access to money they’ve technically earned, no or low fees, and easy qualification requirements. (You’ve just got to work for a company that offers this benefit.)
What are the downsides of earned wage access?
Earned wage access can have some downsides. Employees may have to pay fees to get early access to their paycheck, the amount you can access is often capped at 50%, and it can lead to a bad habit wherein you regularly need money before your paycheck.
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The IRS says that if you file your return electronically and enroll in direct deposit, you can probably receive any refund you qualify for within three weeks. That speed can be a real upside of getting organized and filing early, especially if you have plans for the funds coming back to you (such as paying for summer vacation plane tickets).
Those who file a paper return, however, will likely have a longer wait. Read on to learn more and manage your expectations, including:
• How long does it take to get my federal tax refund?
• When will I get my tax refund?
• What affects the time it takes to get a tax refund?
• How can you check on where your tax refund is?
IRS Refund Schedule for Tax Year 2023
For those who are curious about when exactly a refund should arrive for the tax year 2023 (filing began on January 29, 2024), consider this information:
Federal Tax Refunds
In terms of when you will get your federal tax refund, here is a typical timeline after filing:
• 4 to 6 weeks for paper filing with direct deposit
• 21 days plus mailing time for e-filing with the check sent by mail
• 4 to 6 weeks or longer plus mailing time for paper filing with the check sent by mail
State Tax Refunds
When it comes to issuing refunds, each state handles things in their own way, on their own timeline, so it can be difficult to generalize.
Typically, a state tax refund can take anywhere from a few days to a few months for processing. If you filed a paper copy vs. electronically, that may lengthen the usual time for refund processing and the arrival of your funds.
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Tax Return Extension
Sometimes, a taxpayer will not be able to file their return by the Tax Day deadline. Perhaps they are missing important tax documents, are experiencing a family or personal emergency, or maybe they just procrastinated. Whatever the case, there is a mechanism in place that allows for an extension.
The IRS allows people to file for a six-month tax extension for submitting their return. However, the extension request, plus any taxes owed, are still due on that April deadline (the 15th or slightly later if it falls on a weekend or holiday).
If you are due a refund, it will be delayed if you submit your tax return late. The volume of tax returns filed late can impact how soon you get your refund.
Form 4868
To request an extension, an individual should file IRS Form 4868. The form captures basic information about the taxpayer, such as name, address, Social Security number (SSN), and how much you believe you owe.
Anyone, regardless of income, can submit this form electronically as part of the IRS’ Free File program.
The IRS says that it issues more than nine out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days. That said, sometimes the processing of a return can take longer, even if a return was filed electronically.
If a return needs to be reviewed manually, it will likely take longer as well. Factors that can lead to a manual review include incorrect or missing information or identity theft situations. More detail is provided below.
If you’re wondering how long does it take to get a tax refund, know that there is not a single, specific timeframe for all taxpayers, and that delays can and do happen.
The IRS cautions visitors to its website not to expect their refund by a certain date. Though most taxpayers typically receive their refund within three weeks, and possibly in even less time if they e-file and choose direct deposit, there are several reasons why a payment might be delayed.
Here are some issues that could cause a holdup:
Filing a Paper Return
Under normal circumstances, the IRS says, it can take several weeks to process a paper Form 1040. Unlike returns that are filed electronically, paper returns must be manually entered into the IRS system.
• Tax returns are opened in the order they’re received, so if your refund is taking longer than expected, the date you sent your return could be a factor as well.
• The delivery option you choose for your refund also can affect how quickly you receive your funds. According to the IRS, the fastest way to receive your refund is to combine the direct deposit method with an electronically filed tax return. But taxpayers who prefer a paper return also may be able to speed things up a bit by choosing direct deposit for their refund instead of a paper check.
• Note: If you e-file, direct deposit is again your fastest path to any refund that’s due (typically one to three weeks), as noted above. If you e-file but request a paper check, that will take a bit longer, often closer to one month.
Providing Incorrect or Incomplete Information
Did you or your spouse forget to sign your return, or did you type in the wrong Social Security number? Returns with missing information or errors can cause extra work for the IRS, which could hold up a refund.
What’s more, the IRS is strengthening its screening process to help fight identity theft, so even the smallest mistake — such as using a different name than what’s on your Social Security card or misreporting what is W-2 income — could slow things down. If the information you provide is wrong or something is missing, you can expect the IRS to contact you for additional documentation or to correct the error.
