Investment | Pontchartrain Investment Management

Investing should be easy – just buy low and sell high – but most of us have trouble following that simple advice. There are principles and strategies that may enable you to put together an investment portfolio that reflects your risk tolerance, time horizon, and goals. Understanding these principles and strategies can help you avoid some of the pitfalls that snare some investors.

The Cycle of Investing

Understanding the cycle of investing may help you avoid easy pitfalls.

Featured Presentation

5 Smart Investing Strategies

Getting what you want out of your money may require the right game plan.

Have A Question About This Topic?

Behavioral Finance

An amusing and whimsical look at behavioral finance best practices for investors.

A Look at Diversification

Diversification is an investment principle designed to manage risk, but it can't prevent against a loss.

The Fed and How It Got That Way

Here is a quick history of the Federal Reserve and an overview of what it does.

Inflation & Your Money

It's important to understand how inflation is reported and how it can affect investments.

All Muni Bonds Are Not Created Equal

Gaining a better understanding of municipal bonds makes more sense than ever.

Pullbacks, Corrections, and Bear Markets

Pullbacks, corrections, and bear markets are all a part of the investing cycle. When the market experiences volatility, it may be a good time to review these common terms.

A Primer on Dividends

A company's profits can be reinvested or paid out to the company’s shareholders as “dividends."

Value vs. Growth Investing

Among stock-market investors there’s long been a debate between those who favor value and those who favor growth.

Investing for Impact

Learn how to build a socially conscious investment portfolio and invest in your beliefs.

View all articles

What Is My Risk Tolerance?

This questionnaire will help determine your tolerance for investment risk.

What Is the Dividend Yield?

This calculator helps determine your pre-tax and after-tax dividend yield on a particular stock.

How Compound Interest Works

Use this calculator to better see the potential impact of compound interest on an asset.

Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings

Use this calculator to compare the future value of investments with different tax consequences.

Contributing to an IRA?

Determine if you are eligible to contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA.

Impact of Taxes and Inflation

Estimate the potential impact taxes and inflation can have on the purchasing power of an investment.

View all calculators

5 Smart Investing Principles

Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.

5 Smart Investing Strategies

There are some smart strategies that may help you pursue your investment objectives

View all presentations

Bursting the Bubble

Tulips were the first, but they won’t be the last. What forms a “bubble” and what causes them to burst?

Global and International Funds

Investors seeking world investments can choose between global and international funds. What's the difference?

What Smart Investors Know

Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.

Inflation and Your Portfolio

Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.

Should You Invest in Exchange Traded Funds?

There are hundreds of ETFs available. Should you invest in them?

Bridging the Confidence Gap

In the world of finance, the effects of the "confidence gap" can be especially apparent.