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Changing tax rates, steady inflation, and higher interest rates — put them together, and this might be a good time to consider the real return on your investments. As an investor, you probably pay attention to nominal return, which is the percentage increase or decrease in the value of...
Maintaining an appropriate balance of stocks and bonds is one of the most fundamental concepts in constructing an investment portfolio. Stocks provide greater growth potential with higher risk and relatively low income; bonds tend to be more stable, with modest potential for growth and income....
Roth IRAs were primarily intended as a tax-advantaged way to save for retirement, but for some parents (and students with earned income), a Roth IRA can double as a college savings tool. On the other hand, state-based 529 savings plans were designed specifically to help...
After an unusually calm year in 2017, the stock market turned unusually volatile in 2018. How volatile was it? Consider this: In 2017, the S&P 500 had only eight days when the index closed with a rise or fall of 1% or more from the...
You may have heard that a looming Social Security shortfall is threatening to affect future retirement planning benefits. If you’re retired or close to retiring, then you probably have nothing to worry about — your Social Security benefits will likely be paid to you in...
Sustainable, responsible, and impact (SRI) investing — also called socially responsible investing — has been around for a long time, but growing interest has moved it into the mainstream. U.S. SRI assets reached $12 trillion in 2018, 38% more than in 2016. SRI investments now...
Bonds can be a tricky investment when interest rates are rising, as they have been for the last few years. The value of bonds sold on the secondary market typically falls as rates rise, because investors can buy new bonds with higher yields. (The reverse...
Preferred stocks, also know as preferreds, may appeal to investors looking for a robust income stream, but they come with heightened risks during a period of rising interest rates. If you’re considering or already own preferred shares, here are some points to keep in mind. Preferreds:...
Preparing for retirement can be daunting, but like any challenge it helps to take a hard look at some real data. Yet only 29% of workers or their spouses have tried to estimate their retirement expenses, and only 33% have estimated the monthly retirement income...
Everyone faces challenges, and some challenges require more cash than you have readily available. If you find yourself in that position, you might eye your 401(k) balance and consider using those funds to meet your present needs. That’s a natural response, but it’s usually not...