Claiming Certain Tax Credits
If you’re claiming the additional child tax credit (ACTC) or the earned income tax credit (EITC), the IRS won’t issue your refund before mid-February. A federal law that took effect in 2017 gives the IRS extra time to review those returns, check employers and other information, and detect any possible fraud.
Filing an Amended Return
You may have to amend your return if you find you made an error or there’s a change that affects your income, your income tax bracket, and/or your deductions — and that could delay your refund by several weeks. According to the IRS, it can take up to 20 weeks to process an amended return — even if it was filed electronically.
A missing refund could be a sign that someone used your personal information to file a fraudulent tax return in your name. If you suspect you may be the victim of tax fraud, the IRS lists several recommendations for what to do next on its Taxpayer Guide to Identity Theft web page, and the agency advises potential victims to report their concerns to the Federal Trade Commission.
Existing Government Debt
If you have certain kinds of delinquent debt owed to the federal government, what is known as tax refund offset may occur. This means that an individual’s refund may be partially or completely withheld to satisfy the debt.
You will generally be notified if your refund is being reduced or withheld in this way, and you can dispute the payment with the agency that received it. And if there’s any money left after the offset, you’ll receive it by direct deposit or in a check, depending on what you requested on your tax return.
To ask questions about delinquent debt, you can contact the Treasury Department at 800-304-3107.
Your Refund Went Missing
If you e-filed with third-party tax software or the IRS’s Free File system, you likely received confirmation that your return was received and accepted. If you don’t remember getting a confirmation notice or if you’re concerned because you haven’t heard anything since then, you can check your status with the agency’s Where’s My Refund tool. Some next steps:
• If the IRS’s Where’s My Refund tool says your refund check was mailed but 28 days or more have passed and you haven’t seen it, you can file a claim online to receive a replacement. (The Where’s My Refund site will show you how.)
• Even if you opted for direct deposit, it still could take a few days for the money to show up in your account.
• If you think your refund has gone missing, you may want to call your bank about tracking the deposit, then move on to contacting your tax preparer or the IRS for help.
• The IRS won’t accept responsibility if it sent a refund but you or your tax preparer wrote the wrong account number on your return. If the IRS notices an error or if your bank rejects the deposit and returns the money to the IRS, the IRS still may end up sending you a check (instead of using a direct deposit).
• If you entered an account or routing number that belongs to someone else and the financial institution accepted the deposit, you’ll probably have to work with a bank representative to recover the money. The IRS cannot compel the bank to return the refund.
Tracking Your Tax Refund Process
If you are eagerly awaiting your income tax refund, a wise move can be to track its status on the IRS website or through the IRS2GO app.
You can begin checking your refund’s progress as soon as 24 hours after the IRS receives your e-filed return or four weeks after mailing a paper return. And, if everything goes smoothly, you can use the Where’s My Refund tracking tool daily to watch your tax return make progress.
• To use the Where’s My Refund tracking tool, all you need is your Social Security number, your filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.), and the exact dollar amount of your expected refund.
• You may not get all the information you wanted about your refund, but it’s a start. If you can’t get enough intel there, your local IRS office may be able to help.
Tax Refund Mistakes
What about the scenario in which a tax refund arrives but it’s for less than you expected? Consider a couple of possibilities:
• Your tax return could have contained an error, leading you to think you were due more money than you actually are.
• You might have had your refund lowered by the Treasury’s Offset Program mentioned above.
In the situation of your refund being less than anticipated, there is likely an explanation provided from the IRS as to why. If you are not satisfied, you can use the methods outlined above to contact the IRS and gain more insight.
Tips for Getting Your Tax Refund Faster
If you’re hoping to get your next refund faster, here are a few steps that might help:
Filing Electronically
As mentioned above, filing electronically vs. filing a paper return can speed up your refund. It can typically shave a week or two off of getting your money back via direct deposit and a month off the time for a refund check to be issued.
Choosing Direct Deposit
The IRS says refunds will generally be received by taxpayers sooner if they have e-filed and selected direct deposit. Even if you prefer mailing in a paper return, you can choose to have your refund deposited into your account.
Providing Accurate Information
Pay attention to every detail as you prepare your taxes. Don’t let a little mistake or an omission of data cause a long delay.
Filing Early
By filing as soon as possible during tax season, you’ll be able to position your return at the front of the line for processing. And by starting early, you’ll give yourself plenty of time to research any tax help you may need along with tips that might apply to you, your business, and your family.
