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Where You Should Put Your Money in a Bear Market

Benzinga

After more than a decade of astronomical growth, the stock market has steadily declined since early 2022. On June 13, the S&P 500 plunged into a bear market, closing by slightly less than 4%, representing a 21% drop from Jan. 3 high. Technology and Blue-chip stocks got hit as severely, with the NASDAQ plunging 4.7% and Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) shedding roughly 3%. Red-hot inflation, volatile market, recession fears, and global uncertainties driven by the Ukrainian war have further exacerbated the situation. Consequently, despite a considerable rebound, investors’ pessimism persists. Naturally, it’s okay to grow uneasy during a market downturn, especially if you’re a newbie or an average investor. However, you need to understand that bear markets are inevitable and not uncommon. In fact, despite the market or economic downturn that characterizes a bear market, it can present an excellent opportunity to earn returns if you have the right portfolio mix. Benzinga looks at where you should put your money in a bear market and how these investments will support your financial goals. Where to Put Your Money in a Bear Market The best approach to mitigate or manage a persistent bear market run is to invest in stocks with relatively low volatility and a long history of dividend growth. Most of these stocks are found in defensive sectors, including healthcare, consumer staples, utilities, defense, and some real estate equities. Furthermore, short-term debt securities, cash and money markets, and precious metals offer a stable and less volatile investment alternative for a bear market. A look at a few stocks to consider during a bear run. CVS Health Corp (CVS: NYSE) Coca-Cola Co (KO: NYSE) General Dynamics Corp (GD: NYSE) Real Income Corp (O: NYSE) T-Mobile US (TMUS: NASDAQ). CVS Health Corp (CVS: NYSE) Market Cap: $125.47B Current Price: $95.49 Yield: 2.31% Beta: 0.76% Traditionally whenever the stock market is in a tale spin, the healthcare sector offers a haven for investors. As a defensive healthcare stock, CVS Health possesses a unique profile that makes it outstanding compared to other healthcare stocks. While most recognize it as a retail pharmacy chain, its services go deeper and encompass pharmacy benefit management and health insurance provision. This multi-faceted business model and robust clinical responsibility signify an excellent prospect for long-term growth. Additionally, this stock offers relatively low volatility with a 0.76% Beta. For the year-to-date average through July, shares were off 7.55%, which still beats the S&P 500 by roughly 6% points. This resilience makes CVS Health a significant bear market stock. Tips: Beta is a key volatility metric measuring how a stock trades relative to S&P 500. Generally, low-beta stocks lag in a bull run and hold up better in a bear run. Coca-Cola Co (KO: NYSE) Market Cap: 278.18B Current Price: $63.74 Yield: 2.77% Beta: 0.64 Coca-Cola Co (KO: NYSE) remains a formidable giant in the defensive consumer discretionary sector. Its blue-chip pedigree, 61 years of dividend growth, and bullishness are unmatched by any other stock in this sector. Aside from being an S&P 500 dividend aristocrat, it is also a vital member of the Dow Jones Industrial Average — this further reinforces its giant blue-chips status. At 9.23%, it is the fourth largest holding for the Berkshire Hathaway equity portfolio. Warren Buffet has been a shareholder since 1988. Its low-beta stock has been instrumental in preventing a downward spiral as the stock market declines. Furthermore, it gained 7.48% in the year-to-date average through July, beating the S&P 500 by about 21%. Despite its drop during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, its rebound has been impressive enough to fend off inflationary-induced bear markets. General Dynamics Corp (GD: NYSE) Market Cap: 62.95B Current Price: $227.98 Yield: 2.22% Beta: 0.84 As the 4th largest defense contractor in the United States, General Dynamics (GD: NYSE) is worth considering as a bear market stock. Its core selling point is its dependable dividends and relatively low volatility. Furthermore, its strong long-term growth potential and high share prices are vital factors. The company’s defensive market characteristics have been well-documented this year. For instance, despite the market decline, the share gained 8.91% in the year-to-date average through July. During the same period, the S&P 500 dropped 13.34%. That is, it beats the S&P 500 by 22.25% points. With over 31 years of consecutive dividend raises and a long-term focus on growth through sales increases and share buy-back, it only makes sense for shareholders to trust this stock during a bear run. Realty Income Corp (O: NYSE) Market Cap:$44.51B Current Price: $72.80 Yield:4.08% Beta: 0.93 With a massive 10,000 properties, Realty Income (O: NYSE) holds the most extensive net lease portfolio. However, what’s significant about Realty Income is that all its free-standing single-tenant properties are subject to the triple net lease (NNN). A substantial risk at the individual level, considering there’s only one tenant. Nevertheless, the risk potential becomes insignificant when spread over an extensive portfolio. Most rent (up to 80%) comes from retail properties, while the remaining comes from mainly industrial assets and warehouses. Over the years, the company has expanded to include the United Kingdom and Spain while diversifying its portfolio mix. As far as dividend goes, this company is dependable, having maintained an annual raise for 25 consecutive years. This dividend is often collected monthly like a paycheck. This company’s shares don’t go on sale very often, so when you come across it, endeavor to grab it as it’s one of the best REIT stocks for a bear market. T-Mobile US Inc (TMUS: NASDAQ) Market Cap:$179.34B Current Price: $143.35 Yield: N/A Beta: 0.83 Most telecommunications stocks are inherently defensive. T-Mobile is, however, outstanding, thanks to its incredible price upside. Its 2020 merger with Sprint helps the company establish itself as a telecommunications giant enabling it to become more innovative. For instance, Sprint’s trove of mid-band spectrum brought to the company facilitated the building of its next-gen 5G network. This gives T-Mobile a competitive advantage over AT&T and Verizon. Furthermore, the company innovates its approach to service plans, as reflected in subscriber acquisition. T-MUS averaged 22.74% year-to-date through July compared to -13.34 for the S&P 500, a 36.08% difference. In fact, if the company’s recent past is a viable indicator, T-Mobile stands as one of the best bear stocks. Besides defensive stocks, other alternative investment sources you can leverage to earn return during a bear run are: Cash and Money Market As an average investor, after a few months of bear run, it might be a good idea to offload your equity-heavy portfolio so it doesn’t financially bleed further. The cash or money market is one of the best places to set aside funds from your equity sell-off. Cash accounts (bank or credit union savings accounts) present little to no risk since they’re not tied to the stock market. A money market account offered as a deposit through the bank or mutual funds is also a great holding place. Both provide an avenue to earn interest without worrying about fluctuations and make for flexibility. For instance, once you feel comfortable with the market situation, you can easily pull out the money and reinvest it. Short-term Debt Short-term securities like the U.S. Treasuries or government bonds have an inverse relationship with the market. So during a fall in stock prices, their prices rise. During a bear run, trading strategies among investors