Commodities Trading Guide for Beginners

Commodities Trading Guide for Beginners


Editor's Note: Options are not suitable for all investors. Options involve risks, including substantial risk of loss and the possibility an investor may lose the entire amount invested in a short period of time. Please see the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options.

Commodities trading — e.g. agricultural products, energy, and metals — can be profitable if you understand how the commodity markets work. Commodities trading is generally viewed as high risk, since the commodities markets can fluctuate dramatically owing to factors that are difficult to foresee (like weather) but influence supply and demand.

Nonetheless, commodity trading can be useful for diversification because commodities tend to have a low or even a negative correlation with asset classes like stocks and bonds. Commodities fall firmly in the category of alternative investments, and thus they may be better suited to some investors than others. Getting familiar with commodity trading basics can help investors manage risk vs. reward.

What Is Commodities Trading?

Commodities trading simply means buying and selling a commodity on the open market. Commodities are raw materials that have a tangible economic value. For example, agricultural commodities include products like soybeans, wheat, and cotton. These, along with gold, silver, and other precious metals, are examples of physical commodities.

There are different ways commodity trading can work. Investing in commodities can involve trading futures, options trading, or investing in commodity-related stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, or index funds. Different investments offer different strategies, risks, and potential costs that investors need to weigh before deciding how to invest in commodities.

Unique Traits of the Commodities Market

The commodities market is unique in that market prices are driven largely by supply and demand, less by market forces or events in the news. When supply for a particular commodity such as soybeans is low — perhaps owing to a drought — and demand for it is high, that typically results in upward price movements.

And when there’s an oversupply of a commodity such as oil, for example, and low demand owing to a warmer winter in some areas, that might send oil prices down.

Likewise, global economic development and technological innovations can cause a sudden shift in the demand for certain commodities like steel or gas or even certain agricultural products like sugar.

Thus, investing in commodities can be riskier because they’re susceptible to volatility based on factors that can be hard to anticipate. For example, a change in weather patterns can impact crop yields, or sudden demand for a new consumer product can drive up the price of a certain metal required to make that product.

Even a relatively stable commodity such as gold can be affected by rising or falling interest rates, or changes in the value of the U.S. dollar.

In the case of any commodity, it’s important to remember that you’re often dealing with tangible, raw materials that typically don’t behave the way other investments or markets tend to.

Commodity vs Stock Trading

The main difference in stock trading vs commodity trading lies in what’s being traded. When trading stocks, you’re trading ownership shares in a particular company. If you’re trading commodities, you’re trading the physical goods that those companies may use.

There’s also a difference in where you trade commodities vs. stocks. Stocks are traded on a stock exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) or Nasdaq. Commodities and commodities futures are traded on a commodities exchange, such as the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYME) or the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME).

That said, and we’ll explore this more later in this guide, it’s possible to invest in commodities via certain stocks in companies that are active in those industries.

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Start trading funds that include commodities, private credit, pre-IPO unicorns, venture capital, and more.


Types of Commodities

Commodities are grouped together as an asset class but there are different types of commodities you may choose to invest in. There are two main categories of commodities: Hard commodities and soft commodities. Hard commodities are typically extracted from natural resources while soft commodities are grown or produced.

Agricultural Commodities

Agricultural commodities are soft commodities that are typically produced by farmers. Examples of agricultural commodities include rice, wheat, barley, oats, oranges, coffee beans, cotton, sugar, and cocoa. Lumber can also be included in the agricultural commodities category.

Needless to say, this sector is heavily dependent on seasonal changes, weather patterns, and climate conditions. Other factors may also come into play, like a virus that impacts cattle or pork. Population growth or decline in a certain area can likewise influence investment opportunities, if demand for certain products rises or falls.

Recommended: How to Invest in Agriculture

Livestock and Meat Commodities

Livestock and meat are given their own category in the commodity market. Examples of livestock and meat commodities include pork bellies, live cattle, poultry, live hogs, and feeder cattle. These are also considered soft commodities.

You may not think that seasonal factors or weather patterns could affect this market, but livestock and the steady production of meat requires the steady consumption of feed, typically based on corn or grain. Thus, this is another sector that can be vulnerable in unexpected ways.

Energy Commodities

Energy commodities are hard commodities. Examples of energy commodities include crude oil, natural gas, heating oil or propane, and products manufactured from petroleum, such as gasoline.

Here, investors need to be aware of certain economic and political factors that could influence oil and gas production, like a change in policy from OPEC (the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries). New technology that supports alternative or green energy sources can also have a big impact on commodity prices in the energy sector.

Precious Metals and Industrial Metals

Metals commodities are also hard commodities. Types of metal commodities include precious metals such as gold, silver, and platinum. Industrial metals such as steel, copper, zinc, iron, and lead would also fit into this category.

Investors should be aware of factors like inflation, which might push people to buy precious metals as a hedge.

How to Trade Commodities

If you’re interested in how to trade commodities, there are different ways to go about it. It’s important to understand the risk involved, as well as your objectives. You can use that as a guideline for determining how much of your portfolio to dedicate to commodity trading, and which of the following strategies to consider.

Recommended: What Is Asset Allocation?

Trading Stocks in Commodities

If you’re already familiar with stock trading, purchasing shares of companies that have a commodities connection could be the simplest way to start investing.

For example, if you’re interested in gaining exposure to agricultural commodities or livestock and meat commodities, you may buy shares in companies that belong to the biotech, pesticide, or meat production industries.

Or, you might consider purchasing oil stocks or mining stocks if you’re more interested in the energy stocks and precious or industrial metals commodities markets.

Trading commodities stocks is the same as trading shares of any other stock. The difference is that you’re specifically targeting companies that are related to the commodities markets in some way. This requires understanding both the potential of the company, as well as the potential impact of fluctuations in the underlying commodity.

