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.
What Smart Investors Know
Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.
5 Smart Investing Strategies
Getting what you want out of your money may require the right game plan.
Have A Question About This Topic?

The Business Cycle
How will you weather the ups and downs of the business cycle?

Required Reading: The Economic Report of the President
The Economic Report of the President can help identify the forces driving — or dragging — the economy.

Inflation and Your Portfolio
Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.
Emotional vs. Strategic Decisions
Information vs. instinct. Are your choices based on evidence of emotion?
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.
A Look at Diversification
Diversification is an investment principle designed to manage risk, but it can't prevent against a loss.
How the Federal Reserve Works
Each day, the Fed is behind the scenes supporting the economy and providing services to the U.S. financial system.
Investment Challenges of the Affluent Investor
Affluent investors face unique challenges when putting together an investment strategy. Make sure you keep these in mind.
How Financial Professionals Are Compensated
Read this overview to learn how financial advisors are compensated.
View all articles
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.
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.
Impact of Taxes and Inflation
Estimate the potential impact taxes and inflation can have on the purchasing power of an investment.
Saving for College
This calculator can help you estimate how much you should be saving for college.
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
From Boats to Brokers
From the Dutch East India Company to Wall Street, the stock market has a long and storied history.
Emerging Market Opportunities
What are your options for investing in emerging markets?
When Markets React
When markets shift, experienced investors stick to their strategy.
What Smart Investors Know
Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.
Global and International Funds
Investors seeking world investments can choose between global and international funds. What's the difference?
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.