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.

Where Is the Market Headed?

We all know the stock market can be unpredictable. We all want to know, "What's next for the financial markets?"

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Behavioral Finance

An amusing and whimsical look at behavioral finance best practices for investors.

Value vs. Growth Investing

Among stock-market investors there’s long been a debate between those who favor value and those who favor growth.

Emerging Market Opportunities

What are your options for investing in emerging markets?

How Stocks Work

Understanding how a stock works is key to understanding your investments.

TIPS for Inflation

If you are concerned about inflation and expect short-term interest rates may increase, TIPS could be worth considering.

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 Utility of Sector Investing

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

All Muni Bonds Are Not Created Equal

Gaining a better understanding of municipal bonds makes more sense than ever.

Types of Stock Market Analysis

Most stock market analysis falls into three broad groups: Fundamental, technical, and sentimental. Here’s a look at each.

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Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings

Compare how the same contribution grows differently in taxable versus tax-deferred accounts.

Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator

Calculate your debt-to-income ratio to understand how lenders may view your financial health.

College Savings

See how much you may need to save now to cover future college costs for your child.

Debt vs. Investment

Weigh the potential outcomes of paying off debt versus directing those dollars elsewhere.

How Can I Save a Million Dollars?

See what it takes in monthly contributions and time to reach a million-dollar savings goal.

Comparing Investments

Compare two different scenarios side by side to see how they stack up over time.

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The Business Cycle

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

Inflation and Your Portfolio

Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.

The Fed and How It Got That Way

Here is a quick history of the Federal Reserve and an overview of what it does.

What Smart Investors Know

Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.

Jane Bond: Infiltrating the Market

Agent Jane Bond is on the case, cracking the code on bonds.

When Markets React

When markets shift, experienced investors stick to their strategy.