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.

Featured Video

The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing

It's easy to let investments accumulate like old receipts in a junk drawer.

Inflation and Your Portfolio

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

Best-Performing Asset Classes

Bonds may outperform stocks one year only to have stocks rebound the next.

Are Alternative Investments Right for You?

With alternative investments, it’s critical to sort through the complexity.

• Articles

  Best-Performing Asset Classes

  Bonds may outperform stocks one year only to have stocks rebound the next.

  In the Markets Now: Quick Crash, Quick Bounce

  A look at the 24 other times since 2010 that the market sold off 6% in three days (and what it looked like one year later).

  Geopolitical Uncertainty Expected to Continue

  The events in the Middle East fit the larger theme of geopolitical uncertainty that we are seeing across the world stage.

  Debt Ceiling Deal Includes Two Years of Spending Caps

  Strategas breaks down what’s in the deal, its impact on economic growth over the coming years, and what to focus on next.

  Bull & Baird: What Gets Attention is Rarely Valuable

  The present moment often feels chaotic, but the stock market's advance across decades is strewn with such moments.

  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.

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• Calculators

  College Savings

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

  Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator

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

  Student Loan Payoff Calculator: Extra Payments Can Save You

  See how extra payments toward your student loans could shorten your payoff timeline.

  What Is My Net Worth?

  Get a snapshot of your overall financial picture by calculating your total net worth.

  Monthly Budget

  Track your monthly income and expenses to get a clearer view of your cash flow.

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• Videos

  Should You Invest in Exchange Traded Funds?

  There are thousands of ETFs available. Should you invest in them?

  Are Alternative Investments Right for You?

  With alternative investments, it’s critical to sort through the complexity.

  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.

  The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing

  It's easy to let investments accumulate like old receipts in a junk drawer.

  The Business Cycle

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

  Finding the Balance

  The sandwich generation faces unique challenges. For many, meeting needs is a matter of finding a balance.

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