Oct
10
2023
Are Mutual Funds Good for Retirement?

Are Mutual Funds Good for Retirement?

By | invest, Investing, Preparing for Retirement | Comments Off on Are Mutual Funds Good for Retirement?

Mutual funds are one option investors may consider when building a retirement portfolio. A mutual fund represents a pooled investment that can hold a variety of different securities, including stocks and bonds. There are different types of mutual funds investors may choose from, including index funds, target date funds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

But how do mutual funds work? Are mutual funds good for retirement or are there drawbacks to investing in them? What should be considered when choosing mutual funds for retirement planning?

Those are all important questions to ask when determining the best ways to build wealth for the long term.

Understanding Mutual Funds

A mutual fund pools money from multiple investors, then uses those funds to invest in a number of various securities. Mutual funds can hold stocks, bonds, short-term debt, and other types of securities.

How a mutual fund is classified or categorized can depend largely on what the fund invests in and what type of investment strategy it follows. For example, index funds follow a passive investment strategy, as these funds attempt to mimic the performance of a stock market benchmark. So a fund that tracks the S&P 500 index would attempt to replicate the returns of the companies included in that index.

Target-date funds utilize a different strategy. These funds automatically adjust their asset allocation based on a target retirement date. So a 2050 target-date fund, for example, may shift more of its asset allocation toward bonds or fixed-income and away from stocks as the year 2050 approaches.

Exchange-traded funds or ETFs trade on an exchange just like stocks. This is a departure from the way mutual funds are typically traded, with the price being set at the end of the trading day.

How Mutual Funds Work

Mutual funds work by allowing investors to purchase shares in the fund. Buying shares makes them part-owner of the fund and its underlying assets. As such, investors have the right to share in the profits of the fund. So if a mutual fund owns dividend-paying stocks, for example, any dividends received would be passed along to the fund’s investors.

Depending on how the fund is structured or what the brokerage selling the fund offers, investors may be able to receive any dividends or interest as cash payments or they may be able to reinvest them. With a dividend reinvestment plan or DRIP, investors can use dividends to purchase additional shares of stock, often bypassing brokerage commission fees in the process.

Investors pay an expense ratio to invest in mutual funds. This reflects the annual cost of owning the fund, expressed as a percentage. Passively managed mutual funds, including index funds and target date funds, tend to have lower expense ratios. Actively managed funds, on the other hand, tend to be more expensive, but the idea is that higher fees may seem justified if the fund produces above-average returns.

Investors can learn more about how a particular mutual fund works, what it invests in, and the fees involved by reading the fund’s prospectus.

💡 Quick Tip: Before opening an investment account, know your investment objectives, time horizon, and risk tolerance. These fundamentals will help keep your strategy on track and with the aim of meeting your goals.

Mutual Funds for Retirement Planning

Mutual funds are arguably one of the most popular investment options for retirement planning. According to the Investment Company Institute, 52.3% of U.S. households totaling approximately 115.3 million individual investors owned mutual funds in 2022. Older generations such as Baby Boomers and Gen Xers—those who may be planning for retirement—are more likely to have mutual funds, the research found.

So are mutual funds good for retirement? Here are some of the pros and cons to consider.

Pros of Using Mutual Funds for Retirement

Investing in mutual funds for retirement planning could be attractive for investors who want:

•   Convenience

•   Simplified diversification

•   Professional management

•   Reinvestment of dividends

Investing in a mutual fund can offer exposure to a wide range of securities, which can help with diversifying a portfolio. And it may be easier and less costly to purchase a single fund that holds 10 or 20 stocks than to purchase individual shares of each of those companies.

Mutual funds are professionally managed, so investors can rely on the fund manager’s expertise and knowledge. You don’t need to be as hands-on as you would need to be if you were day trading individual stocks. And if the fund includes dividend reinvestment, you can increase your holdings automatically which can make it easier to grow wealth.

Cons of Using Mutual Funds for Retirement

While there are some advantages to using mutual funds for retirement planning, there are also some possible disadvantages, including:

•   Potential for high fees

•   Overweighting risk

•   Under-performance

•   Tax inefficiency

As mentioned, mutual funds and ETFs carry expense ratios. While some index funds may charge as little as 0.15% in fees, there are some actively managed funds with expense ratios well above 1%. If those higher fees are not being offset by higher than expected returns (which is never a guarantee), the fund may not be worth it. Likewise, buying and selling mutual fund shares could get expensive if your brokerage charges steep trading fees.

