Brian Beers
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Managing editor @Marketwise_Inc. Insight on investing, money, the economy and sports. Previous: @Bankrate, @CNBC, @Investopedia & @NBCNews. @Cuse forever.
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Articles by Brian Beers
Enterprise Value vs. Market Capitalization: Key Differences Explained
Key Takeaways Market capitalization (market cap) estimates a company’s size and overall value based on the total value of all its shares. Enterprise value includes a company’s market cap, debt, and cash. Large-cap companies generally have steady growth and lower volatility. Market cap offers a quick estimate of a company’s value. Enterprise value is more often used by value investors. Enterprise value is the sum of a company’s market capitalization and total debt, less its cash and cash equivalents.
As widely expected, the Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point, bringing its target range to 3.75% to 4%. The vote was unanimous as the central bank… | Mark Hamrick
Mark Hamrick’s Post Mark Hamrick Mark Hamrick is an Influencer Founder & Chief Economic Analyst, The Hamrick Brief | Award-Winning Journalist & Broadcaster | Former President, National Press Club & SABEW | Speaker | Board Director 1h As widely expected, the Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point, bringing its target range to 3.75% to 4%. The vote was unanimous as the central bank seeks to return inflation to its 2% target.
Fisher Investments Review [2026]: Personalized Portfolios with Dedicated Investment Counselors
Fisher Investments overview Fisher Investments is a large wealth management firm that builds and manages tailored portfolios primarily for clients with at least $1 million in investable assets. Founded in 1979, the fiduciary firm's approach is guided by the active investing philosophy of its founder, Ken Fisher, a well-known investor and author. Beyond managing your investments, Fisher provides comprehensive financial planning services.
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Account Analysis Definition: What it Means, Examples
By Brian Beers Updated April 28, 2026 Reviewed by Charlene Rhinehart Investopedia / Sydney Burns Definition Account analysis involves the detailed examination of financial transactions in an account to assess its performance and spot trends. Key Takeaways Account analysis is a process in which detailed line items in a financial transaction or statement are carefully examined for a given account, often by a trained auditor or accountant.
Huntington Bank Review [2026]: No-Fee Overdraft up to $50
Huntington Bank overview Huntington Bank Best for Keeping all of your banking needs under one roof Bank accounts Checking, savings, CDs, money market, small business banking Unique banking features/perks Full-service bank with vast regional branch and ATM network Overdrafts have a 24-hour grace period Early paycheck deposit Number of branches More than 1,000 Number of ATMs More than 1,600 ATM locations FDIC insurance Huntington Bank is a member FDIC (Cert.
Personal Finance Stories by Brian Beers
Brian Beers is a writer for FinanceBuzz. He has over 20 years of experience working in financial journalism, where he edited, wrote, and produced for several top business news outlets and personal finance publications — including Bankrate, CNBC, and Investopedia. During that time, Brian has led editorial coverage for teams reporting on investing, banking, the economy, and all things money.
9 Best Retirement Plans In September 2025
1. Defined contribution plans Since their introduction in the early 1980s, defined contribution (DC) plans, which include 401(k)s, have all but taken over the retirement marketplace. In 2024, 70 percent of private industry workers had access to a defined contribution plan, compared to just 15 percent with access to a defined benefits plan, like a pension, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Best Index Funds In September 2025
The S&P 500 is one of the most widely-followed stock market indexes in the world, and there are many funds that invest based on the index. These five stand out. Overview: The Fidelity ZERO Large Cap Index mutual fund is part of the investment company’s foray into mutual funds with no expense ratio, thus its ZERO moniker. The fund doesn’t officially track the S&P 500 — technically it follows the Fidelity U.S. Large Cap Index — but the difference is academic.
Best Robo-Advisors In September 2025
As of September 01, 2025 Robo-advisors are a popular way to invest, and it’s easy to understand why. They offer low-cost portfolio management that meets the needs of many investors, along with some extra features that are tough, if not impossible, for human advisors to match. What is a robo-advisor? A robo-advisor is an automated online or app-based financial advisory service that uses an algorithm to manage your money.
