Process by which a privately held company becomes publicly traded — An Initial Public Offering, commonly known as an IPO, is the process by which a privately held company becomes a publicly traded one. …

The true cost of borrowing — When it comes to personal finance, understanding the concept of Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is important. Whether you’re applying for a loan, using a credit card, or even considering a mortgage, APR plays a significant role in determining the overall cost of borrowing. APR is a term used to describe…

A tool that allows you to filter and select stocks based on specific criteria — A stock screener is a powerful tool that allows investors to filter and select stocks based on specific criteria. These criteria can include fundamental metrics, technical indicators, sector, industry, market cap, and more. Think of it as a search engine for stocks that helps you narrow down your options. Now…

A diverse portfolio of large-cap U.S. stocks — In the landscape of personal finance, investing stands as a pillar of wealth accumulation and financial security. Among the investment options available, index funds have garnered significant attention for their simplicity, low fees, and potential for steady returns. The Vanguard Growth Index Fund (VUG) shines as a popular choice for…

A financial metric that provides a view of a company’s total value — In the world of personal finance and investment, understanding key financial concepts is essential to making informed decisions. One such concept that plays a crucial role in evaluating companies and their potential value is “Enterprise Value” (EV). Enterprise value is a financial metric that provides a comprehensive view of a…

A critical economic indicator — The Chicago Business Barometer, often called the Chicago Purchasing Manager’s Index (PMI), is a critical economic indicator that offers valuable insights into the health and direction of the U.S. manufacturing sector. …

An actively managed investment fund — A hedge fund is an actively managed investment fund whose managers use a variety of investment strategies to achieve their goal of positive investment returns for their investors. These strategies can include buying and selling stocks, bonds, currencies, commodities, and derivatives. …

An index used to track the performance of the U.S. bond market — The Bloomberg Aggregate Bond Index, or the “Agg,” is a broad-based, market capitalization-weighted bond market index representing intermediate-term investment grade bonds traded in the United States. Investors frequently use the index as a stand-in for measuring the performance of the U.S. bond market. The Agg was created in 1986 by…

A tool to use your home as collateral — A home equity line of credit (HELOC) is a type of loan that allows you to borrow money against the equity in your home, essentially using your home as collateral for a loan. …