Defining derivatives and options Now we are going to discuss investment vehicles that are derived from others, appropriately called derivatives. Investors do not own the underlying
Financial statements and documents are a primary tool for the business reporter. Public companies registered in the U.S. must report all manners of their operations
Previous posts introduced the markets and the best-known investment vehicles, stocks and bonds. But even if you don’t own one of those investments, you probably
Now that W-2s and other documents are arriving in mailboxes, there’s ample opportunity for business journalists to find story angles around filing taxes. Here are
There is a little landmine hidden in the law just waiting to trap the unsuspecting business journalist. Jail could be the result. The law and
Any good business journalist regularly heads to a company’s financials to see what is going on. They can be obscure, but there is a lot
For many Americans, New Year’s brings a recurring resolution: Save more money. That can mean coming up with a retirement strategy, strategizing about college debt, paying off
Bonds gets no respect. It’s not clear why. For many companies, institutions and investors, bonds are the vehicle of choice. Companies generally issue stock to
If you’re writing about a corporation, chances are you look for financial statements. Most reporters will note revenue and earnings and be satisfied, but they
Prior to an IPO, a company can offer its shares only to investors deemed to be “sophisticated” under the law and therefore able to handle their
The day a company first sells stock shares to the public marks a right of passage. The initial public offering or IPO means the company
Decisions made by the Federal Reserve have monumental effects on financial markets around the world. As the Fed gears up to announce a hike in
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