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.
5 Smart Investing Strategies
Getting what you want out of your money may require the right game plan.
The Fed and How It Got That Way
Here is a quick history of the Federal Reserve and an overview of what it does.
The New Red Scare: Chinese Ownership of U.S. Debt
China owns a portion of the total outstanding debt of the U.S. Government. What does it mean?
Events on Wall Street
Can successful investors predict changes in the markets? Some can but others miss the market’s signals.
Asset Allocation
Consider how your assets are allocated and if that allocation is consistent with your time frame and risk tolerance.
Rebalancing Your Portfolio
Over time, different investments' performances can shift a portfolio’s intent and risk profile. Rebalancing may be critical.
A Primer on Dividends
A company's profits can be reinvested or paid out to the company’s shareholders as “dividends."
The Anatomy of an Index
The S&P 500 represents a large portion of the value of the U.S. equity market, it may be worth understanding.
The ABCs of Zero Coupon Bonds
Understanding some basic concepts may help you assess whether zero-coupon bonds have a place in your portfolio.
Required Reading: The Economic Report of the President
The Economic Report of the President can help identify the forces driving — or dragging — the economy.
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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.
How Compound Interest Works
Use this calculator to better see the potential impact of compound interest on an asset.
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.
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5 Smart Investing Strategies
There are some smart strategies that may help you pursue your investment objectives
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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 Can a Million Dollars Buy You?
$1 million in a diversified portfolio could help finance part of your retirement.
Bridging the Confidence Gap
In the world of finance, the effects of the "confidence gap" can be especially apparent.
Bursting the Bubble
Tulips were the first, but they won’t be the last. What forms a “bubble” and what causes them to burst?
Inflation and Your Portfolio
Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.