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The world of investing has changed dramatically over the past 10 years. In 2015, Robinhood HOOD was launched and widely viewed as the first app that allowed commission-free trading; many other firms have followed suit.

Events like the GameStop Short Squeeze have provided retail investors with more stake in the game. The landscape for retail investors has seemingly never been so exciting and has never inspired so much buzz.

The numbers speak for themselves. The per-capita value of the U.S. stock market increased nearly 10 times over the past three decades, compared to only a 15% increase in inflation-adjusted median full-time earnings. Retail investors accounted for 52% of global assets under management in 2021 and are expected to grow their share to 61% by 2030. Technology is disrupting the financial services industry, and stock trading apps are also gaining popularity commensurately.

As part of the same trend, stock market-focused social investing apps have also been performing well. While stock communities have always been popular on platforms like Reddit, Youtube, and Twitter, now dedicated social media platforms have been created for traders. StockTwits, which started out as a Twitter page and transformed into an app, saw a 50% user increase in 2021 which brought their user base to 6 million. Its clear that stock market-focused social media apps are working as intended and are a crucial part of information sharing and community.

While apps like StockTwits are doing well, they are missing out on two key components real-time discussion and in-app trading across multiple brokers.

Equichat looks to stand out against the crowd as a crossover between a trading app and messaging platform with reliable real-time information for investors. The stock messaging app allows investors to discover and explore over 10,000 dedicated stock channels across all major U.S. stock exchanges. Of all the social media-style apps, Equichat is the only app to offer in-app trading and instant news alerts. For traders, this offers a convenient one-stop-shop alternative where investors on different brokerage platforms can come together to have real conversations from right within the app they use to trade.

Equichat has broker integration with ETrade, TD Ameritrade, Robinhood, and Webull.

The app has several features that combine the benefits of social media apps like StockTwits and the practical nature of trading platforms: Real-Time Discussion: Chat with like-minded investors across 10,000+ dedicated stock channels Broker Connect: Link up your online broker and trade stocks right from the app; current integrations include ETrade, TD Ameritrade, Robinhood, and Webull Streaming Newswire: Market-moving press releases delivered in real-time as they cross the wires Follow Feed: Create a custom Follow Feed to track the activity of other investors and traders Custom Watchlist: Build your custom stock Watchlist and share it with other investors Direct Messaging: Meet fellow shareholders, discuss new ideas, and expand your investor network

Equichat seeks to bridge the gap between trading and community through its social investing app, something that could especially appeal to the younger generations.

Gen Z and millennials are earning more, saving more, and investing earlier than previous generations. For example, 31% of millennials started investing before they turned 21; in comparison, only 9% of baby boomers and 14% of Gen X invested that early.

Apps like Equichat could be a crucial part of expanding investor options and appealing to the younger generations, as the platform successfully creates a space where investors can connect with one another, share ideas, and learn from each other's experiences.

Featured photo by Wance Paleri on Unsplash

This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice.

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Cubs blow lead in 10-run 8th, storm back in thriller

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Cubs blow lead in 10-run 8th, storm back in thriller

CHICAGO — Kyle Tucker had the fans on their feet, roaring and pumping their fists as he rounded the bases after hitting the go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth inning. His screaming line drive cleared the right-field wall with plenty of room to spare.

The Chicago Cubs went from giving up 10 runs in the eighth to scoring six in the bottom half and beating the Arizona Diamondbacks 13-11 on Friday in one of the wildest games on record.

The two teams combined for 21 runs in the seventh and eighth innings, with the Cubs scoring 11 runs and the D-backs plating 10. It was the first nine-inning game in MLB history in which both teams scored 10 or more runs from the seventh inning on, and the third game overall, according to ESPN Research.

“That’s kind of baseball,” Tucker said. “There’s a lot of ups and downs in this game, especially with how many games we play.”

There haven’t been many games like this, though.

The Cubs are just the seventh team in at least the past 125 seasons to allow 10 or more runs in an inning and win. They are also the fifth team to give up 10 or more runs and score six or more in the same inning.

The 16 combined runs in the eighth were the most in an inning at Wrigley Field, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

“If you’ve seen that one, you’ve been around for a while,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said with a laugh. “It was crazy. You know, we gave up 10 runs in an inning and we won. So it was a wild game, but we kept going, and, you know, there’s 27 outs in a game and this kind of proves it, and you’re just happy to get out with a win.”

