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 Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.

Bursting the Bubble
Tulips were the first, but they won’t be the last. What forms a “bubble” and what causes them to burst?

The Utility of Sector Investing
Successful sector investing is dependent upon an accurate analysis about when to rotate in and out.

From Boats to Brokers
From the Dutch East India Company to Wall Street, the stock market has a long and storied history.
Mutual Funds vs. ETFs
Exchange-traded funds have some things in common with mutual funds, but there are differences, too.
The ABCs of Zero Coupon Bonds
Understanding some basic concepts may help you assess whether zero-coupon bonds have a place in your portfolio.
How Stocks Work
Understanding how a stock works is key to understanding your investments.
Investing with Your Heart
For some, the social impact of investing is just as important as the return, perhaps more important.
Required Reading: The Economic Report of the President
The Economic Report of the President can help identify the forces driving — or dragging — the economy.
Earnings for All Seasons
Earnings season can move markets. What is it and why is it important?
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Saving for College
This calculator can help you estimate how much you should be saving for college.
Contributing to an IRA?
Determine if you are eligible to contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA.
What Is the Dividend Yield?
This calculator helps determine your pre-tax and after-tax dividend yield on a particular stock.
How Compound Interest Works
Use this calculator to better see the potential impact of compound interest on an asset.
Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings
Use this calculator to compare the future value of investments with different tax consequences.
What Is My Risk Tolerance?
This questionnaire will help determine your tolerance for investment risk.
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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
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When Markets React
When markets shift, experienced investors stick to their strategy.
Are Alternative Investments Right for You?
With alternative investments, it’s critical to sort through the complexity.
Inflation and Your Portfolio
Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.
Events on Wall Street
Can successful investors predict changes in the markets? Some can but others miss the market’s signals.
What Smart Investors Know
Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.
Jane Bond: Scaling the Ladder
Agent Jane Bond is on the case, uncovering the mystery of bond laddering.