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.

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Should I Invest in Gold?

Should I Invest in Gold?

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

A Primer on Dividends

A Primer on Dividends

A company's profits can be reinvested or paid out to the company’s shareholders as “dividends."

Behavioral Finance

Behavioral Finance

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

The ABCs of Zero Coupon Bonds

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

Asset Allocation

Consider how your assets are allocated and if that allocation is consistent with your time frame and risk tolerance.

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.

Mutual Funds vs. ETFs

Exchange-traded funds have some things in common with mutual funds, but there are differences, too.

The Utility of Sector Investing

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

Earnings for All Seasons

Earnings season can move markets. What is it and why is it important?

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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.

Saving for College

This calculator can help you estimate how much you should be saving for college.

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.

How Compound Interest Works

Use this calculator to better see the potential impact of compound interest on an asset.

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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.

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Should You Invest in Exchange Traded Funds?

There are thousands of ETFs available. Should you invest in them?

Are Alternative Investments Right for You?

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

Jane Bond: Scaling the Ladder

Agent Jane Bond is on the case, uncovering the mystery of bond laddering.

The Cycle of Investing

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

The Business Cycle

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

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.

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