On a warm day with the ball carrying, Carson Kelly homered twice. Ian Happ belted a grand slam and Seiya Suzuki went deep, helping the Cubs open a weekend series on a winning note.

“You’ve seen it early — having some tough losses, coming back winning the next day,” Happ said. “Losing the first game of the series, winning the series. Little things like that. Today’s a great example of professional hitters going out there and continuing to have really good at-bats.”

The way things transpired in the final two innings was something to see.

Kelly hit a two-run homer in the second against Corbin Burnes, and Happ came through with his grand slam against Ryne Nelson as part of a five-run seventh. But just when it looked as if the Cubs were in control with a 7-1 lead, things took a wild turn in the eighth.

Eugenio Suarez cut it to 7-5 with a grand slam against Porter Hodge, Geraldo Perdomo singled in a run and Randal Grichuk put Arizona on top by one with a two-run double. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit a three-run homer, making it 11-7.

The crowd of more than 39,000 let the Cubs hear it, but their team regrouped in the bottom half. Bryce Jarvis hit Nico Hoerner leading off and walked Pete Crow-Armstrong before Kelly drove a three-run homer to center. Tucker, the Cubs’ prized offseason addition, came through after Happ singled with one out. Suzuki followed with his drive against Joe Mantiply to give the Cubs a 13-11 lead.

Arizona, which had won five straight, became just the third team over the past 50 seasons to lose a game in which it had a 10-run inning at any point, according to ESPN Research.

“You just got to stay locked in,” Kelly said. “Obviously, you don’t want to … give up 10 in an inning. Obviously, you don’t want to do that. I think the biggest thing is coming back, regrouping and continuing to fight.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Chisholm suspended 1 game for conduct, tweet

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Chisholm suspended 1 game for conduct, tweet

Major League Baseball suspended New York Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. for one game and fined him an undisclosed amount, the result of his actions during Thursday night’s win against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Chisholm was ejected in the seventh inning by plate umpire John Bacon for arguing after a called third strike on a full-count pitch from Mason Montgomery that appeared low.

Minutes later, he posted on his X account, “Not even f—ing close!!!!!” then deleted the post.

“I didn’t think before I had anything that I said was ejectable but after probably,” Chisholm said after the game. “I’m a competitor, so when I go out there and I feel like I’m right and you’re saying something to me that I think doesn’t make sense, I’m going to get fired up and be upset.

“I lost my emotions. I lost my cool. I got to be better than that. … I’m definitely mad at myself for losing my cool.”

Michael Hill, the league’s senior vice president for on-field operations, said Friday’s discipline was for Chisholm’s “conduct, including his violation of Major League Baseball’s Social Media Policy for Major League Players.”

MLB regulations ban the use of electronic devices during games. The social media policy prohibits “displaying or transmitting content that questions the impartiality of or otherwise denigrates a major league umpire.”

Chisholm did appeal the decision, allowing him to play in Friday night’s 1-0 win against the Rays. He started at second base and went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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First-time father-to-be Ohtani away from Dodgers

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First-time father-to-be Ohtani away from Dodgers

ARLINGTON, Texas — Shohei Ohtani is away from the Los Angeles Dodgers for the birth of the two-way superstar’s first child.

Manager Dave Roberts said before the Dodgers’ series opener Friday night against the Rangers that Ohtani was with his wife and going on MLB’s paternity list.

“He and Mamiko are expecting at some point. That’s all I know,” Roberts said. “I don’t know when he’s going to come back and I don’t know when they’re going to have the baby, but obviously they’re together in anticipation.”

The 30-year-old Ohtani posted on his Instagram account in late December that he and his 28-year-old wife, a former professional basketball player from his native Japan, were expecting a baby in 2025.

“Can’t wait for the little rookie to join our family soon!” said the Dec. 28 post that included a photo showing the couple’s beloved dog, Decoy, as well as a pink ruffled onesie along with baby shoes and a sonogram that was covered by a baby emoji.

Ohtani can miss up to three games while on paternity leave. The Dodgers have a three-game series in Texas before an off day Monday, then play the Cubs in Chicago on Tuesday.

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