Posts on Techfinology

Adding Financial Health Checker to Your Portfolio

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 13:00:26 +0000

While looking at my stock portfolio I noticed that it becomes quite time consuming to look up every stock to see how well they are doing. Are they weakening, getting stronger or remaining stable? I created a simple tool that allows users to upload their portfolios from Fidelity, Etrade and Schwab. It may work with other brokerage also but they have not been tested. All of these brokerages allow exporting the portfolio via .csv file. Once this file is generated, head over to http://megascreener.com

The Least Diversified ETFs with 100 or less stocks

Sun, 15 Dec 2024 10:15:03 +0000

I looked at a large number of US index based equity ETFs that are technology or general equity ETFs and selected the ones with 100 or fewer stocks to see how well they did vs the indexes such as Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) , Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO).

With fewer stocks these are likely to go up or down more when the stock market goes up or down. However, some may see this is worth the risk especially if it outperforms the market when it goes up.

The Best Momentum ETFs vs VOO S&P 500. Can momentum ETFs beat the indexes? 15 ETF compared

Sun, 03 Nov 2024 15:07:55 +0000

I compared 15 momentum ETFs to find the best performing momentum ETFS and to see how they compare against the S&P 500, QQQ and other benchmarks. Many of these momentum ETFs fail to even match the performance of the indexes that they pull stocks from. Some indexes have hundreds more stocks, a much lower expense ratio and beat these momentum indexes? Are all momentum ETFs failures? Not all failed. There were at least a few that beat the indexes and did pretty well.

Does 50/50% VOO & VOOG beat 75% VOO and 25% VGT?

Sun, 03 Nov 2024 15:01:43 +0000

I compared 50% VOO + 50% VOOG to 75%VOO and 25% VGT. Does the 50/50 Vanguard S&P 500 and growth beat the 75% VOO and 25% VGT Vanguard technology ETF? The results surprised me. I also look at tech percentages in each to see how well each performs. I also added some other ETFs to compare such as Vanguard VUG Growth ETF, Schwab SCHG Large Cap Growth ETF, SPDR SPYG S&P 500 Growth ETF and lastly I compared Invesco QQQ Nasdaq-100 ETF and try and figure out why QQQ does so well even though it only has 50% tech.

Composer trade now does Crypto and IRAs

Sun, 03 Nov 2024 14:58:18 +0000

Composer automated stock trading brokerage (Composer.trade) now has new retirement accounts, crypto and new features. I go over the new features and options available. Composer is an algorithmic trading brokerage platform that uses Alpaca brokerage as the broker to execute trades.

Composer is an algo stock trading bot can do stock backtesting and trading. Learn how to algorithmically trade stocks in the stock market without any programming experience. No python required and works with Alpaca brokerage and Apex Clearing. Composer allows complex trading strategies to be created and automatically buys and sells daily when the criteria is met. It is free for backtesting and Crypto trading. Crypto trading does have a small .2% fee (at time of this writing). There is a fee of $30 a month for the trading pass or it is even less when paid annually.

Dollar General was one of the worst S&P 500 Performers in 2023

Sun, 21 Jan 2024 11:16:44 +0000

While the S&P 500 was up around 25% in 2023, Dollar General was down approximately 46%. The company had a really bad third quarter where net income was down 47% with same store sales falling slighly. The company has blamed shoplifting as a result of the recent self checkout expansion but is there more to the story?

https://investor.dollargeneral.com/websites/dollargeneral/English/2120/us-press-release.html?airportNewsID=6e45bcfc-f067-4bdb-8d4b-bda9534b04c9

Best Global Bank Fidelity Cash Management

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 11:31:08 +0000

Best Global Bank Fidelity Cash Management or is Schwab bank best for overseas travel? The Fidelity Cash Management Account and Schwab Investor Checking / Savings offer some of the most generous overseas ATM fee refund which is great for overseas travelers. However, is Schwab better than Fidelity CMA?

Wealthfront Cash Account fast transfers

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 12:22:00 +0000

Wealthfront cash account now has fast transfers for some supported banks.

5.92% APY High Yield Flex CD from Merchants Bank of Indiana

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 12:49:00 +0000

Merchants bank of Indiana offers a unique flex rate CD product that is currently paying 5.92% APY on their 12 month CD.

$100,000 in available credit erased overnight

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 12:11:00 +0000

I closed numerous credit cards and erased about $100,000 in credit. How will this effect my credit score?