shift towards safety, creating a higher volume of the U.S. Treasuries held by investors. This causes a price increase that stabilizes investors’ portfolios. Therefore, investing your trade equity in short-term securities makes sense. However, not all bonds are created equal during a bear run, so avoid high-end corporate bonds and go for short-duration debts. Precious Metals Unlike currency that can drop in value due to federal government monetary policy like printing more money, precious metals ( gold, silver, and many more) retain their inherent value during a bear market since they have a finite supply. They can therefore serve as a hedge against inflation in the market. You can gain exposure to this asset class through physical ownership or invest in an ETF like iShares Silver Trust ETF (SLV: NYSE Arca) containing these metals. What is a Bear Market? A bear market occurs when a broad market index or stock price drops by 20% or more after hitting a recent high. It is usually characterized by a prolonged drop in investment prices due to investors’ pessimism and low confidence in the market. The term “bear market” commonly refers to the overall negative performance of the S&P 500 — regarded as the benchmark indicator of the entire stock market. Nevertheless, the term can be used for any stock index ( NASDAQ Composite, Dow Jones Industrial Average, FTSE 100 Index, and many more) or individual stocks with a drop of at least 20% from their recent high. For instance, during the dot-com bubble, the NASDAQ fell by over 75% from a high of about 581% and plunged into a bear market. The stock market can hit a bear run for various reasons — widespread investor speculations, a weak or slowing economy, geopolitical crisis, irresponsible lending, pandemics, war, over-leveraged investing, oil price movements, and many more. For instance, the 2020 bear market resulted from the global COVID-19 pandemics. While the bear market is tricky to anticipate or manage, the tell-tale signs are always there for intelligent investors to discern. It often starts with a regular stock market dip, followed by a correction, then perhaps premature bargain-hunting. When the trend becomes apparent to an average investor, stock prices have already tumbled, making it tricky to manage or mitigate. Although unavoidable, bear markets are short-lived, the average duration is roughly 344 days with a loss threshold of 32.1% compared to 1605 days and 152.6% gain for bull markets. Always remember that, although a bull market can run for a long duration, they don’t last forever. So while relishing your gain during a bull run, always tighten your belt and prepare if the market direction changes to a bear run. Tips: For clarity, a bear market is not the same as a stock market correction. Although often used interchangeably, both define the different magnitude of negative market performance. While a market correction involves at least a 10% drop in stock prices or broad market index, a bear market occurs at the 20% threshold. A market correction is upgraded to a bear market once it reaches or exceeds this threshold. How to Invest in a Bear Market Let your Money match your Investment Goals. Before investing, you need to define the purpose of your investment. A college education? A retirement? And many more. Answering these questions will help you structure your portfolio to match your goal. For instance, the down payments for your dream home, money needed in the short term, and cash you can’t afford to lose are better invested in relatively stable assets like certificates of deposit (CDs), money market funds, and treasuries. A mix of CDs and investment-grade bonds can serve mid-term goals (4-5 years), while the money you don’t need for a long duration (longer than five years ) can be put into volatile assets like stocks. Rebalance and Reassess your portfolio The bear market presents an excellent opportunity to reassess your portfolio. For instance, if you’re holding a lot of growth or small-to-mid-cap stocks, it might be time to let go of some of them. The reason is that growth or small-to-mid-caps businesses lack the financial muscle to survive a red-hot inflationary induced bear market. Nevertheless, the idea is not to sell off immediately, as a bear run can present viable opportunities for such stocks. So reassess the situation at your discretion. You can increase your bond holdings in the short run since it guarantees stability while keeping an eye on value vs. growth stock for the long run. Resist the Urge to Sell off all your Equity For some investors, especially newbies, once a bear run becomes evident, they tend to sell off everything and move all positions to cash. While this is a great way to protect your money, it’s been proven over time to be counterproductive in the long run. This approach makes little difference in a low-inflation or low-interest environment. Considering the bear market’s short-lived nature, you may lose more money as cash during a high but short inflation period. So regardless of how dismal the market may looks, hold on for at least a few months or less. Diversify your Portfolio Every bear market has a segment that’s hit the hardest. While such a segment can’t be predicted ahead of time, you can prepare beforehand or even prevent it by diversifying across asset classes and within the equity market. Diversification implies that your portfolio has a wide variety of investment-grade bonds encompassing corporate, Treasuries, municipal, and possibly foreign issues. Additionally, these bonds should have different maturity from short-term to mid-term. That way, you’ll always have bond maturing and providing reinvestment or upkeep money at any time. Your long-term investment should encompass a broad array of domestic stocks. These include big and small stocks, fast-growing and dividend-paying stocks, and international stocks. Furthermore, it should also include REITs and commodities. These stock mixes offer exposure to asset classes moving at different times and speeds. Stay the Course Investment is a long-term game, so your action during the market decline will largely determine your overall performance over time. The most reasonable approach to a bear run is to wait it out. It can be challenging, with the news headline blaring all day and friends and families selling off. However, your little patience may be rewarded over time. You mustn’t tamper with your investment if you’re in a retirement account like 401(k) or IRA. Else you’ll regret it when the market rebounds. Seek a Reliable Professional Professionals can clarify your assets mix or how to react to a sudden downturn. So, seek professional guidance if you’re not confident of your approach to structuring your portfolio or tend to respond brashly to a bear run. Great financial professionals can help overhaul your portfolio and mix it up to withstand the most market-crashing downturn. Get Help from an Advisor The market uncertainties that characterize a bear market mean that finding a dependable investment to put your money in can be challenging. However, with the Benzinga guide, you can easily find and choose an investment portfolio that guarantees maximum returns without hassles. Frequently Asked Questions Where do you put your money in a market crash? Various stocks perform well during a bear run. They’re considered defensive stocks and profitable investment assets during a bear run. Nevertheless, you can also leverage short-term debt like Treasuries and money market funds. Should you hold through a bear market? Bear markets last only a short time, so it makes sense to hold through a bear market, especially as this will enable you to jump in and earn returns once the market rebounds. Nevertheless, this may depend on the specific stock type and how deep the market falls. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

