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.

Featured Presentation

5 Smart Investing Strategies

Getting what you want out of your money may require the right game plan.

Have A Question About This Topic?

Bursting the Bubble

Tulips were the first, but they won’t be the last. What forms a “bubble” and what causes them to burst?

Emotional vs. Strategic Decisions

Information vs. instinct. Are your choices based on evidence of emotion?

The Fed and How It Got That Way

Here is a quick history of the Federal Reserve and an overview of what it does.

Required Reading: The Economic Report of the President

The Economic Report of the President can help identify the forces driving — or dragging — the economy.

Earnings for All Seasons

Earnings season can move markets. What is it and why is it important?

A Look at Diversification

Diversification is an investment principle designed to manage risk, but it can't prevent against a loss.

Bull & Bear Markets: A Timeline

This helpful infographic will define bull and bear markets, as well as give a historical overview.

A Decision Not Made Is Still a Decision

Investors who put off important investment decisions may face potential consequence to their future financial security.

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.

View all articles

What Is My Risk Tolerance?

This questionnaire will help determine your tolerance for investment risk.

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.

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.

Saving for College

This calculator can help you estimate how much you should be saving for college.

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

16 Wall Street Cliches in 60 Seconds

Pundits say a lot of things about the markets. Let's see if you can keep up.

When Markets React

When markets shift, experienced investors stick to their strategy.

Should You Invest in Exchange Traded Funds?

There are thousands of ETFs available. Should you invest in them?

The Business Cycle

How will you weather the ups and downs of the business cycle?

The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing

It's easy to let investments accumulate like old receipts in a junk drawer.

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.