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.
Global and International Funds
Investors seeking world investments can choose between global and international funds. What's the difference?
5 Smart Investing Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.
Have A Question About This Topic?

Should I Invest in Gold?
Learning more about gold and its history may help you decide whether it has a place in your portfolio.

How Financial Professionals Are Compensated
Read this overview to learn how financial advisors are compensated.

The Fed and How It Got That Way
Here is a quick history of the Federal Reserve and an overview of what it does.
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 the Federal Reserve Works
Each day, the Fed is behind the scenes supporting the economy and providing services to the U.S. financial system.
A Decision Not Made Is Still a Decision
Investors who put off important investment decisions may face potential consequence to their future financial security.
Mutual Funds vs. ETFs
Exchange-traded funds have some things in common with mutual funds, but there are differences, too.
Rebalancing Your Portfolio
Over time, different investments' performances can shift a portfolio’s intent and risk profile. Rebalancing may be critical.
Four Really Good Reasons to Invest
There are four very good reasons to start investing. Do you know what they are?
View all articles
Contributing to an IRA?
Determine if you are eligible to contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA.
Saving for College
This calculator can help you estimate how much you should be saving for college.
Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings
Use this calculator to compare the future value of investments with different tax consequences.
Impact of Taxes and Inflation
Estimate the potential impact taxes and inflation can have on the purchasing power of an investment.
What Is My Risk Tolerance?
This questionnaire will help determine your tolerance for investment risk.
How Compound Interest Works
Use this calculator to better see the potential impact of compound interest on an asset.
View all calculators
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
View all presentations
The Cycle of Investing
Understanding the cycle of investing may help you avoid easy pitfalls.
Behavioral Finance
An amusing and whimsical look at behavioral finance best practices for investors.
The Business Cycle
How will you weather the ups and downs of the business cycle?
When Markets React
When markets shift, experienced investors stick to their strategy.
Bursting the Bubble
Tulips were the first, but they won’t be the last. What forms a “bubble” and what causes them to burst?
Inflation and Your Portfolio
Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.