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Plain-English guides to the stock market: how to buy stocks, read financial statements, value companies and build a portfolio that lasts.

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Investing basics: start here if you're new. · Stock analysis: financial statements and valuation. · Dividends and income · Retirement and tax · Trading and markets · Sectors · Glossary: 100+ terms defined.

Beginner Investing

Learn the basics of the stock market and how to start investing, from opening an account to placing your first order.

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Valuation & Analysis

Understand P/E ratios, financial statements and the metrics professionals use to judge whether a stock is cheap or expensive.

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Dividends & Passive Income

Build a growing income stream with dividend stocks, reinvestment and long-term compounding.

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All guides & articles

Investing Guide

How to Invest in Technology Stocks

A guide to the technology sector: its main industries, the metrics that matter for tech companies, the key risks and how to invest through stocks or sector ETFs.

November 3, 2026

6

Investing Guide

How to Invest in Healthcare Stocks

A guide to the healthcare sector: pharma, biotech, devices, insurers and services, the metrics that matter, risks such as patents and regulation, and ways to invest.

November 3, 2026

6

Investing Guide

How to Invest in Financial Stocks: Banks, Insurers and More

A guide to financial stocks: banks, insurers, asset managers and payments, why they're analyzed differently, the key metrics such as P/B and ROE, and the main risks.

November 3, 2026

6

Investing Guide

How to Invest in Energy Stocks

A guide to energy stocks: oil and gas producers, integrated majors, pipelines and refiners, why commodity prices drive results, key metrics and the sector's risks.

November 3, 2026

6

Investing Guide

How to Invest in Consumer Staples Stocks

Consumer staples companies sell everyday essentials like food, drinks and household goods. Learn why they're seen as defensive, the metrics to check and the risks.

November 3, 2026

5

Investing Guide

How to Invest in Utility Stocks

Utilities supply electricity, gas and water, usually under regulation. Learn why utility stocks are known for steady dividends, the metrics to check and the risks.

November 3, 2026

5

Investing Guide

How to Invest in Industrial Stocks

Industrials include aerospace, machinery, transportation and building products. Learn how the economic cycle drives the sector, the key metrics and the main risks.

November 3, 2026

5

Investing Guide

How to Invest in Consumer Discretionary Stocks

Consumer discretionary companies sell things people want but don't need: cars, travel, restaurants, apparel and online shopping. Key metrics, risks and ways to invest.

November 3, 2026

5

Investing Guide

Options Trading Basics: Calls and Puts Explained

Options give you the right to buy or sell a stock at a set price. Learn how calls and puts work, key terms, common strategies and why options carry extra risk.

November 3, 2026

7

Personal Finance

401(k) vs. IRA: Differences and Which to Use First

Both 401(k)s and IRAs offer tax breaks for retirement. Compare contribution limits, investment choices, employer matches and which to fund first.

November 3, 2026

6

Investing Guide

How Dividends Are Paid: Ex-Dividend, Record and Payment Dates

To receive a dividend you must own the stock before the ex-dividend date. Learn the four key dividend dates, what happens to the share price and how DRIPs work.

November 3, 2026

4

Stock Analysis

How to Read an Earnings Report

What's in an earnings release, how to compare results with analyst expectations, why guidance matters and what to listen for on the earnings call.

November 3, 2026

6

Personal Finance

Stocks vs. Bonds: How They Differ and How to Mix Them

Stocks make you an owner; bonds make you a lender. Compare their risk and return, how interest rates affect bonds, and why most portfolios hold some of each.

November 3, 2026

6

Personal Finance

Asset Allocation by Age: How to Split Stocks and Bonds

Your mix of stocks, bonds and cash matters more than any single pick. See common rules of thumb by age, how target-date funds work and how to rebalance.

November 3, 2026

5

Stock Analysis

What Is EBITDA? Meaning, Formula and EV/EBITDA

EBITDA measures earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Learn the formula, how EV/EBITDA values companies and its limits.

November 3, 2026

5

Stock Analysis

Price-to-Book Ratio: What P/B Tells You About a Stock

The price-to-book ratio compares market value with net assets. Learn the formula, when P/B works best, what a low or high P/B means and its blind spots.