Best Hub Bank for Bank Bonuses

Sat, 04 Nov 2023 12:04:00 +0000

Which is the best bank for doing lots of bank transfers, adding lots of external bank accounts and one that has a high transfer limit? I look at a huge list of bank to find the best banks.

Hidden Brokerage Fee Champs

Thu, 05 Oct 2023 17:00:41 +0000

Which stock brokerage has the most or least hidden fees? I look at all of the major US stock brokers to see who has the sneakiest fees, most pay for order flow or other hidden fees.

The winner for the most equity pay for order flow goes to Webull.
Most pay for order flow
$1.66 for 100 Shares Webull
$1.22 for 100 Shares Robinhood

Least pay for order flow
Vanguard 0
Fidelity 0
Public 0
Wealthfront stock investing 0

Betterment Checking is Sneaky & Scammy like Chime

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 11:49:00 +0000

It didn’t take long for Betterment Cash Reserve account to disappoint when they halted my withdrawal and stated that my $1500 withdrawal was unusually large. Don’t do business with this scammy company. They don’t allow the adding of more than one external bank account and block transfers.

Best Money Market Funds Sweep Account Rates Aug 2023

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 15:44:35 +0000

Here are the highest sweep or settlement account rates for brokerages. Which brokerage pay the highest rates? I compared all of the US brokerages I could find and posted the rate into a spreadsheet.

📊 Best Money Market Funds & Sweep Account Rates (Aug 2023)

💡 Tip: Scroll or drag horizontally to view all columns Open in new tab ↗

Best Money Market Accounts April 2023 Vanguard, Schwab, iShares, Fidelity 18 compared SWVXX, VMFXX,

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 12:06:24 +0000

I compared 18 high-yield money market accounts to find the highest rates after fees. I look at Vanguard, Fidelity, iShares, Schwab and SPDR. I compared both mutual fund money market accounts as well as money market ETFs.

Vanguard had several winners in various categories. I seperated the categories to Treasury only, Government Obligations and Corp / Govt with the least risky being treasuries only.

These categories were for mutual fund money market funds as well as ETFs. I crowned winners for each.

Highest CD Rates 5.65% APY 12Month Flex CD from Merchants Bank of Indiana

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 10:52:35 +0000

Merchants Bank of Indiana is one of few companies offering a flexible rate certificate of deposit (CD). How does a flex rate CD work?

The company uses the prime rate minus 2.75%. At the time of this writing, 7/25/2023 this rate is now 5.65%. As the prime rate changes, this rate can go up or down.

The company offers a 12 month, 24 month and 36 month CD for the flex rate CD. A minimum of $1000 is required. The account is FDIC insured but the rate is not guaranteed that it will stay the same.

Best Dividend Stock Broadcom vs Home Depot Compared

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 10:41:37 +0000

Both Broadcom and Home Depot are both top holding for the popular Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD). However, if we could only pick one which would it be?

Home Depot is the class leader in its category of Home Improvement with higher profit margins than Lowes as well as return on equity.

Broadcom is a fairly well diversified chip company that is known for doing lots of acquisitions and extracting value out of the companies it acquires.

Mutual Funds vs ETFs. Which is Better? Vanguard, Fidelity & Schwab

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 10:04:40 +0000

I compare low cost ETFs to low cost S&P 500 mutual funds Which one is the best low-cost index mutual fund or low-cost ETF? Fidelity FXAIX S&P 500 mutual fund, Vanguard VFIAX, VOO or Schwab SWPPX? Which low cost S&P 500 index fund. is best?

Are mutual funds more tax-efficient than index stock ETFs? Not all mutual funds are created equally. I show how Vanguard mutual funds are superior to other mutual funds with regard to tax efficiency.

Stock Trading and Backtesting Platform Composer Review

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 09:48:03 +0000

Composer.trade automated algorithmic (algo) stock trading bot can do stock backtesting and trading. Learn how to algorithmically trade stocks in the stock market without any programming experience. It works with Alpaca brokerage.

Signup to Composer Pro using my referral code, fund the account with $50+ and make one trade and get $50. https://www.composer.trade/
Referral code is:
lIMrRBU-TRADE

Composer allows to develop trading strategies such as rebalancing and have the bot attempt to execute everyday, once per week, monthly or quarterly.

