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.
The Fed and How It Got That Way
Here is a quick history of the Federal Reserve and an overview of what it does.
5 Smart Investing Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.
Have A Question About This Topic?
From Boats to Brokers
From the Dutch East India Company to Wall Street, the stock market has a long and storied history.
A Look at Diversification
Diversification is an investment principle designed to manage risk, but it can't prevent against a loss.
Should You Invest in Exchange Traded Funds?
There are hundreds of ETFs available. Should you invest in them?
The Anatomy of an Index
The S&P 500 represents a large portion of the value of the U.S. equity market, it may be worth understanding.
A Primer on Dividends
A company's profits can be reinvested or paid out to the company’s shareholders as “dividends."
How Financial Advisors Are Compensated
Read this overview to learn how financial advisors are compensated.
The ABCs of Zero Coupon Bonds
Understanding some basic concepts may help you assess whether zero-coupon bonds have a place in your portfolio.
Mutual Funds vs. ETFs
Exchange-traded funds have some things in common with mutual funds, but there are differences, too.
Global vs. International: What’s The Difference?
International funds invest in non-U.S. markets, while global funds may invest in U.S. stocks alongside non-U.S. stocks.
View all articles
Contributing to an IRA?
Determine if you are eligible to contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA.
What Is My Risk Tolerance?
This questionnaire will help determine your tolerance for investment risk.
Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings
Use this calculator to compare the future value of investments with different tax consequences.
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.
Impact of Taxes and Inflation
Estimate the potential impact taxes and inflation can have on the purchasing power of an investment.
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
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.
Global and International Funds
Investors seeking world investments can choose between global and international funds. What's the difference?
The Real Cost of a Vacation Home
What if instead of buying that vacation home, you invested the money?
Should You Invest in Exchange Traded Funds?
There are hundreds of ETFs available. Should you invest in them?
Bridging the Confidence Gap
In the world of finance, the effects of the "confidence gap" can be especially apparent.