FT Press :: Articles > Finance & Investing

Article :: Isn't Debt-Free the Way to Be?

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Some experts tell you that debt-free is the way to be. Unfortunately, this approach may not be realistic, and it can easily backfire. Liz Weston explains that, when used appropriately, debt is not the enemy, but a useful financial tool.

Article :: The Nature of Trading in Volatile Times

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

When the next market shock happens, you likely will have only moments to react. Will you be ready?

Article :: The Four Essentials of Trading Commodities and Financial Futures

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

In this introduction to his book, George Kleinman presents various methods designed to identify profitable market patterns and the four essentials you'll need to start trading commodities and futures.

Article :: How You Can Avoid Income Tax Identity Theft

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The frequency of income tax identity theft is rising rapidly. Steve Weisman, author of 50 Ways to Protect Your Identity in a Digital Age, offers some advice for how to reduce your exposure to this crime.

Article :: Flu Season for Your Devices: Avoiding Viruses on Your Computer, Smartphone, and Tablet

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

While a computer virus won’t put you in bed feeling miserable, it can make you a victim of identity theft, which can affect you more and last longer than a case of the flu. Steve Weisman offers tips for avoiding viruses and identity theft on your computer, smartphone, and tablet.

Article :: How to Avoid Valentine’s Day Scams

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Every season is scam season, and while many people see Valentine’s Day as a time for romance, scam artists and identity thieves see it as a prime opportunity to take advantage of people using the Internet to search for romance. Armed with a little knowledge and knowing a few things to look for, you can go a long way toward avoiding being scammed or becoming a victim of identity theft on Valentine’s Day.

Article :: A Guide to Elder Planning: Asset Protection

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

This chapter explains how to protect your assets from lawsuits, divorce, and other catastrophers. It covers insurance, prenuptial agreements, bank accounts, trusts, homestead protection, fraudulent conveyances, assets protected by law, joint ownership, tenancy by the entirety, and family limited partnerships.

Article :: Introduction to Options for the Beginner and Beyond

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The goal of this chapter is to familiarize the beginner with call and put options, and demonstrate some of the basic ways to use options.

Article :: A Crash Course in Commodities

Thu, 27 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Carley Garner discusses the establishment and evolution of commodities markets, including commodities exchanges, futures contracts, and commodity options.

Article :: The Boom and Bust Cycles of Commodities...and Now Brokerage Firms

Wed, 26 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Carley Garner introduces her book, A Trader's First Book on Commodities.

Article :: Introduction to Wealth: Grow It and Protect It

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Stuart E. Lucas introduces his book, which focuses on what an individual like you and families like yours can do to protect and grow your wealth, share it with others, and build lasting personal and family legacies based on it.

Article :: Protecting and Growing Your Wealth

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

What can an individual like you and families like yours do to protect and grow your wealth, share it with others, enjoy financial security, and build lasting personal and family legacies?

Article :: Introduction to Europe's Financial Crisis

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

John Authers introduces his book, which tells the story of how Europe slipped into crisis, how developments in the United States and the emerging markets contributed to its problems, and why this matters for the rest of the world, notably the United States.

Article :: Preface to Option Strategies for Earnings Announcements

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The authors of Option Strategies for Earnings Announcements: A Comprehensive, Empirical Analysis explain how by trading on corporate earnings, investors can reliably profit in both up and down markets, while avoiding market risk for nearly the entire quarter.

Article :: Option Strategies for Earnings Announcements: Opportunities and Risks

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Because earnings announcement trades involve transacting around a short, well-defined window of time, they can, when properly implemented, produce positive returns regardless of the market environment. The authors explain the opportunities and risks around earnings announcements.

Article :: Preface to The Trading Methodologies of W.D. Gann: A Guide to Building Your Technical Analysis Toolbox

Fri, 05 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Hima Reddy explains her initial introduction to W.D. Gann and her motivation for writing "The Trading Methodologies of W.D. Gann: A Guide to Building Your Technical Analysis Toolbox."

Article :: Improve Your Investing Methods: Undertand the Work of W.D. Gann

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Hima Reddy shares W. D. Gann's forecasting/trading successes to give you confidence that the information ahead in her book will help improve your own investing methods.

Article :: Pensions Are Dying; Long Live Pensions

Fri, 28 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Moshe A. Milevsky explains that with the decline of traditional defined beneft pensions, retirement income planning is more than just having the right mix of investments or saving enough in your 401(k) plan. A large sum of money in an investment plan—however you define large—doesn’t guarantee you a secure retirement. The strategy you employ and the products you purchase with your nest egg will be more important than the size of that nest egg.

Article :: Preface to the Second (Revised) Edition of Are You a Stock or a Bond?: Identify Your Own Human Capital for a Secure Financial Future

Fri, 28 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Human capital is likely the most valuable asset that you own over your lifecycle. Therefore, you should make certain to balance any-and-all “allocation” decisions regarding financial capital, with the economic characteristics of your human capital, as Moshe A. Milevsky explains in this preface to his book.

Article :: Introduction to Technical Analysis

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Charles D. Kirkpatrick II and Julie Dahlquist introduce their book, which will help you learn, review, and master all key elements of technical analysis, preparing you to earn the Market Technician Association's prestigious CMT certification.

Article :: Balanced Budget, Balanced Life: Setting Your Financial Priorities

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Liz Weston offers strategies and techniques that can help you build a budget that works.

Article :: Introduction to There Are No Dumb Questions About Money: Answers and Advice to Help You Make the Most of Your Finances

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Liz Weston introduces her book, which is a series of Q&As based on personal finance questions she has answered over the years in her newspaper column.

Article :: Mark Zandi on Financial Shock to Financial Panic

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT

While there remains much to be nervous and frustrated about, it is impressive how much progress has been made in righting the wrongs that got us into the financial mess of that last few years. Mark Zandi argues that Our economic future has never been brighter.

Article :: Saving for Retirement: Start Investing Early or Start Now

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Gail MarksJarvis explains that the key to saving for retirement is to start now because today’s money will get you much further than next month’s.

Article :: The Secrets of Economic Indicators: Hidden Clues to Future Economic Trends and Investment Opportunities

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT

How do you discern which indicators are worth watching and which ones to view with skepticism or even ignore? How does an investor employ economic indicators to help choose which stocks and bonds to buy and sell, and when? Which measures should a business forecaster follow to spot coming economic trends? What key indicators should corporate chiefs rely on to help them decide whether to hire new workers or invest in new equipment? Bernard Baumohl discusses these issues in this introduction to his book.