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Bull Markets And Bear Markets

By: Adam Masterson

The difference between a bull and bear market is something that every sucessful investor knows. When the market moves downwards for a period of time the market is referred to as a bear market. Upward moving markets are bull markets. If a particular stock is doing well, it is said to be bullish. If it is losing value it is bearish. Of course, there are more to bull and bear markets than that, as you will soon discover.

1. Bull Also, Bear Markets

These terms refer only to long term fluxuations, not short term changes in the market conditions. This is because even during a bear market prices may increase temporarily.

2. A Reflection Of The Economy

Usually stock market conditions reflect the state of the economy. During bull markets the economy is doing well, unemployment is low and interest rates are reasonable. Bear markets usually occur during times of economic slowdown. Investors lose confidence and companies may begin laying off workers. At the extremes, an exaggerated bear market can lead to a crash brought on by panic selling. An exaggerated bull market can be caused by over-enthusiasm of investors. It leads to a market bubble that will eventually burst.

3. When To Make Money

Although most money can be made during bull markets, there are also opportunities during bear markets. Knowing the characteristics of each type of market allows investors to profit from them. As would be expected, when the market is bullish investors wish to buy up stock. The economy is doing well and people have extra money that they wish to invest in stocks. This creates a situation of short supply that drives up prices even higher. During bear markets, on the other hand, prices are falling so investors wish to unload their stocks and put their money in fixed-return instruments such as bonds. As money is withdrawn from the stock market, supply exceeds demand that drives prices down even further.

4. Bull Markets Offer The Best Opportunities

It is easiest to make money during a bull market. Getting in right at the beginning will allow you to make the most profits. During a bull market any dips in the market are temporary and should soon be corrected. The upward rising prices cant go on forever, though, so the investor needs to be able to gauge when the market reaches its peak and sell at that time.

5. When To Buy

Bear markets represent opportunities to pick up stocks at bargain prices. Getting in near the end of a bear market offers the greatest chance for profit. The prices will most likely fall before they recover, so the investor should be prepared for some short term loss. Short-selling is also an investment strategy during bear markets. Short selling involves selling stock that you do not own in the anticipation of further price drops, so that when it comes time to deliver you can buy the stock for less than you sold it.

Article Source: http://www.noviceinvesting.com/Article

For more great stock market related articles and resources check out optionshq.info

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Important Facts About Saving Bonds

By: Joe Goertz

Unlike traditional bonds, saving bonds are not subject to the ups and downs of the stock market. Savings bonds are low risk, government-backed bonds with guaranteed rates of interest. There is a tax advantage to savings bonds because the owner may be able to partially or completely exclude their interest from Federal income tax.

There are three types of saving bonds: I, EE/E and HH/H. They are issued by the US Treasury Department. They can only be purchased in one of three ways: 1) through authorized financial agencies, such as a bank; 2) through payroll deductions; and 3) through an electronic service called TreasuryDirect. All saving bonds are registered and held in name of the person who owns them. Savings bonds are registered securities. They can be replaced if they are lost or destroyed.

Series I bonds are available at face value only. Series I bonds come in $50 to $10,000 denominations. No more than $30,000 (face value) of paper bonds and $30,000 of electronic bonds purchased each year. They must be held for a minimum of 1 year and they will accrue interest for 30 years. Interest on the Series I bonds is based on a fixed rate (announced by the Bureau of Public Debt in May of each year) and an annual inflation rate (announced in November of each year).

Interest is paid when the bond is redeemed. If this happens before the bond is five years old, there is an interest penalty equivalent to the three most recent months interest. Interest is not subject to State and local taxes. It is, however, subject to State and local estate, gift and other excise taxes. Interest on the bonds is also subject to Federal taxes. If the bonds are used to finance an education, all the interest or only part may be excluded from federal income taxes.

The series EE bonds replaced Series E. EE bonds are very affordable and can be purchased at one half of their face value. They come in denominations from $50 to $10,000. Individuals can buy no more than $30,000 (face value) worth of paper bonds and $30,000 of electronic bonds annually. EE bonds purchased between May 1997 and April 30, 2005 earn a variable market-based rate of return. Those issued May 2005 onwards earn a fixed rate of interest. They will generate interest for 30 years and the interest is compounded semi-annually. The Series EE bonds are similar to the Series I Bonds in regard to interest payment and time of redemption. The biggest difference between EE and I bonds is that interest rates are figured differently. EE Bonds receive 90% of 6-month averages of 5-year Treasury Securities market yields.

Prior to September 2004, Series HH savings bonds could be purchased only in exchange for Series EE/E bonds. After that date, they could be purchased without them. Series HH bonds are available in denominations ranging from $500 to $10,000. They are purchased at their face value. There is no limit on the amount that can be purchased.

The interest on Series HH bonds is fixed on the date of purchase and will continue to accrue for 20 years. The interest is deposited directly into the owners checking or savings account. Series HH Savings Bonds must be held for a minimum of six months. Like Series I and EE, the interest on Series HH bonds is not subject to State and local taxes. It is, however, subject and State and local inheritance, gift and other excise taxes.

