Investing Archives | Page 166 of 222

Aug

2022

When Is the Stock Market Closed?

By Emma Diehl | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing, Terminology | Comments Off

Generally, investors can buy and sell stocks Monday through Friday between 9:30am-4pm ET, but the exact schedule can vary based on time zone, market, and holiday season. The stock market is closed on weekends and many holidays. Additionally, the major stock exchanges may close or stop trading unexpectedly due to several reasons, like natural disasters or technical glitches. It’s all a part of how the stock markets work.

While a person can always access stock market data, the stock exchanges have strict operating hours during a typical work week. Knowing the stock market schedule and when the stock market is closed can help investors make better investment decisions.

U.S. Stock Market Holidays 2022

Even with standard operating hours, stock markets will close their markets completely for certain holidays. The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq recognize the following holidays:

• New Year’s Day

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – Monday, January 17

• Washington’s Birthday – Monday, February 21

• Good Friday – Friday, April 15

• Memorial Day – Monday, May 30

• Juneteenth National Independence Day – Monday, June 20 (observed)

• Independence Day – Monday, July 4

• Labor Day – Monday, September 5

• Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 24

• Christmas Day – Monday, December 26 (observed)

Additionally, the stock market closes early (at 1pm ET) on the following dates:

• Black Friday

• Christmas Eve, if the holiday falls on a weekday

Stock exchanges in other countries might have different national holidays and operating schedules.

Is the Market Closed the Following Monday After a Holiday?

For holidays with a fixed date, like Juneteenth (June 19), Independence Day (July 4), and Christmas (Dec. 25), the stock market will be closed on the preceding Friday if the holiday falls on a Saturday or the following Monday if the holiday falls on a Sunday.

However, if New Year’s Day (Jan. 1) falls on Saturday, the holiday is not observed; the stock market will be open on the preceding Friday and the following Monday.

Other Times the Stock Market Closes or Is Halted

In addition to planned holidays, historically, the stock market has closed trading in times of crisis or technical challenges.

At the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020, markets were halted multiple times due to unprecedented drops in the market. Called trading curbs or circuit breakers, these are temporary pauses mandated by the Securities and Exchange Commission in 2012. Each level follows different criteria:

• Level 1: A 7% drop in the S&P 500 Index compared to closing the day before will trigger the market to be paused for at least 15 minutes.

• Level 2: A 13% drop in the S&P 500 compared to closing the day before will trigger at least a 15-minute pause in the market.

• Level 3: A 20% drop in the S&P 500 compared to closing the day before will trigger a premature close on trading for the rest of the day.

Trading curbs can occur for a single stock and a whole market. It’s more common for the curb to be tripped on a single stock, but unprecedented events can spark a whole market pause. Covid-19 caused three trading curbs in just over a week.

The stock market may also close unexpectedly due to unprecedented events. For example, the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, caused the NYSE to close for a week, while Superstorm Sandy forced the NYSE to close for two days in Oct. 2012.

Additionally, the markets may close down to honor the death of a world figure, as was the case with George H.W. Bush and Martin Luther King Jr.

The market has also closed unexpectedly due to technical glitches and cybersecurity threats; in July 2015, the NYSE temporarily stopped trading because of a technical issue on the floor.

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Stock Market Operating Hours

In the United States, the major stock exchanges are generally open Monday through Friday, with core trading hours between 9:30am-4pm ET. The stock market does not operate during the weekend.

Because the different stock exchanges operate on eastern time, these trading hours are different throughout the U.S., depending on time zones and daylight savings time.

However, with so many global stock exchanges, a market may always open if an investor is interested in trading in foreign markets. Most markets operate during their time zone’s business hours.

💡 Recommended: Pros & Cons of Global Investments

Why Does the Stock Market Close Each Day?

The stock market closes each day for several reasons, notably because it allows for the settlement of all trades that have occurred. The close gives market professionals time to calculate the day’s trading results and prepare for the next day.

Additionally, the stock market close is helpful for investment brokers and traders to catch up on paperwork and other administrative tasks.

While the stock market closes each day at 4pm in the United States, other markets, like cryptocurrency and foreign exchange markets, offer trading 24 hours a day.

💡 Recommended: Is 24/7 Stock Trading Available?

When Does the Market Open for Premarket Trading?

The market opens for premarket trading at 4 am ET and operates until 9:30 am ET.

While most stock trading occurs during the normal 9:30am-4pm ET operating hours, investors can also take advantage of extended-hours trading. Investors may be interested in trading during the premarket because of the release of economic data, company earnings reports, and other major news events.

Investors must use an alternative trading system known as electronic communication networks (ECNs) to make trades during premarket trading.

However, investors must be aware of the risks associated with premarket trading. Because fewer buyers and sellers operate during the early hours, there is lower liquidity and higher volatility.

Premarket trading probably isn’t for a beginner investor; if you don’t need to buy or sell a stock immediately, you might prefer to wait until regular trading hours.

