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Markets and Economy

Recent Questions From Investors

Liz Ann Sonders and Kathy Jones answer recent questions from investors, covering topics such as tariffs, bond yields, the Federal Reserve, and more.

March 07, 2025 • Liz Ann Sonders • Kathy Jones

Government Policy

Policy Uncertainty Pauses M&A

Though mergers and acquisitions were expected to roar back in 2025 thanks to the new administration, uncertainty around Washington policy appears to be holding back new deals.

March 07, 2025

Markets and Economy

Markets Rise on Jobs Data

Wall Street seemed to take a breath after the latest jobs report showed employment gains nearly matched expectations, while the unemployment rate rose only slightly to 4.1%.

March 07, 2025

Market Volatility

Tariff Confusion Hits Stocks

U.S. stocks retreated amid more tariff confusion and chip market pressure. The Dow dropped more than 400 points, and the S&P slid almost 1.8%. The Nasdaq lost 2.6%.

March 06, 2025

Bonds

Treasury Bond Yields Head Down

Treasury yields have been falling for weeks. Yet inflation expectations remain high and recent growth data have been fairly strong—not a traditional backdrop for declining yields. What's happening?

March 05, 2025

Market updates

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Today's Options Market Update

Joe Mazzola

March 07, 2025

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Weekly Trader's Outlook

Nathan Peterson

March 07, 2025

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Investing Basics

Stocks

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

Bonds

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

Financial Planning

The Power of Compounding

Compound interest can potentially help investments grow over time.

May 07, 2024

Retirement

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

ETFs

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

Cryptocurrency

Spot Bitcoin ETF Options

Options trading on spot bitcoin ETFs opens up new trading possibilities for active traders interested in speculating on the price movements of cryptocurrencies.

January 22, 2025

Cryptocurrency

Is Bitcoin a Good Investment?

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have grown in popularity for years; now ETFs are available. If you're considering investing, here are some key things to know.

December 30, 2024

Technical Analysis

Reading Support and Resistance

Learn what causes support and resistance levels and how you can use these levels in your trading.

December 24, 2024

Margin

Understanding Portfolio Margin

Qualified traders have access to portfolio margin, which can offer a way to increase a trader's available budget.

December 20, 2024

Trading

Rules For Cash Trades

Understanding the timing for setting transactions is important when trading with cash so that traders aren't hit with account restrictions.

December 17, 2024

Futures

Basics of S&P 500 Futures

S&P 500 futures provide exposure to the index. But trading futures is different from trading equities. Understand how they work and how they might be used.

December 13, 2024

Planning and retirement

Fraud Prevention

Beware Medicare Scammers

Medicare fraud can take many forms, but the most prevalent scams seek to trick seniors into providing sensitive information.

March 07, 2025

Estate Planning

Upstream Gifting & Estate Taxes

Gifting assets to older rather than younger generations may offer multiple advantages.

March 07, 2025

Retirement

Contribution Limits for 2025

Under the SECURE 2.0 Act, catch-up contributions for older workers get a boost this year. Here's a look at what else is new for contribution and gifting limits in 2025.

March 07, 2025

Financial Planning

Financial Meetings for Couples

Coming together as a couple for an annual financial meeting can help ensure you're on the same page. Consider these five tips for a successful and productive meeting.

March 07, 2025

Health Care

Paying for Long-Term Care

The cost of long-term care is significant—and something most retirees will face. Here's what to consider when deciding between self-funding or purchasing long-term care insurance.

March 07, 2025

Investments

Where to Find Yield Now

The Federal Reserve's recent rate cuts have investors wondering where they can find yield now. Here are a few income-generating investments worth considering.

March 07, 2025

Schwab original podcasts

Markets and Economy

Recent Questions From Investors

Fraud Prevention

Onward magazine

Estate Planning

Blended-Family Estate Planning

Taxes

Financial Meetings for Couples

Health Care

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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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