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.
From Boats to Brokers
From the Dutch East India Company to Wall Street, the stock market has a long and storied history.
5 Smart Investing Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.
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Inflation and Your Portfolio
Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.

Required Reading: The Economic Report of the President
The Economic Report of the President can help identify the forces driving — or dragging — the economy.

What Can a Million Dollars Buy You?
$1 million in a diversified portfolio could help finance part of your retirement.
Earnings for All Seasons
Earnings season can move markets. What is it and why is it important?
Risk Perspective
Is it possible to avoid loss? Not entirely, but you can attempt to manage risk.
Investing with Your Heart
For some, the social impact of investing is just as important as the return, perhaps more important.
Mutual Funds vs. ETFs
Exchange-traded funds have some things in common with mutual funds, but there are differences, too.
The ABCs of Zero Coupon Bonds
Understanding some basic concepts may help you assess whether zero-coupon bonds have a place in your portfolio.
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.
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How Compound Interest Works
Use this calculator to better see the potential impact of compound interest on an asset.
What Is My Risk Tolerance?
This questionnaire will help determine your tolerance for investment risk.
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 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
5 Smart Investing Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.
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The Business Cycle
How will you weather the ups and downs of the business cycle?
Should You Invest in Exchange Traded Funds?
There are thousands of ETFs available. Should you invest in them?
What Smart Investors Know
Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.
Should I Invest in Gold?
Learning more about gold and its history may help you decide whether it has a place in your portfolio.
Are Alternative Investments Right for You?
With alternative investments, it’s critical to sort through the complexity.
From Boats to Brokers
From the Dutch East India Company to Wall Street, the stock market has a long and storied history.