Fit is critical when choosing a financial advisor (Photo: Shutterstock).
You’ve finally decided to see a financial advisor. You know this is an important decision, but you have no idea where to start. The amount of financial information out there is infinite, and getting started can be overwhelming and intimidating. But the process can be simplified if you break it down into steps, know what you are looking for and how to look!
1. Choose a type of advisor:
Almost anyone can call themselves a financial advisor. Let’s start by narrowing down the financial field. There are three basic types of advisors based on how they are paid: commission-based, fee-based and fee-only.
Commission-based: Commission-based advisors (brokers, insurance agents, registered representatives) sell financial products such as mutual funds, annuities and insurance and receive commissions on those products. They are often employed by large financial institutions and have their Series 6 or Series 7. Because part (or in some cases all) of what they are paid is based on what they sell, there is a major conflict of interest. It’s important to be aware that the temptation of commission is there and it can influence their recommendations for you.
market stock today: tronc, Inc. (TRNC)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By WWW.THESTREET.COM]
In a purge fairly unprecedented in American newspapers, Tronc (TRNC) has replaced the senior leadership of the Los Angeles Times. With a single announcement, the company announced both new leadership for the Times’ business side and for its newsroom.
- [By Lee Jackson]
Tronc Inc. (NASDAQ: TRNC) had a gigantic buyer recently. Michael Ferro, who is a director, purchased a stunning 2,500,000 sharesat $15 apiece. The total for the trade was an incredible $37,500,000.Thismultiplatform media and marketing solutions company publishes newspapers in the United States, as well as provides a suite of digital marketing services for local, regional and national marketers. Its shares ended trading on Friday at $13.87.Their 52-week trading range is $8.76 to $17.93, and the Wall Street consensus price target is $21.
market stock today: Platform Specialty Products Corporation(PAH)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Lee Jackson]
Platform Specialty Products Corp. (NYSE: PAH) had a well-known seller parting with a huge chunk of stock. Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square hedge fund sold a total of 2,285,888 shares of the stock at $8.78 apiece. The total for the sale was posted at $20 million.The company produces and sells specialty chemical products in the Americas, the Asia-Pacific and Europe. The stock closed last Friday at $8.52.
- [By WWW.THESTREET.COM]
In his second “Executive Decision” segment, Cramer spoke with Rakesh Sachdev, CEO of Platform Specialty Products (PAH) , the agriculture and industrial roll-up company which has seen its shares double over the past 12 months. Yesterday, Platform Specialty delivered a two-cents-a-share earnings beat.
market stock today: Westell Technologies, Inc.(WSTL)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Jim Robertson]
Today, our Under the Radar Moversnewsletter suggested small cap high-performance wireless infrastructure solutions stock Westell Technologies (NASDAQ: WSTL) as a buy for our short-term portfolio:
market stock today: Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc.(APLE)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Lisa Levin]
Here is the list of stocks going ex-dividend on Monday.
AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE: ATR) – $0.3200 dividend, 1.6780 percent yield. AptarGroup reported weaker-than-expected Q3 results on Thursday.
Fidelity Southern Corporation (NASDAQ: LION) – $0.1200 dividend, 2.6359 percent yield. The company, based in Atlanta, Georgia, provides financial products and services for customers.
Apple Hospitality REIT Inc (NYSE: APLE) – $0.1000 dividend, 6.5826 percent yield. Apple Hospitality REIT, based in Richmond, Virginia, operates as a subsidiary of Apple REIT Companies.
Targa Resources Corp (NYSE: TRGP) – $0.9100 dividend, 7.7299 percent yield. The Houston, Texas-based company provides midstream natura
market stock today: Madison Square Garden Inc.(MSG)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Ian Wyatt, Publisher & Chief Investment Strategist, Wyatt Investment Research]
Meanwhile, Mark Boyar, of The Boyar Value Fund, recommends another household name: Madison Square Garden (MSG). He thinks the Dolan family could take the company private.
- [By Monica Gerson]
Madison Square Garden Co (NYSE: MSG) is estimated to report a quarterly loss at $0.34 per share on revenue of $325.53 million.
Gogo Inc (NASDAQ: GOGO) is projected to report a quarterly loss at $0.42 per share on revenue of $137.58 million.
market stock today: Valmont Industries, Inc.(VMI)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By WWW.THESTREET.COM]
In the Lightning Round, Cramer was bullish on Masco (MAS) , American Electric Power (AEP) and Valmont Industries (VMI) .
Cramer was bearish on Wisconsin Energy (WEC) .
