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

Global and International Funds

Investors seeking world investments can choose between global and international funds. What's the difference?

Jane Bond: Scaling the Ladder

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

Inflation & Your Money

It's important to understand how inflation is reported and how it can affect investments.

What Smart Investors Know

Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.

• Articles

  How Financial Professionals Are Compensated

  Read this overview to learn how financial advisors are compensated.

  A Primer on Dividends

  A company's profits can be reinvested or paid out to the company’s shareholders as “dividends."

  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.

  TIPS for Inflation

  If you are concerned about inflation and expect short-term interest rates may increase, TIPS could be worth considering.

  Earnings for All Seasons

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

  The Business Cycle

  Understanding the economy's cycles can help put current business conditions in better perspective.

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• Calculators

  How Compound Interest Works

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

  College Savings

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

  How Long Will Your Money Last?

  See how long a lump sum of savings could last based on your withdrawal rate and return.

  What Is My Net Worth?

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

  Comparing Investments

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

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• Videos

  Bridging the Confidence Gap

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

  Global and International Funds

  Investors seeking world investments can choose between global and international funds. What's the difference?

  The Cycle of Investing

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

  The Fed and How It Got That Way

  Here is a quick history of the Federal Reserve and an overview of what it does.

  The Business Cycle

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

  Inflation and Your Portfolio

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

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