Investing

Managing Investments

• Investment Portfolio Diversification - Don't put all your eggs in one basket" This old adage applies in the investment world too. Learn what spreading the risk can do for you and how to apply this concept to your investments.
• How Well Are Your Investments Doing? - Understanding the absolute and relative performance of your investment portfolio can help determine if changes are needed. Yet, many people don't spend the time and effort for this analysis.
• Mistake to Avoid Not Monitoring Your Financial Progress and Measuring Results - Taking control of your financial future is a process. As with any process, it is important to monitor your progress and measure your results. Only then can you make rational decisions to keep doing what you are doing or make changes on your path to your financial goals.
• Certificates of Deposit for Your Cash Reserves - Certificates of Deposit (CDs) can be ideal vehicles for investing funds that you do not need in the near term.
• Building a Ladder of Saving Certificates - Choosing the length of savings certificates is an important decision.
• What Is a “Yield Curve” and What Does It Mean? - The term “yield curve” is often used in discussions of interest rates.

Stocks

• Asset Allocation and a Bumpy Stock Market - By dividing your assets into stocks, bonds and cash investments based on your time horizons and risk tolerance, you can create a framework for the rest of your investment decisions. The volatility of the markets makes the need for a solid framework even more necessary.
• The Dow Jones Industrial Average - This popular measure of stock market activity has been around for over 100 years. A little history about this average and you will better appreciate how you should view daily changes.
• Financial Market Indicators - Every investment, and every individual's portfolio is different. But, knowing which market indicators to watch can help you better understand how your investments are doing in relation to the overall market.
• Building a Stock Portfolio - Whether you are just starting to invest or already have a portfolio, reviewing some tried and true portfolio building strategies may be helpful.
• Mistake to Avoid Not Starting to Save Early for Financial Goals - Here are some examples of why saving early is better.

Funds

• Dollar Cost Averaging When Buying Mutual Funds - Dollar cost averaging is one way to address the "when to buy" decision. An example shows how this common technique will eliminate the risk of "buying at the top of the market".
• Investing in Exchange Traded Funds - ETFs have become a popular way to invest. While they are somewhat like mutual funds, there are many differences you should understand before buying them.

Bonds

• Investing in Bonds - Bonds can have a place in many investors' portfolios. There are many issues to consider when evaluating a bond investment strategy. Learn how maturities, ratings and types of bonds can influence your strategy.
• Investing in Municipal Bonds - The interest from most bonds issued by states, cities and other municipal organizations is exempt from federal income tax. Learn whether municipal bonds are right for you.
• Investing in U. S. Treasuries - Many people invest in U. S. Treasury obligations because of their safety. But, there is more. Learn more about this form of investing to see if it has a place in your portfolio.
• Bond Values and Interest Rates Changes - Bond values are determined in the marketplace and those values change in the opposite direction of changes in interest rate changes.