Just remember the point above about returns claiming the ACTC or EITC not being processed until mid-February at the earliest.
The Takeaway
Most tax refunds are issued within one to three weeks if you file electronically and opt for direct deposit of your refund. If you file a paper return or opt for a refund check to be mailed to you, it can lengthen the timeline. In any scenario, the IRS provides tools that can help you track your refund and know where your return is in terms of processing.
If you are due a refund and need a great place to deposit it, you may want to make sure your account offers minimal or zero account fees and a competitive annual percentage rate (APR).
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FAQ
When will I get my tax refund for 2023?
Your tax refund arrival will depend on when you filed your return, how you filed it, and how you indicated you’d receive your tax refund. Typically, filing electronically with direct deposit is quickest, with the refund arriving within three weeks. If you file electronically with a paper check as the refund, that could take longer since the check has to be mailed. Paper returns can take several weeks, with those requesting refunds via paper check requiring still longer.
What is the 2023 IRS tax refund schedule?
The 2023 tax year season began on January 29, 2024, and the deadline is April 15, 2024. Tax refunds are issued at varying speeds, depending on whether you file electronically or with a paper return, and whether you request your refund be direct-deposited or sent as a check. The fastest option is to file electronically and have the refund direct-deposited. This typically takes three weeks or less.
How long does it take to get your tax refund through direct deposit?
How long it takes to get your refund through direct deposit will vary depending on whether you filed an electronic or paper return. The majority of electronic returns are processed in three weeks or less, with direct deposit happening very soon thereafter. Paper returns, however, can take several weeks or longer, with refunds taking at least that long to hit a taxpayer’s bank account.
SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.00% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.
As an alternative to direct deposit, SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant. SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits are not eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.
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SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.
Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances.
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The value of a stock is made up of several factors, including the company’s ability to continue making a profit, its customer base, its financial structure, the economy, political and cultural trends, and how the company fits within the industry. Understanding those basic factors will go a long way toward helping you select stocks for your portfolio.
If you’ve never bought or sold stocks in the past, the thought of trading for the first time might be daunting. But once you’ve done your homework and have developed the right habits, it may not be nearly as intimidating.
Getting Started with Stock Evaluations
Learning how to evaluate stocks starts with some basic homework. But even for those familiar with the stock market basics, it can be helpful to keep some overarching things in mind.
• When you buy a stock, you’re not simply buying a piece of paper. A stock is an ownership share in a company — you’re buying into that company and its potential performance. When a person invests, they gain an opportunity to join in on its success or failures over the long haul.
• The more you know about the company, its industry, and general stock market trends, the better. Professional advice is important, but so is trusting common sense.
• A consumer may be able to spot investing trends that eventually translate to a company’s strong performance down the line, asking questions like: Why am I investing in this company? Why now?
• It’s important to assess your individual tolerance for risk before investing, and check in on that periodically. Additionally, make time to review your stocks’ performance and watch the market on a regular basis.
• When considering how many stocks to buy, most investors may want to keep portfolio diversification in mind, with stocks across a range of sectors and risks. Being invested in only one stock means that if the company fails, you could lose your invested money.
Understand the Two Types of Stock Analysis
There are two general types of stock analysis: Fundamental, and technical.
Fundamental analysis as it relates to stocks involves analyzing the underlying company’s financial health and operations. It may include looking at financial statements, earnings reports, annual reports, and more, and the overall goal is to get a sense of the stock’s intrinsic value.
Technical analysis, on the other hand, incorporates the use of data and indicators from charts to try and identify patterns and trends. Its goal is to determine where a stock’s value might go next.
Review Stock Materials
With some general evaluation guidelines in mind, the next step is to dig deeper to calculate stock value. This involves reviewing a stock’s materials and documentation.
Balance Sheet and Other Financials
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires all public companies to file regular financial documents that disclose their performance. These quarterly filings indicate profit and loss, material issues that can affect performance, expenses, and other key information that will help you gauge a company’s health, and get a better idea of a potential return on equity.
Consumers can find these and other reports on SEC.gov:
Balance sheet: This records whether the company reduced or increased their debt. Some major items to look for here are the company’s tax paid and tax rate, along with expenses that aren’t related directly to profits, like administrative expenses.
Income statement: The revenue, major expenses, and bottom-line income may reveal trends in the company’s profitability.
