Ken Stephens

MarketReview author profile

Ken Stephens

Editor-in-Chief

Active

Ken Stephens has spent decades following financial markets from both sides of the screen: as an individual investor and through work connected with the investment-banking industry. That breadth informs the way he approaches MarketReview’s coverage of investing, trading and the institutions that influence asset prices.

He is less interested in repeating the market’s conventional wisdom than in examining what supports it. When a familiar explanation is offered for a rally, a sell-off or a shift in policy, Ken looks for the assumptions underneath it, the evidence that confirms or weakens it and the risks that may be overlooked. His writing often connects the choices facing individual investors with the larger forces at work in financial institutions and markets.

As Editor-in-Chief, Ken sets editorial priorities and helps shape how MarketReview explains complex financial subjects. He also contributes directly to articles on investment strategy, market analysis and trading, with an emphasis on clear reasoning, honest uncertainty and conclusions that can withstand closer scrutiny.

Areas of coverage

  • Investing
  • Trading
  • Financial markets
  • Market analysis
  • Federal Reserve
  • Commodities
  • ETFs

Published work

Latest work by Ken Stephens

News, analysis and evergreen financial guides credited to this author.

Guide

Best Low-Down-Payment Mortgage Lenders

A small down payment can make buying sooner possible, but the minimum contribution is only part of the cost. Our picks emphasize lenders with meaningful low- or no-down-payment…

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Guide

Best Mortgage Refinance Lenders

A refinance should improve the mortgage you already have, not just replace it with a lower-looking rate. Our picks cover lenders with strong refinance capabilities, but the right…

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Guide

Best Jumbo Mortgage Lenders

Jumbo mortgages sit outside standard conforming limits, so lender rules can vary more on down payment, reserves, property use and loan structure. Our picks focus on strong high-balance…

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Guide

Best USDA Mortgage Lenders

USDA loans can finance an eligible home with no down payment, but the borrower, household income and property all have to fit the program. Our picks emphasize lenders…

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Guide

Best VA Mortgage Lenders

VA loans can remove two major costs at once: a required down payment and monthly mortgage insurance. Our picks prioritize lenders that can handle the VA-specific path well,…

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Guide

Best FHA Mortgage Lenders

FHA financing can make a purchase workable when credit or down-payment constraints make conventional approval harder. Our picks prioritize lenders with meaningful FHA access and program depth, but…

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