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.
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.
5 Smart Investing Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.
Have A Question About This Topic?

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

A Look at Diversification
Diversification is an investment principle designed to manage risk, but it can't prevent against a loss.

Should I Invest in Gold?
Learning more about gold and its history may help you decide whether it has a place in your portfolio.
TIPS for Inflation
If you are concerned about inflation and expect short-term interest rates may increase, TIPS could be worth considering.
Risk Perspective
Is it possible to avoid loss? Not entirely, but you can attempt to manage risk.
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.
Inflation & Your Money
It's important to understand how inflation is reported and how it can affect investments.
A Taxing Story: Capital Gains and Losses
Understanding how capital gains are taxed may help you refine your investment strategies.
Best-Performing Asset Classes
Bonds may outperform stocks one year only to have stocks rebound the next.
View all articles
Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings
Use this calculator to compare the future value of investments with different tax consequences.
What Is the Dividend Yield?
This calculator helps determine your pre-tax and after-tax dividend yield on a particular stock.
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.
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.
View all calculators
5 Smart Investing Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.
5 Smart Investing Strategies
There are some smart strategies that may help you pursue your investment objectives
View all presentations
From Boats to Brokers
From the Dutch East India Company to Wall Street, the stock market has a long and storied history.
Jane Bond: Infiltrating the Market
Agent Jane Bond is on the case, cracking the code on bonds.
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.
When Markets React
When markets shift, experienced investors stick to their strategy.
Inflation and Your Portfolio
Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.