💡 Recommended: How to Invest in Stocks: A Beginner’s Guide

After-Hours Trading

The closing bell for the major U.S. stock exchanges might ring promptly at 4 pm ET, but there’s still after-hours trading: it’s possible to buy, sell, and trade stocks between 4pm-8pm ET. Electronic trading tools like ECNs mentioned above make it possible to conduct business after hours, but making moves during after-hours trading comes with its own risks, just like during premarket trading.

The Takeaway

Investors should be aware that the stock market is closed on weekends, designated holidays, and for world events and other disruptive circumstances. When the stock market is open, the exchanges generally operate on a 9:30am-4pm ET schedule, Monday through Friday. Knowing when the stock market is open and closed can allow investors to strategize the best time to make trades and investments.

If you’re ready to invest, SoFi Invest® can help. With a SoFi online brokerage account, you can trade stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and fraction shares with no commissions for as little as $5. For a limited time, funding an account gives you the opportunity to win up to $1,000 in the stock of your choice. All you have to do is open and fund a SoFi Invest account.

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FAQ

Is the stock market closed on holidays?

The stock market is generally closed on New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

When is the stock market closed and opened?

The stock market in the United States is closed on weekends and some holidays. The stock market is generally open Monday through Friday from 9:30am-4pm ET.

Is the stock market open for extended hours?

The stock market is open for extended hours, from 4am-9:30am ET for premarket trading and 4pm-8pm for after-hours trading. However, trading during this period can be risky.

Aug

2022

Guide to Yankee Certificates of Deposit

By Rebecca Lake | Growing Wealth, Investing, money | Comments Off

A Yankee certificate of deposit is a special type of CD that’s issued domestically by a branch of a foreign bank.

Yankee CDs, sometimes referred to as YCDs in finance, have several features that set them apart from other types of CDs, including higher minimum deposit requirements, short terms, and a lack of FDIC protection.

For those reasons, it’s helpful to understand how a Yankee certificate of deposit investment works and the potential risks involved.

What Is a Yankee Certificate of Deposit?

What are Yankee certificates of deposit? And how does a certificate of deposit work? Let’s compare the two.

First, a regular CD is a deposit account that requires investors to lock up their cash for a fixed period of time (typically a few months to a few years), and in exchange pays a higher interest rate than a traditional savings account. CDs purchased at a bank are generally FDIC insured up to $250,000 (CDs bought at a credit union are NCUA insured up to the same amount).

By contrast, a Yankee certificate of deposit is a CD account that’s issued by a branch of a foreign bank in the U.S., to U.S. customers. In general, the term of a Yankee certificate deposit is less than a year, and the minimum deposit required is more in line with a jumbo CD.

So, for example, a Canadian bank that has branches in the U.S. could offer Yankee CDs to U.S. residents. Even though the CDs would be issued by a foreign bank, they would still be subject to U.S. regulation by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Federal Reserve Board. But a Yankee certificate of deposit would not be federally insured.

Foreign banks that operate in the U.S. can issue Yankee CDs in order to generate capital for making loans or investments. These CDs can be purchased at issuance or on the secondary market.

Recommended: What is Liquid Net Worth

How Yankee CDs Work

As noted above, Yankee CDs work much the same as other types of deposit accounts that are CDs. There are some differences, however, with regard to:

• Minimum deposits

• Interest rates

• Maturity terms

• Investment risk

Minimum Deposits

Though you might be able to invest in a standard CD with $500 or $1,000, a Yankee certificate of deposit investment might require an initial deposit of $1 million or more. Scotiabank, for instance, issues its Yankee CDs in increments of $250,000 while UBS requires a $1 million minimum deposit for Yankee CDs offered through its Stamford, CT, branch.

A CD of this size issued by a U.S. institution could be categorized as a negotiable CD or NCD. NCDs have a face value of $100,000 or more. But Yankee CDs are not negotiable CDs because they are not FDIC insured.

Fixed and Variable Rates

Interest rates for Yankee CDs may be fixed or variable, which is another difference from other CDs which typically offer a fixed rate, making them more predictable instruments for fixed-income investors.

Shorter Terms

Maturity terms for a Yankee certificate of deposit tend to be shorter (one to three years, depending on the issuer), while regular CDs can have terms ranging from 28 days up to 10 years. The investor cannot access their cash until the CD matures, without triggering an early withdrawal penalty.

Potential Risk

Perhaps the biggest difference between Yankee CDs and other types of CDs is the level of risk involved. Generally speaking, CDs are considered to be safe investments since they offer a practically guaranteed rate of return, and deposits are federally insured up to a certain amount. Yankee CDs, on the other hand, carry certain risks including credit risk and the possibility of lower-than-expected returns if you’re choosing a variable-rate option.

Recommended: Average Savings by Age

Why Does a Yankee CD Matter?

Yankee CDs are not something the everyday investor is likely to be concerned with. After all, most people don’t have $1 million or $50 million to invest into a single CD.