Your brokerage sweep settlement cash management options suck & mine do too 6 brokerages Fidelity +

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 09:38:40 +0000

I looked at Schwab, Fidelity, eTrade, Vanguard, TD Ameritrade and Robinhood to compare the options available for uninvested cash. Some offer no automatic options to invest the idle cash or earn any interest on it. Schwab is one such example that requires the user to purchase money market mutual funds or other products to invest the idle cash. Etrade and Ameritrade also do the same but Etrade does have a savings account now.

Etrade best stock brokerage Automatic recurring investing weekly ETF auto invest, fractional

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 09:22:57 +0000

Etrade stock brokerage now allows automatic dollar cost average investing for ETFs. Learn how to auto invest ETFs with Etrade Auto Invest and do dollar cost averaging.

It is free and over 100 ETFs are supported at time of this writing. Try this on Fidelity, Schwab and Vanguard and all you can do is mutual funds. Etrade allows for mutual funds and ETF auto investing. This a great way to do dollar cost averaging and long term investing plans. Etrade supports fractional shares with Etrade automatic investing.

Sofi VS M1 Finance Which Broker is Best?

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 09:17:03 +0000

I compare Sofi Invest to M1 Finance to see which auto invest robo advisor product works best.

Both can do auto investing with stocks and ETFs. Sofi can do limit order while M1 Finance cannot.

M1 has a very nice modern interface. Sofi has nice capabilities and supports limit orders which is nice but the layout does seem cluttered and requires lots of excess scrolling.

Vanguard vs Schwab vs Fidelity compared. Which online stock broker is best? Interfaces compared

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 09:06:30 +0000

I compared the fees and interface between Schwab, Fidelity and Vanguard. Which one is the best? Vanguard has some of the lowest fees when you factor in hidden fees such as pay for order flow however the interface leaves a lot to be desired.

Best high dividend yield ETF SCHD or VYM VPU VIG

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 08:43:53 +0000

I compare high dividend yield ETFs to find the best one. Which one has had the best performance over time. Which one has the lowest fees? Will Schwab or Vanguard win?

Schwab SCHD has had some very impressive performance that exceeds Vanguard’s performance. The asset allocation for Vanguard seems to be too excessive when compared to Schwab. Vanguard is more like the total stock market whereas Schwab SCHD is more like QQQ in that it has fewer holdings.

Ultra High Rate 10.87% BIZD. Should you add BIZD to your passive income portfolio?

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 08:32:27 +0000

I look at something that is quite rare called business development companies. These companies pay an extremely high yield but are taxed as ordinary income not making them attractive for taxable accounts.

Many of these often pay out so much that the value of the company declines over time. Would you invest in these or junk bonds?

Business Development Companies have a pretty spotty track record. Unlike S&P 500 or index stocks that all have done fairly well over time, many BDCs have done poorly while some have done well so this isn’t like throwing darts at a board and coming out OK.

Covered Call ETF Shootout. DIVO, JEPI, RYLD, KNG, JEPQ, NUSI, +

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 08:25:53 +0000

Why buy covered calls if someone else will do the work for you? This is the benefit of covered call ETFs. I look at 15 covered call ETFs. Some of them only do a small percentage of covered calls while others do a larger percentage.

Some use something called swap agreements that are purchased from other financial institutions. JEPI is one that does this. Some have questioned this because there is not much transparency regarding this.

Best Government Money Market Accounts Ultra Short-term ETFs TFLO, SGOV, USFR

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 08:17:37 +0000

Which US Government money market ETF is best? I look at TFLO, SGOV and USFR. They all offer the safety of US Treasuries but with added flexibility of being able to buy and sell like a stock all for a very small fee.

It seems like it is a toss-up between TFLO and USFR but I would say that I do prefer USFR after looking at the interest payments. The interest payments for USFR are much more uniform. TFLO has had some payments that are larger than others.

Floating Rate money market fund ETFs FLOT, FLRN, FLTR, VRIG

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 08:10:28 +0000

Which floating rate interest rate ETF is best. I compared various floating rate treasury and corporate debt ETFs. At the time of the video some of them are paying 5.44% APY. Is corporate debt worth the risk or should you stick with US treasury ETFs?

For me, I prefer US treasury ETFs at this point in time. If floating rate corporate debt was paying several percentage points higher then perhaps I would be willing to take the extra risk but heading towards a recession in a rising interest rate environment doesn’t seem like it is worth the risk for a small APY boost over treasuries.

