Investment | Lawrence Smith

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.

Emerging Market Opportunities

What are your options for investing in emerging markets?

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5 Smart Investing Principles

Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.

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What Smart Investors Know

Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.

The Sequence of Returns

A look at how variable rates of return impact investors over time.

Behavioral Finance

An amusing and whimsical look at behavioral finance best practices for investors.

A Decision Not Made Is Still a Decision

Investors who put off important investment decisions may face potential consequence to their future financial security.

The Utility of Sector Investing

Successful sector investing is dependent upon an accurate analysis about when to rotate in and out.

Pullbacks, Corrections, and Bear Markets

Pullbacks, corrections, and bear markets are all a part of the investing cycle. When the market experiences volatility, it may be a good time to review these common terms.

Required Reading: The Economic Report of the President

The Economic Report of the President can help identify the forces driving — or dragging — the economy.

The Anatomy of an Index

The S&P 500 represents a large portion of the value of the U.S. equity market, it may be worth understanding.

Investment Challenges of the Affluent Investor

Affluent investors face unique challenges when putting together an investment strategy. Make sure you keep these in mind.

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Saving for College

This calculator can help you estimate how much you should be saving for college.

What Is My Risk Tolerance?

This questionnaire will help determine your tolerance for investment risk.

What Is the Dividend Yield?

This calculator helps determine your pre-tax and after-tax dividend yield on a particular stock.

Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings

Use this calculator to compare the future value of investments with different tax consequences.

Contributing to an IRA?

Determine if you are eligible to contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA.

Impact of Taxes and Inflation

Estimate the potential impact taxes and inflation can have on the purchasing power of an investment.

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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

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From Boats to Brokers

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

The Rule of 72

Do you know how long it may take for your investments to double in value? The Rule of 72 is a quick way to figure it out.

The Business Cycle

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

Should I Invest in Gold?

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

Where Is the Market Headed?

We all know the stock market can be unpredictable. We all want to know, “What’s next for the financial markets?”

The Fed and How It Got That Way

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