Are You Taking on Too Much Risk?

by Bryan Olson
October 12, 2009
 
There are many factors to consider when determining your risk profile, but most important for achieving your goals is doing so honestly.
 

The New Rules for Investing: Same as the Old Rules

by Bryan Olson, CFA, Vice President, Head of Portfolio Consulting, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
July 7, 2009

Despite economic turmoil and the bear market, the financial system isn't broken.
 

What Are the Long-Term Market Prospects for Stocks and Bonds?

by Bill Swerbenski, CFA, Director, Asset Allocation and Portfolio Analysis, Schwab Center for Financial Research 
Updated May 13, 2009
 
A sound financial plan is your map to reach long-term financial destinations. To get there, you need reasonable estimates of stock and bond market returns.
 

Managing Your Portfolio Q&A: We Answer Your Questions

by the Schwab Center for Financial Research
March 10, 2009

Answers to top questions about mutual funds, including bond funds, money market funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Hedging Your Investments

by Rande Spiegelman, CPA, CFP®, Vice President of Financial Planning, Schwab Center for Financial Research
Updated January 13, 2009
 
A hedge is a strategy to defend against financial loss, particularly if you have an overly concentrated position.
 

Ready for the Rebound?

by Bryan Olson, CFA, Vice President, Head of Portfolio Consulting, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
December 9, 2008

What to consider now to position your portfolio for a market turnaround.
 

Investing Principle 6: Go with the Pros

by Mark W. Riepe, CFA, Senior Vice President, Schwab Center for Financial Research
August 28, 2008

Choosing professionally managed investments can be a better way to invest. 
    

When to Go Against Your Gut

by Bryan Olson, CFA, Vice President, Head of Portfolio Consulting, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
August 26, 2008

Why investors can benefit from not following their instincts.
 

Investing Principle 5: Get the Mix Right

by Mark W. Riepe, CFA, Senior Vice President, Schwab Center for Financial Research
July 22, 2008

Select an asset allocation that’s right for you and stick with it.
 

Investing Principle 4: Diversification Is Key

by Mark W. Riepe, CFA, Senior Vice President, Schwab Center for Financial Research
June 17, 2008

Diversification is the second most important factor in reaching goals.
 

Investing Principle 3: The Top Success Factor

by Mark W. Riepe, CFA, Senior Vice President, Schwab Center for Financial Research
May 20, 2008

How much you save and spend has the greatest impact on your investing success.
 

What's the Right Time to Invest?

by Mark W. Riepe, CFA, Senior Vice President, Schwab Center for Financial Research
April 30, 2008

There's a high cost to waiting for the best entry point. Get in the game.
 

Investing Principle 2: Stick With Your Plan

by Mark W. Riepe, CFA, Senior Vice President, Schwab Center for Financial Research
April 25, 2008

Understand your investment plan, follow it, and adjust it when things change in your life.
 

Manic Markets and You

by Bryan Olson, CFA, Vice President, Head of Portfolio Consulting, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
April 8, 2008

Feeling panicked? Uncertain? Opportunistic? Consider our strategies for success.
 

Investing Principle 1: A Blueprint for Success

by Mark W. Riepe, CFA, Senior Vice President, Schwab Center for Financial Research
March 10, 2008

You wouldn't build a house without a blueprint. Building an investment portfolio should be no different.
 

Schwab's Investing Principles: Becoming a Successful Investor

by Mark W. Riepe, CFA, Senior Vice President, Schwab Center for Financial Research
February 27, 2008

For many people, becoming a successful investor can seem difficult and daunting. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
 

Know Yourself, Know Your Risk Tolerance

by Bryan Olson, CFA, Vice President, Head of Portfolio Consulting, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. 
February 14, 2008 
 
Because money is an emotional subject, few things are more important than knowing yourself as an investor. And that means examining your attitude toward risk.
 

The Biggest Mistake You Can Make

by Bryan Olson, CFA, Vice President, Head of Portfolio Consulting, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. 
February 14, 2008 
 
Moving in and out of the market can deep-six your portfolio. 
 

Reduce Risk—Not Returns

by Bryan Olson, CFA, Vice President, Head of Portfolio Consulting, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
December 6, 2007
 
Managing risk can actually enhance returns. Learn how to do it like the pros. 
 

Why You Should Rebalance Your Portfolio

by Bryan Olson, CFA, Vice President, Head of Portfolio Consulting, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. 
November 7, 2007
 
Don't let the market dictate your portfolio risk level.

The Portfolio Pyramid: How to Diversify Your Investments

by Bryan Olson, CFA, Vice President, Head of Portfolio Consulting, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
October 12, 2007 
 
Remember the food pyramid for building a balanced diet? The portfolio pyramid covers the essential elements of a healthy, balanced portfolio.
 