Best Stocks For September 2025
As of September 01, 2025 The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index is one of the most highly followed stock indexes in the world, and it contains hundreds of America’s top companies. The index has a strong track record of returns – averaging about 10 percent annually over long periods. Investors regularly keep an eye on the index and the top stocks within it as a bellwether for the market and economy as a whole.
Best Short-Term Investments in August 2025
As of August 01, 2025 If you’re looking to invest money for the short term, you’re probably searching for a safe place to stash cash before you need to access it in the not-so-distant future. Interest rates remain attractive with many short-term investments offering solid yields. The best short-term investments are generally considered safer than long-term investments.
Best ETFs For August 2025
Equity ETFs provide exposure to a portfolio of publicly traded stocks, and may be divided into several categories by where the stock is listed, the size of the company, whether it pays a dividend or what sector it’s in. So investors can find the kind of stock funds they want exposure to and buy only stocks that meet certain criteria. Stock ETFs tend to be more volatile than other kinds of investments such as CDs or bonds, but they’re suitable for long-term investors looking to build wealth.
10 Best Investments In 2025
As of August 01, 2025 Investors of all types aim to build their portfolios with the best investments, but the top-performing ones can vary. What delivers the highest returns in one year may underperform in the next, so investors should carefully watch and analyze the market to assess whether their investing dollars are allocated in a way to best maximize returns while minimizing risk.
10 Best Long-Term Investments In August 2025
As of August 01, 2025 One of the best ways to secure your financial future is to invest, and one of the best ways to invest is over the long term. While it may be tempting to trade in and out of the market, taking a long-term approach is a well-tested strategy that many investors can benefit from. Bankrate’s identified some of the top long-term investments to consider for your portfolio. Overview: In the world of stock investing, growth stocks are the Ferraris.
Best online brokers for stock trading in 2025
As of August 01, 2025 Stocks are one of the best long-term investments you can make to build wealth, and it’s never been easier to trade stocks online. But when it comes to choosing an online broker for buying and selling stocks, what exactly should you be looking for? That depends on the type of investor you are and the features you need the most. Bankrate analyzed dozens of brokerage firms to help you find the best brokers for online stock trading.
Best Financial Advisors: Top Firms For 2025
When you work with the best financial advisors, they can expertly guide you through the different aspects of your financial life, such as planning for retirement, managing your wealth or just investing in general — often for a reasonable fee. Answer a few quick questions to get matched with vetted financial advisors through our network of partners.
Best Mutual Funds In August 2025
As of August 01, 2025 Mutual funds are one of the most popular ways to invest in the stock and bond markets, especially as part of employer-sponsored 401(k) plans and self-directed IRAs. Mutual funds allow you to buy a diversified collection of assets in just one fund, often at low cost. With thousands of funds to choose from, we've highlighted some of the best mutual funds available based on Morningstar research.
World’s 10 Largest Stock Exchanges By Market Capitalization Original
The world’s largest stock exchanges offer thousands of stocks for investors to trade with trillions of dollars in listed stocks. The ranks of the biggest exchanges include those in the United States, Europe, China, Japan and India, with an exchange needing a market cap of at least $3.8 trillion to crack the top 10 list. Exchanges measure their size in two key ways: Listings: This figure includes the number of stocks on the exchanges, both domestic and foreign issues that trade there.
Best S&P 500 ETFs Original
The Standard & Poor’s 500 – the S&P 500 – is the benchmark stock index in the United States, and it’s come to symbolize the stock market as a whole. The S&P 500 has a strong record of returns, averaging about 10 percent per year over long periods, and it’s easy for investors to buy the index through an exchange-traded fund (ETF), getting immediate exposure to all its stocks. Here are the best S&P 500 ETFs as well as some alternative funds based on the S&P 500 for investors to consider.