While mutual funds make it easier to diversify, there’s the risk of overweighting one’s portfolio — owning the same holdings across different funds. For example, if you’re invested in five mutual funds that hold the same stock and the stock tanks, that could drag down your portfolio.

Something else to keep in mind is that a mutual fund is typically only as good as the fund manager behind it. Even the best fund managers don’t always get it right. So it’s possible that a fund’s returns may not live up to your expectations.

On the other hand, you may also have to contend with unexpected tax liability at the end of the year if the fund sells securities at a gain. Just like other investments, mutual funds and ETFs are subject to capital gains tax. Whether you pay short- or long-term capital gains tax rates depends on how long you held a fund before selling it.

Pros

 Cons

•   Mutual funds offer convenience for investors

•   It may be easier and more cost-effective to diversify using mutual funds vs. individual securities

•   Investors benefit from the fund manager’s experience and knowledge

•   Dividend reinvestment can make it easier to grow wealth

•   Some mutual funds may carry higher expense ratios than others

•   Overweighting can occur if investors own multiple funds with the same underlying assets

•   Fund performance may not always live up to the investor or fund manager’s expectations

•   Income distributions can result in unexpected tax liability for investors

Investing in Mutual Funds for Retirement Planning

The steps to invest in mutual funds for retirement are simple and straightforward.

1.    Start with an online brokerage account, individual retirement account (IRA) or 401(k). You can also buy a mutual fund directly from the company that created it, but a brokerage account or retirement account is usually the easier way to go.

2.    Set your budget. Decide how much money you can afford to invest in mutual funds. Keep in mind that the minimum investment for a particular fund can vary. One fund may allow you to invest with as little as $100 while another might require $1,000 to $3,000 to get started.

3.    Choose funds. If you already have a brokerage account, this may simply mean logging in, navigating to the section designated for buying funds, selecting the fund or funds and entering in the amount you want to invest.

4.    Submit your order. You may be asked to consent to electronic delivery of the fund’s prospectus when you place your order. If your brokerage charges a fee to purchase mutual funds, that amount will likely be added to the order total. Once you submit your order to purchase mutual funds, it can take a few business days to process.

Determining If Mutual Funds Are Right for You

Whether it makes sense to invest in mutual funds for retirement can depend on your time horizon, risk tolerance, and overall investment goals. If you’re leaning toward mutual funds for retirement planning, here are a few things to consider.

Investment Strategy

When comparing mutual funds, it’s important to understand the overall strategy the fund follows. Whether a fund is actively or passively managed may influence the level of returns generated. The fund’s investment strategy may also determine what level of risk investors are exposed to.

For example, index funds are designed to meet the market. Growth funds, on the other hand, typically have a goal of beating the market. Between the two, growth funds may produce higher returns — but they may also entail more risk for the investor and carry higher expense ratios.

Choosing funds that align with your preferred strategy, risk tolerance, and goals matters. Otherwise, you may be disappointed by your returns or be exposed to more risk than you’re comfortable with.

Cost

Cost is an important consideration when choosing mutual funds for one reason: Higher expense ratios can drain away more of your returns.

When comparing mutual fund expense ratios, it’s important to look at the amount you’ll pay to own the fund each year. But it’s also important to consider what kind of returns the fund has produced historically. A low-fee fund may look like a bargain but if it generates low returns then the cost savings may not be worth much.

It’s possible, however, to find plenty of low-cost index funds that produce solid returns year over year. Likewise, you shouldn’t assume that a fund with a higher expense ratio is guaranteed to outperform a less expensive one.

Fund Holdings

It’s critical to look under the hood, so to speak, to understand what a particular mutual fund owns and how often those assets turn over. This can help you to avoid overweighting your portfolio toward any one stock or sector.

Reading through the prospectus or looking up a stock’s profile online can help you to understand:

•   What individual securities a mutual fund owns

•   Asset allocation for each security in the fund

•   How often securities are bought and sold

If you’re interested in tech stocks, for example, you may want to avoid buying two funds that each have 10% of assets tied up in the same company. Or you may want to choose a fund that has a lower turnover rate to minimize your capital gains tax liability for the year.

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

Other Types of Funds for Retirement

Mutual funds, and target date funds in particular, are one of the ways to save for retirement. But there are other options you might consider. Here’s a brief rundown of other types of funds that can be used for retirement planning.

