Start with the investment itself: what it owns, how it earns money, and what could cause a loss.
Stocks
A share represents ownership in a company. Returns may come from price changes and dividends, but neither is guaranteed. A business can struggle even when its industry is growing.
Ask: What drives revenue, how much debt exists, and what expectations are already reflected in the price?
ETFs & index funds
ETF shares trade on an exchange. An index fund follows an index and may be structured as an ETF or mutual fund. Neither label guarantees low costs or broad diversification.
Ask: What does the fund hold, how concentrated is it, and what are the fees and trading costs?
Mutual funds
Mutual funds pool investors’ money in a portfolio. Their objectives and costs differ; some follow an index and others use active management.
Ask: What strategy does the prospectus describe, and how do the share class and expense ratio affect costs?
Bonds & Treasuries
Bonds are debt investments. Credit quality, maturity and interest rates affect their risks. Selling before maturity can produce a gain or loss.
Ask: Who owes the money, when is it due, and what happens if rates change?
REITs
Real estate investment trusts provide exposure to real estate businesses. Publicly traded and non-traded REITs differ, particularly in how easily shares can be sold.
Ask: Which properties or loans support the income, and what fees, debt and liquidity constraints apply?
Look across your holdings.
Several funds can own the same companies. Count the underlying exposures, then connect them to your goals and constraints.
A product name is a starting point.
Read the issuer’s prospectus or company filings before investing. Our research guide points to original sources, and the fee calculator shows how assumptions change a hypothetical result.
Sources: SEC Investor.gov product guides and U.S. TreasuryDirect, linked above. Checked October 3, 2026. These are educational comparisons, not a buy list.