The Journal
Blog
Market insights and trading education from the Alpha Sentinel team.
Luck Versus Skill: How to Judge an Investing Record Fairly
How to tell luck from skill in an investing record: benchmarks, risk, record length, survivorship bias and the decision process behind the results.
Reading the Consumer Price Index: What Inflation Reports Measure
The Consumer Price Index tracks a fixed basket of consumer prices. Learn what headline and core figures mean and how to read a release in minutes.
ESPP Explained: Discounts, Lookbacks and Qualifying Dispositions
An ESPP discount is only the start. Walk through the lookback, holding periods and qualifying dispositions that shape the tax on your shares.
Why RSU Tax Withholding Often Falls Short for High Earners
RSU withholding is often a flat rate, but high earners owe more at filing. See why the gap appears and how to plan for it before April.
Survivorship Bias in Investing Performance Claims
Survivorship bias hides the funds that failed and flatters the ones that remain. Five questions to ask of any performance record.
Stories Versus Evidence: How Compelling Narratives Mislead Investors
A persuasive story is not evidence. Use four stages to turn a pitch into checkable claims and decide against a standard set beforehand.
Volatility Drag: How Big Swings Reduce Compounded Returns
Large swings pull compounded returns below the simple average. Learn the arithmetic of volatility drag and how investors reduce it.
Leveraged and Inverse ETFs: Why They Behave Differently Over Time
Leveraged and inverse ETFs reset daily, so long-run results can differ from the label. Five questions explain how and why.
Hindsight Bias: Why the Past Always Looks Predictable
Hindsight bias makes past outcomes look obvious. A four-stage routine of written reasoning and scheduled reviews keeps your memory honest.
Opportunity Cost: The Hidden Price of Every Investment Choice
Every investment choice carries a hidden price: the best alternative you gave up. See how opportunity cost works for money, time and inaction.
Choosing Investing Podcasts and Newsletters Without Wasting Hours
Choosing investing podcasts and newsletters without wasting hours: set a purpose, vet each source, cap your inputs and audit them every quarter.
Evaluating Investing Advice on Social Media: A Skeptic's Checklist
A skeptic's checklist for evaluating investing advice on social media: five questions on incentives, evidence and risk before any idea touches your money.