What is the difference between stocks and shares?

The difference between stocks and shares has been blurred in today’s complicated financial market. Basically, these terms refer to the pieces of paper which denote ownership in a particular company, also known as stock certificates. Though the real difference lies in the context in which they are used. Stock is originally a term used to describe the ownership certificates of any company; whereas shares denote the ownership certificates of a particular company. Therefore it is important to realize that when an investor says he/she own stocks, it is a general reference to the overall ownership in one or more companies, while share is the number of portions of ownership in the particular company.

When buying a share of stock, you are in fact taking an ownership in the company in which you are investing, and as a result you will share both the profits and losses of the company. For both stock and shareholders if a company generates more traffic and higher revenues, it ensures higher profits. In the short term it’s more likely to lose money in the stock market than in the share market. There few minor difference between stocks and shares which is usually overlooked, also because of the fact that it has more to do with syntax than financial or legal accuracy. However when trading the stock market both can disappear at any time

Today’s Word: Subordinate Financing.

This is actually when a mortgage facility (loan) or other lien on any asset holds a lien position behind that of the first lien or mortgage. Actually meaning that the second is subordinate to the first.

Understanding The WaMu Savings Accounts

When attempting to save money possibly the most fundamental step is locating an institution to save with. The institution must be reputable and have a strong asset base before you decide to trust in it. You must also research the bank to ensure that you are aware of any contingent liabilities that the institution might have. One of the most reputable institutions that we recommend is the WaMu or Washington Mutual Statement Savings Accounts. Not only does it have the added convenience of many local branches and Automated Teller Machine across the country offering withdrawals and deposits 24 hours a day there is also online account access.

The Basics of the WaMu Statement Savings Accounts

The Statement Savings account offers:

  • A very competitive 3.30% Annual percentage yield on all balances since May 2008
  • Attractive Rates are only available online.
  • There are no minimum balance requirements,
  • You can open an account with USD$1.00
  • You can easily do an instant transfer to/from the WaMu Free Checking Account

What is the most attractive thing about the WaMu Savings is the ease with which it is integrated with the free checking account along with the attractive APY of 3.30%. Opening an account is a five minute process and all you will need is identification, (state id or drivers license), social security number and your permanent address.

There are other savings services offered by WaMu, the most beneficial being the certificates of deposits or CD’s as they are popularly known. The bank offers three types: Traditional CD, Online CD and the Liquid CD. A certificate of deposit is actually a short to medium term interest bearing investment that offers a fixed APY. These accounts are highly recommended by us and though they differ slightly in services they are sound investing options for individuals trying to achieve any savings goal.

Conclusively we believe that the WaMu savings options offer a sound investment plan despite your long term goals and needs and helps in what ever endeavour you are trying to save towards.

Today’s Word: Acceleration Clause

This is a clause that is found on the deed of mortgage document and it allows the mortgagor to declare or CALL the entire balance (principal and outstanding interest) due and payable for immediate payment in the event of default of payment or breach of contract by the mortgagee.

[tags]savings accounts,investments,certificate of deposit,acceleration clause,APY,Annual percentage yield[/tags]

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Understanding Insurance Investments

When making investments a life insurance policy is fundamental and ascertaining which policy is apt for either yourself or the benefit of your immediate and extended family can be a daunting task. Life insurance policies have not been easy to locate and making the prudent choice is critical to being able to maintain the life insurance policy. One popular company that assists in this is Financial One Limited. Financial One provides an intuitive policy system that simultaneously compares policy rates ranging from more than 140 insurance firms and companies. The data capture is seamless and your information is protected while you get the best quotations instantly.

Most of the time many individuals are looking for cheap life insurance quotes. When you attempt to find these types of policies it is imperative that the insured find trusted companies from which to get quotes from. Not only will this cause a problem if you don’t find an astute life insurance agent with the requisite training and the knowledge to get the best option based on your circumstance, but you can end up getting inadequate coverage while still paying a high premium.

