Funance

This Is Funance! A basic look at the complex world of investing. Join me and stock market expert Peter Ricchiuti as we put the "fun" in Mutual Fund...or something like that.

What is a stock split?

How does a stock reproduce? By splitting!... Ok not a great joke. But, how many times have you heard the term 'stock split' and wondered, 'is this good or bad?' Peter takes us down the rabbit hole of what really happens when a stock splits and who it benefits. 

03-30
25:12

Going International...with stocks!

Why would someone invest in stocks internationally?  Peter explains when the domestic market looks tapped out-the international scene is always growing.  He'll break down the emerging markets and how you can take high risks, but get high rewards abroad. So get your passport, this show is going international.

09-17
25:23

What is socially responsible investing?

Save the Whales! End Global Warming! Make Love Not War! These aren’t these just slogans to chant at rallies without deodorant-far from it! What began as a protest on Main Street is making its way to Wall Street. Investors are starting to invest in companies based on their social/environmental/humane activism. You can even invest in funds full of companies with a conscience. Yep if it’s a social movement Wall Street can quantify it with money. The good news? It shows how your money can change the world. If more people get involved in this form of investing it could force change for companies. 

07-30
29:14

What are meme stocks?

Hey chief! I know you got 'Mad Stonks' in the beginning of 'Rona. You were swapping AMC for GameStop so much it Hertz! Did you keep your diamond hands on them or did you let someone else pick your Blackberry(s)? All these guys are the foundation of Meme stocks. It's a phenomenon growing out of social media-but it has a basis in the ole' Pump and Dump schemes. So are they a product of market manipulation or capitalism activism? We ask Peter.  Also inflation is high. What's that all about?

07-01
25:17

When do you Buy and Sell stocks?

Everyone wants to have that stock to brag about at the bar. So...how do you know which stock to buy? Peter has some tips for what a healthy stock looks like and when is the best time to buy. On the other end of the coin-you can't really brag about a stock until you make money off the stock-so when do you sell? Peter has a strategy that may not break the bank, but it will allow you to brag about your stock and make some money at the same time. Listen up!

06-18
30:49

What is your retirement?

You've heard of retirement dinners, what about a retirement lunch? Peter bets he can help you plan your retirement in 30 minutes or less-and it won't cost you a dime. Sure, you won't have any crazy stocks to talk about at parties, but you will have FINANCIAL STABILITY into your golden years. Listen, responsible investing isn't sexy, but it beats the anxiety you'll get from making and losing mini-fortunes every decade. Pull up a seat and figure out your retirement plan today. 

06-11
38:44

What is Cryptocurrency?

Bitcoin, Ethereum, DogeCoin-what the hell is all this stuff? We break down cryptocurrency to its basics with expert Matt Hougan from Bitwise Asset Management. He takes us through how cryptocurrency got started, how its used and sold, and what the future looks like for the decentralized, non government-regulated currency.   Plus-Peter takes a look at the unintended side effects of the reopening economy: shortages. 

06-02
54:39

What is insider trading?

This week’s episode: What is insider trading? Some people get rich off of it. Some people go to jail for it. So what is the fine line between federal crime and seizing an opportunity? We tread lightly through the murky marsh of insider trading. Peter will explain how you can find where the corporate brass is investing and what the legal insider knowledge looks like Also, this week, Warren Buffet weighed in on the state of Wall Street. What does he like? What scares him about the markets and where is his money going after he dies? We’ll explain.

05-07
33:29

What are offerings? (SPACs and IPOs)

This week’s episode: What are offerings? You hear Jim Cramer and CNBC ranting about ‘IPOs’ and ‘SPACs’-just what the heck are these things? We will turn them over and take a look inside. It’ll help explain why a someone takes a company public, how can you invest in them, and why Wall Street is so restrictive of retail investors getting involved?

04-30
33:31

What is a Ponzi Scheme?