If you’re able to invest in a Yankee CD, however, it’s possible that you could earn a higher rate of return for your money. That’s important if you’re working on building wealth and want to diversify your portfolio.

Are CDs smart investments? They can be, if you’re comfortable leaving money in a CD account until it reaches maturity. Again, with a Yankee certificate of deposit you may be looking at a one- to three-year wait until the CD matures. So given the higher deposit requirements involved, it’s important to consider how comfortable you are typing up larger amounts for that long, and what kind of return you can expect.

From a banking perspective, Yankee CDs matter because they’re a source of capital for foreign banks, which may need U.S. dollars to cover domestic obligations.

Yankee CDs: Real World Example

Scotiabank is one example of a Canadian bank that offers Yankee CDs to U.S.-based savers. The bank, headquartered in Toronto, offers both floating-rate and fixed- rate Yankee certificates of deposit. The bank’s floating-rate products have maturity terms ranging from two to three years, with minimum deposits of $250,000 and target principal amounts ranging from $50 million to $90 million.

The fixed-rate Yankee CD earns an impressive yield and requires a minimum deposit of $250,000, with a target principal amount of $100 million. The maturity period for this CD is also two years. Scotiabank offers these CDs exclusively to institutional investors who are accredited.

Special Considerations for Yankee CDs

There are two important things to keep in mind with a Yankee certificate of deposit investment. First, investors assume a certain amount of credit risk with these CDs.

The quality of these CDs is determined by the credit rating of the issuing bank. Banks with lower credit ratings may be more likely to default on financial obligations, including the payment of interest to CD holders. Tying up large amounts of money in Yankee certificates of deposit issued by banks with questionable credit ratings could therefore be risky.

Second, it’s important to keep in mind that FDIC protection does not apply to these CDs. Ordinarily, CDs issued at FDIC-insured banks are protected up to $250,000 per depositor, per financial institution, per account ownership type, in the rare event that the bank fails. With Yankee CDs, you don’t have that reassurance that your money is safe should the worst happen.

How to Open a Yankee CD

Opening a Yankee isn’t that different from opening any other type of CD. Here are the main steps involved:

• Locate banks that offer Yankee CDs in the U.S.

• Compare the Yankee certificates of deposit available, including the minimum deposit and interest rate.

• Complete the application to open an account.

• Make your initial deposit.

As noted, it’s important to choose a financial institution with good credit ratings. So you may want to take the additional step of checking credit ratings with Moody’s or Fitch Ratings to measure the bank’s financial health and strength.

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Alternatives to Yankee CDs

If you’re looking for CD options that may be more accessible than Yankee CDs, there are some other possibilities. You could use any of the following to reach your savings goals:

• Standard CDs. A standard CD is a regular CD offered by a bank or credit union that pays interest and has a reasonable minimum deposit.

• Jumbo CDs. Jumbo CDs are similar to standard CDs but have larger minimum deposit requirements. For example, you may need $10,000 or more to open a jumbo CD.

• No-penalty CDs. A no-penalty CD allows you to withdraw money from your C before its maturity date without triggering an early withdrawal penalty.

• Bump up CDs. Raise your rate or bump up CDs allow you to raise your interest rate once or twice during the CD term. This type of CD might be attractive if you expect rates to rise.

• Add-on CDs. An add-on CD allows you to make additional deposits to your account after your CD has been opened. Ordinarily, CDs don’t allow additional deposits.

You may also consider CD-secured loans if you’re interested in a CD product that can help you build credit. With a CD-secured loan your CD serves as collateral. Your money stays in the CD until maturity, earning interest. Meanwhile, you make payments to the loan which can be reported to the credit bureaus.

Once the CD matures, you can withdraw the principal and interest or roll it into a new CD. You also get the benefit of on-time payment history, which can help to improve your credit score.

The Takeaway

A Yankee certificate of deposit is issued domestically by a branch of a foreign bank to U.S. investors. Yankee CDs are designed to help investors earn a solid return while allowing foreign banks to raise capital via U.S. investors. Due to their high minimum deposit requirements (as much as $1 million or more), these CDs may be better suited to some investors than others; they’re sometimes restricted to institutional investors.

Yankee CDs may offer competitive rates, but they are not federally insured like most U.S.-issued CDs.

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FAQ

Can you lose money on a certificate of deposit?

Certificates of deposit (CDs) are generally a safe, secure way to save money. It’s possible, however, to lose money with a Yankee CD if the bank that issued it is unable to meet its financial obligations and pay interest to investors as scheduled.

What are the cons of a certificate of deposit?

Certificates of deposit may offer lower rates of return compared to other investments, which means your money has potential for growth. With bank CDs, savers may face early withdrawal penalties if they take money from their accounts before the CD matures.

How do I redeem a certificate of deposit?

If your CD is reaching maturity or you need to withdraw money for any other reason, you can visit a branch to redeem your CD or do so online if your bank allows it. You’ll need to specify how much money you want to withdraw and where that money should be sent if you’re redeeming CDs online.

