According to the National Financial Educators Council, a lack of financial literacy cost Americans an average of $1,015 per person and over $243 billion collectively in 2024. On a separate note, research from Gallup found that 62% of Americans own stocks. While investing is becoming more popular, it’s evident that there’s plenty of confusion surrounding the topic. If you’re a regular retail investor with a middle-class income, you likely want to take investing seriously but may not be sure about where to ...

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of understanding macro trends and their influence on asset prices and investor behavior [1] - It highlights the significance of central bank policies in the EU and US, sector rotation, and sentiment dynamics in constructing actionable investment strategies [1] Company and Industry Analysis - The focus is on equity analysis and research, with a specialization in derivatives and risk-managed portfolio construction [1] - The article suggests that investing should be accessible and empowering, aiming to build confidence in long-term investing among readers [1]

Group 1 - The article discusses the perspective of a retired passive income investor focused on high-yield investments that provide regular passive income to support retirement lifestyle [1] - The investor emphasizes the importance of researching dividend-paying stocks and funds such as BDCs, REITs, CEFs, and ETFs to enhance retirement income beyond pension and Social Security [1] - The investor's journey began in late 2007, leading to a commitment to make smarter long-term investment decisions after experiencing minimal losses during the Great Recession [1] Group 2 - The article highlights the investor's interest in market psychology and trends in technology and markets, indicating a holistic approach to investment research [1] - The investor maintains a beneficial long position in specific stocks, indicating a personal stake in the discussed investments [1]