Hedging: Tax Traps for the Unwary

by Rande Spiegelman, CPA, CFP®, Vice President of Financial Planning, Schwab Center for Financial Research 
August 1, 2007 
 
Running afoul of certain tax rules could severely limit the effectiveness of your hedging strategy.
 

Strategies for Hedging and Diversification

by Rande Spiegelman, CPA, CFP®, Vice President of Financial Planning, Schwab Center for Financial Research
July 24, 2007 
 
Here are some common strategies investors use to hedge against potential loss.
 

How Much Pain Can You Take?

by Bryan Olson, CFA, Vice President, Head of Portfolio Consulting, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
June 15, 2007 
 
Assess how susceptible your portfolio is to major losses, and learn what you can do to avoid them.
 

The Concentration Trap

by Bryan Olson, CFA, Vice President, Schwab Center for Investment Research® 
April 26, 2007 
 
Don't let concentrated stock positions decimate your financial future.
 

Get a Plan!

by Mark W. Riepe, CFA, Senior Vice President, Schwab Center for Investment Research®
December 28, 2006

Here are five steps to help you craft an investment plan that gets you where you want to go.

3 Benefits of Long-Term Investing

by Bryan Olson, CFA, Vice President, Head of Portfolio Consulting, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
September 25, 2006
 
Don't let your portfolio be driven by speculation and current fads. Maximize your wealth with a long-term focus.
 

Think Total Return

By Bryan Olson, CFA, Vice President, Head of Portfolio Consulting, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
August 10, 2006
 
When forming your retirement accumulation or withdrawal strategy, don't get overly hung up on yield. Remember, it's just one component of return.
 

The Owner's Manual for Your Portfolio

by Bryan Olson, CFA, Vice President, Schwab Center for Investment Research®
June 15, 2006 
 
Nearly all pension funds, endowments and foundations use investment policy statements to keep their portfolios on track. What do the pros know that the average Joes don't?
 

Why Invest Internationally?

by Bryan Olson, CFA, Vice President, Schwab Center for Investment Research®
May 23, 2006
 
Prudent investors shouldn't ignore investing internationally—they may miss the opportunity for higher returns and lower risk.
 

Create Your Own Portfolio Update Tool with Excel

by Rande Spiegelman, CPA, CFP®, Vice President of Financial Planning, Schwab Center for Investment Research®
March 11, 2005
 
If you're a do-it-yourself investor and have a basic familiarity with spreadsheets, it's relatively simple to customize your own portfolio update and review tool.
 

Three Keys to Growing Your Wealth

by Bryan Olson, CFA, Vice President, Schwab Center for Investment Research®
December 22, 2004
 
As the New Year approaches and you start reviewing your portfolio and trying to plan for a successful 2005, it's good to review the fundamental keys to helping grow your portfolio.
 

Smart Ways to Monitor Your Portfolio

by Bryan Olson, CFA, Vice President, Schwab Center for Investment Research®
May 27, 2004
 
Monitoring your portfolio makes for smoother sailing toward your long-term investing goals.
 

Don't Let Stock Options Unbalance Your Portfolio

by Rande Spiegelman, CPA, CFP®, Vice President of Financial Planning, Schwab Center for Investment Research®
May 25, 2004
 
When the value of your portfolio rests on a single stock—and that includes stock options—you risk financial disaster if that stock declines.
 

The Basics of Stock Options

by Rande Spiegelman, CPA, CFP®, Vice President of Financial Planning, Schwab Center for Investment Research®
May 25, 2004
 
Making the right decisions about stock options can put money in your pocket. Making the wrong decisions could cost you money—in some cases, a lot of money.
 

Managing Your Stock Options

by Rande Spiegelman, CPA, CFP®, Vice President of Financial Planning, Schwab Center for Investment Research®
May 25, 2004
 
Like any other investment, stock options must be managed to maximize their potential value.
 

Sweat the Small Stuff

by Rande Spiegelman, CPA, CFP®, Vice President of Financial Planning, Schwab Center for Investment Research®
May 16, 2003
 
While “Don’t sweat the small stuff” might be good advice when it comes to life in general, when it comes to investing, little things can add up quickly. Here are a few items to consider if you’re looking to gain an edge.
 

Asset Allocation: The 90% Question

by James D. Peterson, Ph.D., Vice President, Mutual Fund Research, Schwab Center for Investment Research®
 
Have you heard the expression that asset allocation explains more than 90% of the variability in portfolio returns? Let’s take a look at what this figure really means.