This week’s episode: What is a Ponzi Scheme? We look at how an Italian immigrant became the namesake for one of the most deceiving investment practices in history; and he did all with stamps. How do these scenarios play out in real life? Plus-this week the master of all Ponzi Schemes, Bernie Madoff, passed away. We’ll get into how his scheme worked, who it hit the hardest, and how he got caught. Also, this week in the markets, vaccines are not the only shot in the arm the US government is using to boost the economy.

04-16
36:34

What are IRAs?

This week’s episode: What are IRAs? Commonly mistaken for Irish revolutionaries-these creations of the financial market offer you a different way to save for retirement. There’s a traditional, Roth, and SEP. So we break it down into what each one is, how it works, and what you should do with one. Plus this week on Wall Street- what does two train companies merging say about the markets? Apparently a lot more than Thomas the Tank Engine would expect.

04-09
30:53

What are indexes?

This week we take a look at: Indexes. When the markets go up or down-what are you really looking at? Indexes! Got it? So, what are they and why are the Dow-Jones and S&P 500 bad barometers of the markets? We’ll take a look. Plus-- This week on Wall Street, the words of one politician sent the markets skyward, only to have another politician drag them back down. How politics gave the indexes a wild ride.

04-03
30:07

What are interest rates?

This week we take a look at: Interest Rates. These invisible hands create the tug of war in the markets. Who sets interest rates and why? How does that baseline affect you? Interest rates touch just about every part of the markets. Even as low as they are-any change can turn the direction of the market in a second. Plus-- Speaking of interest rates, the markets are hanging on Fed Chairman Jerome Powell’s every word. What word did he say this week? Because the markets took a tumble...

03-26
28:38

What are dividends?

This week we take a look at: Dividends. There is a simple way to earn money without selling stocks: dividends. These quarterly paychecks are practically as old as the market itself. Sure, there's nothing sexy about slow growing income, but there is something safe about it. We'll explain what they are, how they work, and what role they play in a company and the stock market. Plus-- For the second week in a row, value stocks trump growth stocks. While your Facebook and Google stocks took a hit-what went up and why?

03-19
24:58

What are Options?

This week we take a look at: Options. These creations of the late 70's market don't even have their own exchange. Options function like a side bet on the stock market. Somehow, this section of the market holds the attention of Wall Street. If you were following the "GameStop" stock rise-it was thanks in part to Options Trading. So listen up, learn about them.  Plus-- This week in the markets: the Dow Industrial breaks back through the 30,000 point barrier again, but the NASDAQ tanks-what gives?

03-12
33:44

What is a bond?

This week we take a look at bonds. How did these official "IOUs" become a tradeable asset? How do they work? How can you invest in them? What makes a bond more attractive than a stock? Learn something. Plus, the DOW tanks-what is behind the rough week on Wall Street?

03-05
39:26

What are mutual funds/index funds?

This week we look at a creation of the modern market: the fund. Whether it's a mutual fund or an index fund-you're probably invested in one and don't even know it. They are the back bone of retirement plans and one of the easiest ways to diversify your portfolio. It helps to understand them. Plus--the markets have a roller coaster week as two things come into play: interest rates and earnings reports. 

02-26
35:31

What is a 401(k)?

This week we take on your retirement: The 401(k)! You get one through your employer, but what is it? How does it work? Why did we ever give up on pensions?!  If you've ever wondered who is in charge of your retirement-it's you! Your employer isn't going to explain and your co-workers are all-in on Bitcoin! Matt and Peter dive into the details to explain how simple alterations to your 401(k) can have a massive pay off.   Plus-how is the weather in Texas affecting the market?

02-19
34:17

What is a Stock?

This week we take on the most basic of Wall Street questions: What is a stock? Do you actually know what it represents? What are the signs of a healthy stock? Why are stocks still valuable in this byzantine trading world? We also look at why Wall Street is showing signs of optimism in the middle of the pandemic. Spoiler alert-it's not because of vaccines.

02-13
30:28

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