The Journal
Blog
Market insights and trading education from the Alpha Sentinel team.
Inflation-Protected Bonds: How TIPS and I Bonds Work
TIPS and I bonds both tie value to inflation but differ in rules, taxes and price risk. See how each works before deciding which fits your purpose.
T-Bills and Money Market Funds: Where to Hold Cash You Will Need Soon
Cash needed within a year has a different job than long-term money. Compare how T-bills and money market funds work, are taxed and fit near-term needs.
Target-Date Funds: What They Hold and Who They Suit
Target-date funds shift from stocks toward bonds as a named year nears. See what they hold, how glide paths differ and why two funds with one date vary.
Mutual Fund Share Classes and Fees: Reading the Fine Print
A single letter on a fund can change what you pay for years. Learn how mutual fund share classes, loads and expense ratios differ and where to read them.
Emerging Markets Explained: Risks and Roles in a Portfolio
Emerging markets bring growth potential and added risk. Walk through what they are, what you may already own and the role they can play in a portfolio.
Small Samples: How Few Data Points Mislead Investment Conclusions
A streak of good results can be luck. See how small samples mislead investors and what to ask before trusting any pattern in the data you see.
How to Choose a CPA or Tax Advisor for a Complex Investment Return
How to choose a CPA or tax advisor for a complex investment return: when to hire, credential differences, fees, questions to ask and preparation.
Rolling Over a 401(k) When You Change Jobs: Options and Trade-Offs
How to handle a 401(k) when you change jobs: the four options, direct versus indirect rollovers, costs, and tax details worth checking first.
Planning Investments Around a Sabbatical, Parental Leave or Career Break
A five-step framework for planning your money before a sabbatical, parental leave or career break, from spending estimates to benefits and return.
52-Week Highs and Lows: How to Interpret Them Carefully
What a 52-week high or low really means, why the window matters, and how to read price extremes with context instead of reacting to the label.
Market Breadth: What Advancing and Declining Stocks Reveal
Market breadth compares advancing and declining stocks to show how widely an index move is shared. Learn the main measures and how to read them.
Mean Reversion: When Prices Drift Back and When They Do Not
Mean reversion is the idea that prices drift back toward an average. Learn when it holds, why it fails, and how to examine it before relying on it.