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

A real estate investment trust isn’t a mutual fund, per se. But it is a pooled investment that allows multiple investors to own a share in real estate. REITs pay out 90% of their income to investors as dividends. You may consider a REIT if you’d like to reap the benefits of real estate investing (i.e. diversification, inflationary hedge, etc.) without actually owning property.

Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)

Exchange-traded funds are another retirement savings option. Investing in ETFs can offer more flexibility compared to mutual funds. They may carry lower expense ratios than traditional funds and be more tax-efficient if they follow a passive investment strategy.

Income Funds

An income fund is a specific type of mutual fund that focuses on generating income for investors. This income can take the form of interest or dividend payments. Income funds can be an attractive option for retirement planning if you’re interested in creating multiple income streams or reinvesting dividends until you’re ready to retire.

Bond Funds

Bond funds focus exclusively on bond holdings. The type of bonds the fund holds can depend on its objective or strategy. For example, you may find bond funds or bond ETFs that only hold corporate bonds or municipal bonds while others offer a mix of different bond types. Bond funds are generally considered fairly safe, and they may help round out the fixed-income portion of your retirement portfolio.

IPO ETFs

An initial public offering or IPO represents the first time a company makes its shares available for trade on a public exchange. Investors can invest in individual IPOs or multiple IPOs through an ETF. IPO ETFs invest in companies that have recently gone public so they offer an opportunity to get in on the ground floor. IPO ETFs are generally considered safer than IPOs, but still, they are relatively risky.

The Takeaway

Mutual funds can be part of a diversified retirement planning strategy. Regardless of whether you choose to invest in mutual funds, ETFs or something else, the key is getting started sooner rather than later. Time can be one of your most valuable resources when investing for retirement.

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).


Invest with as little as $5 with a SoFi Active Investing account.

Photo credit: iStock/kali9

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

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

SoFi Invest®

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

SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below: Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.

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Oct
08
2023
Dogs of the Dow: Meaning, How It Works & Examples

Dogs of the Dow: Meaning, How It Works & Examples

By | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing | Comments Off on Dogs of the Dow: Meaning, How It Works & Examples

What Are the Dogs of the Dow?

The “Dogs of the Dow” is an investment strategy that focuses on large, established companies that offer relatively high dividends. There are different ways to pursue the strategy, but it generally attempts to outperform the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) by investing in the highest dividend-yielding stocks from among the 30 stocks that comprise the DJIA.

The Dow Jones is among the oldest and most popular stock indices in the world, with casual investors often using it as a shorthand for the performance of the broader stock market, and even the global economy. Over time, the Dogs of the Dow tends to perform in line with it.

The Dogs of the Dow strategy became popular in 1991 with the publication of Beating the Dow in which author Michael B. O’Higgins coined the term “Dogs of the Dow.” The strategy itself reflects the assumption – usually true – that blue-chip companies have the stability to continue to pay out their regular dividends regardless of the performance of their stocks.

How the Dogs of the Dow Work

The formula for identifying the companies in the Dogs of the Dow is – by the standards of economics – fairly simple. It comes down to the stock’s dividend yield, calculated by dividing the annual dividend paid by a stock (in dollars) by its stock price. The stocks with the highest dividend yields are the Dogs of the Dow.

Followers of the Dogs of the Dow strategy believe the dividend paid by a company more accurately reflects its average value than the trading price of that company’s stock. Unlike the dividend, the stock price is always in flux.

When the stock prices of companies go down in response to the business cycle, the ratio of those companies’ dividends to their stock prices will go up. In other words, the dividends of those stocks will be disproportionately high in relation to their stock prices. Adherents of the Dogs of the Dow strategy believe the companies with that high dividend-to-stock-price ratio will eventually revert to their mean and should grow faster when the business cycle turns, and their prices increase. In addition to promising performance, the strategy also offers investors regular income in the form of dividend payments.


💡 Quick Tip: Before opening any investment account, consider what level of risk you are comfortable with. If you’re not sure, start with more conservative investments, and then adjust your portfolio as you learn more.

Who Are the Dogs of the Dow in 2023?

The 2023 Dogs of the Dow are led by Verizon with a dividend yield of 6.62%, followed by Dow with a dividend yield of 5.56%. The others are: Intel (5.52%), Walgreens (5.14%), 3M (4.97%), IBM (4.68%), Amgen (3.24%), Cisco (3.19%), Chevron (3.16%), and JP Morgan Chase (2.98%).

The Dogs are always changing, as are the companies that make up the DJIA itself. In 2020, for example, Salesforce.com joined the index – a rare entrant that has never paid its investors a dividend. In the same year, troubled aerospace titan and DJIA member Boeing suspended its dividend.