August 05, 2022 10:44 AM Eastern Daylight Time

How Fellow Investors Are Dealing With the Bear Market

Benzinga

The Dow Jones Industrial Average index has dropped less than 20% since its all-time high. The technical definition of a bear market is prices dropping 20% or more. Theoretically, it may not be a bear market, but some companies have lost more than 70% of their market value. Some investors believe that the best time to start investing in stocks is during a crash. Falling prices may be a good opportunity to buy the dip in a bull run, but it’s a catastrophic strategy when the price has reversed. Some investors get caught in the hype of rising prices, failing to realize that bear markets follow rallies. Macroeconomic factors such as inflation, a cooled-off housing market and geopolitical tensions hint that a stock market crash could be imminent. Several major corporations have lost 70% of their market value, making investors jittery about further losses. While panic-stricken investors scramble to save what’s left of their portfolios, you can deploy several strategies to protect your financial portfolio to minimize losses and potentially profit from a market crash. How Are Investors Handling the Bear Market? A bear market may take years to reach the bottom. That gives investors wanting to buy at the lowest prices sufficient time to prepare. But investors already in the market are seeking defensive strategies. Several options are available to investors navigating a bear market to the most favorable outcome. Rebalance Your Portfolio An effective diversified portfolio consists of several asset classes. It’s known as an all-weather portfolio because it offsets asset price declines in one market with the profits in another market. Investors should build a portfolio that consists of stocks, commodities, precious metals and bonds. But further measures can be taken during market crashes to alleviate the blow. If your investments are solely in stocks, you can sell the poorly performing stocks and opt for a defensive stock sector such as utilities and healthcare, which usually perform well during bear markets. Government bonds have proven to provide returns during recessions. And gold’s value has historically risen against a falling U.S. dollar. Some experts consider the ideal portfolio weight to be 40% long-term bonds, 15% intermediate bonds, 30% equities, 7.5% gold and another 7.5% in diversified commodities. Sell Your Holdings The technical definition of a bear market is security prices dropping 20% or more. The market has revealed that it can drop further than that and form a v-bottom, then rally to new highs. But risk-averse investors may not be able to handle volatility, so the best option might be to sell. Selling your assets can be the right strategy if you’re unknowledgeable about alternative investments. Having cash when prices have plummeted puts you in an advantageous position. It enables you to buy assets at what some investors call discounted prices. However, timing the market can be challenging as prices can always fall lower. Short Assets Investors can make money in financial markets when prices rise and fall. Shorting stocks is a trading strategy enabling investors to open a sell position because they expect prices to fall. It requires opening an account with a day-trading broker that provides margin trading so that you can borrow money. This strategy is more suitable for experienced traders as it requires a technical and fundamental analysis to determine if the market is bearish. When shorting stocks, you borrow shares of a stock that you believe its value will decrease. You sell borrowed shares to buyers willing to pay the market price. But you must return the borrowed shares, so you ideally buy them at lower prices. If your buy position is priced lower than the short position, the difference is your profit. Short selling is considered a high-risk practice. Dollar Cost Averaging Knowing when to get out of the market or how to diversify a portfolio is challenging even for fund managers. If you don’t want to sell any of your assets but want to minimize risk, dollar cost averaging may be a sound defensive strategy when prices are falling. Dollar cost averaging entails investing a fixed dollar amount regularly, irrespective of the price. This strategy helps you to buy securities at various prices. The key advantage is that you are aiming to buy more shares at low prices and fewer shares at high prices. It may help lower your average cost per share, reduce the impact of volatility on your portfolio and instill in you the habit of consistent investing. Best Investments for a Bear Market Certain assets have proven to be a hedge against recessions. They’ve offered downside protection by limiting losses. Bonds: Stock investors expecting a slump in the market may opt for bonds. Bond prices tend to move in the opposite direction of stocks. Investors should have a mixture of long-term and short-term bonds to offset equity losses. Gold: Precious metals such as gold and silver have often advanced during economic hardships. Gold’s value usually increases during inflation and when the stock market plummets. A dollar’s value can drop to zero, but gold will probably always have a value. Utility and healthcare stocks: Regardless of economic conditions, individuals require energy and healthcare. Companies providing those resources are less likely to experience drastic decreases in revenue. Some investors are apprehensive about risking large amounts during bear markets, so they opt for minimal investments in the best penny stocks. Is Copy Trading a Good Idea? Copy trading enables traders to gain insight into how professional traders analyze markets. It provides confirmation for traders uncertain about a particular position. Beginners benefit the most from copy trading as it enables them to emulate the trades of professionals and potentially profit without needing skills or time to analyze markets. They can even do it while they’re mobile via investment apps. Compare the Best Brokers for a Bear Market Ensure your investing strategies are effective in a bear market by using a reliable broker. Benzinga has compared the best online brokers to help you minimize losses and reduce risk. Investors interested in capitalizing on currency volatility can check out Benzinga’s forex broker comparison. Frequently Asked Questions What should investors do in a bear market? Investing in a bear market requires investors to protect themselves by diversifying their portfolios, practicing dollar cost averaging and investing in hedge instruments such as bonds, gold and defense sector stocks — utilities and health care. Is the U.S. in a bear market? The Dow Jones Industrial Average index has dropped less than 20% since its all-time high. The technical definition of a bear market is prices dropping 20% or more. Theoretically, it may not be a bear market, but some companies have lost more than 70% of their market value. Some investors believe that the best time to start investing in stocks is during a crash. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

