Personal Finance
Towards a Healthier Financial Future
Topic: "Investments"
← Curating the web to find the most interesting and helpful
information about your money.
Infographic of the week
Visualizing the Growth of $100, by Asset Class
Which major asset class has generated the strongest returns over the long run? How do the returns of investments like bonds and real estate actually stack up? To put investment returns in perspective, this graphic shows the growth of $100 by asset class over the long term, based on data from Aswath Damodaran at NYU Stern.
Comparing Asset Class Returns →Investing
10 Tips for Successful Long-Term Investing
While the stock market is riddled with uncertainty, certain tried-and-true principles can help investors boost their chances for long-term success.
By THE INVESTOPEDIA TEAM, 10 Tips for Successful Long-Term Investing →Investing
Should you put your money in a long-term CD or invest it? Here’s what to consider by Elizabeth Gravier
With savings rates still high and more interest rate cuts possible in 2024, savers today are giving a lot of attention to CDs. A certificate of deposit lets you lock in a fixed interest rate for a fixed amount of time. That’s an attractive option in today’s market, where savers can find CD rates of up to 5.66%. That far outpaces the current inflation rate of 3.4%, so your money is protected from being devalued.
CD or the market? What to consider first →Infographic of the week
Decision Paralysis: The Rise to One Million Investment Choices
There were just over 30,000 managed investment products in 2002, but the choices grew rapidly in the years that followed. As of June 30, 2023, there were more than 742,000 products available.
The rise in investment products over time, and how financial advisors can help →Investing
How to Invest in Index Funds in 2024 from the Motley Fool
An index fund is an investment that tracks a market index, typically comprising stocks or bonds. Index funds generally invest in all the components of the index they track and have fund managers whose job is to make sure that the index fund performs the same as the index.
Why invest in index funds? →Investing
A beginner’s guide to investing in the stock market
Investing can be one of the more complex concepts in personal finance. But it’s also one of the key cornerstones to financial independence and wealth building.
Kevin L. Matthews II on how to start investing and decide on your investing goals →Investing
Best Investments for Beginners
There are several options considered the best investments for beginners that suit a range of goals, budgets, and comfort levels. This guide will cover the most common options, but a financial advisor can help you identify your best options and provide support while you navigate your first investments.
Investing can seem scary and intimidating, especially to first-time investors these tips can help →Word of the week
Rebalancing
Rebalancing entails adjusting your investment holding to desired percentages for your stocks and bonds. Let's take an example where your target allocation is 20% bonds, 20% cash, and 60% stocks. You may now have a 70 percent stock, 10 percent bond, and 20 percent cash allocation if the stock market has done really well over the last year. You can sell some stocks and reinvest the proceeds in bonds to rebalance your portfolio, or you can add more bonds to the portfolio to restore its original balance.
How To Rebalance Your Investment Portfolio →Saving
You don't need to be an expert to grow a nest egg. We'll cover how to build your portfolio, when to sell (or not sell) stocks and how to avoid fees.
NPR Life Kit Podcast: Investing for beginners →Investing
10 Best AI Stocks Of February 2024 by Cory Mitchell
Forbes Advisor has identified 10 of the best AI stocks. They each shine for different reasons. Some are more stable with great earnings growth, while others are newer and more speculative but have produced big returns. There are AI stocks here to suit all types of investors.
AI is a growing field, and AI-related ETFs have outpaced the S&P 500 by a significant margin year to date →Investing
10 Best Dividend Stocks Of February 2024 by Cory Mitchell
Dividend investing provides investors with steady cash flow over the long term. When you reinvest dividend income, the magic of compounding can turbocharge your returns. Over the last century, dividend payments accounted for about 40% of the total return of the S&P 500.
These companies have boosted annual dividend payouts for at least 10 years with attractive yields →Did you know?
The Philadelphia Stock Exchange (PHLX), established in 1790, is older than the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), and even as late as 1815, London banks looked to Philadelphia rather than New York to buy American securities.
How New York Became the Center of American Finance →Infographic of the week
Charted: Investment Preferences by Generation in the U.S.
Different generations grow up with different values and different economic realities, causing investment preferences by generation to vary across the board. The above graphic shows how different generations invest—from millennials to boomers—based on June 2023 survey data from Charles Schwab.
