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Forward Contracts: What Are They?

One of four financial derivatives, forward contracts, like future, don't trade on an open exchange. They can be used...

Futures Contracts: What Are They?

Futures contracts are typically traded on a stock exchange, which sets the standards for each contract. Regardless of...

What is the NASDAQ Composite Index?

The NASDAQ is the world’s first electronic stock exchange. Launched on Feb. 5, 1971, it transformed the financial...

What is the DJIA: Dow Jones Industrial Average

The major U.S. market indexes are the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), the NASDAQ, and the S&P 500. The Dow Jones...

What is the S&P 500: Standard & Poor's 500 Index

There are approximately 5,000 U.S. indexes. The three most widely followed are the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial...

Alpha vs Beta: Measures of Investment Performance & Risk

Alpha and beta are measures used by investors to evaluate the performance and risk of an investment security or...

What is the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission?

When the U.S. stock market crashed in October 1929, securities issued by numerous companies became worthless. As an...

Leveraged Buyouts: Utilizing Debt to Acquire Interest in a Company

The first leveraged buyouts started in early 1980s with high yield bonds invented by Michael Milken (commonly called...

Rule of 72: Doubling Your Investment with Compound Interest

When investing in the stock market, The Rule of 72 can be a helpful tool to give you an idea of how long it will take...