You can trade commodities stocks on margin for even more purchasing power. This means borrowing money from your brokerage to trade, which you must repay. This could result in bigger profits, though a drop in stock prices could trigger a margin call.

Futures Trading in Commodities

A futures contract represents an agreement to buy or sell a certain commodity at a specific price at a future date. The producers of raw materials make commodities futures contracts available for trade to investors.

So, for example, an orange grower might sell a futures contract agreeing to sell a certain amount of their crop for a set price. A company that sells orange juice could then buy that contract to purchase those oranges for production at that price.

This type of futures trading involves the exchange of physical commodities or raw materials. For the everyday investor, futures trading in commodities typically doesn’t mean you plan to take delivery of two tons of coffee beans or 4,000 bushels of corn. Instead, you buy a futures contract with the intention of selling it before it expires.

Futures trading in commodities is speculative, as investors are making educated guesses about which way a commodity’s price will move at some point in the future. Similar to trading commodities stocks, commodities futures can also be traded on margin. But again, this could mean taking more risk if the price of a commodity doesn’t move the way you expect it to.

Trading ETFs in Commodities

Commodity ETFs (or exchange-traded funds) can simplify commodities trading. When you purchase a commodity ETF you’re buying a basket of securities. These can target a picture type of commodities, such as metals or energy, or offer exposure to a broad cross-section of the commodities market.

A commodity ETF can offer simplified diversification though it’s important to understand what you own. For example, a commodities ETF that includes options or commodities futures contracts may carry a higher degree of risk compared to an ETF that includes commodities companies, such as oil and gas companies, or food producers.

Recommended: How to Trade ETFs

Investing in Mutual and Index Funds in Commodities

Mutual funds and index funds offer another entry point to commodities investing. Like ETFs, mutual funds and index funds can allow you to own a basket of commodities securities for easier diversification. But actively managed mutual funds offer investors access to very different strategies compared with index funds.

Actively managed funds follow an active management strategy, typically led by a portfolio manager who selects individual securities for the fund. So investing in a commodities mutual fund that’s focused on water or corn, for example, could give you exposure to different companies that build technologies or equipment related to water sustainability or corn production.

By contrast, index mutual funds are passive, and simply mirror the performance of a market index.

Even though these funds allow you to invest in a portfolio of different securities, remember that commodities mutual funds and index funds are still speculative, so it’s important to understand the risk profile of the fund’s underlying holdings.

Commodity Pools

A commodity pool is a private pool of money contributed by multiple investors for the purpose of speculating in futures trading, swaps, or options trading. A commodity pool operator (CPO) is the gatekeeper: The CPO is responsible for soliciting investors to join the pool and managing the money that’s invested.

Trading through a commodity pool could give you more purchasing power since multiple investors contribute funds. Investors share in both the profits and the losses, so your ability to make money this way can hinge on the skills and expertise of the CPO. For that reason, it’s important to do the appropriate due diligence. Most CPOs should be registered with the National Futures Association (NFA). You can check a CPO’s registration status and background using the NFA website.

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Commodity Trading

Investing in commodities has its pros and cons like anything else, and they’re not necessarily right for every investor. If you’ve never traded commodities before it’s important to understand what’s good — and potentially not so good — about this market.

Advantages of Commodity Trading

Commodities can add diversification to a portfolio which can help with risk management. Since commodities have low correlation to the price movements of traditional asset classes like stocks and bonds they may be more insulated from the stock volatility that can affect those markets.

Supply and demand, not market conditions, drive commodities prices which can help make them resilient throughout a changing business cycle.

Trading commodities can also help investors hedge against rising inflation. Commodity prices and inflation move together. So if consumer prices are rising commodity prices follow suit. If you invest in commodities, that can help your returns keep pace with inflation so there’s less erosion of your purchasing power.

Disadvantages of Commodity Trading

The biggest downside associated with commodities trading is that it’s high risk. Changes in supply and demand can dramatically affect pricing in the commodity market which can directly impact your returns. That means commodities that only seem to go up and up in price can also come crashing back down in a relatively short time frame.

There is also a risk inherent to commodities trading, which is the possibility of ending up with a delivery of the physical commodity itself if you don’t close out the position. You could also be on the hook to sell the commodity.

Aside from that, commodities don’t offer any benefits in terms of dividend or interest payments. While you could generate dividend income with stocks or interest income from bonds, your ability to make money with commodities is based solely on buying them low and selling high.

The Takeaway

Commodities trading could be lucrative but it’s important to understand what kind of risk it entails. Commodities trading is a high-risk strategy so it may work better for investors who have a greater comfort with risk, versus those who are more conservative. Thinking through your risk tolerance, risk capacity, and timeline for investing can help you decide whether it makes sense to invest in commodities.

Fortunately, there are a number of ways to invest in commodities, including futures and options (which are a bit more complex), as well as stocks, ETFs, mutual and index funds — securities that may be more familiar.

Ready to expand your portfolio's growth potential? Alternative investments, traditionally available to high-net-worth individuals, are accessible to everyday investors on SoFi's easy-to-use platform. Investments in commodities, real estate, venture capital, and more are now within reach. Alternative investments can be high risk, so it's important to consider your portfolio goals and risk tolerance to determine if they're right for you.


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Alternative investments, including funds that invest in alternative investments, are risky and may not be suitable for all investors. Alternative investments often employ leveraging and other speculative practices that increase an investor's risk of loss to include complete loss of investment, often charge high fees, and can be highly illiquid and volatile. Alternative investments may lack diversification, involve complex tax structures and have delays in reporting important tax information. Registered and unregistered alternative investments are not subject to the same regulatory requirements as mutual funds.
Please note that Interval Funds are illiquid instruments, hence the ability to trade on your timeline may be restricted. Investors should review the fee schedule for Interval Funds via the prospectus.

