Episode #91: Reg-T Margin vs. Portfolio Margin Russ discusses the types of accounts margin is used for, the pros and cons of each and the differences between Regulation-T margin and Portfolio Margin.  The origins of Portfolio Margin are covered and the types of strategies to use this type of leverage on.  Remember margin, of all types, is a loan from the broker-dealer to you based on your assets.   This means margin loans can magnify your winners or magnify your losses.  Be careful... but with careful use of margin you can speed up the growth of your account.     Don’t Forget to subscribe to the show!

Episode #90: Mega ROTH Ira vs. The Backdoor ROTH IRA Russ discusses the differences between the Mega ROTH IRA and the Backdoor IRA.  Overfunding your workplace retirement plan and funding your Traditional IRA conversion to a backdoor ROTH IRA.  Why you would want to do this and the mechanisms how to do so.  The income limitations for Contribution limits for the workplace retirement plan and the income limits on the ROTH IRA and how to get around them.  Don’t Forget to subscribe to the show!

In the US, the government passed Secure Act 2.0 on December 29th, 2022.  It was the most important and expansive piece of legislation affecting retirement savings since ERISA in the 1970’s.  In this episode, Russ unpacks the key questions he gets from clients and others about: the age increases, contribution limits, RMD changes, 529 (college savings plan changes), automatic wokplace retirement plan participation qequirements, qualified charitable distributions, etc.  This podcast is not designed to be a comprehensive review of Secure Act 2.0, but rather hit a few highlights Russ gets asked the most.  Don’t Forget to subscribe to the show!

To accumulate wealth, you must learn more than "Buy and Hold."  In the is episode of the Modern Stock & Options Trading Show, host Russ Mathews, goes through some key ideas for generating cash flow and how to keep more of what you generate.  He covers: the types of tax preferred accounts to trade in, how to use the leverage of options, concepts of margin and how it can turbo charge your accounts (though it can be a double edge sword), how to get paid in debt etc.  He also covers how conservative options trading concepts can also generate cash flow - writing covered calls, selling cash-backed puts to buy stocks we like at cheaper prices and get paid now, etc.  Don’t Forget to subscribe to the show!

In this episode of the Modern Stock & Option Trading Show, Russ lays out the 8 trends / themes that he is currently focused on.   He covers where we have been and where we are going into 2024.   Context is key to investment performance as we have seen volatility since the summer.  Don’t forget to subscribe to the show!

Episode #86 – Can You Predict Earnings Season Ahead of Time  In this episode of the Modern Stock & Option Trading Show, Russ lays out the 3 Step process to get a read on whether Earnings Season will be good, bad, or neutral ahead of time.  Q4, 2023 earnings season is about to start (Oct. 18th – Nov. 8th), and many investors are wondering will earnings be good?  Should I remain defensive or start to get positioned for a year-end, ‘Santa Clause’ rally?  Russ lays out a way (in advance) to determine if the earnings season is expected to be strong.     Don’t forget to subscribe to the show!

EBITDA is one on the most used measures of earnings for stocks.  In this episode, Russ covers what EBITDA is, how it is calculated, why investors care and the pros and cons of this earnings measurement.  Don’t forget to subscribe to the show!

In this episode, Russ explores the standard portfolio construction / asset allocation structure of 60% stocks / 40% bonds.  This portfolio structure has been around for 50+ years and is a standard for investing.   A series of 'bear markets' since the year 2000 and changing interest rates has pressured this ‘standard’ structure.  Russ explores what thsi portfolio is and how new investment products have changed the nature of this allocation today.   Don’t forget to subscribe to the show!

In this episode, Russ explores the 7 largest mistakes investors & traders make.  From taking too much risk to trading without a written plan with an edge, each risk is discussed and how to overcome each one.  Helping traders to avoid these mistakes is key to long term success in investing.    Don’t forget to subscribe to the show!