August 05, 2022 09:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

The Top 4 Credit Cards for Everyone’s Wallet

Benzinga

Finding the best credit cards for your lifestyle isn’t always easy. Fortunately, these four make a great place to start. Secured Credit Card A secured credit card is a type of credit card backed by a cash deposit. The deposit acts as collateral to protect the lender if you default and don’t make repayments. Secured credit cards are simple: After you deposit cash, the lender issues a credit line often equal to your security deposit. Then, you use the card and pay it off like any other card. When you close the account or graduate to an unsecured card, you receive your deposit back. Secured credit cards make great options for credit card beginners and anyone with a poor or no credit history. Because the issuer reports the card to credit bureaus, secured cards can boost your score quickly. As you try to improve your credit, the cash-backed credit limit helps to build responsible credit habits. Cashback Card Cashback credit cards offer cash rewards on everyday purchases. Most rewards take the form of dollars or points and operate on a percentage basis. (For instance, earning 2% cashback or 2x points on every dollar spent.) You can usually redeem your rewards for a check, bank transfer, or credit statement. Cashback cards come in three main flavors: Flat-rate cards offer the same cash back on every purchase (usually 1-2%), making them ideal if you want cashback without complicated reward programs. Bonus category or tiered cards offer “tiers” of rewards depending on where or what you buy. (For example, 2% on dining out, 3% on groceries, etc.) You may prefer a tiered card if you tend to shop at specific retailers. Rotating rewards cards change their bonus categories quarterly or yearly. You may like rotating rewards cards if you’re highly organized and want to earn more cashback on seasonal purchases. Cashback cards make it easy to earn money on the money you’d spend anyway – helping you “save” through shopping. Gas Card Gas stations may issue gas credit cards that offer discounts, rewards and perks for filling up. Many, like those offered by Shell or ExxonMobil, offer 5-10 cents off per gallon. Gas cards tend to operate more like store cards in that you can only use them at particular stations or brands. Gas station credit cards can help you earn cashback on gas while curbing your credit use. Due to their limited acceptance, you can also use them to establish or rebuild your credit without worrying that you’ll overspend. Travel Points Card Travel points cards make some of the best rewards cards for frequent travelers. As the name suggests, they help you earn travel-specific rewards and discounts. Depending on the card, you may receive points or miles on every dollar spent that can help you score free or discounted: Airline tickets Airport lounge stays Hotel stays Car rentals Meals Or upgrades For many people, travel rewards cards make it easy to save up for that much-needed vacation. Some travel points cards also offer redemption options for non-travel expenses, though your points may not go as far. How Do Credit Cards Help You Achieve Your Financial Goals? Your credit cards can work for or against your financial goals. It all depends on how you manage your spending. Build Your Credit Score You can use credit cards (especially secured cards) to build your credit score and responsible credit habits at the same time. In time, you may qualify for better interest rates or larger loans, such as a car or home loan. Boost Your Savings with Everyday Spending Rewards cards make it easy to earn cashback and travel points on everyday purchases. The key is finding cards that align with your spending habits and advance your financial goals. You can use the cash or points saved to cover your holiday shopping, save for your future, enjoy a free vacation, or reduce your grocery bill. And if you pay off your bill monthly, you’ll enjoy all these perks without paying interest or fees. Safeguard Against Fraud Most credit cards now offer built-in fraud protection, too. Aside from letting you off the hook for fraudulent purchases, they may also provide identity theft protection. Defending your financial status from scammers helps you stay on track with your financial goals. Track Spending More Easily Credit cards also make it easier to tally up your monthly budget. When you pay for purchases with cards, it’s difficult to keep track of all your receipts. But with a credit card, you can use the online or mobile app to break down your spending by category, simplifying the budgeting process. Compare the best credit cards for you Finding the best credit card can be a hassle – but not with Benzinga. We make it easy to shop and compare credit cards that fit your lifestyle. Frequently Asked Questions What type of credit card is most widely accepted? Visa and Mastercard tie for the most widely-accepted credit card by global merchant acceptance at 52.9 million apiece. Discover comes in second with 44 million merchants. What is the best option for credit cards? The best credit card is the one that meets your needs. For instance, while cashback cards can help your savings goals, secured credit cards make it easy to control spending and build credit. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

