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.
Behavioral Finance
An amusing and whimsical look at behavioral finance best practices for investors.
Have A Question About This Topic?
Asset Allocation
Consider how your assets are allocated and if that allocation is consistent with your time frame and risk tolerance.
TIPS for Inflation
If you are concerned about inflation and expect short-term interest rates may increase, TIPS could be worth considering.
A Primer on Dividends
A company's profits can be reinvested or paid out to the company’s shareholders as “dividends."
Mutual Funds vs. ETFs
Exchange-traded funds have some things in common with mutual funds, but there are differences, too.
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.
The Business Cycle
Understanding the economy's cycles can help put current business conditions in better perspective.
View all articles
How Compound Interest Works
Use this calculator to better see the potential impact of compound interest on an asset.
Saving for College
This calculator can help you estimate how much you should be saving for college.
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.
Contributing to an IRA?
Determine if you are eligible to contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA.
What Is the Dividend Yield?
This calculator helps determine your pre-tax and after-tax dividend yield on a particular stock.
View all calculators
The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing
It's easy to let investments accumulate like old receipts in a junk drawer.
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.
Global and International Funds
Investors seeking world investments can choose between global and international funds. What's the difference?
Bull and Bear Go To Market
Learn about the difference between bulls and bears—markets, that is!
Inflation and Your Portfolio
Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.
What Smart Investors Know
Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.