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.

Featured Video

Bursting the Bubble

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

The Real Cost of a Vacation Home

What if instead of buying that vacation home, you invested the money?

Diversification, Patience, and Consistency

Three important factors when it comes to your financial life.

What Smart Investors Know

Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.

• Articles

  Global vs. International: What’s the Difference?

  International funds invest in non-U.S. markets, while global funds may invest in U.S. stocks alongside non-U.S. stocks.

  How Stocks Work

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

  A Look at Diversification

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

  TIPS for Inflation

  If you are concerned about inflation and expect short-term interest rates may increase, TIPS could be worth considering.

  Value vs. Growth Investing

  Among stock-market investors there’s long been a debate between those who favor value and those who favor growth.

  Diversification, Patience, and Consistency

  Three important factors when it comes to your financial life.

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• Calculators

  How Long Will Your Money Last?

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

  College Savings

  See how much you may need to save now to cover future college costs for your child.

  How Compound Interest Works

  Explore how compound interest can grow your money over time with this interactive tool.

  Comparing Investments

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

  What Is My Net Worth?

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

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• Videos

  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?

  The Fed and How It Got That Way

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

  The Cycle of Investing

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

  Bursting the Bubble

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

  From Boats to Brokers

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

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