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SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.60% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a deposit to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government 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, do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate.

SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.60% 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 Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.

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.

Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 10/24/2023. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

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Aug

2022

What Are Digital Assets in the Crypto World?

By AJ Smith | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing | Comments Off

The meaning of digital assets has morphed over time from commonly known digital items (e.g. data, images, video, audio files, etc.) to a broader definition that includes entities that can be created and/or stored using blockchain technology, are verifiably unique, and can be used to generate value.

Digital assets now include different cryptocurrencies, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), crypto assets such as utility or security tokens, and more. While trading crypto is one of the most common ways to invest in digital assets, there are many options to choose from.

What Is a Digital Asset?

Putting aside IRL forms of digital assets that can be created and stored on devices (e.g. text, images, video, audio), the real innovation in digital assetry began with the birth of blockchain technology.

Blockchain technology is a decentralized, transparent, append-only digital ledger that can be used to track or record almost any type of asset, from goods and services to patents, smart contracts, decentralized apps (dApps), and more.

Blockchain technology relies on cryptography and a system of peer-to-peer verification, or consensus mechanisms, to secure transactions and, in the case of cryptocurrency, to mine coins and tokens.

Although most people think cryptocurrency is synonymous with blockchain technology, in fact blockchain technology is increasingly common for a range of digital products and functions — especially the creation and storage of digital assets.

Types of Digital Assets

Broadly speaking, most digital assets fall into two general categories:

1. Cryptocurrencies

2. Cryptographic tokens

Cryptocurrencies

There are thousands of different types of cryptocurrency beyond Bitcoin (these are often referred to as altcoins). As of August 12, 2022, some of the top crypto include:

• Ethereum (ETH)

• Binance Coin (BNB)

• Ripple (XRP)

• Tether (USDT)

• Polkadot (DOT)

• Litecoin (LTC)

In general, though, crypto digital assets are decentralized forms of currency; they exist on a blockchain platform, and are secured by either a proof-of-work (PoW) consensus mechanism (which involves mining), or a proof-of-stake system (PoS), where users lock up or stake some of their coins in order to become validators.

Of the many types of crypto, the vast majority have emerged from new projects. But some are hard forks from existing blockchains (e.g. Litecoin launched in 2011 after a hard fork from Bitcoin).

Others are stablecoins, meaning they’re pegged to a fiat currency like the dollar, euro, or yen, and aim to keep a 1:1 value with that currency.

💡 Interested in crypto? Learn the basics with our Crypto 101 Guide.

Cryptographic Tokens

Tokens are digital assets that can serve a variety of purposes on a blockchain platform. One of the most common types of tokens is known as a utility token, which is a token that serves a specific function within a blockchain ecosystem.

For example, as blockchain technology has advanced and the DeFi space (decentralized finance) has grown, users typically need utility tokens native to each platform to execute certain functions on that platform.

One common example is how ERC20 tokens are used on the Ethereum platform to pay for goods and services (e.g. dapps and smart contracts).

Another example of a utility token would be the Basic Attention Token (BAT). BAT is the native token of the Brave web browser, which is built on Ethereum and seeks to protect users’ privacy with a new advertising model.

There are even digital assets for social networks that reward users in the form of crypto when they create and curate quality content, like Steemit does with the STEEM token.

Digital Assets in Marketing

These days, with so many types of digital and blockchain-based digital assets, many organizations have come to rely on Digital Asset Managers (DAMs).

DAM cloud software plays a vital role for businesses that need a way to catalog and store all the various forms of data and media relevant to that company, including images, video and audio files, social media, as well as cutting-edge material like VR and AR.

In particular, marketers make use of DAM software in order to manage the brand’s entire library of digital assets, to streamline online and offline channels.

Digital Assets in Investing

Perhaps the most important aspect of digital assets for investors is that each one is unique and stored on a blockchain, therefore they provide a form of real world value that can rise and fall like any other asset (e.g. stocks, bonds, mutual funds).

Digital assets present a range of new opportunities for investors. Not only can you buy and sell the many forms of crypto, you can trade NFTs, stake tokens, and more.

Legacy markets have certain limitations that crypto markets in general and digital assets in particular may help solve, especially in regard to cross-border transfers, minimum capital requirements, and the availability of certain asset classes. Because digital assets are decentralized, meaning they are created and stored without the need for middlemen, there are new possibilities for all market participants.

Virtual Assets vs Digital Assets

Virtual assets predate digital assets, in the sense that the acquisition and trading of virtual assets has been core to the online gaming industry for years. It’s important to note however that virtual gaming assets could not be traded in a liquid market initially, whereas the digital asset market allowed for limited liquidity trading.

History of Blockchain Digital Assets

The Bitcoin white paper, also known as the Satoshi Nakamoto white paper, was published on October 31, 2008. About two months later, on January 3, 2009, the Bitcoin network went live, the first Bitcoin was created, and a new asset class (cryptocurrency) was born thanks to the emergence of blockchain, a peer-to-peer, decentralized technology that would soon change the world.