Cash flow statement: Not all income is realized, so the cash flow statement shows you what the company actually got paid during the quarter — not what it’s expected to receive from sales 30, 60, or 90 days from now. The operating cash flow (which excludes a windfall or unusual influx of cash) provides a sense of the real, day-to-day (or quarter) activity of the business: how much cash comes in and how much goes out; how the company handles assets and investments; and the money it raises or distributes to lenders and shareholders. Some companies, most famously Amazon, can have meager profits relative to their sales but impressive cash flows.
In particular, as you read through these statements, pay attention to:
• Revenue: The company’s gross income
• Operating expenses and non-operating expenses: These are typical day-to-day expenses, and also ones that don’t relate to the core business (for example, a non-operating expense might be any interest paid on debt)
• Total net income: This is the company’s actual profit, after deducting all expenses from revenue
• Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (also known as EBITDA): This figure excludes non-operating expenses
Financial performance ratios offer insight into a company’s financial health.
Form 10-Q
While publicly traded companies tend to release their own financial statements in the form of a presentation for investors, analysts, and the media every three months, they are also required to produce a more comprehensive quarterly report known as the 10-Q, which is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
This document “includes unaudited financial statements and provides a continuing view of the company’s financial position during the year,” according to the SEC, and can be useful to investors as it provides a comprehensive overview of the company’s performance for the previous three months. The 10-Q also offers insight into other factors that might give an impression of a company’s overall health, including:
• Any risk factors to the business
• Information about legal matters
• Issues that might impact a company’s inventory
Form 10-K
Form 10-K is similar to form 10-Q but it comes out on an annual, as opposed to quarterly, basis. The form is meant to “provide a comprehensive overview of the company’s business and financial condition and includes audited financial statements,” according to the SEC. The annual 10-K can give investors a broader picture of the business through the ups and downs of a year, during which sales and expenses can often fluctuate.
These reports include both detailed financial information and actual writing from the company’s management about how their business is doing. They also outline how executives are paid, which is one more piece of information about the company’s management that can be useful to shareholders.
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How to Value Stocks with Financial Ratios
If learning how to evaluate a stock starts with analyzing financial statements, step two is understanding performance through financial ratios. Ratios offer insight into a company’s financial health, allowing for comparisons to other companies in the same industry or against the overall market.
These are important financial ratios to know.
Price-to-earnings Ratio (P/E)
This is a stock valuation formula that will help you determine how one company’s stock price compares to another. The price-to-earnings ratio is straightforward: It divides the market price of a company’s stock by the company’s earnings per share. The ratio can reveal how many years it will take for a company to generate enough value to buy back its stock.
Price-to-earnings (PE) ratios can also indicate how much the market expects the company’s profits to grow in the future. When investors buy stocks with a high PE ratio, it typically means they’re “buying” present earnings at a high price, with the expectation that earnings will accelerate going forward. On the other hand, a stock with a low PE ratio could give an investor a good value for their money — but it could also be a sign that investors aren’t confident in the company’s future performance.
Looking back historically, the market has tended to have a PE ratio of about 15, meaning investors pay $15 for every $1 of earnings. But different companies and even different sectors can have wildly different PE ratios.
For example, software companies, especially younger ones, tend to have high PE ratios as investors think there’s a chance they could get much, much larger in the future and turn fast-growing revenue into profits. In software, PE ratios can be in the 30s or even much higher when companies see their stock prices take off quickly, with a PE or around 90.
Earnings Per Share (EPS)
Earnings per share (EPS) tells investors how much earnings each shareholder would receive if the company was liquidated immediately. Investors like to see growing earnings, and rising EPS means the company potentially has more money to distribute to shareholders or to roll back into the business. This figure is calculated by taking net income, subtracting any preferred stock dividends, and dividing the result by the total number of outstanding common stock shares.
Return on Equity (ROE)
Return on equity is a key guide for investors to measure the growth in profit for a company. ROE is determined by dividing the company’s net income by the shareholders’ equity, then multiplying by 100. The ratio tells you the value you would receive as a shareholder should the company liquidate tomorrow. Some investors like to see ROE rising by 10 percent or more per year, which reflects the performance of the S&P 500.
Debt-to-equity Ratio (D/E)
The debt-to-equity ratio, determined by dividing total liabilities by total shareholder equity, gives investors an idea of how much the company is relying on debt to fund its operation.
