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.
The Fed and How It Got That Way
Here is a quick history of the Federal Reserve and an overview of what it does.
A Taxing Story: Capital Gains and Losses
Understanding how capital gains are taxed may help you refine your investment strategies.
The Business Cycle
How will you weather the ups and downs of the business cycle?
The Great Debate Continues: Active vs. Passive
In investments, one great debate asks the question, “Active or Passive Investing: Which Is Better?”
The Investment Risk No One’s Ever Heard Of
You face a risk for which the market does not compensate you, that can not be easily reduced through diversification.
Investing with Your Heart
For some, the social impact of investing is just as important as the return, perhaps more important.
Best-Performing Asset Classes
Bonds may outperform stocks one year only to have stocks rebound the next.
A Taxing Story: Capital Gains and Losses
Understanding how capital gains are taxed may help you refine your investment strategies.
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.
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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.
What Is the Dividend Yield?
This calculator helps determine your pre-tax and after-tax dividend yield on a particular stock.
Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings
Use this calculator to compare the future value of investments with different tax consequences.
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.
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Global and International Funds
Investors seeking world investments can choose between global and international funds. What's the difference?
Inflation and Your Portfolio
Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.
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.
Finding the Balance
The sandwich generation faces unique challenges. For many, meeting needs is a matter of finding a balance.
Behavioral Finance
An amusing and whimsical look at behavioral finance best practices for investors.
What Smart Investors Know
Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.