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How Does a Wealth Management Account Work?

Wealth management accounts are types of investment accounts that are managed by a professional, who coordinates the rebalancing and reallocation of assets in a portfolio. They are usually a part of a larger financial plan, often overseen by a manager or advisor.

A wealth management account is one way to help simplify investing and financial planning. But there are things investors should know, such as the costs involved, and any potential pitfalls.

What Is A Wealth Management Account?

A wealth management account is generally a form of advisory account that allows for the input and coordination of a financial advisor or planner. While there are many different types of asset management accounts, historically, many of these accounts have been available only to those with significant wealth or assets to manage.

If you’ve avoided opening a wealth management account because of high investing minimums, you should know that there are an increasing number of types of investing accounts on the market for individuals of various income levels. That’s to say that though there may be investment fees in the mix, it may be worth it to discuss the options available to you with a financial professional.

Based on your personal investment strategy, which may be developed with the help of a professional, a wealth management account may be used to invest your money in different assets.




💡 Quick Tip: How do you decide if a certain trading platform or app is right for you? Ideally, the investment platform you choose offers the features that you need for your investment goals or strategy, e.g., an easy-to-use interface, data analysis, educational tools.

Why Invest with a Wealth Management Account?

Using a wealth management account may help some investors stay on track and stick to a financial plan. Working with a manager, too, can help take some of the pressure off of investors who may be having difficulties deciding how to invest.

Some people may choose not to invest at all, which might stymie their progress toward reaching financial goals. As such, a wealth manager or advisor may use a wealth management account to help those investors, and invest their assets where they have the best opportunity to grow. While rates of return cannot be guaranteed, and it is possible that investments will lose money, over time, money tends to grow when left in the market.

In effect, investing is a way to allow your money to work for you.

How Does Investing with a Wealth Management Account Work?

As noted, a wealth management account works in conjunction with a larger financial plan – one that a wealth management or financial professional likely lays out with you after learning more about your goals. They’re holistic accounts, taking into account applicable taxes and fees, and one in which a manager or advisor selects and manages investments on an individual’s behalf.

Once you have an investment plan in place, a wealth manager could build you a portfolio from a wide selection of assets, such as stocks, bonds, ETFs, and more. From there, a wealth manager will keep an eye on your portfolio, make changes as necessary, and incorporate an investor’s feedback.

How Do Financial Planners Help with Wealth Management Accounts?

As discussed, financial professionals or wealth managers offer a guiding hand in not only determining your financial goals, but figuring out the best investment strategy to help you reach them. That will all depend on a number of factors, including your age, risk tolerance, and more. But, ultimately, a financial professional will be able to make decisions based on market conditions and your portfolio’s makeup to help you reach certain financial milestones.

There’s always a chance that they could fail, that they offer bad advice, that your portfolio loses money, or that you could end up paying more than anticipated in fees and commissions, however. That’s something investors will need to take into consideration. But overall, a wealth management account is typically designed for an investor who wants a professional to offer guidance, and take some of the work out of managing a 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).

For a limited time, opening and funding an Active Invest account gives you the opportunity to get up to $1,000 in the stock of your choice.

FAQ

Are wealth management accounts worth it?

A wealth management account may be worth it to an investor if the investor wants a professional to offer guidance and make actual investments for them, as opposed to doing it themselves. Whether it’s worth it is ultimately up to the individual.

How much money do you need to open a wealth management account?

The amount of money needed to open a wealth management account varies from firm to firm, but generally, investors will need a minimum of around $25,000 to get started.

What is the typical wealth management fee?

Depending on the specific firm and financial professional an investor is working with, wealth management fees average around 1% of the assets being managed.


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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.
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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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The Rule of 72: Understanding Its Significance in Investing

The Rule of 72 is a shortcut equation to help you figure out just how long it will take to double an investment at a given rate of return. Best of all, the math is easy to do without the help of a calculator.

In short, the Rule of 72 can help investors determine whether an investment may have a place in their overall investment strategy, and how to proceed.

What Is the Rule of 72?

As noted, the Rule of 72 helps investors understand how different types of investments might figure into their investment plans. The basic formula for the rule is:

Number of years to double an investment = 72 / Interest rate.

In the case of investing, the interest rate is the rate of return on an investment. For example, an investor has $10,000 to invest in an investment that offers a 6% rate of return. That investment would double in 72 / 6 = 12 years. Twelve years after making an initial investment, the investor would have $20,000.

Notice that when making this calculation, investors divide by six, not 6% or 0.06. Dividing by 0.06 would indicate 1,200 years to double the investment, an outlandishly long time.

This shorthand allows investors to quickly compare investments and understand whether their rate of return will help them meet their financial goals within a desired time horizon.

Who Came Up with the Rule of 72?

The Rule of 72 is not new, in fact, it dates back to the late 1400s, when it was referenced in a mathematics book by Luca Pacioli. The Rule itself, though, could date even further back. Albert Einstein is often credited with its invention, however.


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The Formula and Calculation of the Rule of 72

The Rule of 72 is a shortened version of a logarithmic equation that involves complex functions you would need a scientific calculator to calculate. That formula looks like this:

T = ln(2) / ln(1 + r / 100)

In this equation, T equals time to double, ln is the natural log function, and r is the compounded interest rate.

This calculation is too complicated for the average investor to perform on the fly, and it turns out 72 divided by r is a close approximation that works especially well for lower rates of return. The higher the rate of return — as the rate nears 100% — the less accurate the Rule of 72 gets.

Example of the Rule of 72 Calculation

For a relatively simple equation, the Rule of 72 can help investors figure out a lot of helpful information. For one, it can help them compare different types of investments that offer different rates of returns.

For example, an investor has $25,000 to invest and plans to retire in 20 years. In order to meet a certain retirement goal, that investor needs to at least double their money to $50,000 in that time period.