A New Charitable Giving Tax Deduction Is Coming And Millions More Taxpayers Will Qualify For It Original
Taxpayers who donate to the causes that are close to their hearts have a new reason to celebrate — and to give: The massive new tax law includes a valuable new tax deduction for qualified charitable contributions, worth up to $1,000 for single filers and $2,000 for married filing jointly taxpayers, starting in 2026. And here’s what’s surprising about this new tax benefit: It’s available to taxpayers who claim the standard deduction — you don’t have to itemize.
There's A New Tax Break Worth $6,000 For Older Taxpayers — Here's Who Qualifies | Bankrate Original
Americans who are 65 and older got a hefty new tax break under the massive tax bill that President Donald Trump signed into law on July 4: A new bonus deduction that’s worth as much as $6,000 per taxpayer, which means up to $12,000 for married-filing-jointly spouses who are both 65+. The new tax deduction is available this year, so if you’re eligible you can claim it on your 2025 tax return that you’ll file in 2026.
What The GENIUS Act Could Mean For Stablecoins, Investors And Taxpayers Original
The GENIUS Act is now law, after President Donald Trump signed the bill, to the cheers of cryptocurrency enthusiasts. The GENIUS Act regulates one type of cryptocurrency called stablecoins, a $200 billion part of the multitrillion-dollar cryptocurrency system. The name stands for Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins, and it creates a regulatory framework for stablecoins that could allow them to be more widely used in everyday transactions.
5 Tax Breaks For Dads To Help Celebrate Father's Day Original
This Father’s Day, millions of dads will likely receive popular gifts like coffee mugs and socks, but they could also be cashing in on some valuable tax breaks from Uncle Sam. “Many dads don’t realize they qualify [for certain tax deductions], so it’s worth double checking, especially if you’re the primary caregiver,” says Paul Miller, a certified public accountant (CPA) and managing partner of Miller & Company in New York City.
H-Shares vs. A-Shares: What’s the Difference?
When a Chinese company goes public, it can choose to list its shares on any of the stock exchanges in mainland China, or it can choose the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKG). Some companies choose both. H-shares are shares that trade in Hong Kong and A-shares are traded on the mainland. H-shares trade on Hong Kong’s exchanges and are regulated by Chinese law, although it has a separate financial system.
Stock market holiday schedule for 2025: US markets are closed on these days
Stock market holidays are non-weekend business days when the two major U.S. stock exchanges, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Nasdaq, are closed for the day. These days often closely follow federal holiday schedules and include major holidays like Independence Day and Thanksgiving. Regular operating hours for both exchanges are Monday-Friday from 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. ET, although there are various ways to trade stocks 24 hours a day. Markets do not operate during the weekend.
Outsourcing vs. Insourcing: What’s the Difference?
Outsourcing is the process of hiring an outside organization that is not affiliated with the company to complete specific tasks. Insourcing, on the other hand, is a business practice performed within the operational infrastructure of an organization. The main difference between outsourcing and insourcing is the methods in which work, projects, or tasks are divided between various companies and departments for strategic purposes.
How an Investor Can Make Money Short Selling Stocks
Short selling is a strategy that makes money when a stock falls in price. It is also called “going short” or “shorting.” This is an advanced strategy that only experienced traders should try. An investor borrows a stock, sells it, and then buys the stock back to return it to the lender. Short sellers hope that the stock they’re shorting will drop, so they can buy it back at a lower price and return it to the lender.
Warren Buffett To Step Down As Berkshire Hathaway CEO Original
Warren Buffett told Berkshire Hathaway shareholders that he plans to step down as CEO at the end of 2025 and recommended to the company’s board that his previously identified successor, Greg Abel, take over at that time, ending a 60-year career that created one of the greatest investment records of all time. Buffett made the dramatic announcement at the end of the company’s annual shareholder meeting on Saturday, saying that it would come as a surprise to most of the board and Abel.