Between 2022 and 2023, Cisco and JP Morgan Chase joined the list, and Merck and Coca-Cola left the list because their dividend yields dropped.

It’s easy to see that the highest-yielding stocks in the DJIA are always changing. This means that an investor who is pursuing this strategy needs to regularly rebalance their holdings, whether monthly, quarterly or annually.

One reason such rebalancing is necessary is that even though the large stocks in the DJIA typically have lower volatility than some other stocks, their values still change over time. So rebalancing is an important step toward preventing a situation where one stock plays too big of a role in a portfolio’s performance. But with a Dogs of the Dow strategy, rebalancing is even more important, as the companies that fit the description will change on a semi-regular basis.

Investing in the Dogs of the Dow

Different investors view the Dogs of the Dow differently. Some say it’s only the five or 10 DJIA stocks with the highest dividend-to-share-price relationship. But it’s worth noting that not all 30 companies on the DJIA index currently pay dividends.

Investors can buy 10, 15 or all 30 of those stocks through a brokerage account. Or they can invest in the DJIA by purchasing exchange-traded funds (ETFs). There are even Dogs of the Dow ETFs that invest in the dividend-focused strategies similar to Dogs of the Dow approach. But when buying one of these funds, it is important to read their strategies before investing.

Recommended: What Are Dividend ETFs?

Pros and Cons of Dogs of the Dow Strategy

There are several advantages to using a Dogs of the Dow strategy, but there are also some drawbacks for investors to consider.

Dogs of the Dow: Pros

• The strategy invests in Blue Chip companies with a long history of success and industry-leading positions.

• It has a history of outperforming the DJIA.

• Investors receive regular dividend payments.

Dogs of the Dow: Cons

• The IRS taxes dividends paid by the stocks at the income-tax rate rather than the lower capital gains rate.

• It is a value-oriented strategy that may lag during growth markets.

• The strategy isn’t widely diversified.



💡 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.

Does Dogs of the Dow Still Work?

The Dogs of the Dow struggled during the market upheaval of 2020. As a group of 10, the Dogs lost 13% over the course of the year, well below the 7% increase posted by the DJIA. In 2021, the Dogs were also below the DJIA and the S&P 500. And 2021 was the third straight year the Dogs didn’t do as well as the broader Dow.

However, in 2022, Dogs of the Dow did better than the DIJA with a positive return of 2.2%, while the DJIA had a negative return of -7.0.

Historically, Dogs of the Dow has occasionally done worse than the broader DJIA, notably in the financial crisis of 2008, when it suffered larger losses than the index. But through the 10 years that followed, it outperformed the Dow, though not profoundly.

But even small amounts of outperformance add up over time. A $10,000 investment in the DJIA made at the outset of 2008 would have grown to approximately $17,350 by the end of 2018. The same amount invested in the Dogs of the Dow strategy would have reached $21,420 by the end of 2018, assuming that the investor rebalanced their holdings once per year.

Recommended: What Is the Average Stock Market Return?

The Takeaway

Dogs of the Dow is an investment strategy that uses dividends as a way to spot undervalued Blue Chip stocks, and to benefit from economic cycles.

While investors may be interested in exploring the Dogs of the Dow, the strategy does have pros and cons. Investors should weigh the benefits and drawbacks carefully before using it.

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).


Invest with as little as $5 with a SoFi Active Investing account.

Photo credit: iStock/Helin Loik-Tomson

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

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

SoFi Invest®

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

SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below: Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.

Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs): Investors should carefully consider the information contained in the prospectus, which contains the Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other relevant information. You may obtain a prospectus from the Fund company’s website or by email customer service at https://sofi.app.link/investchat. Please read the prospectus carefully prior to investing.
Shares of ETFs must be bought and sold at market price, which can vary significantly from the Fund’s net asset value (NAV). Investment returns are subject to market volatility and shares may be worth more or less their original value when redeemed. The diversification of an ETF will not protect against loss. An ETF may not achieve its stated investment objective. Rebalancing and other activities within the fund may be subject to tax consequences.

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Oct
08
2023
What Are Underlying Assets? Types & Examples

What are Underlying Assets?

By | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing | Comments Off on What are Underlying Assets?

In financial circles, assets make the world go round. The goal is to accumulate the most valuable assets to create and sustain long-term wealth.