August 05, 2022 09:17 AM Eastern Daylight Time

This Is How Often You Should Change Your Insurance Plans

Benzinga

As you move through life, your wants, needs and long-term goals will change with your lifestyle. Often, that means your insurance requirements evolve, too. Knowing when to change insurance carriers or plans ensures your coverage stays in line with your busy life. Here are a few important considerations when you need to shop for insurance. How Often Should You Change Your Insurance Plans? As a general rule, it’s wise to review your insurance plans: Every 6-12 months or once per coverage period Anytime your insurer hikes premium costs or slashes benefits When you experience a major event that impacts your coverage needs, like: Moving to a new house or region Making a major purchase (vehicles, fine jewelry) A birth or death in the immediate family Any of these reasons is enough to change insurance plans or carriers. Updating your coverage to match your needs (and your budget) ensures you protect the people and possessions you value most. But while cash is king, getting a good deal isn’t everything – the content of your policy matters, too. Sometimes, it’s worth paying a little more for your peace of mind. Benzinga explores a few potential reasons to change insurance carriers. You Can Find Cheaper Rates Elsewhere Regularly shopping for insurance helps you sniff out the carriers that offer better rates or discounts. Compare offers from at least three to five companies to ensure you’re getting the best deal on coverage. You’ve Recently Moved You may need to change insurance carriers when you move, especially if the move impacts your rates or coverage. Not all insurers operate in all regions – and even if yours does, your rates may rise based on location. For instance, you may pay higher auto insurance premiums in more populated areas. You Experience a Qualifying Event or Lifestyle Change Generally, you should reevaluate your coverage anytime you experience a “qualifying event” or major milestone like: Getting married or divorced Adding your teenager to your auto insurance Having or adopting a baby Retirement Whether you need more coverage, less coverage or a more affordable policy, consider such events an opportunity to evaluate and change insurance plans or carriers to fit your new lifestyle. Your Insurance Carrier Changes its Terms Maybe it’s not you who changes but your insurer. Carriers periodically update their geographic policies, prices, coverage offerings and accepted service providers. While the company may suggest alternatives, there’s no guarantee a replacement will suit your needs. You might as well take that opportunity to shop for insurance on your own. Your Provider Stops Accepting Insurance Health insurance is particularly finicky, with providers, insurers and in-network hospitals in flux. Maybe your doctor stops accepting Medicare insurance – or your Medicare plan stops paying for your doctor. Either way, you’ll have to switch insurance plans, doctors or both. Poor Customer Service or Claims Experiences When you’re paying your premiums, your insurance company is happy to take your money. But when you actually need to make a claim, you may find that it is reluctant to pay out. If you have to go through a major hassle to make a claim, receive your funds or just get a call back, it’s time to reconsider your carrier. Which Insurance Plans Should Change Regularly? You should review and compare insurance at least once a year, regardless of the type of policy. But some plans may need to change more – or less – frequently. Homeowners Shopping for homeowner’s insurance at least once a year ensures you don’t miss a better deal elsewhere. You may also change insurance carriers when your rates increase or you move to a new city. Making expensive renovations or purchases that require enhanced coverage also provides opportunities to change insurance plans. Auto Car insurance policies may not last a full year; some offer six-month plans. Either way, it’s wise to re-shop your auto insurance before every renewal, as car insurance rates famously fluctuate on a dime. Time, location, your driving history and even accidents that aren’t your fault can impact your individual premiums. Health Health insurance is a bit unique because many insurers limit plan switches or sign-ups to their annual open enrollment period. However, special exceptions exist for “qualifying life events” like marriage and divorce, having children, losing work coverage or moving to a new zip code. Life Life insurance pays out when the policyholder dies. Because it’s designed to pay for end-of-life expenses, lost income and housing costs, it’s crucial to buy enough coverage to secure your family’s future. On top of your annual evaluation, consider whether other life events impact your coverage needs, like: Your age and relationship status Having a baby Buying a home You might need to switch if your rates rise or you need higher coverage amounts. You may also want to switch to a different type of policy, such as moving from whole to permanent life insurance). Business Business insurance is a must for business owners to cover property damage, liability and business interruption costs. Because business needs are change, you may need to shop for insurance more than once a year. For instance, when you hire more employees, move to a new office or release new products, it’s probably time to increase your coverage or change insurance carriers. Compare Insurance Companies If you’re ready to shop for insurance plans, Benzinga has the insights you need to make an informed decision, from pet insurance to vision insurance. Frequently Asked Questions How frequently can you change car insurance? You can change car insurance as often as you need. You may have to pay a cancellation fee if you leave your current carrier in the middle of a policy. When should you switch insurance companies? You should consider switching insurance companies at least once a year to ensure you’re getting the best rates and coverage. You should actually make the switch when you can get better value elsewhere. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

August 04, 2022 02:58 PM Eastern Daylight Time

How This Leader in Real Estate Tokenization Can Help Close the Home Ownership Gap with Blockchain