In this episode, Russ explores how your investment timeframe determines many other investment decisions.    Investment timeframes are described, and then the decisions that are influenced.  From asset class selected, to the amount of reliance on technical vs. fundamental analysis, chart timeframes, news, macroeconomics, etc.    He also discusses how investment timeframes can influence each decision.  Don’t forget to subscribe to the show!

In this episode, Russ explores the multidirectional & murky investment environment now.  From what is happening with inflation, to the FED pausing interest rate hikes, to unemployment to real estate to cash and cash alternatives.  The economy is difficult to get a read on right now.  How do you invest in this multidirectional, confusing environment?  Russ explores a 3-step process that helps bring some certainty to the confusion.  He also discusses the narrow rally to date and how it appears to just now be broadening out to other stocks (from the 7 stocks in the AI boom carrying the indexes in 2023).   Don’t forget to subscribe to the show!

In this episode, Russ explores the definitions and pros and cons of stock buybacks vs. dividends.  There is some debate about what the best way is to return capital to shareholders.  Russ explores the definitions, the pros and cons of each way to return capital and provides his perspective on which is best in which type of account.   Don’t forget to subscribe to the show!

We are in the heart of earnings season.  What are the different ways to play earnings?  Russ goes through the different option strategy choices and then focuses on one of his favorite ways to play earnings.  He covers the Iron Condor with the short strike prices outside the expected price move.  The example he goes through from this week is on Amazon.  Don’t forget to subscribe to the show!

In this episode, Russ discusses several scenarios for waiting to add the protection leg to your trading strategy.  In other words, when you have strong directional conviction in how an underlying stock or ETF will move, Russ shows how you can wait (delay) legging into the trading strategy.  You can wait to add the second leg (or protection leg) to the trade.  This delay, when you are directionally correct, can increase your returns and improve your outcomes.  Russ shows examples for three strategies: The Bull Call Debit Spread,The Collar trade andThe Long Straddle. Don’t forget to subscribe to the show!

A listener asked – is Direct Indexing a good idea?  This is a topic that many people have been getting pitched by many Wall Street Firms.  Is this a good strategy? In this episode, Russ covers: What is direct Indexing; the Pros and Cons of Direct Indexing, where Direct Indexing fits in the portfolio. Plus he shares his views on the regional banking crisis over the weekend. Don’t forget to subscribe to the show!

There are several ways a company can access the public markets to raise capital.  Russ covers the pros and cons of each – the Initial Public Offering (IPO), the Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC’s), Regulation CF, etc.  In addition, he presents his 5-point checklist for when investing in these companies is a YES and when it is a NO. Don’t forget to subscribe to the show!

The hottest new technology causing discussion and a global shock is Chat GPT (& its competitors) and how such conversational AI (artificial intelligence) is changing the game for many industries.  Russ explores his thoughts on how AI will affect the world of investing and trading.  What it is good at and what its limitations are.  He provides a framework for how to think through the various applications of the new technology.        Don’t forget to subscribe to the show!

In this episode of the Modern Stock & Options Trading Show, Russ takes a view on how to measure the risk of a stock.  While Russ concedes that there are many ways to measure the risk of an investment – he covers the top 5 ways he uses – BETA, ALPHA, The P/E RATIO, STANDARD DEVIATION & R-SQUARED and how he uses each.  Don’t forget to subscribe to the show!

In this episode of the Modern Stock & Option Trading Show, Russ covers alternatives to holding cash in the bank (from least risky to most risky).  From money market funds and high-yielding money markets to preferred stock ETF’s, many of the alternative choices are covered based on Russ’s recommendations and experience. The trade-offs and decisions between liquidity, risk and guarantees (FDIC, the full faith & credit of the US Government, etc,) are covered as well.  Don’t forget to subscribe to the show!

In this episode of the Modern Stock & Option Trading Show, Russ covers how to put a bear marker year (like 2022) into context and offset taxes through a concept called Tax Loss Harvesting.  The Wash Sale rule is also covered.  In addition, Russ lays out the consensus view for 2023 and covers timing strategies for how to position your portfolio if you are Conservative, Moderate growth or Aggressive.  Don’t forget to subscribe to the show!