Money Lessons with Andrew Temte, PhD, CFA

In this episode of Money Lessons, Andy explores how dividends work and why they matter for investors building long-term wealth. He traces the history of dividends back to the Dutch East India Company's first payment in 1610—which was made in spices, not cash—and walks through the four key dates every dividend investor needs to understand. Andy also explains dividend yield, why some companies pay dividends while others don't, and how dividend-paying stocks fit into a broader portfolio strategy based on individual risk tolerance. AndrewTemte.com

In this episode of Money Lessons, Andy breaks down the three most common ways companies change their share structure. He explains how stock splits work — including Apple's five splits and Warren Buffett's famous refusal to split Berkshire Hathaway—and why reverse stock splits often signal trouble. He then explores share buybacks, how they boost earnings per share, and why investors need to look past the headline numbers to see whether real value is being created. The episode also covers dilution and why issuing new shares comes at a cost to existing shareholders. AndrewTemte.com

In this episode of Money Lessons, Andy explains what you actually own when you buy a share of stock. He explores the concept of the residual claim — why shareholders are last in line during bankruptcy but first to benefit when companies thrive — and walks through the four key rights of common stock ownership: voting, dividends, information, and the right to sell. The episode also covers the bankruptcy priority hierarchy and why the risk-return tradeoff of equity ownership has made stocks the primary engine of long-term wealth creation. AndrewTemte.com

In this episode of Money Lessons, Andy breaks down the three fundamental stock order types every investor needs to understand — market orders, limit orders, and stop orders. He explains how each order type works, when to use them, and the tradeoffs between speed, price control, and downside protection. The episode also covers order duration, how brokerages route your trades behind the scenes, and why regulators require brokerages to seek best execution on your behalf. Whether you're placing your first trade or refining your approach, understanding these tools helps you invest with intention. AndrewTemte.com

In this episode of Money Lessons, Andy explores the mechanics of stock trading, focusing on the concept of liquidity. He explains how liquidity affects stock prices, the role of specialists in maintaining market order, and the significance of the bid-ask spread. The conversation also covers the historical context of stock price quotations and the impact of decimalization on trading costs, emphasizing the importance of understanding these concepts for effective investing. AndrewTemte.com

In this episode of Money Lessons, Andy wraps up the fourteen-episode debt securities series by exploring how to actually build a bond portfolio. He covers the three roles bonds play in a portfolio — income, stability, and diversification — and walks through the practical differences between bond funds and individual bonds. The episode also introduces the bond ladder strategy, duration matching, and popular guidelines for determining how much of your portfolio should be in bonds. Whether you're decades from retirement or approaching it, this episode turns fourteen weeks of bond knowledge into a practical framework for action. AndrewTemte.com

In this episode of Money Lessons, Andy introduces the concept of duration in bond investing, explaining its significance in understanding how bond prices react to changes in interest rates. He discusses the historical context of duration, its mathematical underpinnings, and its practical implications for investors. The conversation highlights the importance of duration in managing interest rate risk and the role of advanced mathematics in financial decision-making. AndrewTemte.com

In this episode of Money Lessons, Andy explores the concept of the yield curve, its various shapes, and implications for the economy and investors. He discusses the normal upward slope of the yield curve, the significance of flat and inverted curves, and how these indicators can signal economic conditions and potential recessions. Andy also emphasizes the importance of understanding the yield curve for making informed investment decisions and interpreting financial news. #yieldcurves #bondmarkets #financialliteracy #personalfinance #financialeducation #moneylessons #recessionsignals

In this episode of Money Lessons, Andy explores the failures of credit ratings through historical examples, including the Penn Central bankruptcy, the Enron collapse, and the 2008 financial crisis. He discusses the inherent conflicts in the credit rating system, particularly the issuer-pay model, and the implications of these failures for investors. The episode concludes with lessons learned and the importance of using credit ratings as one of many tools in risk assessment. AndrewTemte.com