Benzinga

Check out RealT’s geographical listings here, and click here to get started. Purchasing a home has often been regarded as a hallmark of individual success. According to research firm YouGov, 74% of Americans say they place the highest priority on owning a home, ranking it above having a successful career, owning an automobile and — surprisingly — retiring. Providing a perfect roadmap to discontent are the harsh realities obstructing the millennial’s path toward this goal. According to a 2019 study, nearly 70% of millennials say they cannot afford a house because of rising prices. This dream-shattering reality is explained — or perhaps, compounded — by the findings that housing prices have increased by 120% since 1965 and the generational wealth gap has significantly expanded over the last couple of years. While one could understand millennials fuming over their real estate troubles, blockchain enthusiasts would be quick to counter this response. Specifically, for those engaged in the tokenization of real estate assets, like RealT, a convenient solution to their woes may be just around the corner. Like many other industries, blockchain has sparked ideas for innovating the real estate market through the concept of tokenization. Tokenization allows many investors to own small parcels of large investment properties through the purchase of digital tokens that are tied to these properties. According to a study by Hamburg Commercial Bank ( HCOB ), 13 American companies — including Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C) and JPMorgan Chase & Co (NYSE: JPM) — have already begun doing so. RealT is among those real estate tokenization pioneers providing hope for millennial homeownership — albeit in a way they might not have expected. Tokenized Real Estate With RealT According to metrics provided to Benzinga, RealT is a leader in real estate tokenization. As of June 31, RealT tells Benzinga it has reached $49 million in sales, more than 210 tokenized properties and over 920 units in areas like Detroit, Chicago and Cleveland. Compared to other operators in tokenized assets, RealT boasts a large cohort of investors who act incredibly quickly. In fact, RealT tells Benzinga that over 9,820 investors from 135 countries have used RealT to purchase tokenized real estate. Given RealT’s extreme accessibility and the power of crowdsourcing, the average time of sale for a $1 million property listed on RealT is reportedly just six minutes! These incredible numbers reflect the excitement surrounding tokenized real estate as the future of property ownership. Throughout this sector, and within the decentralized finance (DeFi) sphere, the RealT brand has achieved worldwide notoriety, energizing and attracting an online community of 57,000 members. In less than three years, RealT has achieved the following milestones: Q3 2019: The first worldwide standardized tokenization platform Q4 2019: World’s first integration of security tokens on a decentralized exchange Q4 2020: Multichain with the launch on Gnosis Chain (then xDai) Q1 2021: Launch of the "re-investment" property Q4 2021: Launch of payments with Request Network Q1 2022: Launch of RMM, the world’s first real estate token-lending platform, through a partnership with Commutatio Holdings Ltd, a British Virgin Islands holding company established to operate RMM. RealT’s achievements with tokenized assets have reportedly made it the second-largest protocol on the Gnosis Chain, and the 133rd most important protocol in DeFi, according to the Defi Lama. Since the launch of the RealToken platform in February of last year, token owners have risen from 59 holders to 5,180, an increase of roughly 8,680%. Ready to start investing in popular properties around the U.S.? Check out RealT’s geographical listings here, and click here to get started. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

August 04, 2022 12:23 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Society Pass Inc (Nasdaq: SOPA) Reports Stellar 2Q 2022 and 1H 2022 Financial Results, Recognises 5,669% Year on Year Revenue Growth from 2Q 2021 and 5,360% Year on Year Revenue Growth from 1H 2021

Society Pass Incorporated

Summary Points: Second quarter 2022 unaudited revenues grew 5,669% year on year (from $7,783 for second quarter ended 30 June 2021 to $445,090 for second quarter ended 30 June 2022). 1st half 2022 unaudited revenues grew 5,360% year on year (from $17,289 for 1st half ended 30 June 2021 to $944,152 for 1st half ended 30 June 2022). With cash on hand of $28.0 million on 30 June 2022, SoPa is well capitalised for roll out of Society Pass loyalty platform and continuing acquisitions of Southeast Asia (“SEA”) companies in lifestyle, food & beverage, digital media, and travel verticals for the rest of 2022. Since inception, SoPa has onboarded 2.1 million registered consumers and over 6,700 registered merchants/brands onto its ever-expanding platform. SoPa launched the beta version of its Society Pass loyalty platform in 2Q 2022, which drives customer acquisition and retention for merchants across SEA. Society Pass Inc. (NASDAQ: SOPA) (“SoPa”), SEA’s leading loyalty and ecommerce ecosystem, today announced that unaudited second quarter 2022 revenues grew 5,669% year on year (from $7,783 for second quarter ended 30 June 2021 to $445,090 for second quarter ended 30 June 2022). Unaudited first half 2022 revenues grew 5,360% year on year (from $17,289 for 1st half ended 30 June 2021 to $944,152 for 1st half ended 30 June 2022). Reporting cash on hand of $28.0 million on 30 June 2022, SoPa is well capitalised for roll out of the Society Pass loyalty platform and continuing acquisitions of Southeast Asia (“SEA”) companies in lifestyle, food & beverage, digital media, and travel verticals for the rest of 2022. Since inception, SoPa has amassed over 2.1 million registered consumers and over 6,700 registered merchants/brands onto its ever-expanding next generation digital ecosystem. Society Pass expects to file its 2Q 2022 Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission later this month. During the second quarter 2022, the Company completed the acquisition of Singapore-based Gorilla Networks onto the SoPa platform, opened the Manila office, and launched the beta version of its Society Pass loyalty points platform. Remarking on Society Pass’ stellar 2Q 2022 financial performance, Society Pass Founder, Chairman and CEO, Dennis Nguyen, explains, “Our continuing robust year-on-year sales expansion substantiates our acquisitions focused operating model. Nine months after relaunch back onto the Vietnam market, Leflair continues to generate strong revenues, whilst our food and beverage (“F&B”) Pushkart and Handycart brands are establishing solid footholds in their respective markets. The acquisition of Gorilla Networks allows us to incorporate Gorilla’s blockchain and Web3 capabilities onto the SoPa ecosystem and enable the new meta-economy for all our portfolio companies. We are poised to achieve new highs in 3Q 2022 as we integrate our next generation loyalty platform onto the rest of our ecosystem as well as opportunistically acquire market leading companies in the lifestyle, F&B, travel, and digital advertising verticals.” About Society Pass As a loyalty and data marketing ecosystem in Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines, and Thailand and with offices located in Singapore, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Manila, Angeles and Bangkok, SoPa is an acquisition-focused e-commerce holding company operating 7 interconnected verticals (loyalty, merchant software, lifestyle, F&B, telecoms, digital media, and travel), which seamlessly connects millions of consumers and thousands of merchants across multiple product and service categories throughout SEA. SoPa’s business model focuses on analysing user data through its Society Pass loyalty platform and circulation of its universal loyalty points or Society Points. The Society Pass loyalty platform drives customer acquisition and retention for merchants. Since its inception, SoPa has amassed over 2.1 million registered consumers and over 6,700 registered merchants/brands onto its platform. It has invested 2+ years building proprietary IT architecture with cutting edge components to effectively scale and support its consumers, merchants, and acquisitions. Society Pass leverages technology to tailor a more personalised experience for customers in the purchase journey and to transform the entire retail value chain in Southeast Asia. SoPa operates #HOTTAB Biz and #HOTTAB POS – a Vietnam-based POS, CRM and analytics technology solutions provider for small and medium-sized enterprises, Leflair.com, Vietnam’s leading lifestyle e-commerce platform, Pushkart.ph, a popular grocery delivery company in Philippines, Handycart.vn, a leading online restaurant delivery service based in Vietnam, Gorilla Networks, a Singapore-based, web3-enabled mobile blockchain network operator, Thoughtful Media Group, a Bangkok-based, a social commerce-focused, premium digital video multi-platform network, and Mangan, the leading local restaurant delivery service in Philippines. For more information, please check out: http://thesocietypass.com/. Media Contacts: PRecious Communications sopa@preciouscomms.com As a loyalty and data marketing ecosystem, Society Pass operates multiple e-commerce platforms across its key markets in SEA. Its business model focuses on analysing user data through the expected launch of its Society Pass loyalty platform and circulation of its universal loyalty points, which seamlessly connects consumers and merchants across multiple product and service categories to foster organic loyalty. Since its inception, SoPa has amassed over 1.6 million registered consumers and over 5,500 registered merchants/brands on its platform. It has invested 2+ years building proprietary IT architecture with cutting edge components to effectively scale and support its consumers, merchants, and acquisitions.Society Pass provides merchants with #HOTTAB Biz and #HOTTAB POS – a specialized POS technology solution, a comprehensive system for payment, loyal customer management, user profile analytics, and convenient financial support packages for small and medium-sized enterprises.In addition, SoPa operates Leflair.com, Vietnam’s leading lifestyle e-commerce platform, Pushkart.ph, a popular grocery delivery company in Philippines, Handycart.vn, a leading online restaurant delivery service based in Hanoi, Vietnam, and Gorilla Networks, a Singapore-based, blockchain/web3-enabled mobile virtual network operator.For more information, please check out: http://thesocietypass.com/. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details TJ Paige +1 877-440-9464 tj@benzinga.com Company Website https://thesocietypass.com

