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.

Are Alternative Investments Right for You?
With alternative investments, it’s critical to sort through the complexity.

5 Smart Investing Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.

What Can a Million Dollars Buy You?
$1 million in a diversified portfolio could help finance part of your retirement.

Mutual Funds vs. ETFs
Exchange-traded funds have some things in common with mutual funds, but there are differences, too.

From Boats to Brokers
From the Dutch East India Company to Wall Street, the stock market has a long and storied history.
Required Reading: The Economic Report of the President
The Economic Report of the President can help identify the forces driving — or dragging — the economy.
All Muni Bonds Are Not Created Equal
Gaining a better understanding of municipal bonds makes more sense than ever.
Alternative Investments - Going Mainstream
Alternative investments are going mainstream for accredited investors. It’s critical to sort through the complexity.
Estimating the Cost of College
This worksheet can help you estimate the costs of a four-year college program.
Investing with Your Heart
For some, the social impact of investing is just as important as the return, perhaps more important.
The Business Cycle
Understanding the economy's cycles can help put current business conditions in better perspective.
View all articles 
What Is the Dividend Yield?
This calculator helps determine your pre-tax and after-tax dividend yield on a particular stock.
Contributing to an IRA?
Determine if you are eligible to contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA.
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.
Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings
Use this calculator to compare the future value of investments with different tax consequences.
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 
Should You Invest in Exchange Traded Funds?
There are hundreds of ETFs available. Should you invest in them?
Bridging the Confidence Gap
In the world of finance, the effects of the "confidence gap" can be especially apparent.
The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing
It's easy to let investments accumulate like old receipts in a junk drawer.
What Can a Million Dollars Buy You?
$1 million in a diversified portfolio could help finance part of your retirement.
From Boats to Brokers
From the Dutch East India Company to Wall Street, the stock market has a long and storied history.
Jane Bond: Scaling the Ladder
Agent Jane Bond is on the case, uncovering the mystery of bond laddering.