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.
Jane Bond: Infiltrating the Market
Agent Jane Bond is on the case, cracking the code on bonds.
5 Smart Investing Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.
Have A Question About This Topic?

The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing
It's easy to let investments accumulate like old receipts in a junk drawer.

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

Are Alternative Investments Right for You?
With alternative investments, it’s critical to sort through the complexity.
How Stocks Work
Understanding how a stock works is key to understanding your investments.
A Look at Diversification
Diversification is an investment principle designed to manage risk, but it can't prevent against a loss.
The Utility of Sector Investing
Successful sector investing is dependent upon an accurate analysis about when to rotate in and out.
Types of Stock Market Analysis
Most stock market analysis falls into three broad groups: Fundamental, technical, and sentimental. Here’s a look at each.
Separating the Signal From the Noise
A good professional provides important guidance and insight through the years.
Inflation & Your Money
It's important to understand how inflation is reported and how it can affect investments.
View all articles
How Compound Interest Works
Use this calculator to better see the potential impact of compound interest on an asset.
Contributing to an IRA?
Determine if you are eligible to contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA.
Saving for College
This calculator can help you estimate how much you should be saving for college.
What Is My Risk Tolerance?
This questionnaire will help determine your tolerance for investment risk.
What Is the Dividend Yield?
This calculator helps determine your pre-tax and after-tax dividend yield on a particular stock.
Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings
Use this calculator to compare the future value of investments with different tax consequences.
View all calculators
5 Smart Investing Strategies
There are some smart strategies that may help you pursue your investment objectives
5 Smart Investing Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.
View all presentations
Inflation and Your Portfolio
Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.
The Business Cycle
How will you weather the ups and downs of the business cycle?
Should You Invest in Exchange Traded Funds?
There are hundreds of ETFs available. Should you invest in them?
Bridging the Confidence Gap
In the world of finance, the effects of the "confidence gap" can be especially apparent.
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?