Finance and Investing for Normal People

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Making finance, investing, and business understandable for the rest of us.

  1. 12/16/2024

    Unlocking Market Secrets: How Computers are Learning to Predict Stock Prices

    This paper surveys the burgeoning field of financial machine learning. It reviews the key concepts and arguments for the use of machine learning in finance, covering the latest applications in return prediction, factor models, stochastic discount factors, and portfolio choice. The authors explore the benefits and limitations of various machine learning methods and highlight the challenges of applying them to finance, especially when dealing with small datasets and noisy information. Additionally, the paper examines the economic implications of complexity, arguing that larger, more complex models often outperform simpler ones when dealing with misspecified data. The paper concludes by encouraging researchers to utilize machine learning tools to better understand economic mechanisms and to develop solutions to complex structural models. Join Robinhood ⁠https://join.robinhood.com/johnh1039 Paper Reference: Financial Machine Learning 159 Pages Posted: 13 Jul 2023 Yale SOM; AQR Capital Management, LLC; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) University of Chicago - Booth School of Business Bryan T. KellyDacheng Xiu

    18 min

  2. 12/12/2024

    AI Finds the Story in Financial Statements

    The provided text is an academic paper that investigates the ability of a large language model (LLM) to analyze financial statements and predict future earnings. The authors test GPT-4's performance against human analysts and specialized machine learning models. They find that GPT-4 significantly outperforms human analysts in predicting the direction of earnings changes, even without access to narrative information. GPT-4’s performance is also on par with a state-of-the-art artificial neural network (ANN) model. The authors argue that GPT-4's ability to generate narrative insights from the financial data is key to its success, and they find that trading strategies based on GPT-4's predictions yield higher Sharpe ratios and alphas than other models. Ultimately, the paper suggests that LLMs have the potential to play a central role in financial decision-making. Paper: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4835311&download=yes Join Robinhood ⁠https://join.robinhood.com/johnh1039

    11 min

  3. 12/09/2024

    What the Heck is Options Trading?

    This podcast will simplify options trading, making complex concepts easy to understand. Listeners will learn about calls and puts, and how options can be used for hedging, income generation, or speculation. With real-life examples and step-by-step guidance, the show will cover selecting strike prices, options pricing, and risk management. It will also explore popular strategies like covered calls, protective puts, and bull call spreads.

    12 min

  4. 12/02/2024

    What the Heck Are Stock Buybacks?

    This podcast will explore share repurchases, also known as stock buybacks, which occur when a company buys back its own shares from the market. While these buybacks can benefit remaining shareholders, they are often controversial, as some argue the funds could be better allocated to expanding the business or paying dividends. In the United States, the most common type of share repurchase is an open market repurchase, where a company announces its intention to buy back shares as market conditions allow. Another method is the accelerated share repurchase (ASR), where an investment bank is used to repurchase a large number of shares at once. Companies may engage in share repurchases for several reasons: Increase Earnings Per Share (EPS): By reducing the number of outstanding shares, a company can boost its EPS, even if net income remains unchanged. Reward Shareholders: Buybacks can enhance the value of remaining shares, effectively rewarding shareholders. Signal Undervaluation: A company may buy back shares to indicate that it believes its stock is undervalued, suggesting that the shares are worth more than the current market price. Prevent Hostile Takeovers: By decreasing the number of shares available on the market, a company can make it more difficult for another entity to acquire a controlling stake. However, share repurchases are not without criticism: Some investors argue that buybacks waste valuable resources and that companies should prioritize growth investments or dividends instead. There are concerns that share repurchases can be used to manipulate stock prices, potentially benefiting executives whose compensation is linked to share price performance. For those interested in the regulatory aspects, researching Rule 10b-18 may provide further insight into the requirements for stock repurchases in the United States.

    13 min

  5. 11/25/2024

    How the Heck Does the Stock Market Work?

    How the Heck Does the Stock Market Work: A Guide for Beginners Feeling lost or intimidated by the complexities of the stock market? Do terms like "bull market," "IPO," and "bid-ask spread" leave you confused? This podcast is your go-to resource for understanding the fundamentals of the stock market. Each episode breaks down key concepts in a clear and concise way, using real-world examples and expert insights. You'll learn: What Stocks Are and How They Work: Discover how stocks represent ownership in a company, the different types of stocks, how companies issue them, and the factors that influence their prices. The Role of Stock Exchanges: Explore platforms like the NYSE and NASDAQ, and understand how electronic trading impacts the market. Factors Influencing Stock Prices: Gain insights into the forces that drive market volatility, including company performance, economic indicators, and investor sentiment. How to Invest in the Stock Market: Learn about effective investment strategies, choosing a broker, and the importance of diversifying your portfolio. The Broader Financial Landscape: Understand how the stock market fits into the larger financial ecosystem, including bonds, real estate, commodities, foreign exchange, and cryptocurrencies. Whether you're a complete novice or looking to brush up on your knowledge, this podcast will empower you to navigate the stock market with confidence.

    10 min

  6. 11/18/2024

    What the Heck is "Underwriting"?

    Underwriting in plain English.

    13 min

  7. 11/11/2024

    What the Heck is a Dividend?

    Dividends in plain English?

    9 min

  8. 11/04/2024

    What the Heck is Capital Gains Tax?

    Capital Gains Tax in plain English.

    11 min
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Making finance, investing, and business understandable for the rest of us.

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