Alternative Asset Classes: An Introduction What are alternative asset classes? Beyond the three primary asset classes–stocks, bonds, and cash– many other types of investments can be used to diversify investment portfolios. The term “alternative assets” is highly flexible. It may include specific physical assets, such as natural resources or real
The Individual 401(k) If you’re self-employed or own a small business, you’ve probably considered establishing a retirement plan. If you’ve done your homework, you likely know about simplified employee pensions (SEPs) and savings incentive match plans for employees (SIMPLE) IRA plans. These plans typically appeal to small business owners because
April 2025 Market Summary Domestic Stock Indices Mixed, Inflation Sets Record Low, Mid-Term Treasury Yields Fall Equities U.S. indices posted mixed results in April largely due to gains in the technology sector with tough quarters for some large-cap blue-chip companies. The Nasdaq Composite rose 0.88%, the S&P 500 slipped 0.68%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell
Private Equity What is private equity? Like stock shares, private equity represents an ownership interest in a company. However, unlike stocks, private equity investments are not listed or traded on a public market or exchange (though some firms that specialize in making private equity investments are publicly traded). Private equity
Test Your Knowledge of Financial Basics How well do you understand personal finance? The following brief quiz can help you gauge your knowledge of a few basics. In the answer section, you’ll find details to help you learn more. Questions 1. How much should you set aside in liquid, low-risk
New Tariffs Drive Market Volatility At 4:00 p.m. on April 2, 2025, President Trump announced sweeping tariffs on imported goods that were significantly larger and different in structure than expected. The announcement was carefully timed to coincide with the close of the New York Stock Exchange to avoid immediate market
What Happened to the Magnificent Seven Stocks? The Magnificent Seven stocks–Alphabet, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, Meta Platforms, NVIDIA, and Tesla–have carried U.S. indices higher. Between 2023 and 2024, these seven names rose 156.1% as a collective, compared to 25.16% for the remaining 493 names and 57.88% for the S&P 500 index
Cash Balance Plan What is a cash balance plan? A cash balance plan is a qualified employer-sponsored retirement plan that has become increasingly common in recent years as an alternative to (or replacement of) the traditional defined benefit pension plan. Though it is technically a form of defined benefit plan,
Alternatives are the “It” Investment: What to know before you dive in. Alternative investments aren’t so “alternative” anymore. Once the rarefied domain of institutional investors and some sophisticated individuals, alts—from hedge funds to private credit to cryptocurrency—have increasingly pushed their way into the investment portfolios of wealthy people. They’re now
January 2025 Market Summary Equities Stocks Drive Higher, Gold Soars to New All-Time High, Treasury Yields Largely Unchanged Equities got off to a strong start in 2025 with positive performances in January. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 4.8%, the S&P 500 advanced 2.8% and the Nasdaq Composite added 1.7%. Large-cap Value had the best month among Russell 1000