The same investor is presented with two investment options: One offers a 3% return and one offers a 4% return. The investor can quickly see that at 3% the investment will double in 72 / 3 = 24 years, four years past their retirement date. The investment with a 4% return will double their money in 72 / 4 = 18 years, giving them two years of leeway before they retire.

The investor can see that when choosing between the two options, choosing the 4% rate of return will help them reach their financial goals, while the 3% return will leave them short.

Applying the Rule of 72 in Investment Planning

There are numerous instances in which the Rule of 72 can be applied to investment planning. But it’s also important to understand a bit about how simple and compound interest differ, and come into play when using the Rule to make projections.

Remember, there are two types of interest rates: simple interest and compound interest.

Simple interest is calculated using only the principal or starting amount. For example, an individual opens an account with $1,000 and a 1% simple interest rate. At the end of the year, they will have $1,010 in their bank account. But they’ll only earn 1% each year on their principal, aka that initial $1,000.

So even over a longer time period, the individual isn’t earning very much—after 10 years, for example, they will have accumulated a total of $1,100.

Simple interest may be even easier to conceptualize as a savings account from which an individual withdraws the interest each year.

In the example above the individual would withdraw $10 at the end of the year and start again with $1,000 the next year. Every year after that, they would start over with the same principal and earn the same amount in interest.

Compound interest, on the other hand, can help investments grow exponentially. That’s because it incorporates the interest earned on an investment in addition to the initial investment. In other words, an investor earns a return on their returns.

To get an idea of the power of compound interest it might help to explore a compound interest calculator, which allows users to input principal, interest rate, and compounding period.

For example, an individual invests that same $1,000 at a 6% interest rate for 30 years with interest compounding annually. At the end of the investment period, they will have made more than $5,700 without making any additional investments.

That fact is important to consider when conceptualizing the Rule of 72, because compound interest plays a big role in helping an investment double in value within a given time frame. It can help achieve high reward with relatively little effort.

Practical Uses in Financial Projections

Higher returns are often correlated with higher risk. So this rule can help investors gauge whether their risk tolerance — or their return on investment — is high enough to get them to their goal. Depending on what their time horizon is, investors can easily see whether they need to bump up their risk tolerance and choose investments that offer higher returns.

By the same token, this rule can help investors understand if their time horizon is long enough at a certain rate of return. For example, the investor in the above example is already invested in the instrument that offers 3%.

The Rule of 72 can illustrate that they may need to rethink their timeline for when they will retire, pushing it past 20 years. Alternatively, they could sell their current investments and buy a new investment that offers a higher rate of return.

It’s also important to understand that the Rule of 72 does not take into account additional savings that may be made to the principal investment. So if it becomes clear that the goal won’t be met at the current savings rate, an investor will be able to consider how much extra money to set aside to help reach the goal.

Estimating Investment Doubling Times

Using the Rule of 72 to estimate investment doubling times can be a little tricky, and perhaps inaccurate, unless an investor has a clear idea of what the expected rate of return for an investment will be. For instance, it may be very difficult to get an idea of an expected return for a particularly volatile stock. As such, investors may want to proceed with caution when using it to calculate investment doubling times.

Application in Stock Market Investments

As mentioned, stock market investments can be difficult to predict. But some are more predictable than others. For example, investors can probably use the historic rate of return for the S&P 500 to try and get a sense of an expected return for the market at large – which can help when applying the Rule of 72 to index funds or other broad investments.

For example, if a 401(k) plan includes investments that offer a 6% return, the investment will double in 12 years. Again, that’s an estimate, but it gives investors a ballpark figure to work with.

Use During Periods of Inflation

Money loses value during bouts of inflation, which means that the Rule of 72 can be used to determine how long it’ll take a dollar’s value to fall by half – the opposite of doubling in value.

Accuracy and Limitations of the Rule of 72

The Rule of 72 has its place in the investing lexicon, but there are some things about its accuracy and overall limitations to take into consideration.

Is the Rule of 72 Accurate?

Perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind about the Rule of 72’s accuracy is that it’s a derivation of a larger, more complex operation, and therefore, is something of an estimate. It’s not perfectly accurate, but will get you more of a “ballpark” figure that can help you make investing decisions.

Situations Where the Rule is Most Accurate

The Rule of 72 is only an approximation and depending on what you’re trying to understand there are a few variations of the rule that can make the approximation more accurate.

The rule of 72 is most accurate at 8%, and beyond that at a range between 6% and 10%. You can, however, adjust the rule to make it more accurate outside the 6% to 10% window.

The general rule to make the calculation more accurate is to adjust the rule by one for every three points the interest rate differs from 8% in either direction. So, for an interest rate of 11%, individuals should adjust from 72 to 73. In the other direction, if the interest rate is 5%, individuals should adjust 72 to 71.

Comparisons and Variations on the Rule

There are a few alternatives or variations of the Rule of 72, too, such as the Rule of 73, Rule of 69.3, and Rule of 69.

Rule of 72 vs. Rule of 73

The basic difference between the Rule of 72 and the Rule of 73 is that it’s used to estimate the time it takes for an investment’s value to double if the rate of return is above 10%. The Rule of 73 is only a slight tweak to the rule of 72, using different figures in the calculation.

Rules of 72, 69.3, and 69

Similarly to the Rule of 73, some people prefer to use the Rule of 69.3, especially when interest compounds daily, to get a more accurate result. That number is derived from the complete equation ln(2) / ln(1 + r / 100). When plugged into a calculator by itself, ln(2) results in a number that’s approximately 0.693147.

Ready to invest in your goals? It’s easy to get started when you open an investment account with SoFi Invest. You can invest in stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, alternative funds, and more. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).

For a limited time, opening and funding an Active Invest account gives you the opportunity to get up to $1,000 in the stock of your choice.