November 3, 2026

4

Stock Analysis

Dividend Payout Ratio: Is a Dividend Safe?

The payout ratio shows how much of its profit a company pays as dividends. Learn the formula, healthy ranges and the warning signs of a dividend cut.

November 3, 2026

5

Investing Guide

How Interest Rates Affect Stocks

When the Federal Reserve raises or cuts rates, stocks react. Learn why rates matter for valuations, company profits and different sectors.

November 3, 2026

5

Personal Finance

How Inflation Affects Your Investments

Inflation erodes what your money can buy. Learn how it affects cash, bonds and stocks, what real returns are, and which investments have held up best.

November 3, 2026

5

Investing Guide

What Is an IPO? How Initial Public Offerings Work

An IPO is when a private company first sells shares to the public. Learn how IPOs work, why first-day pops happen, lock-up periods and the risks.

November 3, 2026

5

Investing Guide

What Is a REIT? Real Estate Investment Trusts Explained

REITs let you invest in real estate through the stock market and earn high dividends. Learn how REITs work, the main types, FFO and the risks.

November 3, 2026

5

Stock Analysis

How to Analyze a Stock: A Step-by-Step Checklist

A seven-step checklist for researching any stock: the business, growth, profitability, balance sheet, cash flow, valuation and risks.

November 3, 2026

8

Investing Guide

Pre-Market and After-Hours Trading Explained

Stocks can trade before the market opens and after it closes. Learn extended-hours trading times, why prices move then, the extra risks and how to trade safely.

November 3, 2026

4

Investing Guide

What Are Blue-Chip Stocks?

Blue-chip stocks are shares of large, established, financially strong companies. Learn what makes a stock blue-chip, why investors own them and the risks.

November 3, 2026

4

Investing Guide

What Is an ETF? Exchange-Traded Funds Explained

An ETF is a fund that trades on the stock market like a single share. Learn how ETFs work, the main types, what to check before buying and the risks.

November 3, 2026

6

Stock Analysis

Intrinsic Value and DCF: How to Estimate What a Stock Is Worth

Intrinsic value estimates what a business is really worth. Learn how a discounted cash flow (DCF) model works step by step and the margin of safety.

November 3, 2026

7

Personal Finance

How to Start Investing With Little Money

You don't need thousands to start investing. Here's what to do first, where to put small amounts and how fractional shares and automatic investing help it grow.

November 3, 2026

6

Investing Guide

Bull vs. Bear Market: What They Mean for Investors

A bull market is a sustained rise in stock prices; a bear market is a fall of 20% or more. Definitions, what drives each and how to invest through both.

November 3, 2026

5

Stock Analysis

Return on Equity (ROE): What It Is and How to Use It

Return on equity shows how much profit a company makes from shareholders' money. Learn the formula, what a good ROE is, the DuPont breakdown and traps.

November 3, 2026

5

Stock Analysis

Debt-to-Equity Ratio: How Much Debt Is Too Much?

The debt-to-equity ratio compares what a company owes with what owners invested. Learn the formula, what's normal by industry and other debt checks.

November 3, 2026

5

Stock Analysis

What Is the PEG Ratio? P/E Adjusted for Growth

The PEG ratio divides P/E by expected earnings growth to compare fast and slow growers. Learn the formula, what's considered good and its limits.

November 3, 2026

4

Stock Analysis

What Is Beta? Measuring a Stock's Volatility

Beta measures how much a stock tends to move compared with the overall market. Learn how to read beta, high vs. low beta stocks and what beta doesn't tell you.

November 3, 2026

4

Investing Guide

What Is a Stock Split? Forward and Reverse Splits Explained

A stock split changes the share count and price without changing what your investment is worth. How forward and reverse splits work and why companies split.

November 3, 2026

4

Investing Guide

What Is Short Selling and How Does It Work?

Short selling aims to profit when a stock falls. How shorting works, the costs, why losses can be unlimited, short squeezes and short interest.

November 3, 2026

5

Personal Finance

Capital Gains Tax on Stocks: A Beginner's Guide

How US capital gains tax works on stocks: short- vs. long-term gains, dividend taxes, offsetting gains with losses and the wash sale rule.

