Profit margins can vary by sector and industry, but the outcome is the same. The higher a firm’s net profit margin is compared to its competitors, the better for the business. Exceptions to the Rule There are some exceptions to the net profit margin rule. To dig deep into why, this would require getting into a complex analysis of the DuPont Return on Equity formula. The short and sweet version follows....
Probability of Touching Calculator This calculator provides such useful information that it should be used by all options traders, including very experienced ones, and it is referred to by more than one name. It could be called a “Probability of Touching Calculator” or a “Stock Price Probability Calculator.” Ask your broker if they have such a calculator available for you to use. The basic question answered by this calculator is: If I plan to own a given option position for a specific number of days, what are the chances that the stock price will touch the strike price?...
Mark Atkinson / Getty Images Learn more about calls to actions, their role in sales, and how they can benefit businesses of all types. What Is a Call to Action? Calls to action are used in business as part of a marketing strategy to get your target market to respond by taking action. It’s generally used at the end, or sometimes throughout a sales pitch, to let potential clients and customers know what to do next if they’re interested in what you offer....
Social Security Disability vs. Supplemental Security Income The U.S. government has two programs for adults who can no longer work due to disability. Both are administered through Social Security, but they come from different revenue sources, and their rules are not the same. Social Security Disability (SSDI) SSDI is an earned benefit that you receive because you worked long enough to earn credits toward it. You pay into the fund while you’re working, much as you do with the retirement income program....
To help you meet your cash flow needs over your savings time horizon, you can set up your CD allocations using strategies like ladders, barbells, and bullets. Understanding these certificate of deposit strategies can help you make the most of your money. CD Ladder Strategy: Spread Out Your Earnings and Liquidity One of the most popular certificate of deposit strategies is the CD ladder. It allows you to spread out a traditional CD investment to maximize your interest income in the short term while maintaining regular access to your funds....
A certificate program is an alternative to a degree program. Certificate programs are short-term training programs that often take less time to complete than a degree. What Is a Certificate Program? A certificate program offers special training to help you develop the skills and experiences necessary for a particular job. There are certificates for jobs in a variety of industries, including healthcare, administration, and information technology (IT). These programs can be useful for people who are just starting their careers, as well as for people who already have years of experience and want to boost their skills, and even for those who are looking for a mid-life career change....
Typically, CHIP qualifications are determined, in part, by income and state standards for the program. Read on to learn how to qualify for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, what CHIP covers, and how you can apply. Qualifications for CHIP Qualifications for CHIP are usually determined by the income level of the family and state standards for the program. However, in general, these are the qualifications for CHIP, in addition to meeting the income thresholds determined by your state:...
Just a handful of companies control the majority of the market for the three meats after decades of conglomerates absorbing smaller processors, according to the White House. The largest four beef-packing firms, for example, control 82% of the market today, compared with 25% in 1977. The North American Meat Institute called the administration’s comments inflammatory and said labor shortages, not a lack of competition, are to blame for the higher prices in the meat industry and many others....
Let’s explore some of the most popular business credit card perks available, to help narrow down your search, and ultimately choose the right card for your business. Benefits for Air Travel From free checked bags to airline loyalty status to airport lounge access, for business travelers who want to save on flights and travel in style, there are several business credit cards worth considering. First, decide if you want a business credit card that’s co-branded with a major airline, or if you prefer to go with a more general business travel rewards card....
Spending on goods declined 2% while it increased by 0.4% on services, according to a monthly report on personal income and spending from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. People spent more on recreation and dining out as establishments reopened and the Centers for Disease Control lifted its indoor mask mandate for vaccinated people. At the same time, spending was down by 6% for vehicles and parts, which had become more expensive and more scarce over the preceding months....
Several key differences make a contractor distinct from a subcontractor. Yet the main distinction comes down to two features: the client they are working for and the scope of work they’re responsible for completing. We compare the two below so you can enter into any such working relationship with clarity and the right processes at hand. What’s the Difference Between Contractors and Subcontractors? Subcontractors network with contractors that work on projects that overlap with their specific skill sets....
Losses in the stock market come in different forms, and each of these types of losses can be painful, but you can mitigate the sting with the right mindset and a willingness to learn from the situation. Capital Losses This form of loss is the simplest and perhaps most painful: You buy a stock then watch the price go down and stay down. You decide to end the pain and sell it at some point....
Household Debt Crisis A household debt crisis occurs when a family starts falling behind on monthly payments. There are three types of household debt: Both revolving and non-revolving credit are types of consumer debt. Sources of Household Debt Any sudden loss of income—or an increase in costs—can cause a household debt crisis. The biggest reason is medical expenses, which generate half of all bankruptcies in the United States. Other reasons include extended unemployment or uninsured losses....
The mortgage note is marked paid, and a deed of reconveyance is issued to the homeowner showing the mortgage has been paid off. It is important to ensure the document is accurate, as you will keep it and record it by submitting it to the county registrar or records office. This is the official action required to publicly declare the deed clear of any liens or outstanding debts. If a reconveyance is not recorded in the public records, or if there are errors, records searches in the future may show the title as not clean....
Deflation often signals an impending recession. With a recession comes declining wages, job losses, and big hits to most investment portfolios. As a recession worsens, so does deflation. Businesses set ever-lower prices in desperate attempts to get consumers to buy their products and services. Measuring the Decline Deflation is measured by a decrease in the Consumer Price Index, but the CPI does not measure stock prices, an important economic indicator....
Interest Rate vs. APR Both the APR and a loan’s interest rate describe the cost of borrowing. The interest rate is the percentage lenders charge on your outstanding loan balance, usually expressed on an annual basis. APR includes not only annual interest charges but other additional fees and costs required to get a loan. As a result, it should provide a more accurate description of your total cost. How Interest Rates Work An interest rate is a number lenders apply to your loan balance....
Many people in their 20s may feel they are healthy enough to skip out on health insurance. When you rarely see a doctor, and especially if things are tight financially, it may seem like a good idea to cut the health insurance expense completely from your budget. You can always choose to pay for medical expenses as you go instead of worrying about the insurance premiums and copayments on the way....
This was the Dow’s third consecutive trading day with a record close and the fourth record closing in just two months. The previous high was recorded just a day prior, when the index ended the trading day at 36,585.06. The one before that came on the final trading day of 2021, when Dow closed at 36,488.63 on Dec. 29, 2021, smashing the record it set on Nov. 8, 2021. The Dow witnessed a sharp decline in the end of November over fears of inflation and the COVID-19 pandemic, before resuming its quest to break more all-time high milestones....
Learn about how a duplex property is typically used along with its pros and cons as a real estate investment. What Is a Duplex Property? A duplex property is a type of multifamily property containing two living units located within the same structure and on the same lot. Although the units may be detached, most are attached, either horizontally such that the units are side by side and share a common wall, or vertically such that they’re on separate floors and share a common ceiling....
Learn about the different fees you’ll be charged by eBay for listing and selling items, as well as other fees that may affect you. Knowing how to reduce these fees will help ensure that you make a profit on the items you list for sale. Listing Insertion Fee The first fee you’ll encounter is an insertion fee, which is the amount you’re charged for listing an item. This fee applies to both auction-style listings and fixed-price listings (also known as Good ‘Til Canceled listings that renew automatically once per month)....
