Portfolio Strategy

For long-term investors, $0 commissions for online trades can be a double-edged sword. Cheaper trading can make it easier to diversify, but it can also be an extra reason to be cautious.

During a major economic event, it may be a good time to revisit your portfolio. It could mean rethinking long-term objectives, reexamining your risk tolerance, or taking a moment to self-reflect.

Learn the differences between systematic risk versus idiosyncratic risk, and why you should diversify your portfolio beyond asset classes or sectors.

When companies report quarterly earnings, the stakes can be high. A single earnings miss can dent an investment portfolio that’s concentrated. Here are a few ideas for managing idiosyncratic risk.

A good defense is the best offense, right? It’s sometimes true for investing as well. Learn more about defensive stocks and defensive sector investing.

Looking for a diversified portfolio that’s also tax efficient? Learn how the one-two punch of tax-free debt securities and tax-loss harvesting can help you pursue your goals.

Broker-dealers and advisors are both obliged to work in your best interest but in different ways. Learn about the regulatory differences between the two, as well as several key terms.

Diversification has been touted by financial pros as a means of spreading out your risk. But can you be overdiversified? Here’s what you should know about overdiversification and rebalancing.

Successful traders have rules and stick to them, whether those rules are based on volatility, probability, technical analysis, or other factors.

The internet of things (IoT) is thought to be the next big thing. How can investors prepare for this potential growth industry?

In a post-pandemic economy, small cap stocks may be emerging as an early beneficiary. Should you add them to your portfolio? Here’s what investors should know.

The value of an investment is impacted not just by returns in its local market, but also by the value of the currency in which it's denominated. How might dollar fluctuation impact your portfolio and what can you do about it?

Interest rates have been low for quite some time, and if Federal Reserve projections hold true, they’ll continue to be low for a while. How might you get a yield bump in such an environment? Here are a few ideas—but remember the risks.

A leadership change in the White House could mean a shift in policy priorities, but if you’re a long-term investor, other factors such as earnings, taxes, and interest rates may be larger concerns. Perhaps now’s the time for a post-election portfolio review.

Although negative rates aren’t officially here, they’re here in reality due to Treasury yields falling below inflation. That means investors might want to consider how to position their portfolios, no matter what the Fed ultimately decides.

Like most financial advisors, robo-advisors recommend portfolios based on investors’ long-term financial goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. Because robo-advisors generally use algorithms to make investment decisions, they avoid emotions and generally charge lower fees.

Asset allocation is a basic discipline for diversifying your portfolio, especially if you have a long-term investing strategy. Relative valuations are important.

The U.S. election could affect the stock market with volatility. Use your long-term investment goals as your guide.

The 60/40 stocks/bonds portfolio target has its share of critics. But it's still useful, and there are ways to diversify while protecting and building a long-term nest egg.

In an ideal world, you’d never need to sell any portion of your portfolio for cash, but sometimes you may have to. Here are some things to consider when selling stocks in an emergency.

Don't fight the Fed. It's an old Wall Street adage, but is it prudent to structure a portfolio around macroeconomic policy intentions? And how would you do it, anyway? Here's a rundown.

Recent events have increased interest in adding diversity as a component of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing. But getting robust data has been a challenge.

Beyond the world of stocks and bonds lies another category of assets: alternative investments. Learn about commodities and other alternative types that may be available to retail investors.

When market volatility throws a wrench into diversification strategy, some investors consider alternative investments. Here’s a look at the world beyond stocks and bonds.

Does stock market volatility have you rethinking your investing strategy? In volatile markets, it’s important for investors to stay disciplined and focus on long-term goals.

Markets, as well as economies, run in cycles—sometimes up, sometimes down, sometimes sideways—each for an uncertain amount of time. Cycles present risks and opportunities for investors. Here are a few things investors should know about cycles, recessions, and recoveries.

When bull turns to bear, should you change your asset allocation? It might depend on where you are in your investment journey. If you’re thinking about a strategy pivot, here are a few things to consider.

Dollar-cost averaging means scaling into (and out of) investments over time, rather than all at once. Learn the basics to help you decide if and when dollar-cost averaging could be appropriate for your portfolio.

Even if you got a late start on saving for retirement, there are ways to catch up on contributions to your 401(k) or IRA to have better chances of a successful life after work.

As the 2020 presidential election looms, investors might be concerned about volatility and potential policy shifts. Should you change your investment strategy? The answer may have more to do with your goals, objectives, and time horizon than your political views.

Index funds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Actively managed funds versus passive management. What do all these terms mean? Here’s a breakdown for investors.

Space may be the final frontier in exploration, but what about for your portfolio? As Virgin Galactic files its IPO, perhaps now’s a good time to review the investing “universe.”

All investments experience market volatility, which is why retirement portfolio strategies should focus on allocating assets across investments of different risk levels.

When volatility rears its occasional head, some investors consider cashing out stocks. But are there better ways to ride out market volatility? Cameron May explains.

What is a smart-beta ETF? Explore what qualifies as a smart-beta fund and what systems define this type of ETF.

When used prudently, and with a full understanding of the risks, margin can be used to help diversify holdings and attempt to amplify return on assets. But it’s not for everybody. Margin also creates the potential for greater risk of loss from increased leverage.

In these times of stock market volatility, many investors are looking for yield in fixed income and dividend stocks. However, there’s risk in these investments, too, so know what you’re getting into.

Once you’ve mastered the basics of margin trading, you might want to learn how different trader and investor types use it. It can depend on your objectives, risk tolerance, and the products you trade.

Fake news and misinformation about a company can negatively impact share prices, and even if it’s a temporary price move, investors can get caught flat-footed. Here’s how you can help protect yourself and your portfolio.

While there are risks involved, investing in emerging and frontier markets can offer stock portfolio and currency diversification and significant growth opportunities.

Investors can use benchmarks to help gauge how their portfolios are performing. Find an appropriate benchmark to compare to your portfolio and keep your investing goals in mind.

When making decisions about your equity compensation, remember that the brain can work against you. Here are a few potential pitfalls to avoid. If in doubt, consider reaching out to a financial professional.

Unexpected events can get in the way as you prepare for and enter retirement. Here are some tips on how to try and mitigate their potential impact.

Here’s why you need to keep your retirement money growing even when you’re already using it (hint: inflation and longevity).

What are tax-free muni bonds? Learn the unique benefits and risks of this debt-security investment vehicle.

Learn why you might want to consider dividends as a potential source of retirement income and how you can incorporate them into your retirement income plan.

Geopolitical risks come in many forms, and can impact an investment portfolio in a number of ways. Here are a few basic points to consider.

Some investors like to self-direct their portfolios, but for others, working with a professional money manager might make more sense. Which is for you?

Learn how retail investors, even those with limited funds, can pursue a diversified portfolio mix using exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Investing in ETFs can provide exposure to a wide variety of markets, sectors, and asset classes.

Feeling financially conservative at retirement age? Your golden years need not be totally devoid of growth investments.

Junk bonds—or high-yield bonds—can be quite risky, but may still have a place in a portfolio.

Life has a way of happening, and investors should consider life changes as a time to assess retirement portfolios and long-term goals.

Our busy lives leave little room to monitor the stock markets regularly. There are times when we can just ignore our retirement portfolios—for a little while.

When spouses have different investing styles, retirement planning can take some compromises from both sides.

Is a dynamic approach to retirement fund drawdowns right for you? Go beyond the 4% rule and explore other strategies.

What if you get a pay hike? Use it to go down a better path for the future and stash it away. Here’s how.

If you choose to use trading as a source of retirement income, it’s important to keep in mind the risks that come along with the potential rewards.