Insights & Education
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Company Earnings
Q4 Tech Earnings Preview
Info tech earnings continue with Nvidia and Alphabet on deck. Surging memory stocks, beleaguered software industry in focus as investors probe for signs of an AI inflection point.
Markets and Economy
Stocks Lifted by Meta, Tesla
After Meta and Tesla impressed and Microsoft disappointed, stocks rose slightly this morning as investors mulled the Fed's rate pause and upbeat outlook while awaiting Apple later.
Markets and Economy
Fed Holds Steady on Rates
The federal funds rate will remain 3.5% to 3.75%. While the market still expects two rate cuts late this year, the Fed is likely to tread cautiously given the economic backdrop.
A Week of Whiplash
Kathy Jones and Liz Ann Sonders discuss market volatility, tariffs, Greenland, Japanese bond yields, and some momentum toward precious metals.
Bonds
Municipal Bond Risks in 2026
While our outlook for the municipal bond market in 2026 is positive overall, we have identified five risks that we believe should be on investors' radar.
Investing Basics
Technical Analysis
Technical Analysis
Looking to understand how to read stock charts? Start learning the basics of using charts, identifying trends, applying price patterns, and using charting indicators.
Popular in trading
Company Earnings
Q4 Tech Earnings Preview
Info tech earnings continue with Nvidia and Alphabet on deck. Surging memory stocks, beleaguered software industry in focus as investors probe for signs of an AI inflection point.
Cryptocurrency
What Can Drive Bitcoin's Price?
Macroeconomic factors as well as crypto-specific themes can affect cryptocurrency performance. Here are some of the drivers that can affect prices.
Cryptocurrency
Crypto: Understanding Value
Understanding fundamental drivers can help investors evaluate different cryptocurrency protocols.
Will the Dollar Be Dethroned?
Could the U.S. dollar lose its place as the world's reserve currency? Despite a long-term trend toward currency diversification, we don't see the dollar losing dominance anytime soon.
Cryptocurrency
Ether ETFs Cleared for Trading
Trading is scheduled to start July 23 in the second cryptocurrency-based ETF product cleared by the SEC—but investors should continue to proceed with caution.
Planning and retirement
Education
What Is a 529 Account?
The 529 savings plan provides several tax advantages when used for education expenses.
Tax Planning
Understanding Tax Cost Ratio
Tax cost ratio is a key metric for tax-efficient investing. Here's what it is and how it works.
Behavioral Finance
What is the Sunk Cost Fallacy?
The desire to get your money's worth can lead you in some potentially harmful directions.
Markets and Economy
Volatility in Retirement
Don’t have a cash reserve? Here are some ways to adjust your spending and withdrawals to help ease the burden on your portfolio.
Investments
Optimism Versus Reality
Investors are optimistic they'll achieve their financial goals, thanks to access to more investment options. But many investors also don't feel in control of their finances.
Tax Planning
Tax Deductions & Tips
Learn the two main tax deduction types, how tax deductions work, and how they may or may not apply to you and your taxes.