A high debt-to-equity ratio indicates a company that borrows a lot. Whether it’s too high depends on a comparison with other companies in the industry. For example, companies in the tech industry tend to have a D/E ratio of around 2, whereas companies in the financial sector may have D/E ratios of 10.
Debt-to-asset Ratio (D/A)
A debt-to-asset ratio can be informative when comparing a company’s debt load against that of other companies in the industry. This allows potential investors to better gauge the riskiness of the investment. Too much debt can be a warning sign for investors.
How to Evaluate Stocks with Qualitative Research
It’s important to note that using financial ratios and stock materials to evaluate stocks is a form of quantitative research. Investors can also use qualitative research methods to evaluate stocks, too. That can include intangible value and outside influences.
Intangible Value
Some investors have argued that traditional metrics don’t capture the values of intangible assets a company might hold, like brand power and intellectual property. These have become increasingly important to a company’s worth in more recent years, particularly when it comes to tech stock investing.
For instance, a software company’s patents or intellectual property rights may be incredibly valuable. But on the other hand, it wouldn’t have assets like factories or equipment that are easier to appraise.
Investors should also look at a company’s growth trends, such as at what pace it’s growing its revenue or customer base. Paying attention to “company guidance” — the projections the corporation gives when it releases earnings — can also be helpful in trying to gauge growth.
Outside Influences
Investors can also learn a stock’s beta, or its sensitivity to volatility in the broader market. Some companies are more vulnerable to changes in the domestic or global economy, and others may see their fortunes swing depending on the political party in charge of a government.
Learning a stock’s beta or finding one’s portfolio beta are ways investors can better gauge how much volatility their holdings will experience when there’s turbulence in the broader market.
Pay Attention
Once a potential investor has evaluated a stock they’re hoping to buy by analyzing the company’s financial filings and employing a few stock valuation formulas, there is one last step that can help inform the decision: Paying attention.
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of helpful online news sites and tools to help you research companies, screen stocks, and model a stock’s potential in the future. Here are some viable options.
Financial News Sites: There are numerous financial news sites to read, and you can even try looking at stock market forums to stay on top of things.
Online Financial Tools: Stock screeners help you filter stocks according to the parameters you set, whether you’re looking for blue chip stocks or less-established companies in which to invest.
Company Details: Research more than just the financial facts and figures. Find out how it makes money, the core values of the business, CEO performance, and more. Much information can be gleaned by searching reputable news and business media sites for articles and features about the company and its leaders.
Value Traps
Another common term to be familiar with is value trap — a stock that appears deceptively cheap but is actually not a good pick. Investors who follow the value style of investing tend to be very wary of value traps.
Because while these might seem like bargains, they’re usually not good businesses and may be trading at cheap valuations due to a permanent downhill move or industry changes, rises in costs, or bad management.
Whether a stock is a value trap depends on how the stock performs. If it moves back up to its “intrinsic value” or its true worth, it was indeed a bargain. But if it continues downward or stagnates, the market value was basically a true reflection of its intrinsic value.
💡 Quick Tip: One advantage of using a robo investing advisor is that these services are intended to be cost effective. Still, it’s wise to learn what the underlying costs are for the investment choices these services provide, as fees offset returns over time.
The Takeaway
There are a number of key terms, indicators, tools and tips that can help potential investors learn to evaluate a stock and its company’s performance. Investors can review a company’s balance sheets, and forms 10-Q and 10-K to get relevant information about a company’s financial performance and outlook.
Investors looking to evaluate stocks should also be familiar with certain ratios, which can indicate earning potential, debt, and dividend performance, among other indicators that can signal the health of the company and the stock.
Ready to invest in your goals? It’s easy to get started when you open an investment account with SoFi Invest. You can invest in stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, alternative funds, and more. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).
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
What is the difference between price-to-earnings ratio and price-to-sales ratio?
The difference between price-to-earnings ratio and price-to-sales ratio is that P/E ratios compare a company’s share price to its annual profits, and P/S ratios compare share price to annual revenue.
What are some online financial tools that can help me screen and compare stocks?
There are numerous online stock screeners, market simulators, and comparison tools that can be found online, and investors who are interested can try them out to see which they prefer.
How far back should you go when evaluating stocks?
Investors may want to go back a couple of decades when evaluating stocks, as too short of a time frame may not provide enough context, and too much may not prove helpful. But ultimately, it’ll be up to personal preference.
What are some factors that can affect the stock price of a company besides its financial performance?