FAQ

What are flaws of the Rule of 72>

There are a few key drawbacks to using the Rule of 72, including the fact that it’s mostly accurate only for a certain subset of investments, it’s only an estimation, and that unforeseen factors can cause the rate of return for an investment to change, rendering it useless.

Does the Rule of 72 apply to debt?

Yes, the Rule of 72 can apply to debt, and it can be used to calculate an estimate of how long it would take a debt balance to double if it’s not paid down or off.

Who created the Rule of 72?

Albert Einstein often gets credit, but Italian mathematician Luca Pacioli most likely invented, or introduced the Rule of 72 to the popular world in the late 1400s.



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.

Claw Promotion: Customer must fund their Active Invest account with at least $10 within 30 days of opening the account. Probability of customer receiving $1,000 is 0.028%. See full terms and conditions.

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What Is a Limit Order?

What Is a Limit Order?

A limit order allows investors to buy or sell securities at a price they specify or better, providing some price protection on trades.

When you set a buy limit order, for example, the trade will only be executed at that price or lower. For sell limit orders, the order will be executed at the price you set or higher. By using certain types of orders, traders can potentially reduce their risk of losses and avoid unpredictable swings in the market.

How Do Limit Orders Work?

In the simplest terms, limit orders work as a sort of restriction that an investor can choose (to either buy or sell) with “limits” on a minimum or maximum price. An investor places an order to buy a stock at a minimum price, for instance, or places an order to sell at a maximum price, in an effort to maximize their returns.

There are two types of limit orders investors can execute: buy limit orders and limit sell orders. An important thing to know is that while a limit order specifies a desired price, it doesn’t guarantee the trade will occur at that price — or at all.

When you set a limit order, the trade will only be executed if and when the security meets the terms of the order — which may or may not happen, depending on the overall market conditions. So, when an investor sets a limit order, it’s possible to miss out on other investing opportunities.

Types of Limit Orders

As mentioned, there are two types of limit orders investors can execute: buy limit orders and limit sell orders.

What is a Buy Limit Order?

For buy limit orders, you’re essentially setting a ceiling for the trade — i.e. the highest price you’d be willing to pay for each share.If a trader places a buy limit order, the intention is to buy shares of stock. The order will be triggered when the stock hits the limit price or lower.

For example, you may want to buy shares of XYZ stock at $15 each. You could place a buy limit order that would allow the trade to be carried out automatically if the stock reaches that purchase price or better.

What is a Sell Limit Order?

For sell limit orders, you’re setting a price floor — i.e. the lowest amount you’d be willing to accept per share. If a trader places a limit order to sell, the order will be triggered when the stock hits the limit price or higher. So you could set a sell limit order to sell XYZ stock once its share price hits $20 or higher.

What is a Stop-Limit Order?

A stop-limit order is a combination of a stop order and a limit order. Stop-limit orders involve setting two prices. For example: A stock is currently priced at $30 and a trader believes it’s going to go up in value, so they set a buy stop order of $33.

When the stock hits $33, a market order to buy will be triggered. But with a stop-limit order, the trader can also set a limit price, meaning the highest price they’re willing to pay per share — say, $35 per share. Using a stop-limit order gives traders an additional level of control.

Stop-limit orders can also help traders make sure they sell stocks before they go down significantly in value. Let’s say a trader purchased stock XYZ at $40 per share, and now anticipates the price will drop. The trader doesn’t want to lose more than $5 per share, so they set a stop order for $35.

If the stock hits $35 — the stop price — the stock will be triggered to sell. However, the price could continue to drop before the trade is fully executed. To prevent selling at a much lower price than $35, the trader can set a limit order to only sell between $32 and $35.

How to Set a Limit Order

When placing a limit order with your brokerage firm, the broker or trading platform might ask for the following information:

•   The stock or security

•   Is it a buy or sell order

•   Number of shares to buy or sell

•   Stock order type (limit order, market order, or another type of order)

•   Price

When setting up a limit order, the trader can set it to remain open indefinitely, (until the stock reaches the limit price), or they can set an expiration date.

Limit Order Example

Say a trader would like to purchase 100 shares of stock XYZ. The highest price they want to pay per share is $26.75. They would set up a limit buy order like this:

Buy 100 shares XYZ limit 26.75.

As noted above, the main upside of using limit orders is that traders get to name a desired price; they generally end up paying a price they expect; and they can set an order to execute a trade that can be executed even if they are doing other things.

In this way, setting limit orders can help traders seize opportunities they might otherwise miss because limit orders can stay open for months or in some cases indefinitely (the industry term is “good ‘til canceled,’ or GTC). The limit order will still execute the trade once the terms are met.

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When a Trader Might Use a Limit Order

There are several reasons why you might want to use a limit order.

•   Price protection. When a stock is experiencing volatility, you may not want to risk placing a market order and getting a bad price. Although it’s unlikely that the price will change drastically within a few seconds or minutes after placing an order, it can happen, and setting a limit order can set a floor or a ceiling for the price you want.

•   Convenience. Another occasion to use a limit order might be when you’re interested in buying or selling a stock but you don’t want to keep a constant eye on the price. By setting a limit order, you can walk away and wait for it to be executed. This might also be a good choice for longer-term positions, since in some cases traders can place a limit order with no expiration date.

•   Volatility. Third, an investor may choose to set a limit order if they are buying or selling at the end of the market day or after the stock market has closed. Company or world news could be announced while the market is closed, which could affect the stock’s price when the market reopens. If the investor isn’t able to cancel a market order while the market is still closed, they may not be happy with the results of the trade. A limit order can help prevent that.

Limit orders can also be useful when the stock being traded doesn’t have a lot of liquidity. If there aren’t many people trading the stock, one order could affect the price. When entering a market order, that trade could cause the price to go up or down significantly, and a trader could end up with a different price than intended.