28 Best High Yield Savings Accounts April 2023

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 07:56:20 +0000

I looked at 28 of the highest yield online savings accounts and review each for fees and restrictions. Which account is the best out of all of these?

Fidelity, Baskbank, Redneck bank, Salemfivedirect, UFBdirect, DCU credit union, Valley bank direct, First foundation bank, CIT bank, Wealthfront, Lendingclub, BMO, Sallie Mae, Ally, Synchrony bank, AMEX savings, Varo are all compared.

ChatGPT Picked Stocks for me. How Well Did ChatGPT's picks do?

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 07:48:28 +0000

I used ChatGPT along with GUI based trading platform service Composer to find some stock picks and to edit the trading script for Composer.

ChatGPT made some errors with the script but with some playing around with ChatGPT it fixed the issues.

The great thing about ChatGPT is stocks can be quickly selected for a variety of different things such as founders in place, market cap and companies in the S&P 500.

Best Tax-Exempt ETF's and money market funds 2023

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 07:37:18 +0000

I looked for the best high yield, tax-exempt money market accounts and the best tax-free ETFs. I selected statewide funds and ETFs not state specific ones so if you are in California or NY you may want to look for alternatives.

The tax efficiency of all of these investment options varies. Some have very small amounts of taxable income but most are pretty tax free.

Different S&P 500 types compared (ESG, Equal Weight or regular S&P 500)

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 07:29:48 +0000

I compared equal weight S&P 500 funds that invest in each of the 500 stocks equally instead of the asset weights regular S&P 500. I compared the performance of the equal weight S&P 500 to regular S&P 500 as well as the new ESG S&P 500.

Which one had the best performance?

I compared Vanguard VOO S&P 500 to an iShares ESG S&P 500 and an equal weight Invesco S&P 500 fund.

10 Stocks VS the S&P 500. Which strategy wins?

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 07:21:24 +0000

Imagine 10 stocks having a greater return with very little difference in volatility or downside risk. Well, that is what I have found. The large mega-caps like Apple, Microsoft, and Alphabet have outperformed the S&P 500 for most of the years I looked at.

Diversification is supposed to reduce risk but more recently 10 stocks is all that is needed and the risk is about the same as the S&P 500.

Why Banks are Freezing Accounts. I found one of the answers.

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 06:46:40 +0000

Banks used to lock accounts temporarily for a brief period of time when a user attempted to login too many times unsuccessfully. This timeout was usually temporary and would resolve itself with time. In some cases the user could call in and verify some information to unlock the account, all usually done within 5 minutes.

Now, however, some banks and fintechs are pushing this to a new level. Instead of a 5 minute fix some companies such as Chime are locking down the account for 30 days or more for simply entering in the wrong password. Some users have had accounts locked for 90 days or more. One woman in Atlanta had the account locked for 10 months.

4 Passive Income Ideas that require no creativity or skills

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 06:21:45 +0000

Want to make extra income without working a part-time job and without having any creativity? I found some really easy ways to make extra hundreds to thousands per year without requiring much time or much money.

Some people that are signing up with credit cards and bank accounts are making upwards to $10K per year in extra income.

Most people are likely a few clicks away from getting $5-100 from money that is owed to them from companies typically after moving.

Fidelity Money Market vs Savings Accounts

Tue, 11 Jul 2023 18:27:33 +0000

Can Fidelity Money Market account beat online high yield savings accounts? I compare Vanguard, Fidelity and Schwab to online savings accounts to see which one is best.

Scammed by Chime update

Sun, 09 Jul 2023 20:04:17 +0000

I was recently scammed by Chime bank shortly before my first $20 deposit went through. After getting one of the text codes wrong Chime locked me out of the account. They then asked for an image of the front and back of my drivers license in order for them to reactivate the account. This is where the scam starts.

Now that they have a reasonable excuse to have locked the account, why not just keep the account locked indefinitely and keep the money? I believe this is what they are doing.

Top Banks by Better Business Bureau Ranking

Sun, 09 Jul 2023 19:21:22 +0000

I compared numerous financial institutions such as banks, online fintech banks and financial conglomerates and compared the total number of BBB complaint over a three year period to the total assets of the bank. Those that have a higher number of complaints per asset dollar are likely to be more problematic for end users. Those with a lower number of complaints per asset dollar are likely to be less problematic for customers.