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

Finding the Balance

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

Are Alternative Investments Right for You?

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

To Bubble or Not to Bubble: That Is the Question

With today’s high stock market valuations, Baird's John Taft and Mike Antonelli discuss how to handle a potential bubble.

The Fed and How It Got That Way

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

• Articles

  Staying the Course

  Focus too much on day-to-day market performance and you could miss the larger trend.

  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: AI Narratives

  AI is powerful and so is the narrative around it. Mike looks to the pandemic for a lesson about fear of the future.

  Inflation & Your Money

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

  Bull & Baird: When Uncertainty Reigns

  What can a recent spring storm tell us about the market's current volatility?

  How the Federal Reserve Works

  Each day, the Fed is behind the scenes supporting the economy and providing services to the U.S. financial system.

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• Calculators

  College Savings

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

  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.

  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.

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• Videos

  Jane Bond: Scaling the Ladder

  Agent Jane Bond is on the case, uncovering the mystery of bond laddering.

  Inflation and Your Portfolio

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

  Global and International Funds

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

  The Cycle of Investing

  Understanding the cycle of investing may help you avoid easy pitfalls.

  Are Alternative Investments Right for You?

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

  The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing

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

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