August 04, 2022 12:04 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Fetch Rewards Names North 6th Agency as Public Relations Agency of Record

North 6th Agency

North 6th Agency (N6A), the Outcome Relations Agency™, today announced that it has partnered with Fetch Rewards as its public relations agency of record to enhance awareness of the company’s mission across its B2B and B2C businesses. N6A will implement and execute its unique outcome-based public relations campaigns to support Fetch Rewards’ desired business outcomes. N6A's Outcome Relations™ model combines earned media, amplification and KPI alignment to support the specific business outcomes of CMOs, CEOs and brand marketers. “We needed a public relations agency that could be a strategic partner across our brand and consumer businesses,” said Wes Schroll, CEO and Co-founder of Fetch Rewards. “N6A’s entrepreneurial spirit and quick pace stood out to us and we knew we had found a match that could become an extension of our own team.” Launched in 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin, the Fetch Rewards app has grown to become America's No. 1 consumer-rewards app. The Fetch app has amassed more than 15 million active users who have submitted more than 2 billion receipts and earned more than $300 million in rewards points. The company captures more than $120 billion in annual gross merchandise value, making the platform equivalent to the nation's fifth-largest and fastest-growing retailer. “We’re extremely excited about our new partnership with Fetch Rewards,” said Daniela Mancinelli, CEO of N6A. “Fetch is changing the landscape for loyalty programs, doing something that hasn’t ever been done before with some of the most well known brands in the country and having a tremendous impact for consumer saving and rewards every day.” For more information on Fetch Rewards, please visit www.fetchrewards.com. For more information on N6A, please visit www.N6A.com. About Fetch Rewards: Founded in Madison, Wis., Fetch Rewards is the fastest-growing consumer rewards app in the U.S. Since launching in 2017, the Fetch app has amassed more than 15 million active users who have submitted more than 2 billion receipts and earned more than $300 million in rewards points. A top-ranked app in the App Store and Google Play Store, Fetch Rewards has more than two million five-star reviews from happy shoppers. To learn more, visit www.fetchrewards.com. About North 6th Agency North 6th Agency, Inc. (N6A) is the Outcome Relations Agency™. Based in the heart of SoHo in New York City, N6A is the creator of the Outcome Relations™ model, which combines earned media, paid media and proprietary KPI technology to drive specific business outcomes for CMOs, CEOs, and brand marketers. N6A’s clients have successfully exited global enterprises, increased revenue, created enterprise value, improved market share over their competitive set, won recruiting battles for the industry’s best talent, listed on the NYSE, NASDAQ, and leading international exchanges, and raised money from the world’s most prominent investors. N6A has received several industry accolades, including The Observer's "PR Power 50" list, Entrepreneur's Top Company Cultures in the United States, PRWeek's Best Places to Work, and Digiday's Most Innovative Culture. Contact Details North 6th Agency (N6A) +1 212-334-9753 fetch@n6a.com Company Website https://www.n6a.com

August 04, 2022 12:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Theorem Expands AdOps, Order-to-Cash and Automation Services, Increasing Productivity & Cash Flow to Media and Entertainment Companies

