Zero-Coupon Bonds: How STRIPS Work, Pricing Math, and Taxes
Learn how zero-coupon bonds and Treasury STRIPS work, how their pricing and duration are calculated, and how IRS phantom tax rules apply to OID.
Market Education
Learn how stocks, bonds and capital markets work. Explore plain-English explanations, worked examples and charts, then follow related coverage to connect market concepts with current events. Find your way around ECMSource.
AMD Reaches $1T Market Cap; Q2 Filing Shows Data Center Growth
AMD reached a reported $1 trillion market value. Its Q2 filing shows 50% revenue growth, but the valuation benchmark uses a dated share count and needs context.
How Brokerage Cash Sweeps Work: Bank Sweeps vs. Money Market Funds
Compare bank deposit sweeps, brokerage cash and money market funds by legal form, FDIC or SIPC treatment, liquidity and the questions to check before choosing.
Steel Dynamics Guides Q3 EPS to $5.34–$5.38; Fabrication Backlog Up Nearly 50%
Steel Dynamics guides Q3 EPS to $5.34–$5.38. Its filing says fabrication backlog is nearly 50% above the prior-year Q3 level and extends into Q1 2027.
How Adjustable-Rate Mortgages Work: Resets, Caps, and SOFR
Learn how adjustable-rate mortgages work: the SOFR reference index, lender margins, 2/2/5 cap structures, and exact reset payment math.
Savings Accounts vs Treasury Bills: Tax, Safety, and Liquidity
Compare hypothetical after-tax yields, deposit coverage, Treasury backing, and access to cash using primary government sources.
How Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Works: Restructuring, Debt, and Stock
Discover how Chapter 11 bankruptcy works, including DIP financing, the absolute priority rule, creditor voting, and what really happens to common stock.
The Buffett Indicator: What It Measures and When It Fails
The Buffett Indicator compares total stock market value to GDP. Here is how the formula works, historical valuation tiers, and why the ratio can mislead.
Asset-Backed Securities (ABS) Explained: Structure & Tranches
Learn how asset-backed securities (ABS) turn loans into liquid bonds, how tranche waterfalls work, and how credit enhancement protects senior noteholders.
How Automated Market Makers Work: AMMs and Impermanent Loss
Learn how automated market makers use liquidity pools and constant product formulas to price trades, and how to calculate impermanent loss.