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.

Have A Question About This Topic?

Thank you! Oops!
What Smart Investors Know

What Smart Investors Know

Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.

How Stocks Work

How Stocks Work

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

Investments

Investments

You’ve made investments your whole life. Work with us to help make the most of them.

Bull & Bear Markets: A Timeline

This helpful infographic will define bull and bear markets, as well as give a historical overview.

Required Reading: The Economic Report of the President

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

How to Invest in LGBTQ+ Friendly Companies

This article allows those who support LGBTQ+ interests to explore the possibilities of Socially Responsible Investing.

Estimating the Cost of College

This worksheet can help you estimate the costs of a four-year college program.

Pullbacks, Corrections, and Bear Markets

When the market experiences volatility, it may be a good time to review these common terms.

A Primer on Dividends

A company's profits can be reinvested or paid out to the company’s shareholders as “dividends."

View all articles

College Savings

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

How Can I Save a Million Dollars?

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

Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator

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

Wedding Budget Calculator

Estimate total wedding costs and see how different choices affect your overall budget.

Student Loan Refinance Calculator

Compare your current student loan terms to a potential refinance to see if it makes sense.

The Power of Interest - How Long Will it take My Money to Do

Use the Rule of 72 to estimate how long it takes your money to double at a given rate.

View all calculators

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.

When Markets React

When markets shift, experienced investors stick to their strategy.

Jane Bond: Scaling the Ladder

Agent Jane Bond is on the case, uncovering the mystery of bond laddering.

Bull and Bear Go To Market

Learn about the difference between bulls and bears—markets, that is!

16 Wall Street Cliches in 60 Seconds

Pundits say a lot of things about the markets. Let's see if you can keep up.

Bursting the Bubble

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

View all videos