The Visual Capitalist: Investment Preferences by Generation →Investing
10 Top Tech Stocks Of February 2024 by Dock David Treece
The best tech stocks come from companies that are building the future. Whether they manufacture sleek mobile devices or develop the digital services you can’t live without, fast-growing technology stocks can set portfolios into hyperdrive.
The 10 largest tech sector companies profiled →Investing
What are ETFs and Should You Invest in Them? by Elizabeth Gravier
There are so many ways to invest your money to build your wealth. From stocks to bonds to index funds, there’s a wide range of investment vehicles for every kind of investor depending on their goals. A common choice for beginner investors who want exposure to the overall stock market is to put money into an exchange-traded fund or ETF.
Here's what you should know about investing with ETFs. →Investing
Three Investing Trends for 2024 and Beyond
Longevity, decarbonization and technology disruption could provide long-term investment opportunities.
Michael Zezas of Morgan Stanley on investing trends for 2024 →Investing
This Money Checklist Will Help You Crush 2024
Money.com provide a 10-step guide to crushing your financial goals in 2024 (and beyond). For expert insights into the housing market, ways to save money on EVs and more.
What do you hope to accomplish in 2024? →Infographic of the week
Tech Giants’ Stock Performance: A Three-Year Review (2020-2023)
In the last three years tech giants like Apple, Google, and Microsoft navigate through market volatility due to the global pandemic. In 2020, the pandemic led to a market selloff, but companies like Zoom and Shopify experienced growth due to increased demand during lockdowns.
Maureen Okonkwo's Viz at Tableau Public →Investing
2023 in review: Rates, rallies and reflections
The U.S. Fed finishes 2023 with a bang, plus 40 notable events that helped shape markets this year.
Madison Faller Global Investment Strategist at JP Morgan →Investing
You may want to change your investing strategy in 2024
Calling the remarkable past few weeks on Wall Street a Santa Claus rally or an end-of-year winning streak would be an understatement.
Nicole Goodkind from CNN on your investment strategy for 2024 →Word of the week
Time Value of Money (TVM)
The idea that money that is available now is worth more than the same amount in the future is known as the time value of money, or TVM. This is due to the fact that money that is invested has the ability to grow, and the longer it is invested, the more value it will gain. Money acquired later is viewed as having less value since it has less time to increase through investments.
Model and forecast the growth of your money. Define projected growth rates & visualize likely scenarios →Investing
Ways to supercharge your CD investments
CDs offer a guaranteed interest rate that’s typically higher than a savings account, and you get the safety of FDIC insurance to ensure your money will be there when you need it. They’re not right for every situation, but they can be an effective way to save for short-term goals or create a predictable stream of income.
How to find the best CDs to invest in →Infographic of the week
Visualizing 30 Years of Investor Sentiment
The link between investor sentiment and the stock market is not linear. In fact, many consider extreme sentiment readings as a contrarian indicator. If sentiment swings sharply in one direction, some investors may consider this a signal to do the reverse.
Investor sentiment and U.S. stock prices over modern history →Investing
How to Invest in ETFs for Beginners
Exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, are an easy way to begin investing. ETFs are fairly simple to understand and can generate impressive returns without much expense or effort.
Here’s what you should know about ETFs and how they work →Infographic of the week
The 20 Most Common Investing Mistakes, in One Chart
No one is immune to errors, including the best investors in the world. Fortunately, investing mistakes can provide valuable lessons over time, providing investors an opportunity to gain insights into investing—and build more resilient portfolios.
20 Investment Mistakes to Avoid →Investing
What Is the Fear and Greed Index?
The Fear and Greed Index is a tool developed by CNN (yes, the news network) to help gauge what factors are driving the stock market at a given time.
Guide to the Fear and Greed Index →Word of the week
Annuity
An annuity is a type of insurance contract in which the insured (you) and the insurer (insurance firm) agree that the insurer will pay you either on a regular basis or one-time disbursements to you as a payout for your contributions. Usually, people utilize an annuity as a retirement income source.
Use our free retirement calculator to see how an annuity make get you closer to your goals →Serious stuff
Should I still be investing in this uncertain stock market? Uncertainty is a normal – even necessary – part of investing, but it becomes a problem when people spend so much time worrying that they miss out on market returns.
