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!
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.

Rebalancing Your Portfolio

Rebalancing Your Portfolio

Over time, different investments' performances can shift a portfolio’s intent and risk profile. Rebalancing may be critical.

What Smart Investors Know

What Smart Investors Know

Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.

Estimating the Cost of College

This worksheet can help you estimate the costs of a four-year college program.

The ABCs of Zero Coupon Bonds

Understanding some basic concepts may help you assess whether zero-coupon bonds have a place in your portfolio.

How Financial Professionals Are Compensated

Read this overview to learn how financial advisors are compensated.

A Taxing Story: Capital Gains and Losses

Understanding how capital gains are taxed may help you refine your investment strategies.

How to Invest in LGBTQ+ Friendly Companies

This article allows those who support LGBTQ+ interests to explore the possibilities of Socially Responsible Investing.

A Look at Diversification

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

View all articles

Debt vs. Investment

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

Monthly Budget

Track your monthly income and expenses to get a clearer view of your cash flow.

Bi-Weekly Mortgage Payments

See how switching to bi-weekly mortgage payments could reduce interest and shorten your loan.

What Is My Net Worth?

Get a snapshot of your overall financial picture by calculating your total net worth.

What Is the Dividend Yield?

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

How Long Will Your Money Last?

See how long a lump sum of savings could last based on your withdrawal rate and return.

View all calculators

Bull and Bear Go To Market

Learn about the difference between bulls and bears—markets, that is!

The Business Cycle

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

Bursting the Bubble

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

What Smart Investors Know

Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.

Are Alternative Investments Right for You?

With alternative investments, it’s critical to sort through the complexity.

16 Wall Street Cliches in 60 Seconds

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

View all videos