Insights & Education
Keeping you at the forefront of modern investing
The latest commentary
Markets and Economy
Retail Sales Miss Estimates
Retail sales missed estimates a day before the January jobs report. Stocks turned flat, though tech showed some early muscle, and yields fell to one-month lows on economic worries.
International
Geopolitical Risk is Evolving
Weakening global ties may lead to economic disruption and lasting investment implications. Here's what investors should know about navigating the changing landscape.
Breadth Is Back
Dennis DeBusschere joins Liz Ann Sonders to discuss why strong post‑COVID productivity, a weaker dollar, and evolving AI dynamics are reshaping macro trends.
Markets and Economy
Market Snapshot
Liz Ann Sonders shares her perspective on the U.S. stock market and economy in this monthly Market Snapshot video.
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.
What's new in trading
Lessons From Market Wizards
Kathy Jones interviews Jack Schwager, famed author of the "Market Wizards" series, about how top traders think.
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.
Trading Tools
Second Monitor on thinkorswim
Flipping among charts, analyses and your watchlists can get tiresome—and it can slow you down. Adding a second monitor could make your trading a little easier.
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.
IRA
Roth IRAs for Kids
Using some after-school and summer earnings to save for retirement could lighten the burden for teen investors later in life.
Behavioral Finance
What is the Sunk Cost Fallacy?
The desire to get your money's worth can lead you in some potentially harmful directions.
Retirement Income
Beyond the 4% Rule
How much can you spend without running out of money? The 4% rule is a popular rule of thumb, but you can do better. Here are guidelines for finding your personalized spending rate.
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.