While the pioneering Bitcoin protocol helped establish the market for crypto digital assets, it wasn’t long before developers and entrepreneurs seized on the potential of blockchain technology to innovate in the DeFi space.

In 2015, the Ethereum network launched (following a 2013 white paper). From the start, Ethereum was meant to build on Bitcoin’s foundation. It was built as more than a form of crypto, but rather a programmable blockchain platform with the capacity to support smart contracts, dapps (decentralized apps), and other DeFi projects.

Ethereum and other like-minded projects that emerged around the same time revolutionized how blockchain was used and how digital assets were formed.

Pros and Cons of Investing in Digital Assets

How should investors consider the various opportunities in the digital asset space? Here are some advantages and disadvantages.

Pros

Individual Sovereignty

Bitcoin allows people to become their own bank. When storing assets at a traditional bank or other financial institution, an individual becomes vulnerable to the risk of that institution going bankrupt or mismanaging their funds. This risk is known as counterparty risk.

Because digital assets and crypto are mainly decentralized, they can eliminate counterparty risk.

By holding their own private keys in a crypto wallet, investors can have total ownership of their digital assets and cryptocurrency. Other than gold or silver, no other asset has this quality.

Diversification

Bitcoin has been the best performing asset class of the last decade by far. During eight of those years, the returns from holding Bitcoin exceeded that of any other asset in the world. (That said, as with any investment past performance is not an indication of future performance.)

Cryptocurrency can diversify an investment portfolio in a way no other asset class can. Crypto is known as a “non-correlated asset,” meaning it tends to have little or no correlation to other traditional securities (although this has changed at times and is no guarantee of future performance).

Inflation Hedge

While all investing carries risk, investors often fail to factor in the one risk inherent in every investment denominated in fiat currency (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, etc.): Inflation risk.

The law of supply and demand dictates that when the supply of something increases, its price will decrease absent an equal or greater increase in demand. With central banks creating tens of trillions of new currency units in recent years, some investors have begun looking toward digital assets and cryptocurrencies that have fixed supply limits, like Bitcoin.

It should be noted that the only cryptocurrencies that can serve as viable inflation hedges are those that have a fixed supply. Like gold, scarce commodities tend to increase in value during times of inflation.

In addition, global uncertainty and turmoil tend to increase demand for safe haven assets.

Cons

Digital assets can be extremely volatile, whether you’re talking about the ups and downs of cryptocurrencies or the value of NFTs.

In addition, while digital assets can be considered secure because they are created and stored using decentralized technology and peer-to-peer verification systems, the reality is that when blockchain networks are hacked, those digital assets are at risk. Also, many scams are built around fake digital assets.

The market for digital assets is largely unregulated. Investors have to proceed with caution, verifying procedures, and networks, in order to avoid losses.

Digital Assets and Risk

As noted above, the vast majority of altcoins are highly speculative in nature. Most have small market capitalizations of less than $1 billion or even less than $100 million, so their prices can swing dramatically in short periods of time due to a lack of liquidity. And in the long run, it’s not unheard of for altcoins to drop to zero, meaning investors lose everything.

Bitcoin might be a little different because it has the most secure network (due to having the highest hashrate), the longest track record, and the largest market cap by far. Still past performance is no guarantee of future results, so it’s important for crypto investors to understand the risks inherent in investing in digital assets.

Best Practices for Investing in Digital Assets and Cryptocurrency

Anyone considering investing in digital assets and cryptocurrency would do well to educate themselves on related subjects.

The more a potential investor familiarizes themselves with crypto terms like bitcoin halving, bitcoin forks, and how crypto exchanges work, the less confusing this type of investment will seem.

Due to the volatile nature of digital assets and cryptocurrency, one possible investing strategy is dollar-cost averaging. Rather than trying to time the markets, investors can buy fixed dollar amounts at certain intervals. An example would be an investor setting a recurring buy for an automatic purchase of $50 worth of crypto every two weeks.

The Takeaway

Digital assets is a broad term. It has morphed over time from more tangible digital items like text and images to a definition that includes entities that are created using blockchain technology. Unlike tangible digital assets, today’s digital assets generate real-world value and are an asset class unto themselves.

Digital assets not only include cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), but also crypto assets such as utility or security tokens, and more. Trading these assets comes with certain risk factors, but considering how new this area is, there are also many opportunities for investors.

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.

Crypto: Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies aren’t endorsed or guaranteed by any government, are volatile, and involve a high degree of risk. Consumer protection and securities laws don’t regulate cryptocurrencies to the same degree as traditional brokerage and investment products. Research and knowledge are essential prerequisites before engaging with any cryptocurrency. US regulators, including FINRA , the SEC , and the CFPB , have issued public advisories concerning digital asset risk. Cryptocurrency purchases should not be made with funds drawn from financial products including student loans, personal loans, mortgage refinancing, savings, retirement funds or traditional investments. Limitations apply to trading certain crypto assets and may not be available to residents of all states.

