In conjunction with World Investor Week 2025, FINRA, the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), the National Futures Association (NFA) and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) are issuing this Investor Bulletin to highlight ways in which emerging technologies, innovation, and financial fraud and scams are impacting investors.
What's New in Investor Education
- October 6, 2025
- August 19, 2025Some characteristics and routine behaviors have been found to be associated with an increased risk of fraud for older adults. Steps like reducing exposure to scams, researching investments, and building financial knowledge can help reduce risk.
- August 12, 2025Momentum investing is a trading strategy that involves trading stocks that are moving rapidly and then exiting positions before the prices begin to move in the opposite direction. But stock prices can quickly shift, so trying to figure out when a stock is nearing its peak—or trough—is challenging.
- August 5, 2025Funds tracking non-traditional indexes can provide investors with an expanded set of investment opportunities beyond those offered by traditional indexes. But they can also create additional complexities and risks to consider.
- July 29, 2025Many unregistered entities are increasingly promoting their auto-trading services to retail investors on social media, making misleading claims about their ease of use and level of risk. Investors should know the risks before using these services.
- July 24, 2025Direct indexing is a strategy that seeks to replicate performance with direct ownership of securities held in a particular index. This can provide the flexibility to customize holdings and the potential for greater control over tax impacts, but direct indexing also comes with unique risks.
- July 22, 2025FINRA Foundation’s latest wave of the National Financial Capability Study showed that more Americans are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet and set aside emergency funds, as they face the impact of higher food costs, and engaging in expensive credit card practices.
- July 15, 2025Every year, millions of older investors become victims of financial exploitation, resulting in billions of dollars in personal losses. Read more about rules that allow brokerage firms to take steps to protect seniors and other specified adults.
- July 8, 2025You don’t need a specialized degree to read a company’s financial statements and glean valuable information that can help you make your investment decisions. There’s a wealth of financial data about a company’s operations, investments, indebtedness and much more easily accessible to investors who know where to look.
- July 1, 2025Value investing involves buying securities that, based on fundamental analysis, are trading below their intrinsic worth or at a discount to the market or their peers. Learn more about value investing and factors to consider when thinking about following this investment strategy.
- June 26, 2025Fractional shares offer investors an opportunity to purchase pieces of stock shares. While fractional shares can offer flexibility and convenience, it’s important to understand their associated limitations and how your brokerage firm handles them.
- June 20, 2025A financial professional designation is like a certification or credential. They’re different from registration or licenses. This bulletin can help investors better understand the professional designations financial professionals might use.
- June 16, 2025Many people are turning to online trading platforms for their investing needs rather than speaking directly with a representative at a brokerage firm. While this might sound straightforward, common misconceptions persist. If you’re considering online trading, here are some things to know.
- June 10, 2025Market timing is an active investment strategy involving shifting money in and out of the market or from one investment to another to exploit anticipated short-term price movements. Market timing can involve transferring between equity sectors and asset classes, or liquidating assets.
- June 5, 2025Borrowing against your home to invest is always risky, and the potentially high value of these loans can make home equity a prime target for scammers. FINRA has seen an increase in reporting of fraudulent schemes involving home loans taken out for investment purposes. Here are some things to know.
- June 3, 2025When financial markets experience turbulence, Wall Street employs a jargon all its own to describe important elements of uncertain times. Here's a look at some of the most common terms and what they mean.
- May 28, 2025Don’t trust that unexpected text or direct message from a stranger—it might be the first step in a relationship investment scam. These scams often involve fraudsters contacting targets seemingly at random, then gaining trust before ultimately manipulating their targets into phony investments and disappearing with the funds.
- May 20, 2025When investing, one significant decision you’ll need to make is whether you want to follow an active or a passive investment strategy. Learn more about factors to consider when thinking about which strategy is right for you.
- May 14, 2025Becoming a new parent? Here are 5 tips that can help you create long- term financial plans that will help you achieve financial stability for your growing family.
- May 1, 2025Most of us know someone who has been a victim of a financial scam, or we may have been a target ourselves. If you’ve been impacted by this type of crime, there are ways you can get assistance. These six steps can help you reclaim power from the fraudsters and begin to move forward.
- April 29, 2025Bonds can be issued by corporations, local municipalities, government agencies and the federal government. Performing due diligence can help you assess the many characteristics that are associated with these fixed-income securities and evaluate overall suitability with your investing needs.
- April 29, 2025Before investing in stocks, also referred to as equities, take time to gather the information necessary to make an informed investment decision, a process commonly known as due diligence.
- April 24, 2025In a pump-and-dump scheme, fraudsters accumulate stock, spread positive—but false—information to “pump” up the price, then eventually “dump” their shares, often causing unsuspecting investors to lose money when the stock price then sharply declines. Learn how to recognize and protect yourself against pump-and-dump schemes.
- April 22, 2025Teaching kids about financial concepts and prudent decision-making can help them become financially proficient adults and deserves a spot alongside early learning basics. Learn four tips to help build their foundation for financial fluency.
- April 17, 2025Divorce can impact all aspects of your life, including your financial responsibilities and goals. But there are ways that can help you better understand—and stay in control of—your investments.