That lifelong process starts with education, and that, in turn, begins with a key tenet of wealth building: knowing all about underlying assets and what role they play in portfolio management.

What is an Underlying Asset?

An underlying asset is the foundational security, or investment vehicle, on which derivatives operate. Underlying assets can be individual securities (like stocks or bonds) or groups of securities (like in an index fund).

A derivative represents a financial contract between two or more parties based on the current or future value of an underlying asset. Derivatives can take many forms, with trading in widely used markets like futures, equity options, swaps, and warrants. These are high-risk, high-reward vehicles where investors bet on the future value of an underlying asset, and they are often used as hedges against other investments (which seeks to reduce investment risk) or as speculative instruments that pay off down the road (which can heighten investment risk.)

That’s where underlying assets come into play. To make the most optimal derivative bets, investors aim to either hedge risk or enhance it, by making speculative moves in higher-risk areas like options and futures. The underlying assets that enable those bets are critical to the derivatives investment process.


💡 Quick Tip: Investment fees are assessed in different ways, including trading costs, account management fees, and possibly broker commissions. When you set up an investment account, be sure to get the exact breakdown of your “all-in costs” so you know what you’re paying.

How Underlying Assets Work

To illustrate how underlying assets work in the derivatives market, let’s use options trading as an example.

An option is a financial derivative that gives the contract owner the right to buy or sell an underlying security at a specific time and at a specific price. When an option is exercised by the contract holder, that simply means the holder has exercised the rights to buy or sell an underlying asset and now owns (or sells out of) the underlying asset.

Options come in two specific categories: puts and calls.

• Put options allow the options owner to sell an underlying asset (like a stock or commodity) at a certain price and by a certain date (known as the expiration date.)

• Call options enable the owner to buy an underlying asset (like a stock or a commodity) at a certain price and at a certain date.

The underlying asset comes into play when that options contract is initiated.

Example of an Underlying Asset in Play

Let’s say for example that an investor opts to buy Microsoft (MSFT) at an options strike price (the price you can buy the shares) of $275 per share. The stock is currently trading at $325 per share. The contract is struck on September 1 and the options contract expiration date is November 30.

Now that the contract is up and running, the performance of the underlying asset (Microsoft stock) will define the success or failure of the options investment.

In this scenario, the options owner now has the “option” (hence the name) to buy 100 shares of Microsoft at $275 per share on or before November 30. If the underlying stock, which is now trading at $300, remains above the $275 strike price, the options owner can exercise the contract and make a profit on the investment.

If, for example, MSFT slides to $280 per share in the options contract timeframe, the call options owner can exercise the purchase of Microsoft at $275 per share, $5 below the current value of the stock (i.e., the underlying asset.) With each contract representing 100 shares of stock, the profits can add up on the call option investment.

If on the other hand, Microsoft stock falls below the $275 per share level, and the November 30 deadline has come and gone, the options owner loses money, as the underlying asset is valued at less than $275, although that’s the price the options owner has to pay for the stock by the expiration date.

That scenario represents the power of the underlying asset. The derivatives investment depends entirely on the performance of the underlying asset, with abundant risk for derivative speculators who’ve bet on the underlying asset moving in a certain direction over a certain period of time.

5 Different Types of Underlying Assets

Underlying assets come in myriad forms in the derivatives trading market, with certain assets being more equal than others.

Here’s a snapshot.

1. Stocks

One of the most widely used underlying assets are stocks, which is only natural given the pervasiveness of stocks in the investment world.

Derivatives traders rely on common and preferred stocks as benchmark assets when making market moves. Since stocks are so widely traded, it gives derivatives investors more options to speculate, hedge, and generally leverage stocks as an underlying asset.

2. Bonds and Fixed Income Instruments

Bonds, typified by Treasury, municipal, and corporate bonds among others, are also used as derivative instruments. Since bond prices do fluctuate on general economic and market conditions, derivative investors may try to leverage bonds as an underlying asset as both bond interest rates and price fluctuate.

3. Index Funds

Derivative traders also use funds as underlying assets, especially exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which are widely traded in intra-day trading sessions. Besides being highly liquid and fairly easy to trade, exchange-traded funds are tradeable on major global exchanges at any point during the trading day.

That’s not the case with mutual funds, which can only be traded after the day’s trading session comes to a close. The distinction is important to derivative traders, who have more opportunities for market movement with ETFs than they might with mutual funds.

