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.

What Smart Investors Know
Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.

5 Smart Investing Strategies
Getting what you want out of your money may require the right game plan.

Bull and Bear Go To Market
Learn about the difference between bulls and bears—markets, that is!

Inflation & Your Money
It's important to understand how inflation is reported and how it can affect investments.

The Cycle of Investing
Understanding the cycle of investing may help you avoid easy pitfalls.
Risk Perspective
Is it possible to avoid loss? Not entirely, but you can attempt to manage risk.
Inflation and the Real Rate of Return
Learn about the role of inflation when considering your portfolio’s rate of return with this helpful article.
Your Shifting Risk Tolerance
Time and market performance may subtly and slowly imbalance your portfolio.
All Muni Bonds Are Not Created Equal
Gaining a better understanding of municipal bonds makes more sense than ever.
How Financial Professionals Are Compensated
Read this overview to learn how financial advisors are compensated.
Types of Stock Market Analysis
Most stock market analysis falls into three broad groups: Fundamental, technical, and sentimental. Here’s a look at each.
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.
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.
How Compound Interest Works
Use this calculator to better see the potential impact of compound interest on an asset.
Saving for College
This calculator can help you estimate how much you should be saving for college.
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 
Jane Bond: Scaling the Ladder
Agent Jane Bond is on the case, uncovering the mystery of bond laddering.
Jane Bond: Infiltrating the Market
Agent Jane Bond is on the case, cracking the code on bonds.
Bursting the Bubble
Tulips were the first, but they won’t be the last. What forms a “bubble” and what causes them to burst?
The Fed and How It Got That Way
Here is a quick history of the Federal Reserve and an overview of what it does.
Inflation and Your Portfolio
Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.
Bull and Bear Go To Market
Learn about the difference between bulls and bears—markets, that is!