When it comes to managing your money, saving and investing are two essential strategies that serve different purposes. Knowing when to save and when to invest is key to building financial security. Here’s what you need to know. 1. What is Saving? Saving means putting aside money in a safe, easily accessible account for short-term goals or emergencies. The […]
Investment
Understanding Total Return
A mutual fund’s performance — its total return — can be either positive or negative. In other words, a fund either made or lost money for a measured time period. There are three separate elements that contribute to total return: the distribution of fund income (interest and dividends received on the fund’s investments); the distribution […]
Help if You Want It: Lessons From Your Account Statement
An account statement can provide investors with a wealth of information about their investments. How closely do you look at your brokerage account statement? Your statement can tell you a lot about your investments. The following key elements of your statement contain important information that can help you assess the health of your portfolio. Account […]
The Money Market: The Basics You Need to Know
Investors should consider the advantages and potential risks before investing in money market mutual funds. If you’re looking for a place to park money temporarily or if you’re simply trying to maintain a cash cushion, a money market mutual fund may be an investment to consider.1 Money market mutual funds typically invest in high-quality, short-term […]