Key Takeaways Understand the different types of investment-grade bonds High-yield corporate bonds come with their share of risks Analyze the risk and return trade-offs between investing in high-yield corporate bonds versus government bonds Investors looking to add bonds to their portfolios face a trade-off: The safest government bonds typically pay very low yields, while higher-yielding […]

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Key Takeaways Learn what bond duration is and how it measures interest rate risk Understand the difference between maturity and duration with fixed income investments Bond duration can estimate how much price is likely to be affected by changing interest rates It’s common to talk about the duration of a bond portfolio in simple terms—like […]

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Key Takeaways Mutual funds present investors with an efficient means of holding a large, diversified basket of assets The mutual fund universe offers a varying range of opportunities and risks; choose carefully Understanding your financial goals, engagement levels, and risk tolerance is key to selecting a suitable mix of mutual funds So, you’ve decided your […]

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Key Takeaways Exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, are listed on exchanges and traded like shares of stock Leveraged ETFs and inverse ETFs use derivatives with the aim of amplifying returns Understand the unique risks associated with leveraged and inverse ETFs Leveraged and inverse ETFs entail unique risks, including but not limited to: use of leverage; aggressive […]

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Key Takeaways A defensive investing strategy can help offer protection during volatile markets Defensive sectors include consumer staples and utilities Investors can access defensive sectors through individual stocks as well as bonds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) They say the best offense is a good defense. It’s a favorite cliché among many sports coaches. And a […]

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Key Takeaways Climate-change worries have been sparking interest in investing in renewable energy  Although the long-term returns of some sustainable indices have lagged the broader market, short-term returns show outperformance Interested in investing in renewable energy? When it comes to socially responsible investing, concerns about climate change and the environment are at the front of […]

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Key Takeaways Stock trading volume has often been lower in the summer months. Historically, health care, and utilities are among the sectors that have outperformed during the summer. Will that be the case this summer? No one knows. The old stock market trend adage “sell in May, go away” might not be the best portfolio management […]

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Key Takeaways Decide if you want to broaden your portfolio. Consider diversifying with ETFs—there’s generally at least one for every type of investor. Identify goals and investment preferences to help streamline your search. Looking for a more efficient way to diversify your portfolio? You may want to consider an exchange-traded fund (ETF). With an ETF, […]

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Key Takeaways Enrollees can earn passive income by loaning out shares  Usually low-liquidity shares are in highest demand  Qualified account owners can enroll online and exit the program at any time In an era of historically low interest rates, income-seeking investors often choose to look beyond traditional bonds to target income. Some investors seek income […]

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Key Takeaways Mutual funds present investors with an efficient means of holding a large, diversified basket of assets The mutual fund universe offers a varying range of opportunities and risks; choose carefully Understanding your financial goals, engagement levels, and risk tolerance is key to selecting a suitable mix of mutual funds So, you’ve decided your […]

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