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.
Are Alternative Investments Right for You?
With alternative investments, it’s critical to sort through the complexity.
Have A Question About This Topic?
Jane Bond: Scaling the Ladder
Agent Jane Bond is on the case, uncovering the mystery of bond laddering.
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.
Behavioral Finance
An amusing and whimsical look at behavioral finance best practices for investors.
A Taxing Story: Capital Gains and Losses
Understanding how capital gains are taxed may help you refine your investment strategies.
All Muni Bonds Are Not Created Equal
Gaining a better understanding of municipal bonds makes more sense than ever.
You Would Rather Be...
Are you a thrill seeker, or content to relax in the backyard? Use this flowchart to find out more about your risk tolerance.
The Utility of Sector Investing
Successful sector investing is dependent upon an accurate analysis about when to rotate in and out.
Estimating the Cost of College
This worksheet can help you estimate the costs of a four-year college program.
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.
View all articles
Saving for College
This calculator can help you estimate how much you should be saving for college.
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.
Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings
Use this calculator to compare the future value of investments with different tax consequences.
What Is the Dividend Yield?
This calculator helps determine your pre-tax and after-tax dividend yield on a particular stock.
What Is My Risk Tolerance?
This questionnaire will help determine your tolerance for investment risk.
View all calculators
The Business Cycle
How will you weather the ups and downs of the business cycle?
Bridging the Confidence Gap
In the world of finance, the effects of the "confidence gap" can be especially apparent.
Bull and Bear Go To Market
Learn about the difference between bulls and bears—markets, that is!
Inflation and Your Portfolio
Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.
The Fed and How It Got That Way
Here is a quick history of the Federal Reserve and an overview of what it does.
Should You Invest in Exchange Traded Funds?
There are thousands of ETFs available. Should you invest in them?