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.
The Business Cycle
How will you weather the ups and downs of the business cycle?
5 Smart Investing Strategies
Getting what you want out of your money may require the right game plan.
Have A Question About This Topic?

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

The Ivory Tower Changes Wall Street
Thanks to the work of three economists, we have a better understanding of what determines an asset’s price.

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.
You Would Rather Be...
Are you a thrill seeker, or content to relax in the backyard? Use this flowchart to find out more about your risk tolerance.
Estimating the Cost of College
This worksheet can help you estimate the costs of a four-year college program.
The Sequence of Returns
A look at how variable rates of return impact investors over time.
Four Really Good Reasons to Invest
There are four very good reasons to start investing. Do you know what they are?
Mutual Funds vs. ETFs
Exchange-traded funds have some things in common with mutual funds, but there are differences, too.
View all articles
What Is the Dividend Yield?
This calculator helps determine your pre-tax and after-tax dividend yield on a particular stock.
What Is My Risk Tolerance?
This questionnaire will help determine your tolerance for investment risk.
Saving for College
This calculator can help you estimate how much you should be saving for college.
Impact of Taxes and Inflation
Estimate the potential impact taxes and inflation can have on the purchasing power of an investment.
Contributing to an IRA?
Determine if you are eligible to contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA.
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
What Can a Million Dollars Buy You?
$1 million in a diversified portfolio could help finance part of your retirement.
What Smart Investors Know
Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.
The Cycle of Investing
Understanding the cycle of investing may help you avoid easy pitfalls.
16 Wall Street Cliches in 60 Seconds
Pundits say a lot of things about the markets. Let's see if you can keep up.
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.
Inflation and Your Portfolio
Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.