Articles
Welcome to our research center! We've put together a library of information on important financial topics that we believe you'll find helpful.
Simply click on one of the general financial topics below and you'll find a selection of easy-to-understand information sheets about related financial concepts and strategies. This information is updated regularly to reflect the latest facts, figures, legislation, and economic trends.
Market Commentary
- Weekly Market Commentary | July 13, 2026
- Midyear Outlook 2026 | July 7, 2026
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 29, 2026
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 22, 2026
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 15, 2026
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 8, 2026
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 1, 2026
- Weekly Market Commentary | May 26, 2026
- Weekly Market Commentary | May 18, 2026
- Weekly Market Commentary | May 11, 2026
- Weekly Market Commentary | May 4, 2026
- Weekly Market Commentary | April 27, 2026
- Weekly Market Commentary | April 20, 2026
- Weekly Market Commentary | April 13, 2026
- Weekly Market Commentary | April 6, 2026
- Weekly Market Commentary | March 30, 2026
- Weekly Market Commentary | March 23, 2026
- Weekly Market Commentary | March 16, 2026
- Weekly Market Commentary | March 9, 2026
- Weekly Market Commentary | March 2, 2026
- Weekly Market Commentary | February 23, 2026
- Weekly Market Commentary | February 17, 2026
- Weekly Market Commentary | February 9, 2026
- Weekly Market Commentary | February 2, 2026
- Weekly Market Commentary | January 26, 2026
- Weekly Market Commentary | January 20, 2026
- Weekly Market Commentary | January 12 2026
- Weekly Market Commentary | January 5, 2026
- Weekly Market Commentary | December 22, 2025
- Weekly Market Commentary | December 15, 2025
- Outlook 2026 | The Policy Engine
- Weekly Market Commentary | December 1, 2025
- Weekly Market Commentary | November 24, 2025
- Weekly Market Commentary | November 17, 2025
- Weekly Market Commentary | November 10, 2025
- Weekly Market Commentary | November 3, 2025
- Weekly Market Commentary | October 27, 2025
- Weekly Market Commentary | October 20, 2025
- Weekly Market Commentary | October 13, 2025
- Weekly Market Commentary | October 6, 2025
- Weekly Market Commentary | September 29, 2025
- Weekly Market Commentary | September 22, 2025
- Weekly Market Commentary | September 15, 2025
- Weekly Market Commentary | September 8, 2025
- Weekly Market Commentary | September 2, 2025
- Weekly Market Commentary | August 25, 2025
- Weekly Market Commentary | August 18, 2025
- Weekly Market Commentary | August 11, 2025
- Weekly Market Commentary | July 28, 2025
- Weekly Market Commentary | July 21, 2025
- Weekly Market Commentary | July 14 2025
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 30 2025
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 23, 2025
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 16, 2025
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 9, 2025
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 2, 2025
- Weekly Market Commentary | May 27, 2025
- Weekly Market Commentary | May 19, 2025
- Weekly Market Commentary | May 12, 2025
- Weekly Market Commentary | May 5, 2025
Investing
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What Are Dividends?
It is important to understand how dividends (taxable payments to shareholders) fit with your long-term goals.
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What Is an Exchange-Traded Fund?
ETFs have unique attributes and attempt to track all types of indexes, industries, or commodities.
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How Are Growth and Value Stocks Different?
The labels growth and value reflect different approaches that can be used when making investment decisions.
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How Are Mutual Funds Taxed?
Mutual fund taxes can be cumbersome, but there are ways to help mitigate the amount of taxes you may owe.
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What Is Stock?
Before investing in stocks, it is important to understand some of the basics and the risks involved in owning stocks.
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What Are Zero-Coupon Bonds?
Zero-coupon bonds represent a type of bond that does not pay interest during the life of the bond.
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What Is Diversification?
An important element to successful investing is to manage investment risk while maintaining the potential for growth.
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What Types of Bonds Are Available?
Bonds are issued by many entities and share many characteristics, each type of bond has certain benefits and risks.
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What Is a Bond?
A bond is simply evidence of a debt from a government entity or a corporation and represents a long-term IOU.
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What Is a Stock Index?
Stock market indexes can be useful benchmarks for gauging the performance of an investment portfolio over time.
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How Do Mutual Funds and Stocks Differ?
The difference between purchasing an individual stock versus shares in a mutual fund to potentially earn dividends.
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What Is a Mutual Fund?
A mutual fund is a collection of stocks, bonds, and other securities with certain benefits and risks.
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What Is a Closed-End Fund?
With closed-end funds, investors pool their money together to purchase a professionally managed portfolio of stocks and/or bonds.
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What Is a Mutual Fund Load?
It’s important to understand mutual fund loads, or sales charges, and exactly what they entail so you can make informed investing decisions.
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What Is an Annuity?
An annuity is a flexible financial vehicle that can help protect against the risk of living a long time because it provides an option for a lifetime income.
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What Is the Difference Between a Fixed Annuity and a Variable Annuity?
Both fixed and variable annuities could be appropriate options for an individual interested in purchasing an annuity.
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What Investment Risks Should I Know About?
Understanding different types of investment risk can help investors manage their money more effectively.
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What Are the Different Classes of Assets?
There are five broad asset classes that you should take into consideration when constructing your investment portfolio.
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What Is Asset Allocation?
Asset allocation is a method used to help manage investment risk; it does not guarantee a profit or protect against investment loss.
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How Can I Save for My Child’s College Education?
There are several funding methods for a child's college education including mutual funds and Section 529 plans.
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What Stock and Bond Investing Alternatives Do I Have?
There are other ways to invest in stocks and bonds besides owning individual shares or bonds.
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What Is Dollar-Cost Averaging?
Dollar-cost averaging involves investing a set amount of money on a regular basis, regardless of market conditions.
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529 Lesson Plan: High Scores for 529 Plans
529 plans are tax-advantaged savings plans that generally allow people of any income level to contribute.