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.
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.
Have A Question About This Topic?
The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing
It's easy to let investments accumulate like old receipts in a junk drawer.
The Sequence of Returns
A look at how variable rates of return impact investors over time.
The Fed and How It Got That Way
Here is a quick history of the Federal Reserve and an overview of what it does.
Rebalancing Your Portfolio
Over time, different investments' performances can shift a portfolio’s intent and risk profile. Rebalancing may be critical.
Inflation and the Real Rate of Return
Learn about the role of inflation when considering your portfolio’s rate of return with this helpful article.
The ABCs of Zero Coupon Bonds
Understanding some basic concepts may help you assess whether zero-coupon bonds have a place in your portfolio.
Emotional vs. Strategic Decisions
Information vs. instinct. Are your choices based on evidence of emotion?
Your Shifting Risk Tolerance
Time and market performance may subtly and slowly imbalance your portfolio.
How Stocks Work
Understanding how a stock works is key to understanding your investments.
View all articles
Impact of Taxes and Inflation
Estimate the potential impact taxes and inflation can have on the purchasing power of an investment.
Contributing to an IRA?
Determine if you are eligible to contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA.
How Compound Interest Works
Use this calculator to better see the potential impact of compound interest on an asset.
Saving for College
This calculator can help you estimate how much you should be saving for college.
What Is the Dividend Yield?
This calculator helps determine your pre-tax and after-tax dividend yield on a particular stock.
Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings
Use this calculator to compare the future value of investments with different tax consequences.
View all calculators
Bull and Bear Go To Market
Learn about the difference between bulls and bears—markets, that is!
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.
From Boats to Brokers
From the Dutch East India Company to Wall St., the stock market has a long and storied history.
Where Is the Market Headed?
We all know the stock market can be unpredictable. We all want to know, “What’s next for the financial markets?”
Are Alternative Investments Right for You?
With alternative investments, it’s critical to sort through the complexity.
Inflation and Your Portfolio
Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.