Stock values can be influenced by any number of factors, including changes to the economy, political changes in a given country, and even things like bad weather.
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First things first: You need to understand what, exactly, you’ve inherited, with whom you may need to share the inheritance, and what liens (including but not limited to mortgages) are attached to the property. So after taking a moment to appreciate what a monumental event inheriting a house is, you’ll want to get down to the business of managing this important new asset.
The Legal Steps of Inheriting a House
Inheriting a house through a will or trust is a big deal, whether you knew that you were going to inherit the property or it comes as a complete surprise. From a financial standpoint, inheriting a house that is fully paid off can be quite different from inheriting one with a mortgage. If you don’t inherit the house free and clear, the outstanding balance on the mortgage can become your responsibility (or a responsibility that you must share with any other heirs who share in the house).
When someone dies and leaves a will, that will is typically presented to a probate court judge, (although not all wills are probated). That judge would then review the will. Typically, a will contains the name of an executor — the person whom the deceased wants to help carry out the wishes listed in the will.
The judge may approve the name of the executor listed in the will or name someone else for the task. Once there is an executor, that person has the fiduciary duty to make sure the terms of the will are carried out.
Specific duties of an executor as it relates to the house can include locating all the people who, according to the will, are to share in the ownership of the house and safeguarding the property until it is passed to the recipient(s). When a home is willed to someone, that person has a “right to ownership,” but he or she doesn’t actually own the home until the title is transferred into their name.
Inheritance situations can be reasonably simple or quite complex, and what’s true in one state isn’t necessarily so in another. Any questions you have about the legalities of your particular situation should be addressed with an attorney well versed in the laws of your state.
💡 Quick Tip: With SoFi, it takes just minutes to view your rate for a home loan online.
First-time homebuyers can
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with as little as 3% down.
Steps to Take When You Inherit a House
Once you are notified that you have inherited a house, there are some actions that need to be taken fairly quickly:
• It’s important to quickly determine whether there is a mortgage (or a home equity loan, or both) on the property. If so, you will need to determine how to keep up the payments and find out whether property taxes and insurance are rolled into the mortgage payments. An involuntary lien, such as those related to unpaid taxes, are also a possibility and can be identified through a title search.
• If property taxes are not rolled into the mortgage, they may need to be paid separately (this might include overdue taxes). When you inherit a home — with a mortgage or free and clear — you may need to pay property taxes as soon as you inherit. The home can also be reassessed at current market value at this point, which may cause an increase in property tax. If you have questions about property taxes, insurance, and the like, the executor of the estate might be a good resource.
• Contact the insurance company that’s providing homeowners insurance for the property to keep coverage from lapsing.
• Consider getting the home appraised. This will help later, should you decide to sell the house, because it will help determine capital gains taxes (more on that later). And if you are one of multiple heirs, having an appraisal could help you start the conversation in the event that one of you wishes to buy the other out.
• Call utility companies and cancel accounts that aren’t necessary (for example, cable television if no one will be living in the home immediately) and make arrangements to pay those that are necessary (heat, light, water, trash pick-up).
• Determine how to keep up the yard and check or stop the mail. An untended property invites break-ins, and an overgrown yard can face fines from city government or a homeowners association.
• The home may be full of furniture and belongings that need to be distributed to family members, sold, donated, or disposed of. The executor can help determine whether the will designates that certain items inside the home are destined for specific heirs.
Deciding if You Should Sell an Inherited House
You’ll quickly face the decision about what to do with the house you’ve inherited. You might want to move in yourself, but if you and your siblings, say, inherited it as joint owners, you’ll need to agree on a plan. If the property is a family home, emotions can come into play here. (Heirs who can’t agree may need the court system to sort things out.)
If you’re the one who wants to live in the home and your fellow heirs aren’t interested, you could pay them rent or you could explore assuming any existing mortgage, meaning the terms would stay the same but the mortgage would be in your name. This isn’t always possible, and it is only a smart move if the terms of the existing mortgage are better than what you would get with a new loan. Otherwise, you could consider taking out a new mortgage and using the loan to pay your fellow heir(s).
You could also rent the house to someone else as a source of income and divide the proceeds among joint heirs, minus the cost of a property manager and any costs of home repairs and upkeep.
Another solution, of course, is to sell the house. Bear in mind that you will need to pay capital gains tax on any increase in value that occurs between the time you inherited the property and when it’s sold.
