Investment
Investing should be easy – just buy low and sell high – but most of us have trouble following that simple advice. There are principles and strategies that may enable you to put together an investment portfolio that reflects your risk tolerance, time horizon, and goals. Understanding these principles and strategies can help you avoid some of the pitfalls that snare some investors.
Inflation and Your Portfolio
Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.
5 Smart Investing Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.
Have A Question About This Topic?
When Markets React
When markets shift, experienced investors stick to their strategy.
Estimating the Cost of College
This worksheet can help you estimate the costs of a four-year college program.
Bridging the Confidence Gap
In the world of finance, the effects of the "confidence gap" can be especially apparent.
Best-Performing Asset Classes
Bonds may outperform stocks one year only to have stocks rebound the next.
The Great Debate Continues: Active vs. Passive
In investments, one great debate asks the question, “Active or Passive Investing: Which Is Better?”
The ABCs of Zero Coupon Bonds
Understanding some basic concepts may help you assess whether zero-coupon bonds have a place in your portfolio.
How Financial Professionals Are Compensated
Read this overview to learn how financial advisors are compensated.
A Look at Diversification
Diversification is an investment principle designed to manage risk, but it can't prevent against a loss.
Types of Stock Market Analysis
Most stock market analysis falls into three broad groups: Fundamental, technical, and sentimental. Here’s a look at each.
View all articles
Contributing to an IRA?
Determine if you are eligible to contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA.
Impact of Taxes and Inflation
Estimate the potential impact taxes and inflation can have on the purchasing power of an investment.
What Is the Dividend Yield?
This calculator helps determine your pre-tax and after-tax dividend yield on a particular stock.
How Compound Interest Works
Use this calculator to better see the potential impact of compound interest on an asset.
Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings
Use this calculator to compare the future value of investments with different tax consequences.
What Is My Risk Tolerance?
This questionnaire will help determine your tolerance for investment risk.
View all calculators
5 Smart Investing Strategies
There are some smart strategies that may help you pursue your investment objectives
5 Smart Investing Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.
View all presentations
The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing
It's easy to let investments accumulate like old receipts in a junk drawer.
Global and International Funds
Investors seeking world investments can choose between global and international funds. What's the difference?
The Fed and How It Got That Way
Here is a quick history of the Federal Reserve and an overview of what it does.
It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times
All about how missing the best market days (or the worst!) might affect your portfolio.
Bridging the Confidence Gap
In the world of finance, the effects of the "confidence gap" can be especially apparent.
Bursting the Bubble
Tulips were the first, but they won’t be the last. What forms a “bubble” and what causes them to burst?