Brokered CDs vs. Bank CDs: How Liquidity and FDIC Rules Differ
How brokered CDs and bank CDs differ across secondary trading, interest rate risk, call provisions, early withdrawal penalties, and FDIC insurance rules.
investing basics
Mortgage Amortization: How Payments and Schedules Work
How mortgage amortization schedules work, from monthly payment math and principal reduction to 30-year vs. 15-year terms and paydown acceleration.
Ex-Dividend Date Explained: Timeline, T+1 Rules, and Price Drops
Learn how the ex-dividend date works, how SEC T+1 settlement aligned it with the record date, why stock prices drop at open, and IRS holding rules.
Series EE Savings Bonds: How the 20-Year Guarantee and Taxes Work
Learn how Series EE savings bonds work, including the 20-year doubling guarantee, fixed rates, early redemption penalties, and federal tax deferral rules.
Capital Gains Tax on Stocks: Short-Term vs. Long-Term Rules
Understand how stock capital gains are taxed, the one-year holding period rule, IRS Schedule D netting, and the $3,000 annual loss offset limit.
Treasury Floating Rate Notes: How Index Rates and Spreads Work
Learn how Treasury Floating Rate Notes (FRNs) work, how their weekly index rate and fixed spread are determined, and why they carry near-zero duration.
FDIC vs. SIPC: How Bank and Brokerage Protections Differ
Understand the key differences between FDIC deposit insurance and SIPC brokerage protection, including coverage limits, eligible assets, and cash rules.
Shelf Registration Explained: Form S-3, Rule 415, and Takedowns
Learn how SEC Rule 415 and Form S-3 shelf registrations work, from base prospectuses and WKSI rules to shelf takedowns and dilution mechanics.
Clean Price vs. Dirty Price: How Bond Accrued Interest Works
Learn the difference between clean price and dirty price in bond trading, how accrued interest is calculated, day-count conventions, and IRS tax treatment.
Adjustable-Rate Mortgages Explained: SOFR, Margin, Caps
Understand how adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) reset after the fixed period, including SOFR index calculation, lender margins, rate caps, and payment math.