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.

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Should I Invest in Gold?

Should I Invest in Gold?

Learning more about gold and its history may help you decide whether it has a place in your portfolio.

Earnings for All Seasons

Earnings for All Seasons

Earnings season can move markets. What is it and why is it important?

Jane Bond: Scaling the Ladder

Jane Bond: Scaling the Ladder

Agent Jane Bond is on the case, uncovering the mystery of bond laddering.

Inflation and the Real Rate of Return

Learn about the role of inflation when considering your portfolio’s rate of return with this helpful article.

You Would Rather Be...

Are you a thrill seeker, or content to relax in the backyard? Use this flowchart to find out more about your risk tolerance.

A Taxing Story: Capital Gains and Losses

Understanding how capital gains are taxed may help you refine your investment strategies.

Mutual Funds vs. ETFs

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

Best-Performing Asset Classes

Bonds may outperform stocks one year only to have stocks rebound the next.

Emotional vs. Strategic Decisions

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

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College Savings

See how much you may need to save now to cover future college costs for your child.

Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings

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

Debt vs. Investment

Weigh the potential outcomes of paying off debt versus directing those dollars elsewhere.

The Power of Interest - How Long Will it take My Money to Do

Use the Rule of 72 to estimate how long it takes your money to double at a given rate.

What Is the Dividend Yield?

Calculate the dividend yield of a holding and see what that means for income over time.

How Compound Interest Works

Explore how compound interest can grow your money over time with this interactive tool.

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Bull and Bear Go To Market

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

Bridging the Confidence Gap

In the world of finance, the effects of the "confidence gap" can be especially apparent.

The Business Cycle

How will you weather the ups and downs of the business cycle?

Jane Bond: Infiltrating the Market

Agent Jane Bond is on the case, cracking the code on bonds.

Emerging Market Opportunities

What are your options for investing in emerging markets?

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.

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