Let’s Have More Babies?!?

A recent Barron’s article by Jack Hough, “Bet on a Baby Bounce,”(link) presents an intriguing (and somewhat tongue in cheek) argument that the economy will do better if millennials simply decide to have more babies. Sounds reasonable, right?

He cites Bank of America data that while overall births have declined in nine out of the last 10 years, births have risen modestly by 0.9% among women between the ages of 35 and 39. Children born to women between 40-44 have increased as well. Hough reasons that “couples are waiting to have kids, but they haven’t quite forgotten how.”

Hough even cheekily suggests that the growth of streaming services such as Netflix and the upcoming launch of Disney and Apple services may lead to a surprise uptick in baby births. “All that couch time could drive a year-over-year expansion in funny business. That’s just science,” he surmises.

More seriously, Hough contends that the longer millennials wait to have children, the more disposable income they’ll have to spend on their children and this will benefit the many companies that serve the baby market and help spark the overall economy. He further maintains that fertility rates, not just in the U.S. but in other countries, can be important economic drivers, with population growth playing a major role in economic gains.

When thinking about your own investment strategies, reviewing data and indexes are of course important, but don’t forget to follow cultural changes as well, particularly among millennials.

Hough’s conclusion: let’s have more babies and millennials should lead the way:

“Let’s start pressing millennials to have more kids. Don’t be afraid to tap strangers on the shoulder on line at Chipotle. Also, Congress should expand the Federal Reserve’s mandate to include spicing up national romance. Don’t laugh: Chairman Jerome Powell is one of six kids, and he has three of his own. That guy knows a thing or two about getting the economy going.”

So, get busy millennials, it’s your patriotic duty!

Your thoughts?

What Are Friends For?

Friendships are some of the most valued relationships we can have in life. In good times and bad, we rely on our friends, we have fun with them and we lean on them when we need a shoulder.

At Firstrade, we now have a great way to show your friends and loved ones that you care. And even your acquaintances too— and soon enough, you’ll have new BFFs!

We’ve introduced our “Refer Friends, Get Free Stocks” program to help new investors take their first step in their investing journey without a deposit requirement.  You can start referring friends from your smartphone, using our newest iOS or Android apps or on our website.

Now you can ask someone you know to open an account at Firstrade and you’ll both receive a free stock courtesy of Firstrade. How great is that?

New customers can also participate by simply opening a brokerage account with us.

Here’s how it works:

• Ask your friends to open a Firstrade account. Just send them your unique referral link to ask them to sign up now.

• Once your friend’s application is complete and approved, you will each receive your free stock, courtesy of Firstrade.

• Keep track of your referrals to remind your friends to open a Firstrade account and take advantage of this great opportunity.

• Each time a friend opens an account at Firstrade, you’ll be 100% guaranteed that you and your friend will receive a free stock. You and your friend will also have a 1 in 100 chance of receiving a free stock from Apple, Facebook or Microsoft.

Don’t Delay! For full details and to refer friends, click here.

Firstrade Named Best for Active Traders, Commissions and Fees, and ETFs by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance

Our customers know best.  They choose Firstrade.  For that, we thank you. 

Today, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance announced its Best Online Brokers of 2019 and Firstrade ranked as a best broker for Active Traders and the number one choice for best commissions and fees and for ETFs. We also ranked third, among ten other brokers, as best for investment choices.

Kiplinger’s editor Mark Solheim explains it best, “As investor needs and preferences change, brokerages are adapting. Our 2019 online broker ranking recognizes that no brokerage can hit the bull’s-eye for every type of client -- and that the firm with the broadest appeal may not meet every investor’s specific needs. But ultimately, we favored firms that could do the most for the broadest range of investors.”

Firstrade is the only online broker offers commission-free trading for stocks, ETFs, options, and mutual funds. We invite you to further explore the many offerings that Firstrade provides, including retirement products like IRA’s, and Dividend Reinvestment Program (DRIP). Our powerful new mobile apps for Android and iOS devices free you from your desktop and make trading anywhere, any time.

We’re excited to share this news with you.  At Firstrade, our first priority is to our customers.  We will continue to provide you with the best trading tools and great customer support.

Summertime, and the Investin’ is Easy ….

Wherever you are this summer and whatever you’re doing, don’t forget to pack your app! You can enjoy your summer and keep track of your portfolio at the same time with Firstrade’s new mobile app, now available for both iOS and Android devices.

We’ve been getting great feedback from customers on how the app is making it easier than ever to monitor the market, explore investment ideas and make trades in just seconds … wherever and whenever.

Browse our site to learn more about securities trading or download the iOS or Android app now!

Enjoy the rest of your summer and stay tuned for more great innovations from Firstrade!

New Trading App is Live Today for Android Users!

Thanks for waiting Android users, but the wait is over!

An Android version of Firstrade’s newly redesigned and rebuilt trading app is live today! Simply go to the Google Play Store to download the new app now to make trading and managing your account even easier and faster than ever.

We’ve received great feedback from iOS users so far—now it’s time for Android folks to join the party.

Firstrade’s powerful new and secure app gives customers the ability to monitor the market, explore investment ideas and trade in seconds wherever— and whenever— they want. Its enhanced trading screen streamlines and simplifies order entries with effortless access to trading tools, market data and research.

The new Firstrade trading app takes virtually all the functionality of our great web platform and puts it on your smartphone. Our new design makes it fun and simple to use with faster access to news, charts and trading tools.   

Here are some of the highlights of the new app:

·       Swipe left to quickly Buy or Sell right from the Positions page or Watchlist

·       Intuitive, user-friendly buy/sell interface enabling trades in seconds

·       Transfer funds to and from your banking institution

·       Charts can be converted to landscape mode with indicator overlays

·       All single and multi-leg options strategies available

·       Access to financial research, data and event calendars

·       Real time market data and news feed

·       Complete control over multiple accounts

·       8 AM to 8 PM extended hours trading

·       Easy to open a no-fee IRA account

·       Instantly review portfolio dashboard

·       All products and services consolidated in one account

Go here to sign up now! And let us know what you think.