²Terms and conditions apply. Earn a bonus (as described below) when you open a new SoFi Digital Assets LLC account and buy at least $50 worth of any cryptocurrency within 7 days. The offer only applies to new crypto accounts, is limited to one per person, and expires on December 31, 2023. Once conditions are met and the account is opened, you will receive your bonus within 7 days. SoFi reserves the right to change or terminate the offer at any time without notice.

First Trade Amount		Bonus Payout
Low	High	Bonus Payout
$50	$99.99	$10
$100	$499.99	$15
$500	$4,999.99	$50
$5,000+		$100

SOIN0622022

Aug

2022

3D Rendering White Percentage Signs Background

Average Stockbroker Commission Percentage

By Michael Flannelly | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing | Comments Off

Investing in the stock market is usually alluring for those trying to grow their money. But there are many things to consider before jumping in — chief among them stockbroker commissions. Stockbrokers often charge commissions and other fees for the use of their services, and these brokerage fees can vary widely.

Investors must pay attention to average brokerage fees when making investment decisions; finding the right broker can play a significant role in long-term financial outcomes. Before delving into how much stockbrokers typically charge for their services, it’s worth understanding their role in an individual’s investment strategy.

What Does a Stockbroker Do?

A stockbroker, or investment broker, is an individual or firm that charges a fee or commission to buy or sell stocks and other securities on behalf of their clients. Using a stockbroker is relatively common for people looking to invest in the market.

Buying stocks isn’t like making other purchases because the channels through which stocks are bought and sold are fairly controlled. While an individual buying a computer could choose to purchase directly from a manufacturer, a store, or a friend, the channels for buying stocks are much more limited. Generally, purchases of stock are required to flow through a stockbroker.

However, there are some instances when someone may buy stocks without a broker, including buying and selling through direct stock and dividend reinvestment plans.

A stockbroker has a license that allows them to trade registered securities, meaning the ability to buy and sell stocks on behalf of clients. But merely acting as an agent for buying and selling stocks doesn’t capture the full extent of what some brokers do. Many brokers offer additional services to clients, like money management and estate planning.

Because the types of services a stockbroker may offer, and the fees they levy on these services, can vary, it’s good to understand the main categories of brokers. In addition to selling shares of companies, a stockbroker may also sell other traded securities such as mutual funds and exchange-traded funds.

What Is the Average Stock Broker Commission Fee?

The amount charged by a brokerage firm for its services can vary greatly. Some firms may charge a flat fee for their services, while others may charge a percentage of the overall value of the transaction. The average fee charged by brokerage firms is typically between 1% and 2% of the total transaction value.

Full-Service vs Discount Stockbrokers

The main two categories of stockbrokers are full-service brokers and discount brokers. You want to understand the differences before opening a brokerage account.

As they sound, a full-service brokerage firm provides more hands-on service, helping clients balance their portfolios and providing other investment advice. Discount brokers allow an investor to buy and sell stock and other assets, but provide few add-ons but still. Commission rates and additional fees vary accordingly.

Because full-service stockbrokers provide an array of services over the year, they typically base their commissions on a more all-inclusive model determined by the value of the investments they manage. While there may also be additional fees, the typical commission structure for a full-service broker is known as the percentage of assets under management. The cost is charged annually and is listed within fee schedules as “x%/AUM” (assets under management).

Discount brokers, synonymous with online brokerage accounts, on the other hand, typically charge a per-transaction flat stock trade fee, regardless of the type of stock or number of shares being bought or sold.

For example, if the stock trade fee is $5 per trade, that’s what an individual would pay whether they were buying five shares of a stock valued at $50 a share ($250) or 500 shares ($25,000).

However, many discount brokers these days charge no commission for trading stocks.

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*Customer must fund their Active Invest account with at least $25 within 30 days of opening the account. Probability of customer receiving $1,000 is 0.028%. See full terms and conditions.

Common Brokerage Fees

Various investment fees and costs are associated with the buying and selling of investments. Investors should consider these brokerage fees when choosing a broker and deciding what investments to make.

Management Fees

An investment’s management fee is the fee the investment manager charges for its services. This fee is typically a percentage of the investment’s assets under management and is deducted from the investment’s returns.

If you use a full-service brokerage that offers money management services, they will often charge a management fee. Some charge as much as 2% and others far less.

Generally speaking, the more money you have invested with a broker or money manager, the lower your management fee will be.

Commission For Trading

Many brokerage firms charge a commission for making trades on behalf of clients. Fees and commissions vary widely depending on the type of transaction and broker. Those fees can be based on a percentage of the transaction’s value — usually between 1% to 2% — or they can be a flat fee.

The commissions for trading depend on whether an investor uses a full-service or discount broker. Because full-service brokers offer a wide range of advice and services, their commissions per trade may be higher than a discount or online brokerage might charge.

Discount brokers offer fewer advice and services, so they can charge a lower flat fee per trade, from less than $5 to more than $30. In recent years, the biggest online brokerage firms have offered no commission trading, partly due to competition and because they instead get paid through a practice known as payment for order flow.

