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Stocks and Markets

How stocks, ETFs, IPOs, and market events actually work, and how to invest through the noise. Evidence-based takes on hype, volatility, and the timeless habits that beat trying to time the market.

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Why did Tesla and Alphabet stock fall after beating Q2 2026 earnings?

Tesla and Alphabet both beat Q2 2026 revenue estimates and both stocks fell anyway. Here is what actually moved each stock, the real numbers, and what it means for the AI capex debate.

Does earnings season matter for long-term investors?

Does earnings season matter for long-term investors? Alphabet, Tesla, Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Amazon all report Q2 2026 results within days of the Fed's July meeting. Here is what actually matters and what to ignore.

Should you sell stocks during a war?

Should you sell stocks during a war? A look at 20 post-WWII conflicts, the 2026 Iran conflict and Strait of Hormuz closure, and why oil supply shocks are the exception that matters.

How does the CPI report affect the stock market?

How does the CPI report affect the stock market? Using the June 2026 inflation report as a live example, here is the mechanism, this week's numbers, and what a beginner should actually do.

The first half of 2026 in the market: what happened and what it means

The S&P 500 gained about 9.5% in H1 2026, but only after a rough first quarter and a powerful rebound. The scorecard, what drove it, and the one lesson for the second half.

Is the AI stock boom a bubble? A calm look for beginners

AI stocks just had a wild week and OpenAI may delay its IPO to 2027. The bull case, the bear case, and the one move that works whether or not it pops.

The Fed held rates and signaled a hike: what it means for your money

The Fed held at 3.50% to 3.75% on June 17 but its new projections point to a possible hike. What changed, why markets fell, and why a long-term plan should barely move.

Can you invest in OpenAI or Anthropic?

OpenAI and Anthropic both filed to go public in 2026. Whether you can buy their stock yet, the honest indirect ways to get AI exposure, and the pre-IPO scams to avoid.

SpaceX's first day of trading: what SPCX did, and the lesson hiding in it

SpaceX (SPCX) opened at $150, hit $176, and settled near $161 on its first day, up about 19%. What actually happened, why the day-one chasers got hurt, and the calm takeaway for beginners.

Should you buy a stock on its first day of trading?

SpaceX (SPCX) starts trading June 12. Should you buy a stock on its first day? What first-day IPO pops actually do, the index-fund twist, and a calmer plan for beginners.

Time in the market beats timing the market: what the data actually shows

Trying to time the market is a losing game. The evidence: the Buffett bet, why missing the 10 best days halves your returns, and why those best days happen exactly when panic-sellers have fled.

Should you buy the dip right now?

War headlines, a hyped IPO, a scary market drop, and everyone is asking whether to buy the dip. The honest answer for beginners, and why trading the news usually backfires.

What are dividend stocks? A beginner's guide

What dividend stocks are and how they actually work, in plain English: the dividend dates, yield, payout ratio, the types of dividend stocks, how they are taxed, and reinvesting with a DRIP.

Should you buy the SpaceX IPO? An honest beginner's guide

SpaceX is going public under SPCX at a $1.77 trillion valuation, with rare access for retail investors. Here is whether a beginner should buy at the IPO or wait, how much you can actually get, and the honest take on getting rich.

Are dividend stocks and ETFs worth it for beginners?

Dividend stocks and ETFs feel like free money. They are not. Here is what a dividend actually is, why total return is what matters, the tax drag, and when dividend investing does make sense.

Marvell, Jensen Huang, and the trillion-dollar call: should beginners buy MRVL?

Nvidia's CEO called Marvell the next trillion-dollar company and MRVL spiked over 30%. Here is what actually happened, what the company does, the bull and bear case, and how a beginner should respond.