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.
5 Smart Investing Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.
Should You Invest in Exchange Traded Funds?
There are thousands of ETFs available. Should you invest in them?
Risk Perspective
Is it possible to avoid loss? Not entirely, but you can attempt to manage risk.
Should I Invest in Gold?
Learning more about gold and its history may help you decide whether it has a place in 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.
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.
Understanding Equity Compensation
Net Unrealized Appreciation and how it affects tax responsibilities.
Pullbacks, Corrections, and Bear Markets
When the market experiences volatility, it may be a good time to review these common terms.
Required Reading: The Economic Report of the President
The Economic Report of the President can help identify the forces driving — or dragging — the economy.
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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.
What Is My Risk Tolerance?
This questionnaire will help determine your tolerance for investment risk.
Impact of Taxes and Inflation
Estimate the potential impact taxes and inflation can have on the purchasing power of an investment.
Contributing to an IRA?
Determine if you are eligible to contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA.
Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings
Use this calculator to compare the future value of investments with different tax consequences.
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5 Smart Investing Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.
5 Smart Investing Strategies
There are some smart strategies that may help you pursue your investment objectives
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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.
Bridging the Confidence Gap
In the world of finance, the effects of the "confidence gap" can be especially apparent.
Behavioral Finance
An amusing and whimsical look at behavioral finance best practices for investors.
The Real Cost of a Vacation Home
What if instead of buying that vacation home, you invested the money?
Jane Bond: Infiltrating the Market
Agent Jane Bond is on the case, cracking the code on bonds.