Retirement Account Fees: 401(k)

If you have a 401(k) savings account through your employer, there are several fees to keep in mind when making your investments.

First, you’ll likely be charged an administration fee to maintain the plan. These fees can range from 0.5% to 2% of your 401(k) balance. The 401(k) provider charges this fee to your employer, and the cost is usually passed down to the employees.

Additionally, the actual investments in your 401(k), like mutual funds and ETFs, charge management fees that you’ll have to pay.

Mutual Fund Fees

Investors interested in buying and selling mutual funds must consider the fees associated with these investment vehicles.

Expense Ratio

The expense ratio is the yearly cost that mutual funds and ETFs charge investors to cover operating costs. The expense ratio measures the total costs as a percentage of the fund’s total assets. The fund’s costs may include management, custodial, marketing, and other expenses.

The average expense ratio for an actively managed mutual fund ranges from 0.5% to 1.0%, while passive funds have an average expense ratio of 0.2%.

The costs of operating the mutual fund are deducted from your investment, reducing your returns each year.

Sales Load

Mutual fund investors may pay sales loads — also known as sales charges — when they buy or sell shares of the fund. The sales load is how the broker or advisor gets paid for their service.

A sales load isn’t a flat transaction fee, however. Instead, it’s a percentage of the assets invested.

FINRA caps mutual fund sales loads at 8.5%, though the common range is between 3% and 6%.

Brokerage Fee Impact on Investments Long-Term

Brokerage and investment fees and commissions can eat away at long-term gains. Thus, finding the right broker and investing in low-cost funds can help you achieve your long-term financial goals.

To illustrate, if full-service brokerage charges a 1.5% annual management fee on a $50,000 portfolio, that costs $750 for the investor during a single year. While that charge doesn’t seem significant for one year, those fees will add up and eat into overall returns over time.

Brokerage Fee Pros

One of the benefits of using a brokerage is that you have access to valuable resources, research, and advice. These services may help you make better investment decisions, leading to better financial outcomes. So, you may get what you pay for, even if you think the fees may be steep.

Brokerage Fee Cons

As noted above, brokerage fees can be expensive and eat into investment returns. This is especially a problem if you don’t do your homework and pay attention to all the fees charged by brokers and the kind of investments you make.

Additionally, high brokerage fees may discourage some people from investing, leading to poor long-term financial outcomes.

Is It Worth Using a Stockbroker?

Using a stockbroker, especially a full-service brokerage, can be ideal for investors intimidated by complicated financial markets. The idea of having a licensed professional guide novice investors through every investment decision and trade might seem like a good way to get more comfortable with the principles of investing. But as the above examples illustrate, the average full-service stockbroker commission can make the full-service approach expensive.

Free Trades and Chat With a Planner

With long-term returns that have historically outpaced interest rates on savings, investing in the stock market can be a powerful strategy for financial growth. Even beginners may find investing less intimidating than they thought — and possibly see clear of high stockbroker fees.

With a SoFi Invest® online brokerage account, you can start trading stocks and ETFs with no commissions for as little as $5. If you sign up for a SoFi account, you’ll even get complimentary access to financial planners, SoFi’s non-commissioned fiduciaries who are required to keep your best interests in mind.

Learn some of the advantages of investing with SoFi Invest

FAQ

How do stock brokerage fees work?

Stock brokerage fees are typically a commission that a broker charges for executing trades on behalf of their clients. These fees can vary depending on the type of trade being executed, as well as the broker’s commission structure.

Are there any alternatives to a brokerage fee?

A brokerage fee is a charge assessed by a broker for their services, which typically include advice, transaction execution, and asset management. There are a variety of alternatives to brokerage fees, including flat fees, subscription fees, and performance-based fees.

Aug

2022

What Is Stagflation & Will It Happen Again?

By Michael Flannelly | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing, Terminology | Comments Off

The economic term stagflation is a mashup of the words stagnation and inflation — and it’s worth being aware of because of the threat it poses to economies.

Stagflation creates potentially disastrous conditions where people experiencing a decline in purchasing power also feel discouraged against investing. It can create a chain reaction of wealth-destroying events where unemployment climbs and economic output slows, contributing to a national economic malaise.

What Is Stagflation?

Stagflation is a term used to describe a situation when the economy is growing slowly — stagnation — and prices rise rapidly — inflation.

The term was coined by British Conservative Party politician Iain Norman Macleod in a 1965 speech to Parliament. At the time, the United Kingdom was in the midst of simultaneous high inflation and unemployment. In the speech to Parliament, Macleod said, “We now have the worst of both worlds – not just inflation on the one side or stagnation on the other, but both of them together. We have a sort of ‘stagflation’ situation and history in modern terms is indeed being made.”

Usually, economists and analysts will use the unemployment rate as a proxy for economic activity when discussing stagflation. So, a period of stagflation is when unemployment rises while inflation — as measured by the consumer price index (CPI) — accelerates above normally acceptable levels of price growth.

