Personal Finance

Options trading carries risk and requires specific approval from an investor’s brokerage firm.

This Friday the 13th, you might be taking some extra precautions to ward off bad luck, perhaps carrying around your rabbit's foot or other good luck charm. But how about taking some extra precautions when it comes to your financial situation?

Here are four ways to ward off bad luck when it comes to your finances not just today, but every day.

The North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) and FINRA have joined to encourage investors to proceed cautiously with new investment opportunities considering the potential for fraudsters to take advantage of the buzz surrounding companies promoting products and services related to the coronavirus pandemic.

The SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the National Futures Association (NFA), and the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) are issuing this Investor Bulletin to highlight key messages from World Investor Week 2020, a global campaign to raise awareness about the importance of investor education and protection.

News reports stating that FINRA has approved a security for trading, quoting or listing are wrong in virtually every respect. FINRA does not ever qualitatively evaluate or approve a security such as a stock. Instead, FINRA verifies a broker-dealer can demonstrate it has completed its required diligence to begin quoting.

Major events and times of uncertainty—such as the current COVID-19 pandemic—have long been exploited by unscrupulous, typically unlicensed, promoters to perpetrate fraud, and microcap securities remain one of their primary tools for such schemes. This and other types of financial fraud continue to be an area of focus for FINRA and other regulators.

For some investors, a high-volume trading strategy could be something they affirmatively seek—perhaps because they have a strong appetite for risk, desire to engage in market speculation, or both. For others, such a strategy might not make sense and could be a sign of a type of misconduct known as “excessive trading.”

If you are one of those Americans without a will, vow to make it happen. Here are five things you should know to get you started.

Whether you’re expecting your first child, are the parent of a newborn or are starting to think about conceiving or adopting, it’s never too soon to think about getting your financial house in order. Here are five steps to get you started.

FINRA staff will point seniors to educational tools that can help them better understand investing, savings and investment products.