Theorem Inc

Theorem, a full-service flexible digital marketing solutions provider, with over 20 years of experience successfully streamlining ad operations for the world's leading media and entertainment brands, is expanding its automation services for publishers, video and audio streaming companies. Theorem’s new AdOps automation and order-to-cash (OTC) offerings are designed to help media and entertainment brands grow their revenue through a unique mix of human intelligence, machine learning, and automation technologies. Ad Operations challenges are being felt across the media and entertainment industry as more brands are looking to advertising as a monetization model. The need for campaign scalability is greater than ever before. Order volume is out-scaling the manual elements of existing processes. Companies with an ever-growing daily volume of short-lived ad placements are experiencing high volumes of error rates, limitations in trafficking and reporting capabilities, and slowdowns in revenue recognition speed as a result of their heavily manual ad ops and order-to-cash processes. Theorem’s industry-first automation services provide unique expertise and mastery of advertising products that are overlaid with automation IP. The solutions eliminate manual data entry, reduce error margins, and increase productivity and scale, enabling media and entertainment companies to speed up their order cycles and grow revenues faster. Theorem’s new automation services benefits include: Decreased manual labor and people-related attrition Return on investment of around 50% and cost savings Faster order-to-cash and revenue recognition Increased productivity Simplified digital processes Reduction in error rates Future-proof scalability Theorem works with top media and entertainment companies including Turner, News Corp, Hearst, Pandora, and 30+ brands that span the streaming, audio, OTT and publishing sectors. Through its automation services, Theorem decreases manual AdOps processes by as much as 50%, which has allowed such companies to realize greater revenue from their digital advertising initiatives. “Most media and entertainment companies either have automation built for internal use or they have generic automation products, which are not mapped to the digital marketing workflow. We developed our new automation services to address this growing gap in the market, which is contributing to significant revenue loss for publishers and others looking to advertising as a top revenue stream,” said Jay Kulkarni, CEO, Theorem. “From our decades of expertise in AdOps and OTC, we know that refining these processes leads to huge gains and also sets businesses up for long-term success.” Theorem’s expertise is built on 20+ years of refining and scaling ad operations and order-to-cash processes with global media and entertainment companies, helping them address the common challenges of manual trafficking, reporting, and billing. Leveraging automation to reduce these manual, costly, time-consuming, and error-prone tasks enables clients to get the most out of their ad operations processes. Theorem’s new and unique automation services are designed to future-proof digital marketing operations by reducing the operational cost of managing AdOps and creating greater revenue opportunities for publishers across all categories. About Theorem Founded in 2002, Theorem creates, delivers and optimizes digital marketing campaigns for some of the world's most successful brands. By offering scaled technology, media, operations, marketing, CRM, and creative solutions under one roof, Theorem can provide flexible, full-service marketing solutions to their clients. Theorem’s consultancy teams and operational expertise helps brands simplify, streamline and automate complex digital tasks. This value exchange saves clients time, reduces their costs, and increases their revenue. For more information, visit www.theoreminc.net. Contact Details Kite Hill PR Isabella Roy +1 843-693-7161 isabella@kitehillpr.com Company Website https://theoreminc.net/

August 04, 2022 09:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Investis Digital Ranks the Top 100 Leaders in ESG Communications

Investis Digital

Investis Digital, a leading global digital communications company, announced today the publication of a 2022 ranking of the Top 100 global leaders that use digital most effectively to build their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reputations. The first-of-its-kind rankings were published in a report, The ESG 100, which offers insight into how businesses can build trust through their commitment to ESG. The rankings, based on a thorough analysis of investor relations (IR) and corporate communications websites, identified the following companies in the Top 10: 1. Unilever 2. Nestle 3. NatWest Group 4. SAP 5. Legal & General 6. BHP 7. Kingfisher Plc 8. AstraZeneca 9. Coca-Cola HBC 10. Informa To rank these leaders, Investis Digital applied its Connect.IQ proprietary tool and methodology to evaluate 1,000 websites of the leading publicly traded companies around the world. The company scored the companies along 50 ESG criteria, such as: A dedicated ESG and/or sustainability section. ESG strategy and approach, quantified. Statement of ESG principles and policies. Climate change topics and related risks. Greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1, 2 & 3). Materiality assessment, quantified. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) topics. Diversity and inclusion reporting. The ESG 100 also offers insights into how businesses can more effectively share their ESG story based on Investis Digital’s own client work. For example, the report offers tips for how businesses can share their diversity/inclusion strategies on their websites. “In the age of stakeholder activism, global companies are under more pressure to share credible ESG strategies with every audience ranging from investors to their own employees, and The ESG 100 gives businesses a benchmark for what success looks like,” said Kristen Kalupski, global senior vice president of marketing at Investis Digital. “The Top 10 ESG companies consistently set clear ESG goals and share measurable progress toward meeting those goals through data-driven storytelling.” The Top 10 from the 100 best companies excelled in crucial categories such as reporting on Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions – which is especially important at a time when the world is more acutely aware of the interconnected nature of global supply chains. In addition, the leaders consistently made their ESG data downloadable and transparent, documented how well their efforts align with multiple ratings agencies and frameworks, published content that speaks to their approach with specific industry issues, stated their carbon neutral commitment and articulated a roadmap to net zero. “The leaders do more than share data,” said Kalupski. “Leaders build trust through transparency.” Grounded in its mission to create meaningful connections through digital to drive business performance, Investis Digital is committed to creating long-term value for its stakeholders through its proprietary approach called Connected Content™. As businesses update their ESG strategies, they’re also taking a closer look at how well they communicate those strategies to investors, customers, job seekers and employees who look toward corporations to play a more meaningful role in society. To read the full report, click here. Read more about Investis Digital’s work with ESG communications here. Investis Digital is a global digital communications company. Through a proprietary approach we call Connected Content™, we unite compelling communications, intelligent digital experiences, and performance marketing to help companies build deeper connections with audiences and drive business performance. A unique blend of expertise, technology and “always on” service allow clients to trust that their digital footprint and brand reputation is secure and protected 24/7 by our dedicated team of 600 digital experts across 9 global offices. To learn more, please visit www.InvestisDigital.com. Contact Details Investis Digital Kristen Kalupski +1 312-933-6714 Kristen.kalupski@investisdigital.com Company Website https://www.investisdigital.com

August 04, 2022 07:54 AM Eastern Daylight Time