💡 Quick Tip: Apply for a cash-out refi for a home renovation, and you could rebuild the equity you’re taking out by improving your property. Plus, you may be able to deduct the additional interest payments on your taxes.
Using the Equity in an Inherited House
Another option you have when you inherit a house, assuming there isn’t a large mortgage or liens already on the property, is to use the equity in the home to finance renovations that could increase the home’s value or supply cash for your other needs. If you have taken over the mortgage, you could consider a cash-out refinance. In this process, you take out a new mortgage loan for the amount owed on the current mortgage, plus an additional sum in cash that you can use for any purpose.
The Takeaway
Inheriting a house brings lots of responsibility and many questions — and sharing in an inherited property can be even more complicated, especially if it is a place that holds many memories for family members. But with some quick moves to protect your new asset and calm consideration of whether to inhabit, rent, sell, or renovate, you can enjoy the benefits of the inheritance for years to come.
SoFi can help you save money when you refinance your mortgage. Plus, we make sure the process is as stress-free and transparent as possible. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates on a traditional mortgage refinance or cash-out refinance.
A new mortgage refinance could be a game changer for your finances.
Photo credit: iStock/Pheelings Media
*SoFi requires Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) for conforming home loans with a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio greater than 80%. As little as 3% down payments are for qualifying first-time homebuyers only. 5% minimum applies to other borrowers. Other loan types may require different fees or insurance (e.g., VA funding fee, FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums, etc.). Loan requirements may vary depending on your down payment amount, and minimum down payment varies by loan type.
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SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.
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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.
This article is not intended to be legal advice. Please consult an attorney for advice.
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.
You’ve been getting up early weekend after weekend to go to open houses and have spent hours looking at online listings. You’ve finally found a place that you like, but before you make an offer, one good idea is to do some research on what to look for when buying a home.
Most people don’t want to buy a home that is going to require a lot of work or be difficult to finance because it’s structurally unsound or unsafe. The home might look great on the surface, but it’s recommended that a buyer order the proper home inspection(s) to see if it actually measures up prior to lifting any property contingencies. It can be stressful or even derail the home purchase to find out that you’ll need to make all sorts of costly renovations that make you go over budget or have to look for renovation financing vs. traditional financing, after you’ve worked hard to find that dream home.
Signs Your Dream Home Could Be a Nightmare
There are a lot of things to look for when buying a home. But these are 10 common home inspection red flags that would put even your dream home on the buyer-beware list because of the home repair costs and stress involved in fixing the issues. (Passing the home inspection will also be an important part of getting through the real-estate purchase contract process.) Consider these factors as you continue your search for your new nest, and especially if you’re a first-time homebuyer, lean on professional inspectors for help.
First-time homebuyers can
prequalify for a SoFi mortgage loan,
with as little as 3% down.
1. Structural Problems
If there is a problem with the foundation or load-bearing walls in your new home, structural repairs involving health and safety issues could derail your home loan by making the property ineligible for financing, or could wind up costing thousands of dollars. But structural problems aren’t just expensive to fix, they could also be considered unsafe — which is why they should be at the top of any list of things to check when buying a home.
Look for major cracks in the foundation, problems with doors closing, door frames not being perfectly rectangular, or walls or floors that seem to sag. You’ll want to spend the money for a professional home inspection. If the inspection reveals there is a larger issue, a structural engineer’s report may be able to provide additional insight.
💡 Quick Tip: When house hunting, don’t forget to lock in your home mortgage loan rate so there are no surprises if your offer is accepted.
2. Water-Damage Woes
The biggest cause of rot and mold is moisture. So if your potential new home has leaking pipes or a roof that lets in water, it won’t just be expensive to replace your roof or find where the leak is coming from — the leak could have already created other problems.
Water stains and mold are home inspection red flags. Not only can mold have implications for your health, it could indicate a bigger problem with the house. If you see either of them, look into the cause of the stain, because a new roof or new plumbing could set you back a significant amount of money. Dry rot and related problems like mold can also fall under health and safety issues and, as a result, affect the home’s eligibility for most types of home mortgage loans.
3. Poor Drainage
Poor grading and drainage can potentially cause huge problems with the foundation or basement of your home, so it should be high on your list of home inspection red flags. When it comes to bad drainage, things to look for when buying a home can include but are not limited to: pooling water around the foundation; leaking in the basement; gutters that are blocked or overflowing; and soil being moved by water in any flower beds around the home. While there are ways to fix poor drainage and improper grading if it’s minor, you might struggle with larger drainage problems if the home is in a low-lying area.