Four tips for nervous investors from Benjamin Felix →Word of the week
Financial Exposure
Investor risk, which is defined as the possible loss an investor may incur by investing, is referred to as financial exposure. Investors use strategies like investment hedging and diversification to try to reduce their financial exposure.
Take your first steps into the investment world without risking losing any money →Investing
ScotiaFunds: 5 timeless tips on managing market ups and downs
1. Keep calm and carry on 2. Stay invested…it’s time, not timing 3. Manage risk, don't avoid it 4. Put diversification to work 5. Take advantage of dollar-cost averaging
Learn more from their easy to read resource →Word of the week
Diversification
A fundamental investing strategy that distributes investment funds among multiple asset classes is diversification.
What Is Diversification? Definition as Investing Strategy →Investing
How to Invest in Bonds
Bonds are a way for an organization to raise money. Let's say your town asks you for a certain investment of money. In exchange, your town promises to pay you back that investment, plus interest, over a specified period of time.
A Beginner's Guide to Buying Bonds →Infographic of the week
Warren Buffett's Portfolio Visualized
Warren Buffet is probably best known for being one of the world’s most successful investors. See what Berkshire Hathaway are holding and learn from the legendary value investor known as the 'Oracle of Omaha'.
How They Make Money: Why the Oracle of Omaha tends to bet on the status quo →Investing
How to Invest Like Warren Buffett
Want to emulate Buffett’s investment strategy? Morningstar has compiled work on the approach he and partner Charlie Munger have pursued at Berkshire Hathaway. (Stock symbols BRK.A and BRK.B)
Delve into Warren Buffett’s investment strategy →Word of the week
Asset Allocation
Asset allocation is where you choose to put your money. The three primary asset classes are stocks, bonds, and cash. Choose those that best match your goals, risk tolerance, and time schedule.
Neontra aggregates and tracks all your assets in one place so you can monitor your allocation easily →Infographic of the week
Ranked: The 20 Best Franchises in the U.S.
The U.S. is famous for chain restaurants, franchised shops, and brand name hotels. One thing these franchises aim for is consistency in store feel, customer service, product offerings, and prices, no matter which state you’re in.
Best franchises in the U.S. worth owning, from Dunkin’ Donuts to ... →Infographic of the week
How Long Does it Take to Double Your Money?
At first glance, a 7% return on your investment may not seem that impressive. Yet what if you heard that your money could double in roughly 10 years?
Why it Pays to Know the Math →Infographic of the week
Just 7 Companies Dominate the Nasdaq 100
Launched in 1985, the Nasdaq 100 index tracks the performance of the largest, and most actively-traded, non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange.
Companies in the Nasdaq 100, by Weight →Infographic of the week
Timing the Market: Why It’s So Hard, in One Chart
Timing the market seems simple enough: buy when prices are low and sell when they’re high.
The Pitfalls of Timing the Market →Did you know?
The first War Savings Certificates and Victory Bonds were issued in Canada during the First and Second World Wars. They went towards paying for the war effort.
Browse through the gallery and view the timeline to learn about the History of Canada Savings Bonds. →Word of the week
Interest
Typically, interest is paid on deposits to savings accounts. Your savings will increase as a result of the interest you earn on money you save, particularly if you have a higher-interest savings account. Simple interest - is paid on some investments and does not take into account the interest that has been added to the account; rather, it calculates interest just on the original amount. These investments often have a slightly higher interest rate. Compound interest - is the interest on savings calculated on both the initial principal and the accumulated interest from previous periods. Compound interest is the norm for savings accounts.
See an example of how simple and compound interest differ →Infographic of the week
The World’s Biggest Mutual Fund and ETF Providers
The global net assets of mutual fund and ETF providers totalled $38 trillion in 2022. Despite its massive size, the industry is dominated by a relatively small number of brands.
This graphic uses data from Morningstar to show the largest fund brands and their growth rates in 2022 →Word of the week
Bonds
Governments and businesses both issue bonds as a form of investment. In exchange for a predetermined rate of return, you lend money to these organizations when you purchase a bond. Although historically yielding less than stocks, bonds are thought to be a safer kind of investment.