ETFs also cover a wide variety of investment market sectors, like stocks, bonds, commodities, international and emerging markets, and business sector funds (such as manufacturing, health care, finance, and more recently, cryptocurrencies). That availability gives derivatives investors even more flexibility, which is a characteristic investors typically seek with underlying assets.

4. Currencies

Global currencies like the dollar or yen, among many others, are also frequently deployed by derivative investors as underlying assets. A primary reason is the typically fast-moving foreign currency (FX) market, where prices can change rapidly based on geopolitical, economic, and market conditions.

Currencies usually trade fast and often, which may make for a volatile market — and derivative investors tend to steer cash toward underlying assets that demonstrate volatility, as quick market movements allow for quick money-making opportunities. Given that they move so quickly, currencies can also move in the wrong direction quickly, which is why investment experts generally advise individual investors to shy away from markets where investment risk is abundant.

5. Commodities

Common global commodities like gold, silver, platinum, and oil and gas, are also underlying assets that are widely used by derivatives investors.

Historically, commodities are one of the most volatile and fast-moving investment markets. Like currencies, commodities are often highly desirable for derivative traders, but high volatility may lead to significant investment losses in the derivatives market if the investor lacks the experience and acumen needed to trade against underlying assets.

The Takeaway

Underlying assets used in derivative deals can come with high risk — and trading against those assets require a comprehensive knowledge of trading, leverage, hedging and speculation.

Those attributes are typically aligned with high-end investment firms, hedge firms, and other institutional investors. They’re not typically associated with regular people looking to save for retirement and build household wealth. Regular investors will likely be looking to balance risk and return to help save for the future.

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).


Invest with as little as $5 with a SoFi Active Investing account.

Photo credit: iStock/MixMedia

SoFi Invest®

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

SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below: Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.

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.

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

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Oct
07
2023
Dow Theory: The 6 Principles, Explained

Dow Theory: 6 Principles Explained

By | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing | Comments Off on Dow Theory: 6 Principles Explained

The Dow Theory is a framework for technical analysis of the market. It comprises several market concepts that attempt to explain how the stock market tends to behave.

The original financial theory posited that if the Dow Jones Industrial Average or the Dow Jones Transportation Average (then known as the Dow Jones Rail Average) advances significantly above a previous important average, the other average will do the same in the near future. Conversely, if one index begins to fall, Dow Theory forecasts that the other will likely follow suit.

Using this theory, investors can form a strategy to buy when the market is low and rising, and sell when it is high and going down.

The History of Dow Theory

Although created more than a century ago, Dow Theory remains popular with traders who commonly use it today. Charles H. Dow, founder of Dow Jones & Company, developed the financial theory in 1896 and created the first stock index, the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Dow, along with Charles Bergstresse and Edward Jones, also co-founded The Wall Street Journal, where Dow published portions of the Dow Theory.

Although Charles Dow died before he could publish the entirety of the ideas that make up the theory, others have published contributions to the theory over the years. Some of these publications include:

• The Stock Market Barometer by William P. Hamilton (1922)

• The Dow Theory by Robert Rhea (1932)

• How I Helped More than 10,000 Investors Profit in Stocks, by E. George Schaefer

• The Dow Theory Today, by Richard Russell (1961)

What Is Dow Theory?

The Dow Theory suggests that traders can use stock market trends to assess the overall economy and the state of various industries and then use it to form an investment strategy. Using the Dow theory, one could understand current market conditions and make predictions about the direction the market would take and, therefore, the direction individual stocks might take.

As the economy has changed over the years, parts of the theory have also shifted. For instance, originally, the theory centered around transportation stocks since the railroad industry was such a significant contributor to the economy at that time. While transportation stocks are still a crucial part of the economy, the Dow theory can apply to all types of industries, including newer ones, and forms the basis of many tools in technical analysis such as the Elliott Wave and accumulation and distribution (A/D).

There are six main principles that make up the Dow Theory. They are:

1. The market discounts everything.

2. There are three kinds of market trends.

3. Primary trends occur in three phases.

4. Indices must confirm each other.

5. Volume should confirm price.

6. Trends persist until there is a clear reversal.



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What Are the Six Tenets of Dow Theory?

Here’s more about each of the six principles and how they apply to both institutional and retail investors.

1. The Market Discounts Everything

Like the efficient markets hypothesis, this theory holds that market prices already reflect all available information, so only future events could affect stock prices. Since stocks are always trading at fair market value and are not under or overvalued, investors should make decisions based on market trends.

For instance, if investors believe a particular company will report positive earnings, the market will already reflect this before the announcement, with demand for shares going up before the release of the report.

