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.
5 Smart Investing Strategies
Getting what you want out of your money may require the right game plan.
The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing
It's easy to let investments accumulate like old receipts in a junk drawer.
Required Reading: The Economic Report of the President
The Economic Report of the President can help identify the forces driving — or dragging — the economy.
What Smart Investors Know
Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.
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.
The Utility of Sector Investing
Successful sector investing is dependent upon an accurate analysis about when to rotate in and out.
Mutual Funds vs. ETFs
Exchange-traded funds have some things in common with mutual funds, but there are differences, too.
What’s Your Investment IQ?
You make decisions for your portfolio, but how much do you really know about the products you buy? Try this quiz
Bull & Bear Markets: A Timeline
This helpful infographic will define bull and bear markets, as well as give a historical overview.
View all articles 
Saving for College
This calculator can help you estimate how much you should be saving for college.
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.
How Compound Interest Works
Use this calculator to better see the potential impact of compound interest on an asset.
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.
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
Bull and Bear Go To Market
Learn about the difference between bulls and bears—markets, that is!
The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing
It's easy to let investments accumulate like old receipts in a junk drawer.
Are Alternative Investments Right for You?
With alternative investments, it’s critical to sort through the complexity.
What Can a Million Dollars Buy You?
$1 million in a diversified portfolio could help finance part of your retirement.
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.
Bridging the Confidence Gap
In the world of finance, the effects of the "confidence gap" can be especially apparent.