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.

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Should You Invest in Exchange Traded Funds?

Should You Invest in Exchange Traded Funds?

There are thousands of ETFs available. Should you invest in them?

The Utility of Sector Investing

The Utility of Sector Investing

Successful sector investing is dependent upon an accurate analysis about when to rotate in and out.

The Cycle of Investing

The Cycle of Investing

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

The Business Cycle

Understanding the economy's cycles can help put current business conditions in better perspective.

Best-Performing Asset Classes

Bonds may outperform stocks one year only to have stocks rebound the next.

Don’t Be Your Own Worst Enemy

Emotional biases can adversely impact financial decision making. Here’s a few to be mindful of.

Asset Allocation

Consider how your assets are allocated and if that allocation is consistent with your time frame and risk tolerance.

The Great Debate Continues: Active vs. Passive

In investments, one great debate asks the question, “Active or Passive Investing: Which Is Better?”

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.

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What Is My Risk Tolerance?

This questionnaire will help determine your tolerance for investment risk.

Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings

Use this calculator to compare the future value of investments with different tax consequences.

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.

Impact of Taxes and Inflation

Estimate the potential impact taxes and inflation can have on the purchasing power of an investment.

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What Smart Investors Know

Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.

Bursting the Bubble

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

Bridging the Confidence Gap

In the world of finance, the effects of the "confidence gap" can be especially apparent.

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 Junk Drawer Approach to Investing

It's easy to let investments accumulate like old receipts in a junk drawer.

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.

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