Pros and Cons of Using Limit Orders

Each type of order has pros and cons depending on the particular situation.

Pros of Limit Orders:

•   The trader gets to name their price. One of the chief reasons traders rely on limit orders is to set baselines for profits and losses. They won’t end up paying a price they didn’t expect when they buy or get a price below their target when it’s time to sell.

•   The trader can set the order and walk away. Day trading can be time consuming and it requires a significant amount of knowledge. Investors who use limit orders don’t have to continuously watch the market to get the price they want.

•   Traders may pay less in fees. Commissions can take a bite out of your profits, something many investors would prefer to keep to a minimum. When trading illiquid stocks, sometimes the bid-ask spread is enough to cover broker fees.

•   Insulate against volatility. Volatility can cause you to make emotional decisions. Limit orders can give traders more control over their portfolio and ward off panic-buying or selling.

•   Ride the gaps. Stock prices can fluctuate overnight due to after hours trading. It’s possible to benefit from price differences from one day to another when using limit orders.

For example, if a trader places a buy limit order for a stock at $3.50, but the order doesn’t get triggered while the market is open, the price could change overnight. If the market opens at $3.30 the next morning, they’ll get a better price, since the buy limit order gets triggered if the stock is at or below the specified price.

Cons of Limit Orders:

•   The order may never be executed. There may not be enough supply or demand to fulfill the order even if it reaches the limit price, since there could be hundreds or even thousands of other traders wanting to buy or sell at the specified price.

•   The stock may never reach the limit price. For example, if a stock is currently priced at $20, a trader might set a limit order to buy at $15. If the stock goes down to $16 and then back up to $20, the order won’t execute. In this case, they would miss out on potential gains.

•   The market can change significantly. If a trader sets a shorter-term limit order they might miss out on a better price. For example, if a stock a trader owns is currently priced at $150, the trader may choose to set a sell limit order at $154 within four weeks. If the company then makes a big announcement about a new product after that period, and the stock’s price spikes to $170, the trader would miss out on selling at that higher price.

•   It takes experience to understand the market and set limit orders. New investors can miss out on opportunities and experience unwanted losses, as with any type of investment.

Limit Order vs Market Order

Limit orders differ from market orders, which are, essentially, orders to buy a security immediately at its given price. These are the most common types of orders. So, while a market order is executed immediately regardless of terms, limit orders only execute under certain circumstances.

Limit orders can also be set for pre-market and after-hours trading sessions. Market orders, by contrast, are limited to standard trading hours (9:30am to 4pm ET).

Remember: Even though limit orders are geared to a specific price, that price isn’t guaranteed. First, limit orders are generally executed on a first-come-first-served basis. So there may be orders ahead of yours that eliminate the availability of shares at your limit price.

And it bears repeating again: There is also the potential for missed opportunities: The limit order you set could trigger a trade. But then the stock or other security might hit an even better price.

In other words, time is a factor. In today’s market, computer algorithms execute the majority of stock market trades. In this high-tech trading environment, it can be hard as an individual trader to know when to buy and sell. By using certain types of orders, like limit orders, traders can potentially limit their losses, lock in gains, and avoid swings in the market.

Though limit orders are commonly used as a part of day trading strategies, they can be useful for any investor who wants some price protection around their trades. For example, if you think a stock is currently undervalued, you could purchase it at the current market price, then set a sell limit order to automatically sell it when the price goes up. Again, the limit order can stay open until the security meets your desired price — or you cancel the order.

However, speculating in the market can be risky and having experience can be helpful when deciding how and when to set limit orders.

Limit Orders vs Stop Orders

There is another type of order that can come into play when you’re trying to control the price of a trade: a stop order. A stop order is similar to a limit order in that you set your desired price for a stock, say, and once the stock hits that price or goes past it, a market order is triggered to execute the purchase or sale.

The terms of a limit order are different in that a trade will be executed if the stock hits the specified price or better. So if you want to sell XYZ stock for $50 a share, a sell limit order will be triggered once the stock hits $50 or higher.

A stop order triggers a market order once XYZ stock hits $50, period. By the time the order is executed, the actual stock price could be higher or lower.

Thus with a stop order there’s also no guarantee that you’ll get the specified price. A market order is submitted once the stop price is hit, but in fast-moving markets the actual price you pay might end up being higher or lower.

Stop orders are generally used to exit a position and to minimize losses, whereas limit orders are used to capture gains. But two can also be used in conjunction with each other with something called a stop-limit order.

When to Consider a Market Order vs a Limit Order

If you’re trying to parse out when a market order or a limit order is the best tool to use, consider the following.

A trader might want to use a market order if:

•   Executing the trade immediately is a priority

•   The stock is highly liquid

•   They’re only trading a small number of shares

•   The stock has a narrow bid-ask spread (about a penny)

A trader might want to use a limit order if:

•   They want to specify their price

•   They are trading an illiquid stock

•   They want to set a long-term trade (or even walk away for their lunch break and still have the trade execute)

•   They feel a stock is currently over- or undervalued

•   The stock has a large bid-ask spread

•   They are trading a larger number of shares

Is a Limit Order Bad?

Limit orders are not necessarily good or bad. As mentioned, they can offer advantages to investors who understand how to use them.

For example, limit orders can offer more control and flexibility than using market orders. And they can work well in a number of different trading situations. If the stock being traded is highly volatile, for instance, a limit order can help traders retain control and avoid paying an unexpected price.

Each time a trader does research on a stock and decides to buy or sell shares, they also consider their goals and the current market conditions to decide whether to place a market or a limit order.

What Happens If a Limit Order Is Not Filled?

A limit order can only be filled if the stock’s price reaches the limit price or better. If this doesn’t happen, then the order is not executed and it expires according to the terms of the contract. An order can be good just for a single trading day, for a certain period of time, or in some cases it’s possible to leave the limit order open-ended using a GTC (good ‘til canceled) provision.

