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 Business Cycle

The Business Cycle

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

How Stocks Work

How Stocks Work

Understanding how a stock works is key to understanding your investments.

It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times

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.

 

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

Risk Perspective

Is it possible to avoid loss? Not entirely, but you can attempt to manage risk.

The Utility of Sector Investing

Successful sector investing is dependent upon an accurate analysis about when to rotate in and out.

How Financial Professionals Are Compensated

Read this overview to learn how financial advisors are compensated.

How the Federal Reserve Works

Each day, the Fed is behind the scenes supporting the economy and providing services to the U.S. financial system.

The Great Debate Continues: Active vs. Passive

In investments, one great debate asks the question, “Active or Passive Investing: Which Is Better?”

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Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings

Use this calculator to compare the future value of investments with different tax consequences.

Impact of Taxes and Inflation

Estimate the potential impact taxes and inflation can have on the purchasing power of an investment.

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.

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.

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The Fed and How It Got That Way

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

Behavioral Finance

An amusing and whimsical look at behavioral finance best practices for investors.

What Smart Investors Know

Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.

The Cycle of Investing

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

The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing

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

Should I Invest in Gold?

Learning more about gold and its history may help you decide whether it has a place in your portfolio.

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