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.

Featured Video

The Cycle of Investing

Understanding the cycle of investing may help you avoid easy pitfalls.

Inflation and Your Portfolio

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

Required Reading: The Economic Report of the President

The Economic Report of the President can help identify the forces driving — or dragging — the economy.

Emerging Market Opportunities

What are your options for investing in emerging markets?

• Articles

  A Taxing Story: Capital Gains and Losses

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

  Investing for Impact

  Learn how to build a socially conscious investment portfolio and invest in your beliefs.

  Asset Allocation

  Consider how your assets are allocated and if that allocation is consistent with your time frame and risk tolerance.

  A Decision Not Made Is Still a Decision

  Investors who put off important investment decisions may face potential consequences to their future financial security.

  Best-Performing Asset Classes

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

  It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times

  Learn about key investment principles that will help you navigate the unpredictability of the financial markets.

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• Calculators

  What Is My Net Worth?

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

  Wedding Budget Calculator

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

  Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator

  Calculate your debt-to-income ratio to understand how lenders may view your financial health.

  What Is the Dividend Yield?

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

  Monthly Budget

  Track your monthly income and expenses to get a clearer view of your cash flow.

  How Can I Save a Million Dollars?

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

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• Videos

  What Smart Investors Know

  Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.

  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?"

  16 Wall Street Cliches in 60 Seconds

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

  Behavioral Finance

  An amusing and whimsical look at behavioral finance best practices for investors.

  Jane Bond: Infiltrating the Market

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

  Should I Invest in Gold?

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

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