So if you placed a buy limit order, but the stock does not reach the specified price or lower, the purchase would not be completed and the order would expire within the specified time frame.

And if you’re using a sell limit order, but the security never reaches the specified sell price or higher, the shares would remain in your trading account and the order would expire.

Limit Orders and Price Gaps

Price gaps can occur when stocks close at one price then open at a different price on the next trading day. This can be attributed to after-market or pre-market trading that occurs after the regular market hours have ended. After-hours trading can impact stock price minimally or more substantially, depending on what’s spurring trades.

For example, say news of a large tech company’s planned merger with another tech giant leaks after hours. That could send the aftermarket trading markets into a frenzy, resulting in a radically different price for both company’s stocks when the market reopens. Pricing gaps don’t necessarily have to be wide but large pricing swings are possible with overnight trading.

Limit orders can help to downplay the potential for losses associated with pricing gaps. Placing a buy limit order or limit sell order may not close the gap entirely. But it could help to mitigate the losses you may experience when gaps in pricing exist. Whether the gap is moving up or down can determine what type of limit order to place and where to cap your limit price.

The Takeaway

Limit orders can be an effective and efficient way for investors to set price caps on their trades, and also give them some protection against market swings. Limit orders offer other advantages as well, including giving traders the ability to place longer- or shorter-term trades that will be executed even if they’re not continuously watching the market. This can potentially protect investors against losses and potentially lock in gains.

That said, limit orders are complicated because they don’t guarantee that the trade will be executed at the set price. The stock (or other security) could hit the limit price — and there might not be enough supply or demand to complete the trade. There is also the potential for some missed opportunities, if the price you set triggers a trade, and subsequently the stock or other security hits an even better price.

Investors can also consider combining a limit order with a stop order. A stop-limit order can provide even more protection against potential losses.

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FAQ

Can I specify the price for a limit order?

Yes, investors can specify the price for a limit order. In fact, the price typically is the limit in a limit order, representing either a price ceiling or a price floor.

How long does a limit order stay active?

Generally, a limit order will stay active indefinitely, unless an investor cancels it or specifies otherwise. That means that if the limit is never reached, the order will not execute, and the limit order will remain active until the limit is reached.

Can I cancel a limit order once it’s placed?

Investors can cancel standing limit orders as long as conditions haven’t arrived that’s led to the order being actively executed. The cancelation process will depend on the specific exchange an investor is using, however.

What happens if the market price doesn’t reach my limit price?

If the market price of a stock does not reach the limit price — either a price floor or price ceiling — then the limit order will not execute, and the limit order will remain active until it does.

Can I place a limit order outside of regular trading hours?

It’s possible to place limit orders outside of regular trading hours, depending on the rules of a given exchange, and market conditions dictate. The order itself, of course, won’t execute until the market opens, assuming that the limit is reached.

Are there any fees associated with limit orders?

There may or may not be fees associated with limit orders, and it’ll depend on the specific exchange or brokerage an investor is using. Note that some brokerages may charge higher fees for limit orders than market orders — but some may charge no fees at all.

Are limit orders guaranteed to be executed?

No, there is no guarantee that a limit order will be executed, as it will only execute if the limit price is reached. If the limit is not reached, the order will remain active but not execute.


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.

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Traditional IRA Income and Contribution Limits

Traditional IRA Contribution Limits: A Detailed Guide for 2023-2024

A traditional IRA is a tax-advantaged investment account that helps individuals save for their retirement. The contributions a person makes may be fully or partially tax-deductible, and the money inside the account grows tax-deferred. Individuals are taxed at regular income tax rates when they make withdrawals after age 59 ½ .

There are limits, however, to how much one can contribute to a traditional IRA and who can deduct their contributions.

Here’s what you need to know about traditional IRA contribution limits.

Contribution Limits for Traditional IRAs 2023

Contributions to a traditional IRA are not limited by how much you earn each year, but the IRS does limit the amount of money you can contribute to your traditional IRA annually. Here’s a look at the traditional IRA contribution limits for 2023.

2023 Traditional IRA Contribution Limits

For individuals under age 50 $6,500
For individuals 50 and older $7,500

Contribution Limits for Traditional IRAs 2024

For 2024, the contribution limits for traditional IRAs are increasing by $500 from 2023:

2024 Traditional IRA Contribution Limits

For individuals under age 50 $7,000
For individuals 50 and older $8,000

One note: If an individual’s taxable income is less than the contribution limit, they may only contribute up to that amount. For example, if an individual earned $4,000 for the year, they can only contribute as much as $4,000 to their traditional IRA for that year.

💡 Quick Tip: How much does it cost to set up an IRA? Often there are no fees to open an IRA, but you typically pay investment costs for the securities in your portfolio.

Eligibility Criteria for Traditional IRA Contributions

There are some criteria regarding income eligibility that you should be aware of as you’re getting ready to make contributions to a traditional IRA.

Income Requirements for Traditional IRAs

Traditional IRAs have no income limit. In other words, no matter how much money you make, you can contribute to a traditional IRA. By contrast, Roth IRAs do have income limits.

However, contributions to traditional IRAs must be made with earned income paid to you by an employer or earned as the owner of a business. The following are IRS-approved sources of earned income:

•   Wages, salaries, and tips from which federal income taxes are withheld

•   Income from a job from which an employer did not withhold taxes, such as freelance work

•   Self-employed income
Income that does not qualify as earned income includes:

•   Interest and dividends

•   Pensions or annuities

•   Social Security benefits

•   Unemployment benefits

•   Alimony

•   Child support

•   Pay earned as an inmate in a prison

Age-Related Considerations and Limits

Individuals age 50 and older can make catch-up contributions to their traditional IRA. Catch-up contributions may allow older individuals to save more as they get closer to retirement. This could help them reach their retirement goals and cover typical retirement expenses.

