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.

Have A Question About This Topic?

Thank you! Oops!
The Fed and How It Got That Way

The Fed and How It Got That Way

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

Mutual Funds vs. ETFs

Mutual Funds vs. ETFs

Exchange-traded funds have some things in common with mutual funds, but there are differences, too.

Bursting the Bubble

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?

Are You Ready for Your Portfolio to Make a Difference?

Learn about the rise of Impact Investing and how it may benefit you.

What You Need to Know About Socially Responsible Investing

Grow wealth and do some good? It’s possible with a dedicated SRI strategy.

Pullbacks, Corrections, and Bear Markets

When the market experiences volatility, it may be a good time to review these common terms.

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 Business Cycle

Understanding the economy's cycles can help put current business conditions in better perspective.

View all articles

Debt vs. Investment

Weigh the potential outcomes of paying off debt versus directing those dollars elsewhere.

Wedding Budget Calculator

Estimate total wedding costs and see how different choices affect your overall budget.

Student Loan Refinance Calculator

Compare your current student loan terms to a potential refinance to see if it makes sense.

What Is the Dividend Yield?

Calculate the dividend yield of a holding and see what that means for income over time.

Comparing Investments

Compare two different scenarios side by side to see how they stack up over time.

Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings

Compare how the same contribution grows differently in taxable versus tax-deferred accounts.

View all calculators

The Fed and How It Got That Way

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

From Boats to Brokers

From the Dutch East India Company to Wall St., the stock market has a long and storied history.

The Cycle of Investing

Understanding the cycle of investing may help you avoid easy pitfalls.

Inflation and Your Portfolio

Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.

What Can a Million Dollars Buy You?

$1 million in a diversified portfolio could help finance part of your retirement.

What Smart Investors Know

Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.

View all videos