4. Bad Plumbing
The last thing you want is for your sink to spring a leak. Plumbing problems could have an array of causes, including improper installation or older pipes that need to be replaced or are leaching metals into your water supply. Plumbing that regularly leaks could cause water damage, which, as noted previously, could have some pretty serious consequences (like mold and rot). The home inspector will generally test the plumbing system, but as you look at houses, be observant and try running all the faucets and flushing the toilets. Keep an eye out for any signs of possible water damage and be aware of any funky smells.
5. Pests
There are a few ways to avoid buying a pest-infested home, such as having a home inspector look for pests. If the general home inspection calls out pest issues, it is recommended to go a step further and request a pest inspection report from a licensed pest inspector.
If the inspector finds signs of bugs, it might be possible to request that the seller fix the infestation before you close the house. Sometimes, pest infestation can mean a significant discount, which may be appealing to some buyers. But getting rid of certain kinds of bugs can be very costly, complicated, toxic, and even require you to leave your home while the fumigation takes place. So the discount may not actually be as rosy as it seems. Lenders do not usually close on a traditional home loan with a serious pest issue because it may present a health and safety issue.
6. Electrical Problems
A general home inspection will cover basic electrical items, but some buyers opt for an additional electrical inspection. Depending on when the home was built, there could be improper or even dangerous wiring throughout the house. That could affect eligibility for home financing due to health and safety issues, increase the fire risk in your home, or affect how you budget for buying the house.
7. Neighborhood Troubles
You might have found a beautiful home, but what if the location isn’t ideal? If your home is in a neighborhood that has a high number of vacant properties, a high crime rate, or a poorly rated school system, your investment might not pay off. Ask your real estate agent and neighbors about the neighborhood, stop by at different times, search for the area’s crime statistics, and check out the reputation of local schools.
💡 Quick Tip: Not to be confused with prequalification, preapproval involves a longer application, documentation, and hard credit pulls. Ideally, you want to keep your applications for preapproval to within the same 14- to 45-day period, since many hard credit pulls outside the given time period can adversely affect your credit score, which in turn affects the mortgage terms you’ll be offered.
8. Homeowners Association Problems
If you’re moving into a development with dues, you’ll want to know more about the homeowners association (HOA). Your lender will likely require you to obtain a completed Homeowners Association Questionnaire, and once this form is completed, it could answer many of the questions you may have, such as: How much are the HOA fees? What are the rules around making changes to your property? Is there any pending litigation against the condo association? Can you rent out your place or use it as an Airbnb when you go on vacation? Before you put in an offer, it’s a good idea to find out the answer to these or any other issues of importance to you and your family.
9. DIY Improvements
Watch out for shoddy renovations. If the house looks like it has undergone a recent facelift, have a close look at the workmanship. If there are visible shortcuts, there may be other areas of the house that weren’t properly renovated that could cause you headaches in the future. Check them carefully and make sure the major improvements or additions were done with the proper permits.
10. Older Windows
Older windows could translate into higher heating and cooling costs for your home. Moisture leakage can cause mold issues over time. Those costs add up, so you’ll want to add windows to your list of things to look at when buying a home. On your house tour, look for windows that stick, have discoloration around the indoor casing, or are warping. Updating windows (or replacing them completely) could be costly.
The Takeaway
In certain situations, a buyer may consider making an offer on a house even with one or two of these home inspection red flags. But before committing to a property that needs TLC, you’ll want to add up what the potential repairs may cost. Doing the math now could mean fewer financial surprises when you move in. And in some cases, it may be possible to negotiate with the seller so that major issues are addressed before the closing.
Looking for an affordable option for a home mortgage loan? SoFi can help: We offer low down payments (as little as 3% - 5%*) with our competitive and flexible home mortgage loans. Plus, applying is extra convenient: It's online, with access to one-on-one help.
SoFi Mortgages: simple, smart, and so affordable.
Photo credit: iStock/Jitalia17
*SoFi requires Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) for conforming home loans with a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio greater than 80%. As little as 3% down payments are for qualifying first-time homebuyers only. 5% minimum applies to other borrowers. Other loan types may require different fees or insurance (e.g., VA funding fee, FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums, etc.). Loan requirements may vary depending on your down payment amount, and minimum down payment varies by loan type.
SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.
SoFi Mortgages
Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information.
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.