For 2023 and 2024, the catch-up contributions for a traditional IRA are an additional $1,000 on top of the annual contribution limit. So for 2023, those 50 and up can make a total contribution of $7,500 to their traditional IRA, and in 2024, they can contribute a total of $8,000.

Traditional IRA Tax Deduction Limits 2023-2024

While income doesn’t determine eligibility to contribute to a traditional IRA, it can have an impact on deductible contributions if an individual or their spouse has a retirement plan at work and their income exceeds a certain level.

Deductibility Based on Income Levels and Filing Status

This chart outlines traditional IRA contributions limits in 2023 and 2024 if you are covered by an employer-sponsored retirement plan.

Filing Status

2023 Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI)

2024 Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI)

Deduction Amount

Single $73,000 or less $77,000 or less Full deduction
More then $73,000 and less than $83,000 More than $77,000 and less than $87,000 Partial deduction
$83,000 or more $87,000 or more No deduction
Married filing jointly $116,000 or less $123,000 or less Full deduction
More than $116,000 but less than $136,000 More than $123,000 but less than $143,000 Partial deduction
$136,000 or more $143,000 or more No deduction
Married filing separately Less than $10,000 Less than $10,000 Partial deduction
$10,000 or more $10,000 or more No deduction

Individuals who are not covered by an employer sponsored retirement plan but have a spouse who is, are also subject to a phase out for contribution deduction, as shown in the chart below.

Filing Status

2023 Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI)

2024 Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI)

Deduction Amount

Married filing jointly with a spouse covered by a workplace retirement plan $218,000 or less $230,000 or less Full deduction
More than $218,000 but less than $228,000 More than $230,000 but less than $240,000 Partial deduction
$228,000 or more $240,000 or more No deduction
Married filing separately with a spouse covered by a workplace retirement plan Less than $10,000 Less than $10,000 Partial deduction
$10,000 or more $10,000 or more No deduction

Understanding MAGI and Its Impact on Deductibility

Individuals can still contribute to a traditional IRA if their modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) exceeds the limits for deductible contributions (as shown in the charts above). Though they will not get an immediate tax benefit, their contributions will still grow tax-deferred, which can help boost retirement savings.

Navigating Excess Contributions and Penalties

Mistakes happen: From time to time individuals may accidentally make excess contributions to their IRAs. For instance, they could either deposit more than the annual contribution limit or make a mistake while rolling over funds.

What Happens If You Contribute Too Much?

This error can be costly. Excess funds are taxed at 6% for each year they remain in the IRA. However, individuals can avoid this tax by withdrawing excess contributions by the due date of their individual tax return. They must also withdraw any income earned on the excess funds during that period. However you will need to report those earnings as income on your tax return. And you may have to pay a 10% penalty for early withdrawal of the earnings if you are under age 59 1/2.

Strategies to Avoid Excess Contributions

To avoid accidentally contributing too much to your traditional IRA, find out the contribution limits for the year in question and make sure you contribute no more than that amount.

It’s also important to be aware that the IRA contribution limit is a combined maximum for all the IRAs you may have, including Roth IRAs. So your contributions to a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA cannot exceed the overall yearly contribution limit, which is $6,500 in 2023 and $7,000 in 2024 for those under age 50.

Spousal IRAs and Contribution Rules

Individuals who don’t have earned income themselves, but have a spouse that does, can open an IRA called a spousal IRA. This type of IRA allows the spouse with income to contribute to it on behalf of the spouse without earned income.

Understanding Spousal IRA Contributions

A spousal IRA is a separate IRA for a spouse who doesn’t earn an income. It is not a joint account. It allows married couples who file jointly to each have their own separate IRAs and contribute the maximum allowed amount to each account.

Eligibility and Contribution Limits for Spouses

A couple is required to file a joint tax return to be eligible for spousal IRA contributions. The spouse with earned income must earn enough to cover the contributions in both accounts — their own and the spousal IRA.

Spousal IRAs also have the same income limits as traditional IRAs. You can find more information on spousal IRAs at irs.gov.

The Takeaway

Traditional IRAs can be an important part of retirement planning. And while they have contribution and income limits to prevent those who earn very high incomes from benefiting too much from tax-advantaged accounts, traditional IRAs can help individuals boost their retirement savings and reach their financial goals.

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).


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FAQ

Is there an income limit to contribute to a traditional IRA?

No, there is no income limit to contribute to a traditional IRA. Individuals, regardless of their income, can contribute $6,500 to a traditional IRA in 2023 (or $7,500 if they are age 50 or older), and $7,000 in 2024 (or $8,000 if they are 50 or older).

However, while income doesn’t determine eligibility to contribute to a traditional IRA, it can affect deductible contributions if you or your spouse has a retirement plan at work and your income exceeds a certain level.

What are the rules for a traditional IRA?

The rules for a traditional IRA include these: you must have earned income to contribute to a traditional IRA, and the amount you contribute annually must not be more than you earned for the year in question. Also, the contribution limits for a traditional IRA are $6,500 in 2023 ($7,500 for those age 50 and up), and $7,000 in 2024 (or $8,000 for those 50 and older).

Does contributing to a traditional IRA reduce taxable income?

Contributing to a traditional IRA may reduce your taxable income for the year. However, some or all of your contributions may be ineligible for tax deduction depending on your income and whether or not you or a spouse is covered by a retirement plan at work.

Can I max out a 401(k) and a traditional IRA in the same year?

Yes, you can max out a 401(k) and a traditional IRA in the same year. You can contribute up to $22,500 to a 401(k) in 2023 (or up to $30,000 for those age 50 and older), and you can also contribute up to $6,500 in a traditional IRA (or up to $7,500 for those 50 and older) in 2023.

Photo credit: iStock/PeopleImages


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.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

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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