Tag: immediately

  • The 4 Potential Problems With Variable Annuities

    The 4 Potential Problems With Variable Annuities


    One of the riskiest ventures is investing your money in the stock market. But along with the extreme risk involved, is also has the potential to make you a lot of money. In fact, investing in the stock market can turn out to be one of the most profitable business decisions you’ll ever make if done right.

    With so many variables to consider, it is expected that you may have hesitancy to risk your hard-earned cash on a speculative venture in the stock market. The best course of action is to hire a reputable stockbroker to handle your stocks in the beginning. A trained stockbroker can give you dependable stock tips and solid professional advice.

    Another good idea is to discuss stocks with an associate or friend with a bit of experience investing in the market themselves. Talking with educated friends and acquaintances can be a good way to get stock advice and knowledge for free.

    A well-known stock move is investing in variable annuities using the premium of your insurance. Variable annuities are actually insurance contracts that allow you to invest your premium in mutual fund type investments. While this may seem like a good idea, when you review it more closely, it might be a poor investment.

    The following are 4 potential problems with annuities:

    1. Early withdrawal penalties can cost you a double penalty. When you withdraw your profits, you will be penalized because insurance plans are designed for retirement. When you take money from your premium, it costs you in penalties to the government and to the insurance company itself.
    2. The death benefit affects the people you leave behind. If the stocks you hold are down when you die, your beneficiaries receive as much of the investments as you put in. If stocks are up when you die, they are taxed as regular income.
    3. Smaller taxes are paid on ordinary investments in mutual funds and stocks which qualify for low capital gains treatment. The gains from investing in premiums, however, are taxed immediately upon withdrawal.
    4. When you buy annuities with insurance features, they are actually more costly than regular mutual funds. When an annuity has more insurance features, there are annual fees heaped on top of it. The result is a loss of profits for you.

    Another thing to keep in mind is that timing is a key element to successful stock investing. There are specific times that are good to invest and other times that are poor. During times of hardship or national duress, the prices of stocks may be driven down to a discounted rate, but there is no reassurance that such stocks will recover to realize a significant profit. Educating yourself on the company is key in this situation.

    The bottom line with regards to investing in the stock market is diversification. The best decision is to diversify where and when you invest your money so you can always realize some type of profit to offset potential losses.

    And you should always hire a reputable finance professional to help guide you through the stock market.

  • What Stock Market Basics Do You Need To Know?

    What Stock Market Basics Do You Need To Know?


    To succeed in the business of stocks, learning the stock market basics of the trade is essential. The stock market is a complicated game and knowledge is power when it comes to financial freedom.

    The decisions you make can yield unlimited earnings or completely break your budget. While there is some level of gambling involved in the stock market, an educated trader will ultimately achieve success.

    Prior to risking your hard-earned cash on the stock market, you need to recognize certain vital factors when deciding which company to invest in.

    Consider these stock market basics to learn more about the company you want to buy into:

    Check Out A Company’s Revenue

    What is the actual amount of money the company makes? This total amount is referred to as revenue. While young companies in their early stages of development may not have much revenue to offer, other companies who have been in the market for a long time may use their revenues to cover costs and losses.

    A Company’s Earnings Make A Difference

    How much money does the company make? This amount of money is called a company’s earnings. Beside revenues, earnings may be used to cover expenses. Earnings are the extra money taken in by a company. Because investors investigate the earnings made by a company they want to purchase stocks on, the companies with large earnings have a distinct advantage in the stock market.

    A Company In Debt Is A Bad Sign

    How much money does the company owe? Debt is the money owed by a company, which can be represented in many different ways. When a company is in debt, the money they have will be used to pay up the debit. It is risky to purchase stock from companies in debt because the company is unstable which could result in them declaring bankruptcy.

    A Company Should Own Property

    What does the company own? The assets owned by a company, including business, money and stocks, are referred to as property. When you are aware of a company’s assets, you can better ascertain their position in the industry. When companies have significant properties under their ownership, it is safer to trust their background. Often people will immediately buy stocks from companies holding a major amount of assets because they are more secure.

    A Company Should Show Financial Responsibility

    How much does the company have to pay out and what are their total financial obligations? Each company has different financial obligations. When a company has few financial obligations, they are in less danger of getting into debt. Examine the liabilities versus the assets of a company to determine their financial responsibility. A company should have higher assets than financial obligations.

    Gambling your money on a company you know nothing about is an unsafe and unwise decision. By simply reviewing the company’s background, you have all the stock market basics right at your fingertips.

    To make sure your money is in the right hands, do your research about the companies you want to invest in.