Those who rely on technical analysis tend to believe in this theory, but investors who use fundamental analysis don’t agree that market value reflects a stock’s intrinsic value.

Recommended: Intrinsic Value vs Market Value: Key Differences

2. There Are Three Kinds of Market Trends

The second principle of Dow Theory is that there are three kinds of market trends, delineated by their duration.

Primary Trends

These last at least one year and are major market trends including bull trends, bear trends, or sideways trends. They are the most important trends for long term traders to look at, but the secondary and tertiary trends can help identify a specific opportunity such as a reversal in the market.

Secondary trends

These trends only last a few weeks or months. They generally include trends where the price moves in the opposite direction of the primary market trend.

Minor trends or Tertiary trends

Used primarily by day traders, these trends last less than three weeks.

3. Primary Trends are Split into Three Phases

The phases of trends depend on what happened to the price prior to the trend as well as market sentiment. The phase names are ordered differently in a bull and bear market. In a bull market, the phases are: accumulation, public participation, excess and distribution. In a bear market the order reverses.

Accumulation

Assets are low, so smart investors start to buy at this time before the market goes back up.

Public Participation

After the accumulation period and as the market starts to go up, a broader number of investors start to see the trend and begin buying assets, so prices increase significantly and quickly.

Excess and Distribution

In this phase, the general public buys, but informed investors see that the market is at a high and begin selling or shorting the market before it starts to decrease.

Recommended: Exit Strategies for Investors: Definition and Examples

4. Indices Must Confirm Each Other

This principle claims that primary trends observed in one market index need to be the same as trends observed in another market index. Originally, the two important indices were the transportation index and the industrial average, but this has changed with the economy over the years. The same principle now applies to other indices. Although industry and transportation are still linked, today, many goods are digital so there can be an increase in the sale of goods without the same increase in transportation.


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5. Volume Should Confirm the Price

This principle states that a strong market trend should correspond with a high trading volume. If there isn’t a large volume in trading, then a trend is not as strong of an indicator of market direction. A low volume trend may not be an indicator of a larger market move.

6. Trends Persist Until there is a Clear Reversal

Another principle is that a market trend will continue until there is a strong indicator of a reversal. Essentially, the market will continue to rise or fall until a primary trend reversal occurs, so investors should not consider secondary and tertiary trend reversals as larger market trends.

Of course, it can be difficult to spot the difference between a primary and secondary trend, so sometimes a secondary trend may actually show a reversal in the market, and a primary trend may turn out to be a misleading secondary trend.

The Takeaway

The Dow Theory consists of six principles that may be used to help explain how the stock market behaves. Although the Dow Theory is over 100 years old, it is still popular and still widely used today for a reason.

Investors often use the Dow as they’re putting together an investment strategy. The Dow and other trading theories may be helpful as you build an online investment portfolio.

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).


Invest with as little as $5 with a SoFi Active Investing account.

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

SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below: Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.

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

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

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Oct
07
2023
How to Read a Financial Statements: The Basics

How to Read Financial Statements: The Basics

By | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing | Comments Off on How to Read Financial Statements: The Basics

A company’s financial statements are like a report card that tells investors how much money a company has made, what it spends on, and how much money it currently has.

Knowing how to read a financial statement and understand the key performance indicators it includes is essential for evaluating a company. Any investor conducting fundamental analysis will pull much of the information they need from past and present financial statements when valuing a stock and deciding whether to buy it.

Each publicly traded company in the United States must produce a set of financial statements every quarter. These include a balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. In addition, companies produce an annual report. These statements tell a fairly complete story about a company’s financial health.

Understanding Each Section of a Financial Statement

Along with a company’s earnings call, reading financial statements can give investors clues about whether or not it’s a good idea to invest in a given company.

Here’s what the different sections of a financial statement consist of.

Balance Sheet

A company’s balance sheet is a ledger that shows its assets, liabilities, and shareholder equity at a given point in time. Assets are anything the company owns with quantifiable value. This includes tangible items, such as real estate, equipment, and inventory, as well as intangible items like patents and trademarks. The cash and investments a company holds are also considered assets.

On the other side of the balance sheet are liabilities — the debts a company owes — including rent, taxes, outstanding payroll expenses and money owed to vendors. When liabilities are subtracted from assets, the result is shareholder value, or owner equity. This figure is also known as book value and represents the amount of money that would be left over if a company shut down, sold all its assets, and paid off its debt. This money belongs to shareholders, whether public or private.

