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.

Have A Question About This Topic?

Thank you! Oops!
From Boats to Brokers

From Boats to Brokers

From the Dutch East India Company to Wall St., the stock market has a long and storied history.

Emotional vs. Strategic Decisions

Emotional vs. Strategic Decisions

Information vs. instinct. Are your choices based on evidence of emotion?

Should You Invest in Exchange Traded Funds?

Should You Invest in Exchange Traded Funds?

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

Mutual Funds vs. ETFs

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

How Financial Professionals Are Compensated

Read this overview to learn how financial advisors are compensated.

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.

Rebalancing Your Portfolio

Over time, different investments' performances can shift a portfolio’s intent and risk profile. Rebalancing may be critical.

Risk Perspective

Is it possible to avoid loss? Not entirely, but you can attempt to manage risk.

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.

View all articles

How Can I Save a Million Dollars?

See what it takes in monthly contributions and time to reach a million-dollar savings goal.

What Is My Net Worth?

Get a snapshot of your overall financial picture by calculating your total net worth.

Student Loan Refinance Calculator

Compare your current student loan terms to a potential refinance to see if it makes sense.

Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings

Compare how the same contribution grows differently in taxable versus tax-deferred accounts.

Wedding Budget Calculator

Estimate total wedding costs and see how different choices affect your overall budget.

Comparing Investments

Compare two different scenarios side by side to see how they stack up over time.

View all calculators

The Rule of 72

Do you know how long it may take for your investments to double in value? The Rule of 72 is a quick way to figure it out.

Where Is the Market Headed?

We all know the stock market can be unpredictable. We all want to know, “What’s next for the financial markets?”

Finding the Balance

The sandwich generation faces unique challenges. For many, meeting needs is a matter of finding a balance.

16 Wall Street Cliches in 60 Seconds

Pundits say a lot of things about the markets. Let's see if you can keep up.

Inflation and Your Portfolio

Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.

Bull and Bear Go To Market

Learn about the difference between bulls and bears—markets, that is!

View all videos