Article Source: http://www.noviceinvesting.com/Article

You will find more from this author at: finance-mag.com

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The Complete Lowdown On Savings Bonds.

By: Nick P. Bentley

With a financial plan in place you can start to invest in your childs future! These days, saving for your childs education is harder than ever. The price of an education has sky rocketed over the past two decades. So what are your options when considering how to save for you childrens education? Savings bonds might be your answer.

United States Savings Bonds can rightly add to your childs education savings. There are various other investment opportunities and a lot of of them may promise higher rates but as of late seen in the market you have to be doubly careful when investing in anything let alone your childs future. Savings bonds offer diversification to your savings plan and tend to be safer than several of the other options.

Most education savings plans contain a combination of stocks, mutual funds, certificates of deposit, education IRAs, as well as cash. The reasoning for this is that the more places you have the money spread out the higher your return should be. This diversified approach is one that most financial advisors recommend. Savings bonds can provide a reliable, steady-growth option with significant tax advantages if they are invested correctly.

They are considered a safe, secure investment because the United States government backs them, however with a growing national deficient there has been some debate on this front. It is vital to sit down with a good financial advisor and talk about what investing in U.S. Savings Bonds means.

Another benefit to this type of investment is that they are designed never to reduce in value. Unlike other investments, savings bonds appear to be a solid investment. The other advantage touted by several is that savings bonds also have tax advantages. Interest on savings bonds is always exempt from state and local income taxes and allows some or all interest to be excluded from federal income tax, this in an incentive for many as opposed to interest bearing savings accounts and other investments.

Income limitations such as age and other restrictions apply to the person claiming the tax exclusion and eligible education expenses that are considered are tuition and fees paid to colleges, universities and vocational. A parent who doesnt meet the income limits for this tax exclusion can and should consider buying savings bonds in the name of the child.

Consider that they can be a wonderful addition to your education fund for your child. For more information on how to invest in savings bonds and what is involved in making such an investment contact your local IRS office or seek out a skilled financial advisor.

Article Source: http://www.noviceinvesting.com/Article

Nick P. Bentley provides readers with up-to-date commentaries, articles, and reviews for investment, business as well as other related information.

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Making Your Money Grow In The Stock Market

By: Joe Goertz

One way of making your money grow is investing in the stock market. Stocks are how companies grow without securing bank loans. The investor buys the company stock (shares) and receives interest in the form of stock dividends. Share holders can affect the operation of a company. Each year, there is a share holders meeting and different issues are presented for the share holders to vote on. The greater the number of shares that an investor has, the greater the number of votes the stock holder can exercise.

There are several categories of stocks. Income stocks provide revenue to the stock holders in the form of dividends. Growth stocks are shares sold by companies that reinvest their profits to increase the size of the company. You can invest in stocks online, through stock market investors or directly, as in the case of Coca Cola and a number of other companies. Some companies provide their employees with stock options allowing them to purchase stocks at a given price for a particular period of time. There are also Over the Counter Stocks. These are not listed on any exchange and are sold by smaller, riskier companies that do not meet the requirements of the exchanges.

There are a number of reasons why stocks rise and fall in value. If a company is doing well, the value of a stock will increase. Conversely, if a company is not doing well, its stock prices may fall. Other factors affect the market value of shares. The price of crude oil will affect the market value. Disasters or wars will force prices downward. The introduction of new federal regulations for an industry will have an impact, depending on how the legislation affects production. Changes in company management also have an affect on stock prices.

Stock brokers buy and sell stocks on behalf of investors. They also provide information to their clients regarding the best times to buy and sell based on the market value of the stocks and whether they are rising or falling in value. Today anyone can be a stock broker thanks to the internet. Investment companies permit their clients to use their services to research a stock or give advice on buying and selling. The investor is then able to purchase or sell stocks online at a cost of so much per trade.

Everyday the stock averages are compiled and made public. The Dow Jones Industrial Average provides details on 30 large industrial stocks, including General Motors, Goodyear, IBM and Exxon. The Standard and Poor 500 Index provides averages for 500 large companies. There are three major stock exchanges in the United States. These include NASDAQ (National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations), Amex (American Stock Exchange) and the New York Stock Exchange.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) protect investors; maintains fair, orderly, and efficient markets; and facilitates capital formation. It mandates that companies provide financial information to individuals before they buy stock and to continue providing relevant financial information as long as the investor holds the stock. The SEC also oversees securities exchanges, securities brokers and dealers, investment advisors and mutual funds. The SEC has an obligation to enforce the nations securities laws. Each year hundreds of actions are taken against individuals and companies for insider trading, accounting fraud, and providing false or misleading information about securities and the companies that issue them.

The SEC works closely with Congress, other federal departments and agencies, the stock exchanges, state securities regulators, and various private sector organizations.

Article Source: http://www.noviceinvesting.com/Article

Read more Investment related articles at: investing-magazine.com

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