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

Are Alternative Investments Right for You?

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

The Business Cycle

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

Optimism vs. Pessimism

Mike Antonelli and John Taft take on conventional wisdom behind the aging investor.

Should I Invest in Gold?

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

• Articles

  US Consumer Impacted by Student Loans Restarting

  After a three-year hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, student loan payments will restart in October.

  Five for Friday – August 21, 2026

  Ross looks at silver linings to bubbles, the average stock, the importance of breadth and the danger of leverage.

  In the Markets Now: Investing Lessons from Covid

  Five years after the March 2020 Covid market crash, we look at valuable lessons that still apply today.

  Focuses in the Trump 2.0 Administration

  Amidst all of the noise in DC, we present three key themes to help frame the priorities of the new administration.

  How Should I Save for My Child’s Education?

  Five vehicles that can help you make the most of saving for college.

  Even Now, There Are Reasons To Own Bonds

  Common wisdom holds that when stocks go down, bonds should go up – but what if they both go down at the same time?

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• Calculators

  College Savings

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

  Monthly Budget

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

  What Is My Net Worth?

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

  Student Loan Payoff Calculator: Extra Payments Can Save You

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

  Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator

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

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• Videos

  Bursting the Bubble

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

  From Boats to Brokers

  From the Dutch East India Company to Wall St., the stock market has a long and storied history.

  The Fed and How It Got That Way

  Here is a quick history of the Federal Reserve and an overview of what it does.

  Bridging the Confidence Gap

  In the world of finance, the effects of the "confidence gap" can be especially apparent.

  Global and International Funds

  Investors seeking world investments can choose between global and international funds. What's the difference?

  Should You Invest in Exchange Traded Funds?

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

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