Stock market holiday schedule for 2025: Here’s when US markets are closed
Stock market holidays are non-weekend business days when the two major U.S. stock exchanges, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Nasdaq, are closed for the day. These days often closely follow federal holiday schedules and include major holidays like Independence Day and Thanksgiving. Regular operating hours for both exchanges are Monday-Friday from 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. ET, although there are various ways to trade stocks 24 hours a day. Markets do not operate during the weekend.
7 Tips For Investing In Your 30s
Your 30s is a time to clarify your financial goals and start ramping up your savings, aiming to set aside 10-15 percent of your income. Choose the right tools — a workplace retirement plan and an IRA — to put your money to work. With decades until retirement age, people in their 30s can afford to be more aggressive investors, even in a volatile market. Your 30s are when a lot of things start coming together. When you reach your 30s, life starts to become a balancing act.
What Is Tether (USDT) And How Does It Work? Original
Tether (USDT) is a stablecoin, which is a type of cryptocurrency designed to maintain a steady value over time. It’s different from other crypto coins, like Bitcoin or Ethereum, because its price is pegged to the U.S. dollar. Here’s what you need to know about Tether and how it works. What is Tether? Tether is a type of cryptocurrency called a stablecoin. The token was created by Tether Limited in 2014. Unlike other types of cryptocurrencies, USDT doesn’t experience wild swings in prices.
Tradier Review | Bankrate
On This Page Tradier offers a low-cost way for active traders to swap securities that differs from the way most brokers operate. Tradier uses a subscription model with three tiers to attract active traders who are looking for lower trading costs. But even if you go with the broker’s free entry-level service, you’ll enjoy options commissions that beat much of the brokerage field.
Gross, Operating, and Net Profit Margin: What’s the Difference?
Gross profit margin, operating profit margin, and net profit margin are the three main margin analysis measures that are used to analyze the income statement activities of a firm. Each margin individually gives a very different perspective on the company’s operational efficiency. Comprehensively, the three margins taken together can provide insight into a firm’s operational strengths and weaknesses (SWOT).
How To Invest Your 401(k)
401(k) plans typically offer 10 or more investment options, including stock, bond and target-date mutual funds. Performance history (i.e., long-term investment returns) and management costs are key factors for assessing your options. Savers who want to custom-build a portfolio within the plan need to consider their goals, time horizon, risk tolerance and willingness to monitor the investment mix over time. A target-date fund is a hands-off, set-and-forget investment option.
2026 Social Security COLA: Benefits Estimated To Rise By 2.2% In 2026 Original
If you’re a Social Security beneficiary, you may see a boost in your checks starting in 2026. While the official Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) won’t be released until Oct. 10, the increase for next year is estimated at 2.2 percent, according to The Senior Citizens League, a nonpartisan senior citizens group that accurately predicted the 2.5 percent COLA for 2025.
Financial Indicators of a Successful Company
Some characteristics of a “good” company may include competitive advantage, above-average management, and market leadership. However, investors commonly look to financial indicators such as stable earnings, return on equity (ROE), and a company’s relative value compared with those of other companies to determine a firm’s potential. Earnings reports help investors the financial success of a company. Earnings may be measured with three metrics: growth, stability, and quality.
The Federal Reserve’s Latest Dot Plot, Explained – And What It Says About Interest Rate Cuts | Bankrate
The Fed’s dot plot is a chart that records each Fed official’s projection for the central bank’s key short-term interest rate. The dot plot is updated every three months and is meant to provide insight into the Fed’s future rate decisions, with the caveat that Fed officials can’t always predict the future. The Fed’s latest projections continue to signal two rate cuts for 2025. After the Federal Reserve’s latest interest rate decision, you may be tempted to try and start connecting some dots.
The Fed Skips Another Rate Cut Despite Growing Recession Fears And Steep Market Sell-off Original
The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged at its March meeting, choosing to take a careful approach with how it steers the U.S. economy over growing worries that President Donald Trump’s policies could push up both inflation and unemployment.