However, like many economic concepts, there is no standard definition of stagflation. Policymakers, elected officials, and investors will use the term stagflation in various economic scenarios.

💡 Recommended: Understanding the Different Economic Indicators

Stagflation vs Inflation

Inflation is a general increase in the average prices of goods and services. In contrast, stagflation is a combination of stagnant economic growth and rising inflation.

Low levels of inflation are normal for an economy; there’s a reason why movie theater tickets cost more today than they did in the 1950s. Inflation doesn’t become an issue until prices get out of control and spiral upwards. Policymakers within the Federal Reserve like inflation to rise about 2% each year.

You can have inflation without stagflation, but you can’t have stagflation without inflation.

Has Stagflation Ever Happened?

Before the 1970s, economists didn’t think stagflation — a period of rising unemployment and inflation — was possible. Theoretically, inflation should decrease when unemployment increases because workers have less bargaining power to get higher wages. So, the theory goes, stagflation shouldn’t happen.

However, stagflation did occur in the United States from the mid-1970s. During the 1973-1975 recession, the U.S. experienced five quarters where the gross domestic product (GDP) decreased. Inflation peaked at 12.2% in November 1974, and the unemployment rate rose to 9.0% in May 1975.

This stagflation cycle was part of a larger sequence of events called the Nixon Shock.

Responding to increasing inflation in 1971, President Richard Nixon imposed wage and price controls and surcharges on imports. This created a perfect-storm condition where, when the 1973 oil crisis hit, those surcharges on imports made prices at the gas pump — and across many U.S. industries — skyrocket to then-record prices. The rising prices helped lead to a wage-price spiral, where inflation led to workers asking for higher wages, which led to more inflation, and so on.

The Federal Reserve raised interest rates to combat the inflation of the early-70s, but this only created a recession and high unemployment without tamping down inflation. Thus, a prolonged economic stagnation accompanying inflation occurred — a stagflation situation.

While the economy recovered slightly in the late 1970s, inflation remained a problem for the rest of the decade. Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volcker eventually hiked interest rates to 20% by 1981, triggering a recession to get inflation under control.

Will Stagflation Happen Again?

There are debates about whether stagflation will occur again in the United States.

The economy was in a precarious situation in the first half of 2022. Inflation was running hot due to supply chain issues related to the economic fallout of Covid-19, as well as fiscal and monetary policy stimulus. The Federal Reserve started raising interest rates at a historic pace to combat the rising prices. The Fed began an attempt to curb inflation with the hope of a soft landing, in which an economy slows enough that prices stop rising quickly but not so slowly that it sparks a recession.

Like the 1970s, an energy and commodity crisis occurred due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; most of the world subsequently placed economic sanctions on Russia. The sanctions led to high oil, gas, and food prices, adding to already hot inflation.

These factors made the chance of stagflation more of a reality. Economic growth, as measured by GDP, declined in the first half of 2022. Inflation was at its highest rate in over 40 years, coming in at a 8.5% annualized rate in July 2022. Because of this, some economists and analysts believe that the economy entered a period of stagflation.

However, other commentators note that the unemployment rate was 3.5% as of July 2022, the lowest in 50 years. Because of this, these commentators claim that there can’t be stagflation.

While no one can predict the future, it stands to reason that events that have happened in the past can happen again. Stagflation may occur again, but this doesn’t have to be a dire situation as long as you prepare your financial situation.

💡 Recommended: SoFi’s Recession Guide and Help Center

How Can Stagflation Impact Investors?

Economic stagnation can have several impacts on investors. Firstly, it can lead to lower returns on investment as companies are less likely to grow and expand in a stagnant economy. This can lead to investors becoming more risk-averse as they seek out investments that are more likely to provide stability and income.

Secondly, stagnation can also lead to higher levels of unemployment, which can, in turn, lead to social unrest and political instability. This can make it more difficult for companies to operate in a given country and lead to investors losing confidence in the economy.

A slowdown of economic activity lasting several months sounds like it can only be a bad thing. But a recession does not necessarily mean the death knell for your finances. For some investors, there are, perhaps surprisingly, compelling strategies to consider when the market is down. Volatility may allow investors to buy low and then make appreciable gains as the market corrects itself.

💡 Recommended: How to Invest During Inflation

The Takeaway

Stagflation occurs when an economy experiences simultaneous high inflation and high unemployment. It’s a situation that often leads to decreased spending by consumers and businesses, which can further stall economic growth and investment returns. Stagflation has occurred before in the U.S. — notably during the Nixon Shock of the early 1970s — and there is no reason to think it won’t happen again at some point.

A SoFi Invest® online brokerage account offers members a wide range of investment help and opportunities — from automated investing to a more hands — on approach with active investing. Our platform provides the latest market news, and information investors want about stocks and other investment options, which can help you make decisions even when the economy is on shaky ground.

Find out how to start investing with SoFi Invest.