December is often a good month for stock investors, as many markets tend to rally during this period. According to historical data, the S&P 500 has gained an average of 1.3% during December, the highest average of any month and more than double the 0.7% gain of all months. Even in the Philippines, stocks in December tend to do better vs. previous months. But what are the reasons behind this seasonal phenomenon? Why Does This Happen? There could be many reasons why stocks in December typically do better. Window dressing: This is a practice where fund managers buy stocks that have performed ..read more

The Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) is a leading global operator of financial and commodity markets and exchanges. It offers a range of products and services that enable customers to trade, hedge, invest, and manage risk across various asset classes, such as equities, derivatives, fixed income, commodities, and currencies. It also provides data, technology, and analytics solutions that support market participants and regulators in making informed decisions and enhancing efficiency. History and Background ICE was founded in 2000 by a group of energy traders and brokers who wanted to create a mo ..read more

If you are looking for ways to invest your money, you may have heard of stocks and bonds. These are two of the most common types of securities that investors can buy and sell in the financial markets. But what are the differences between them, and how do they fit into your portfolio? What Are Stocks? Stocks, also known as equities, are shares of ownership in a company. When you buy a stock, you are buying a fraction of the company’s assets and earnings. You become a shareholder, and you have the right to vote on important decisions and receive dividends if the company distributes them. Stocks ..read more

Auto-investing is a simple and effective way to grow your wealth over time. It is a strategy that involves setting up regular and automatic contributions to an investment account. We all know that continuously investing will let you take advantage of compound interest. However, actually doing so is what often hinders people. Through auto-investing, you can take the friction away! Auto-Investing in the Investa Platform If you’re an existing Investa user, you can take full advantage of our auto-invest feature. On the platform, you can find it on the left side of the webpage:  Step 1 You wil ..read more

If you are an investor, you might be wondering how reading the news can help you improve your portfolio. After all, there are so many sources of information out there, and not all of them are reliable or relevant. How do you filter out the noise? Even moreso, how should it affect your decisions? Let’s dive into the topic! The Benefits of Reading the News Reading the news can help you understand the current state of the market. It lets you identify the sentiment of other investors. This can help you know the opportunities and risks, and adjust your portfolio accordingly. For example, anytime ge ..read more

Dividend investing is a strategy that involves buying stocks of companies that pay regular dividends to their shareholders. Dividends are payments that companies make from their profits to reward investors for owning their shares.  Dividend investing offers several benefits Steady income: Dividend stocks can provide a consistent source of income that can supplement your earnings or help you fund your retirement. Unlike interest payments from bonds or savings accounts, dividends are usually not fixed and can grow over time as the company increases its profitability and dividend payout. Di ..read more

LESSON 1: Building your Financial Roadmap Lesson 1.1: Introduction to Personal Finance Welcome to the exciting world of personal finance! In this lesson, we’ll lay the foundation for your journey towards financial freedom. Let’s dive into what personal finance is all about, why it matters, and how it can transform your life. What is Personal Finance? At its core, personal finance is about managing your money wisely. It’s the set of strategies, skills, and knowledge that allow you to make informed decisions about your finances. This encompasses how you earn, spend, save, invest, and plan for yo ..read more

LESSON 1: Introduction to the Business World What Is Business? Know the Basic Terms A business is an organized entity engaged in economic activities. Its primary purpose is generating profit through the production, distribution, or provision of goods, services, or both, in response to market demand. It involves various operations such as management, marketing, finance, and production, and is subject to legal, regulatory, and economic considerations within its operating environment. Basically, a business is like a puzzle where people work together to create, sell, or provide something that othe ..read more

LESSON 1: Introduction to Forex Forex trading, short for foreign exchange trading, is the act of buying and selling currencies in the foreign exchange market with the aim of making a profit. The forex market is the largest and most liquid financial market in the world, where currencies are traded 24 hours a day, five days a week. The Forex market is the popular choice for various institutional and even retail traders due to several reasons:  Liquidity: The Forex market is the LARGEST financial market in the world, with daily trading volume reaching trillions of dollars. This high liquidit ..read more

LESSON 1: What is Cryptocurrency? Cryptocurrencies might seem complex at first, but fear not! In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll walk you through the basics of what cryptocurrencies are, their purpose, and how they differ from traditional currencies. Definition and purpose of cryptocurrencies Cryptocurrencies are digital or virtual currencies that use cryptography for secure transactions. Think of them as digital money that’s not controlled by any central authority, like a government or a bank. Instead, they rely on a technology called blockchain. Cryptocurrencies were created with the goa ..read more