November 3, 2026

6

Personal Finance

What Is a Brokerage Account? Types and How to Choose

A brokerage account is where you buy and hold stocks, ETFs and funds. Account types, cash vs. margin, how your money is protected and what to compare.

November 3, 2026

5

Investing Guide

What Is the S&P 500? How Stock Market Indexes Work

The S&P 500, Dow and Nasdaq are how most people measure the stock market. Learn what each index tracks, how they're weighted and how to invest in them.

November 3, 2026

6

Investing Guide

ETFs vs. Mutual Funds: What's the Difference?

ETFs and mutual funds both pool money into a basket of investments. Here's how they differ on trading, costs, taxes and minimums, and how to choose.

November 3, 2026

6

Investing Guide

Market Order vs. Limit Order (and Stop Orders) Explained

The order type you choose decides the price you pay and whether your trade fills at all. Here's how market, limit, stop and stop-limit orders work.

November 3, 2026

5

Investing Guide

What Is Market Cap? Large, Mid and Small Caps Explained

Market capitalization tells you how much a company is worth on the stock market. Learn how it's calculated, what the size categories mean and why it matters.

November 3, 2026

5

Stock Analysis

Growth vs. Value Investing: Which Strategy Fits You?

Growth investors pay up for fast-rising companies; value investors seek stocks priced below their worth. How each style works and the metrics to use.

November 3, 2026

6

Investing Guide

How to Use a Stock Screener to Find Investment Ideas

A stock screener narrows thousands of stocks to a short list that fits your strategy. How to choose filters, avoid mistakes and research the results.

November 3, 2026

5

Stock Analysis

What Is Free Cash Flow and Why Do Investors Care?

Free cash flow is the cash a business has left after paying to run and maintain itself. Learn the formula, FCF yield and margin, and the red flags to watch.

November 3, 2026

5

Stock Analysis

What Is EPS? Earnings Per Share Explained

Earnings per share shows how much profit a company makes per share. How EPS is calculated, basic vs. diluted and GAAP vs. adjusted EPS, and its uses.

November 3, 2026

5

Personal Finance

Dollar-Cost Averaging: How It Works and When It Helps

Dollar-cost averaging means investing a fixed amount on a schedule. How it lowers your average cost, how it compares with lump-sum investing and how to start.

November 3, 2026

5

Personal Finance

How Compound Interest Grows Your Investments

Compounding is how investment returns earn returns of their own. See worked examples, the Rule of 72 and why starting early matters more than investing a lot.

November 3, 2026

5

Personal Finance

How to Diversify Your Investment Portfolio

Diversification spreads your money so one bad investment can't sink your portfolio. The main ways to diversify, how many stocks is enough and mistakes.

November 3, 2026

6

Stock Analysis

How to Read Stock Charts: Candlesticks, Volume and Moving Averages

Learn to read a stock chart: line vs. candlestick charts, volume, moving averages, support and resistance, and how to use charts alongside fundamentals.

November 3, 2026

6

Personal Finance

Roth IRA vs. Traditional IRA: Which Is Better for You?

Both IRAs help your investments grow with tax advantages. The difference is when you pay the tax. Compare how each works, who qualifies and how to choose.

November 3, 2026

6

Personal Finance

Index Funds vs. Individual Stocks: Which Is Right for You?

Index funds offer instant diversification at low cost; individual stocks offer control and a chance to beat the market. How to weigh the trade-offs.

November 3, 2026

7

Personal Finance

Dividend Investing for Beginners

How dividends work, what yield and payout ratio mean, why dividend growth matters and how reinvesting can compound your income over time.

November 3, 2026

7

Investing Guide

How to Read a Company's Financial Statements

A plain-English tour of the income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement, and the handful of numbers investors should check first.

November 3, 2026

8

Investing Guide

What Is the P/E Ratio? How to Use Price-to-Earnings

The price-to-earnings ratio is the most widely quoted valuation metric. Learn how it's calculated, what a high or low P/E means, and its limits.

November 3, 2026

7

Investing Guide

How to Buy Stocks: A Beginner's Guide

Everything you need to buy your first stock: choosing a brokerage account, funding it, researching companies, placing an order and building good habits.

November 3, 2026

8

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