Azzad Blog
What's the Real Value of Financial Planning?
Financial planning is often associated with investment returns—but its impact can go far beyond the numbers.
Join us for this webinar that takes a closer look at what working with a financial planner can mean in real life. Research suggests that professional financial advice may add 3–4% to long-term portfolio performance.
The facts and fiction behind self-directed IRAs
Not long ago, the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) issued a warning to investors about custodians who handle self-directed individual retirement accounts (IRAs). A self-directed IRA holds nontraditional investments like real estate, metals, or limited partnerships. These accounts have been the subject of growing regulatory scrutiny and punitive action.
Five questions to ask before investing
Sometimes we get calls from clients asking us to research certain investments they’ve heard of that promise income without risk. Putting aside the question of whether or not such investments are halal, investors may be unknowingly falling for a potential Ponzi or pyramid scheme. Keep in mind that such a
New rules affect retirement savings advice
On April 6, 2016, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued new "conflict of interest" rules regarding financial advice as it relates to retirement plans and IRAs. The new DOL rules generally hold financial professionals to a fiduciary standard if they receive compensation for providing investment advice to retirement plan participants
10 frequently asked questions about IRAs
1- When is my IRA contribution due? Your traditional and Roth IRA contribution must be made no later than April 18. If you make your contributions in year 2016, make sure your financial institution reports the deposit for year 2015. Your SEP IRA contribution for year 2015 isn’t due until
Ask yourself these two questions in volatile markets
This has been the worst ever start to a year for the stock market, and stocks tanked again today. But that’s not all. Investors are seeking the security of government bonds. Oil continues to trade below $30 a barrel. Netflix is raising its prices. A massive snowstorm threatens the Mid-Atlantic.
Answering your questions about market volatility
Stocks sold off today, continuing their up and down ride to start the year. Azzad clients are usually savvy enough to know that these types of events are prime opportunities to rebalance their portfolios or to buy stocks while they’re selling at a discount. But even the best of us
Four year-end tax strategies to consider
It's hard to believe we're fast approaching the end of 2015, but it's time to start thinking about the 2015 tax season. Here are four simple yet effective tax minimization strategies to consider before the end of the year: 1. Harvest capital losses. While the recent market volatility has been
Pope Francis and Islamic finance
Next week, Pope Francis is expected to arrive in Washington, D.C., to kick off his first visit to the United States, giving an anticipated 18 speeches. Although we don't yet know the content of those talks, it shouldn't surprise anyone if, when talking about social justice from his own faith
Markets continue the roller coaster ride
Investors kicked off September by fleeing stocks, extending the losses suffered in August. This market is being driven by emotion, rather than a substantial change in the fundamentals of the economy. Although data have indicated a slowdown in developed markets, we have seen nothing to indicate a recessionary trend here