Trump Tariff Updates: New Round of Tariffs Coming April 2
President Donald Trump isn’t backing down from an all-out trade war, saying he’ll launch new tariffs come April 2. “April 2 is a liberating day for our country, because we’re going to be getting back a lot of the wealth that we so foolishly gave up to other countries,” Trump said to reporters on Air Force One on Sunday.
Switching Online Brokers: Here's How To Transfer Your Investments To A New Account
Investing is more popular than ever, with many online brokerages competing for your business. That competition has driven fees down and led to perks like no commissions on stock and exchange-traded fund (ETF) trades, plus the option to buy fractional shares. If you’re stuck paying high fees at an older broker, switching could be worthwhile — even though moving your holdings isn’t always straightforward.
Cryptocurrency Taxes: A Guide To Tax Rules For Bitcoin, Ethereum And More Original
With the staggering rise and fall of some cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, crypto traders may have serious tax questions on their minds. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is stepping up enforcement efforts, and even those who hold the currency — let alone trade it — need to make sure they don’t run afoul of the law. That might be easier to do than you think, given how the IRS treats cryptocurrency. “It’s a really big enforcement area for the IRS right now,” says Brian R.
How to Make $1 Million as a Small Business
There are millions of small business owners within the United States and around the world. Together, they form a vibrant core of many national economies. However, a large portion of these entities never achieve lasting success. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), only about half of small businesses survive for at least five years—never mind making it big.
Should I Pay Off Debt or Invest Extra Cash?
People who find themselves with extra cash can face a dilemma. Should they use the money to pay off—or at least, substantially pay down—that pile of debt they’ve accumulated, or is it more advantageous to put the money to work in investments that will grow for the future? Either choice can make sense, depending on the circumstances. Investing and paying down debt are both good uses for any spare cash you might have.
How To Survive A Stock Market Correction
2025 has seen a rough start for the stock market. By mid-March, the Nasdaq plummeted more than 10 percent from its all-time high, entering what market watchers call a “correction.” The S&P 500 stock index wasn’t far behind, either, though not officially in correction territory. This kind of downdraft can be painful, especially after two excellent up years in 2023 and 2024, where the S&P 500 rose more than 20 percent in each period.
5 Top Mistakes to Avoid During a Market Sell-Off Original
Stocks sold off in early March as investors grappled with how tariffs would impact inflation and the outlook for economic growth. Some investors even grew concerned about a possible recession. Some of the biggest tech companies saw their shares tumble 20 percent or more, with Tesla falling around 50 percent from its recent high.
International ETFs: How To Invest In Foreign Markets
For new and seasoned investors alike, taking a global approach to your investments can help provide diversification and multiple ways to benefit from the growth in the world economy. While putting your money in foreign markets might sound complex, there are exchange-traded funds (ETFs) set up to streamline the process and make it easy for those in the U.S. to invest internationally.
The Best Ways To Invest In Real Estate In 2025 Original
Real estate investing is perennially popular, and while high interest rates may be softening the market now, investors are likely to storm back to real estate with a vengeance, if and when rates fall. In fact, 24 percent of Americans said that real estate was their top pick for investing money they won’t need for at least 10 years, according to Bankrate’s 2025 Long-Term Investments Survey.
5 Sure-Fire Signs Of A Stock Market Bubble
The stock market has been on a tear over the past two years, with the S&P 500 increasing around 25 percent in both 2023 and 2024. In 2024 alone, the index closed at record highs more than 50 times. But with stocks at elevated valuations and uncertainty around the impact of tariffs on the economy, some investors may be concerned about a potential bubble. In bull markets that seem to go on endlessly, it’s important not to become complacent.
What Is Cardano And How Does It Work?
Cardano is a popular form of cryptocurrency, a kind of digital currency that exists exclusively online. Cardano was founded in 2015 and began trading publicly in October 2017 at the price of a few cents per coin. As of March 3, 2025, the coin is trading just below $1, though it had peaked at $3.10 in September 2021. It’s the eighth largest cryptocurrency by total value, according to CoinMarketCap.com. Here’s what Cardano is and what you need to know about it. What is Cardano?
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