Quiz: What’s your risk number?
Over the past two days, we watched markets drop as they haven’t done since February: the Dow is down 1,400 points, and the NASDAQ is near correction territory. If you’re feeling anxious about it, there’s a decent chance it can be traced to one of two things: missing context or misaligned risk appetite. CONTEXT Over […]
Pop quiz: When did the Dow last drop as much as it did today?
Short answer: Who cares? You’re not selling today, so don’t fret. Longer answer: The last time was eight months ago, but let’s put things in context. The Dow dropped by more than 800 points today — an amount that definitely catches attention. But in the grand scheme of things, it’s just a blip on the […]
Is it time for a reckoning in stocks?
Is it time for stocks to sell off? In light of the 10th anniversary of the collapse of Lehman Brothers last month, we should remember that it’s a mistake to be complacent about what could happen in markets. Extreme economic and financial events are far more likely to occur than we like to believe. But […]
Should you save for a child’s education in your name or theirs?
There are three potential drawbacks to saving money for a child’s education under his or her own name: the kiddie tax, federal financial aid rules, and control issues. First, the kiddie tax. At one time, saving money for college in a child’s name was recommended because of the tax saving opportunities that resulted when children […]
Understanding capital gains in light of new tax laws
The U.S. stock market this year has given total returns so far of close to 10 percent, which is a good thing for investors. But with the exception of savings in retirement accounts such as 401(k)s and individual retirement accounts (IRAs), Uncle Sam will probably take a cut of your newfound wealth in capital gains tax. […]
People debating Nike’s Kaepernick ads are missing an opportunity: Using shareholder activism to make their voices heard.
Sportswear company Nike has received both praise and condemnation for its decision to make former NFL quarterback and racial justice advocate Colin Kaepernick the face of its 30th anniversary “Just Do It” campaign. Many astute commentators have already noted that Nike, as a giant, publicly traded corporation, is laser-focused on making profits and maximizing value […]
Fatima Iqbal: Reflecting on 10 years with Azzad
Ten years ago, Fatima Iqbal joined Azzad as a financial advisor and the company’s first CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™. She joined while the Global Financial Crisis was unfolding, just a few weeks before Lehman Brothers declared bankruptcy and a couple of months before President Bush signed into law the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, which […]
Living wills and trusts: Here’s what you need to know
Estate planning isn’t the most exciting thing to do, but it’s one of the most important–both for yourself and your family. If you have minor children and some assets, you probably need an estate plan regardless of your tax situation. Why you need a will or living trust If you die without a will (intestate), […]
Too much of a good thing is a good thing. Why eight portfolio managers are better than one.
Are you concerned about the risks associated with keeping all your money in one place? We hope this will help put you at ease. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. This simple piece of commonsense wisdom has helped generations of people minimize their chances of losing everything. The idea of not concentrating all […]
U.S. fiscal issues loom: How larger deficits can hurt the economy
According to the most recent Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projection, the federal budget deficit for fiscal year 2018 (which ends on September 30) will reach $793 billion, or 3.9% of gross domestic product (GDP). This figure is $230 billion more than the CBO had previously estimated in June 2017, largely because legislation enacted since then […]
