Stocks & ETFs
The instruments: how to evaluate and choose individual stocks and the funds that hold them.
Will That Dividend Get Cut? A Field Guide to Dividend Safety
A high yield is a question, not a gift. How to judge whether a dividend will hold —…
What Is a P/E Ratio and How Do You Actually Use It?
What the P/E ratio actually measures, trailing versus forward, why a high P/E doesn’t mean expensive, and how…
What Are Fractional Shares? How to Invest When You Can’t Afford a Full Share
A fractional share lets you buy part of a share by the dollar — so $10 buys into…
VTI vs VOO: Which Benchmark ETF Should You Hold for Life?
VTI vs VOO: same issuer, same 0.03% fee, about 82% of the same holdings. The one real difference…
The Difference Between Trading and Investing (And Why It Matters)
Trading and investing look alike from outside but are different activities. How they differ in horizon, tax treatment…
Total Market vs S&P 500 Index Funds: Does the Difference Matter?
A total-market fund holds ~3,600 US stocks; an S&P 500 fund holds ~500. The one real structural difference…
Stock Splits Explained: Do They Actually Change Anything?
A stock split turns one share into several without changing what the company is worth. What changes, what…
REITs Explained: Should Real Estate Be Part of Your Portfolio?
REITs let you own real estate without a mortgage or a tenant — but the dividend is taxed…
How to Open Your First Brokerage Account: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough
Opening a brokerage account takes 15 minutes; understanding it takes longer. Account types, what to compare, funding, your…
How to Read an Earnings Report Without an MBA
A walkthrough of a quarterly earnings report: the press release, the 10-Q and the call — revenue, EPS,…