Many people query how this is better than investing in the stock market where your returns can be massive and you can accumulate a very nice nest egg in a short period of time. The truth is risk and return. The higher the risk the greater the return and of course the lower the risk the lower the return. Life insurance is an almost zero risk investment. Regardless on whole life or term life policies the investment will be your annual or monthly premium. Despite whatever your premium is upon death or encashment you will still receive interest on your total premiums spent. The trade off is if you pass on before the death benefit can be as much as 10 times your total spent premiums.

Today’s Investors Word: Three Soldiers Candlestick Pattern:

The three soldier’s candlestick pattern is a long bodied candlestick pattern that is an indication of the change or reversal in general investor sentiment that will indicate a major shift in market momentum. The three soldier candlestick pattern usually forms after a long period of market consolidation. The pattern works best with an upward trend.

New York stock exchange holiday schedule

The New York Stock Exchange, NYSE, is always open from Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The stock market holidays generally don’t change and the list is more or less static every year. However the employers may shift their holiday schedules, so it is also required to realize the market pattern, as there is nothing worse than trying to sell stocks when the market is closed. Though these holidays are the same like those taken by insurance companies and other sector based organizations the mainly affect the stock markets in the US.

The New York Stock Exchange is closed during the major US holidays. The holiday list of 2008 consists of

  • New Year’s Day – January 1
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – 21st Janauary
  • Washington’s Birthday or Presidents’ Day – February 18th
  • Good Friday – March 21
  • Memorial Day – May 26
  • Independence Day – July 4
  • Labor Day – September 1
  • Thanksgiving Day – November 27
  • Christmas Day – December 25th

The NYSE and NASDAQ will close trading approximately three hours early on Thursday, July 3, 2008 and Friday, November 28, 2008 and on Wednesday, December 24, 2008. Amex will also end trading for those products that normally cease trading and quotes at 4:00 p.m. at 1:00 p.m. and those which cease at 4:15 p.m. at 1:15 p.m. However, the AMEX will be taking orders for after-hours trading at 1:15 p.m. and all other acceptable orders will be executed by 1:30 p.m.

Daily Definition: Liability insurance

This is a system of what is known as risk transference. The idea developed out of individuals and/or companies that face a common threat and danger to business operations or liquidity formed a conglomerate and developed a self-help fund from which to pay compensation to members should any member incur financial loss.

[tags]New York stock exchange holiday schedule,New York stock exchange holiday calendar[/tags]

Technology Stock Market

In the stock market it is imperative that we ascertain what benefits might accrue to us in the short run. This is true when you examine what is known as the technology stock market. This is basically the companies that are listed on the NASDAQ (the exchange where technology stocks are listed). While many people don’t know it the Dow Jones Industrial Average or the DJIA is the most followed index in the world, it lists all the blue chip companies in the USA and if followed really does give good measure to the performance of the US economy. However it is the NASDAQ (National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations System) which really deals with technology on a whole and which is fast becoming the true index of the future. If anyone in the past doubted the viability of technology as a sound investment, they need only look at the technology stock prices which include companies such as Microsoft, DELL, CISCO and Google INC as they continue to see stronger earnings and steady increases in their stock value over the long term.


If investors doubted the strength of technology and needed more empirical evidence they would need only to look on the retail market where companies such as Electronics Cult an online electronics retailer is showing good earnings by selling small electronic items at a reasonable price. It is the successes of companies such as this that lend credibility to the idea that there are strong earnings in technology stocks. However investing in technology stocks is not that simple principles must apply as to choosing a good stock and finding the best entry and exit points. We have devised a fairly simple idea how to ensure that investors pick the right tech stocks.

  • Keep informed about tech stock news
  • Watch the technology companies stocks and technology indices globally not just in the USA.
  • Browse quotes from technology sector stocks regularly. Technology quotes are a good indicator of market direction.

As an informed investor you would be prepared to make the best decisions.

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