Insights & Education

Keeping you at the forefront of modern investing 

The latest commentary

Direction Lacking Ahead of CPI

Major indexes pivoted around unchanged early after Monday's moderate losses, with focus on a miss by Oracle and tomorrow's CPI report. Two central bank meetings also are ahead.

December 10, 2024 Joe Mazzola

2025 U.S. Outlook

The U.S. economy and stock market are entering 2025 from a position of strength, but risks of volatility—especially pertaining to policy—are much higher compared to last year.

December 09, 2024

Weekly Market Outlook

Chief Global Investment Strategist Jeffrey Kleintop's 90-second take on the markets for the week ahead.

December 09, 2024

Stock Sector Outlook

Our outlook on the 11 S&P 500 equity sectors.

December 06, 2024

How Do You Build a Bond Portfolio?

Kathy Jones and Cooper Howard discuss how to build a bond portfolio, which bonds are suitable for retirees, and other aspects of fixed income investing.

December 06, 2024

Market updates

Today's Options Market Update

Nathan Peterson
December 10, 2024
Chris Waterbury

Looking to the Futures

Chris Waterbury
December 10, 2024

Weekly Trader's Outlook

Nathan Peterson
December 06, 2024

Investing Basics

Investing Basics: Stocks

Stocks are one of the most common investments. Learn what stocks are, the risks associated with them, and the role they can play in an investment portfolio.

September 19, 2023

Investing Basics: Bonds

Watch to learn the basics of bonds and how investors might use them to preserve capital and pursue extra income.

February 16, 2023


The Power of Compounding

Compound interest can potentially help investments grow over time.

May 07, 2024

Planning for Retirement

Learn the basics of retirement planning, like setting a retirement goal, choosing between a Roth and Traditional IRA, and deciding how to manage your investments.

February 27, 2023

Investing Basics: ETFs

Learn about the risks and potential rewards of exchange-traded funds, also known as ETFs.

April 18, 2023

Technical Analysis

Looking to understand how to read stock charts? Start learning the basics of using charts, identifying trends, applying price patterns, and using charting indicators.

October 19, 2023

Popular in trading

Schwab Election Coverage

Wondering how the upcoming U.S. election might affect your portfolio? Schwab experts share their views on Washington, financial markets, tax policy, and more.

October 29, 2024

What to Watch as You Trade

To participate more actively in the market, it's important to know what kind of trader you want to be and which metrics to follow. Schwab's veteran traders share some ideas.

September 24, 2024


Inside the Mind of a Trader

Schwab's video series Inside the Mind of a Trader examines the brain activity and thought processes of top traders to uncover what it means to trade brilliantly.

September 09, 2024

Managing Risk With Kathy Lien

Child prodigy Kathy Lien has spent 20+ years trading, and now Dr. Indre Viskontas examines her trading approach in this episode of Inside the Mind of a Trader.

September 09, 2024

Swing Trading Stock Strategies

Learn some of the basic entry and exit signals and money management techniques used in swing trading.

May 14, 2024

Futures Trader on thinkorswim®

Learn how to trade futures using the Futures Trader tab on thinkorswim® desktop.

February 29, 2024

Planning and retirement

Year-End Tax Strategies

Mark Riepe highlights key updates to tax policy in 2024 and offers helpful year-end tax-planning moves.

December 09, 2024

Living Trust vs. Will

Drafting a will is simpler and less expensive, but creating a revocable living trust offers more privacy, limits the time and expense of probate, and can help protect in case of incapacity or legal challenges.

December 06, 2024


5 Risks of Buy Now, Pay Later

A Buy Now, Pay Later plan could be an attractive way to pay for a purchase. But the best sounding deal can come with hidden risks. Here are five to watch out for.

December 04, 2024

Trader Status & 475 Mark-to-Market

Learn unique tax considerations that impact traders, including potentially qualifying for special taxes deductions under the Trader Status or making the 475 Mark-to-Market election.

December 03, 2024

Common Types of Retirement Plans and Other Ways to Save

Learn about common types of retirement plans and key features, eligibility requirements, and contribution limits for retirement plans like 401(k)s, IRAs, and more.

November 27, 2024

How Gratitude Can Improve Your Life

Host Mark Riepe, joined by his team and past guests of 2024, explores the impact of gratitude on our long-term perspective through personal stories and academic research.

November 25, 2024

The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned here may not be suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decision.

All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market conditions. Data contained herein from third-party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness, or reliability cannot be guaranteed.

Examples provided are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to be reflective of results you can expect to achieve.

Investors should consider carefully information contained in the prospectus, or if available, the summary prospectus, including investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. You can request a prospectus by calling 800-435-4000. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.

Equity and index options carry a high level of risk and are not suitable for all investors. Certain requirements must be met to trade options through Schwab. Please read the Options Disclosure Document titled "Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options" before considering any option transaction. Supporting documentation for any claims or statistical information is available upon request.

Investing involves risk, including, for some products, more than your initial investment.

Hedging and protective strategies generally involve additional costs and do not assure a profit or guarantee against loss.

With long options, investors may lose 100% of funds invested.

Spread trading must be done in a margin account.

Multiple leg options strategies will involve multiple transaction costs. 

Covered calls provide downside protection only to the extent of premiums received, and prevent any profitability above the strike price of the call.

Futures, and Futures options trading involves substantial risk and is not suitable for all investors. Please read the Risk Disclosure Statement for Futures and Options prior to trading futures products.

Forex trading involves leverage, carries a substantial level of risk, and is not suitable for all investors. Please read the Risk Disclosure for Forex: https://www.schwab.com/resource/forex-risk-disclosure-statement.

Futures and forex accounts are not protected by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). Forex accounts do not receive a preference in any bankruptcy proceeding pursuant to Part 190 of the CFTC’s regulations.

Read additional CFTC and NFA futures and forex public disclosures for Charles Schwab Futures and Forex LLC.

Futures, futures options, and forex trading services provided by Charles Schwab Futures and Forex LLC. Trading privileges subject to review and approval. Not all clients will qualify. Forex accounts are not available to residents of Ohio or Arizona.

Charles Schwab Futures and Forex LLC., is a CFTC-registered Futures Commission Merchant and NFA Forex Dealer Member.

Charles Schwab Futures and Forex LLC (NFA Member) and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (Member SIPC) are separate but affiliated companies and subsidiaries of The Charles Schwab Corporation.

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