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

16 Wall Street Cliches in 60 Seconds

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

The Fed and How It Got That Way

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

How the Federal Reserve Works

Each day, the Fed is behind the scenes supporting the economy and providing services to the U.S. financial system.

Behavioral Finance

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

• Articles

  Impact Investing or Philanthropy

  This fun piece can help your clients explore the benefits of impact investing versus founding a philanthropy.

  Separating the Signal From the Noise

  A good professional provides important guidance and insight through the years.

  The Threat of Identity Theft

  An article informing readers about the threats of Identity Theft.

  Estimating the Cost of College

  This worksheet can help you estimate the costs of a four-year college program.

  Understanding Equity Compensation

  Net Unrealized Appreciation and how it affects tax responsibilities.

  Value vs. Growth Investing

  Among stock-market investors there’s long been a debate between those who favor value and those who favor growth.

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• Calculators

  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.

  Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings

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

  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.

  Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator

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

  Wedding Budget Calculator

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

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• Videos

  The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing

  It's easy to let investments accumulate like old receipts in a junk drawer.

  Bull and Bear Go To Market

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

  Bursting the Bubble

  Tulips were the first, but they won’t be the last. What forms a “bubble” and what causes them to burst?

  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?"

  What Can a Million Dollars Buy You?

  $1 million in a diversified portfolio could help finance part of your retirement.

  The Business Cycle

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

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