How to Buy Bonds in Canada →Investing
Motley Fool outlines Warren Buffett's investing philosophy in 9 steps
1. Look for a margin of safety 2. Focus on quality 3. Don't follow the crowd 4. Don't fear market crashes and corrections 5. Approach your investments with a long-term mindset 6. Don't be afraid to sell if the scenario changes 7. Learn the basics of value investing 8. Understand compounding 9. Research and reflect
How to Invest Like Warren Buffett →Infographic of the week
Visualizing the Hierarchy of Financial Needs
Behavioural scientist Abraham Maslow wrote “A Theory of Human Motivation” in 1943, arguing that humans worldwide are influenced by a “hierarchy of needs”. This theory organizes human needs across five levels, where needs in the lower end must be satisfied before progressing onto the next level.
See the steps to creating a strong financial foundation →Investing
Financial advisors agree: These are the 3 best investing tips for beginners
CNBC Select shares three tips for any beginner investor just starting out. 1) Audit your finances before you even start to invest 2) Utilize retirement accounts as much as you can 3) Know you don’t have to be an expert
If you’re just getting into investing, read more →Investing
3 common mistakes investors make — and how to avoid them
In our daily lives, we know it’s hard to break bad habits, like eating too much junk food. The same is true for investing. Just as understanding which foods are better for you, knowledge is power when it comes to your portfolio.
Nobody’s perfect, especially when it comes to investing →Investing
Investing can seem intimidating
Fortune.com outlines how to get started: - Decide your investment goals - Select investment vehicle(s) - Calculate how much money you want to invest - Measure your risk tolerance - Consider what kind of investor you want to be - Build your portfolio - Monitor and rebalance your portfolio over time
A beginner’s guide to investing in the stock market →Infographic of the week
The most profitable U.S. companies, by sector
See the S&P 500 companies with the highest profits in their sector. Data is based on the fiscal year ending on or before January 31, 2023 across companies in the Fortune 500.
America’s most profitable companies, by sector →Investing
Millennials: 4 Tips to Start Investing Today
1. Build your credit 2. Open a TFSA 3. Invest what you can 4. Set some goals
Here are some tips to get started from Motley Fool →Infographic of the week
The Fastest Rising Asset Classes in 2023
Many corners of the market have shown resilience despite persistent inflation and slowing economic growth in 2023. U.S. equities, international equities, and a variety of bonds have seen positive returns so far this year.
The top-performing asset classes to date with data from BlackRock →Investing
Investing for Young Canadians
If you’re a young person thinking about making your first investment but not sure where to begin, you’re not alone.
RRSP, TFSA or FHSA? Young Canadians looking to invest face wide range of options →Investing
9 easy steps to start investing in Canada:
1. Assess your risk tolerance 2. Choose Your Investing Style 3. Decide How Much You Can Invest 4. Pick the Right Kind of Stock Investments 5. Choose a broker 6. Open the right investment account 7. Diversify Your Stocks 8. Keep a Steady Eye on Your Portfolio 9. Invest Consistently for the Long-Term
How to Start Investing in Canada: 9 Steps to Success →Word of the week
ETFs: Exchange-Traded Funds
An ETF is essentially a basket of investments such as stocks or bonds. In this sense they’re similar to mutual funds, but unlike mutual funds, shares of ETFs can be traded throughout the day on an exchange, much like an individual stock.
Learn about the benefits of ETFs →Infographic of the week
Just 20 Stocks Have Driven S&P 500 Returns So Far in 2023
Truman Du shows which stocks are making up the vast majority of S&P 500 returns amid AI market euphoria and broader market headwinds.
Tech and AI stocks have soared as ChatGPT became a household name in 2023 →Investing
ETF vs Index Fund: Which Should Canadians Invest In?
Learn the differences between ETFs and index funds and determine which fund is right for you.
ETF vs Index Fund →Word of the week
Compound Interest
Compound interest is the interest on savings calculated on both the initial principal and the accumulated interest from previous periods.
Discover the magic of compounding and why it's important to increasing wealth →Word of the week
GIC (Guaranteed Investment Certificate)
"Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs) and term deposits are secured investments. This means that you get back the amount you invest at the end of your term. The key difference between a GIC and a term deposit is the length of the term. Term deposits generally have shorter terms than GICs."
Learn about the key details before buying a GIC →← Curating the web to find the most interesting and helpful information about your money.