Income Statement

The income statement, also known as the profit and loss (P&L) statement, shows a detailed breakdown of a company’s financial performance over a given period. It’s a summary of how much a company earned, spent, and lost during that time. The top of the statement shows revenue, or how much money a company has made selling goods or providing services.

The income statement subtracts the costs associated with running the business from revenue. These include expenses, costs of goods sold, and asset depreciation. A company’s revenues less its costs are its bottom-line earnings.

The income statement also provides information about net income, earnings per share, and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA).


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Cash Flow Statement

A cash flow statement is a detailed view of what has happened with regards to a business’ cash over the accounting period. Cash flow refers to the money that’s flowing in and out of a company, and it is not the same as profit. A company’s profit is the money left over after expenses have been subtracted from revenue. The cash flow statement is broken down into three sections:

•   Cash flow from operating activities is cash generated by the regular sale of a company’s goods and services.

•   Cash flow from investment activity usually comes from buying or selling assets using cash, not debt.

•   Cash flow from financing activity details cash flow that comes from debt and equity financing.

At established companies, investors typically look for cash flow from operating activities to be greater than net income. This positive cash flow may indicate that a company is financially stable and has the ability to grow.

Annual Report and 10-K

Public companies must publish an annual report to shareholders detailing their operations and financial conditions. Look for an annual report to include the following:

•   A letter from the company’s CEO that gives investors insight into the company’s mission, goals, and achievements. There may be other letters from key company officials, such as the CFO.

•   Audited financial statements that describe financial performance. This is where you might find a balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement. A summary of financial data may provide notes or discussion of financial statements.

•   The auditor’s report lets investors know whether the company complied with generally accepted accounting principles as they prepared their financial statements.

•   Management’s discussion and analysis (MD&A).

In addition, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires companies to produce a 10-K report that offers even greater detail and insight into a company’s current status and where it hopes to go. The annual report and 10-K are not the same thing. They share similar data, but 10-Ks tend to be longer and denser. The 10-K must include complete descriptions of financial activities. It must outline corporate agreements, an evaluation of risks and opportunities, current operations, executive compensation and market activity. They must be filed with the SEC 60 to 90 days after the company’s fiscal year ends.

MD&A

The management’s discussion and analysis provides context for the financial statements. It’s a chance for company management to provide information they feel investors should have to understand the company’s financial statements, condition, and how that condition has changed or might change in the future. The MD&A also discloses trends, events and risks that might have an impact on the financial information the company reports.

Footnotes

It can be really tempting to skip footnotes as you read financial statements, but they can reveal important clues about a company’s financial health. Footnotes can help explain how a company’s accountants arrived at certain figures and help explain anything that looks irregular or inconsistent with previous statements.


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Financial Statement Ratios and Calculations

Financial statements can be the source of important ratios investors use for fundamental analysis. Here’s a look at some common examples:

Debt-to-Equity

To calculate debt-to-equity, divide total liabilities by shareholder equity. It shows investors whether the debt a company uses to fund its operation is tilted toward debt or equity financing. For example, a debt-to-equity ratio of 2:1 suggests that the company takes on twice as much debt as shareholders invest in the company.

Price-to-earnings (P/E)

Calculate price-to-earnings by dividing a company’s stock price by its earnings per share. This ratio gives investors a sense of the value of a company. Higher P/E suggests that investors expect continued growth in earnings, but a P/E that’s too high could indicate that a stock is overvalued compared to its earnings.

Return on equity (ROE)

Calculated by dividing net income by shareholder’s equity, return on equity (ROE) shows investors how efficiently a company uses its equity to turn a profit.

Earnings per share

Calculate earnings per share by dividing net earnings by total outstanding shares to understand the amount of income earned for each outstanding share.

Current Ratio

This metric measures a company’s abilities to pay off its short-term liabilities with its current assets. Find it by dividing current assets by current liabilities.

Asset turnover

Used to measure how well a company is using its assets to generate revenue, you can calculate asset turnover by dividing net sales by average total assets.

The Takeaway

The financial statements that a company provides are all related to one another. For instance, the income statement reflects information from the balance sheet, while cash flow statements will tell you more about the cash on the balance sheet.

Understanding financial statements can give you clues that could help you determine whether a stock is a good value and whether it makes sense to buy or sell.

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).


Invest with as little as $5 with a SoFi Active Investing account.

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SoFi Invest®

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

SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below: Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.

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

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

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