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.
Inflation and Your Portfolio
Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.
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Global and International Funds
Investors seeking world investments can choose between global and international funds. What's the difference?
How Stocks Work
Understanding how a stock works is key to understanding your investments.
Jane Bond: Scaling the Ladder
Agent Jane Bond is on the case, uncovering the mystery of bond laddering.
Bull & Bear Markets: A Timeline
This helpful infographic will define bull and bear markets, as well as give a historical overview.
Value vs. Growth Investing
Among stock-market investors there’s long been a debate between those who favor value and those who favor growth.
The Sequence of Returns
A look at how variable rates of return impact investors over time.
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.
The ABCs of Zero Coupon Bonds
Understanding some basic concepts may help you assess whether zero-coupon bonds have a place in your portfolio.
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Comparing Investments
Compare two different scenarios side by side to see how they stack up over time.
College Savings
See how much you may need to save now to cover future college costs for your child.
Bi-Weekly Mortgage Payments
See how switching to bi-weekly mortgage payments could reduce interest and shorten your loan.
Student Loan Refinance Calculator
Compare your current student loan terms to a potential refinance to see if it makes sense.
What Is the Dividend Yield?
Calculate the dividend yield of a holding and see what that means for income over time.
Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator
Calculate your debt-to-income ratio to understand how lenders may view your financial health.
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Behavioral Finance
An amusing and whimsical look at behavioral finance best practices for investors.
Bursting the Bubble
Tulips were the first, but they won’t be the last. What forms a “bubble” and what causes them to burst?
When Markets React
When markets shift, experienced investors stick to their strategy.
16 Wall Street Cliches in 60 Seconds
Pundits say a lot of things about the markets. Let's see if you can keep up.
Emerging Market Opportunities
What are your options for investing in emerging markets?
The Business Cycle
How will you weather the ups and downs of the business cycle?