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

Should You Invest in Exchange Traded Funds?

There are thousands of ETFs available. Should you invest in them?

Emerging Market Opportunities

What are your options for investing in emerging markets?

How to Conquer the World - 5 Financial Strategies for Savvy

Learn more about women taking control of their finances with this infographic.

Inflation and Your Portfolio

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

• Articles

  Understanding ETFs: Building Blocks of Modern Investing

  Educational ETF infographic explaining benefits, types & mechanics. Features current statistics and citations.

  Best-Performing Asset Classes

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

  Mutual Funds vs. ETFs

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

  The Sequence of Returns

  A look at how variable rates of return impact investors over time.

  How Financial Professionals Are Compensated

  Read this overview to learn how financial advisors are compensated.

  A Decision Not Made Is Still a Decision

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

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• Calculators

  Bi-Weekly Mortgage Payments

  See how switching to bi-weekly mortgage payments could reduce interest and shorten your loan.

  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.

  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.

  Student Loan Payoff Calculator: Extra Payments Can Save You

  See how extra payments toward your student loans could shorten your payoff timeline.

  Student Loan Refinance Calculator

  Compare your current student loan terms to a potential refinance to see if it makes sense.

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• Videos

  Global and International Funds

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

  What Can a Million Dollars Buy You?

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

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

  All about how missing the best market days (or the worst!) might affect your portfolio.

  Are Alternative Investments Right for You?

  With alternative investments, it’s critical to sort through the complexity.

  The Fed and How It Got That Way

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

  16 Wall Street Cliches in 60 Seconds

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

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