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.
Bridging the Confidence Gap
In the world of finance, the effects of the "confidence gap" can be especially apparent.
5 Smart Investing Strategies
Getting what you want out of your money may require the right game plan.
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The Real Cost of a Vacation Home
What if instead of buying that vacation home, you invested the money?
Required Reading: The Economic Report of the President
The Economic Report of the President can help identify the forces driving — or dragging — the economy.
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.
The ABCs of Zero Coupon Bonds
Understanding some basic concepts may help you assess whether zero-coupon bonds have a place in your portfolio.
Types of Stock Market Analysis
Most stock market analysis falls into three broad groups: Fundamental, technical, and sentimental. Here’s a look at each.
The Anatomy of an Index
The S&P 500 represents a large portion of the value of the U.S. equity market, it may be worth understanding.
A Primer on Dividends
A company's profits can be reinvested or paid out to the company’s shareholders as “dividends."
The Business Cycle
Understanding the economy's cycles can help put current business conditions in better perspective.
How Financial Professionals Are Compensated
Read this overview to learn how financial advisors are compensated.
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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.
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.
Impact of Taxes and Inflation
Estimate the potential impact taxes and inflation can have on the purchasing power of an investment.
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5 Smart Investing Strategies
There are some smart strategies that may help you pursue your investment objectives
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16 Wall Street Cliches in 60 Seconds
Pundits say a lot of things about the markets. Let's see if you can keep up.
Inflation and Your Portfolio
Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.
Global and International Funds
Investors seeking world investments can choose between global and international funds. What's the difference?
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 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 Street, the stock market has a long and storied history.