--- title: "Research Lab" description: "The Swoopr Research Lab: scenario analyses, fact sheets, comparison matrices, checklists, mistake labs, research protocols, data methodologies." canonical: https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/ source: "Swoopr Investment: https://www.getswoopr.com" --- ## Direct Answer Structured research resources for independent investors: scenario analyses, fact sheets, comparison matrices, checklists, mistake labs, research protocols, data methodologies, and forecast scorecards. # Research Lab ## Scenario Analyses - [Early Retirement and Sequence-of-Returns Risk](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/scenario-early-retirement-sequence-risk/) - [Tax-Loss Harvesting Case Study](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/scenario-tax-loss-harvesting-case-study/) - [New Job 401(k) Rollover Decision](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/scenario-new-job-401k-rollover-decision/) - [Inheriting an IRA](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/scenario-inheriting-an-ira/) - [First Brokerage Account Setup](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/scenario-first-brokerage-account-setup/) - [What if Credit Spreads Widen Sharply?](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/scenario-credit-spreads-widen/) - [What Happens if Stocks Fall 30%? A Portfolio Stress Scenario](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/scenario-equities-fall-30-percent/) - [What if Inflation Averages 5% for Three Years?](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/scenario-inflation-5-percent-three-years/) - [What Happens to a Portfolio if Rates Rise 2 Percentage Points?](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/scenario-rates-rise-200-bps/) - [What if the U.S. Dollar Falls 15%?](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/scenario-us-dollar-falls-15-percent/) ## Fact Sheets - [Fact Sheet: Index Funds](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/fact-sheet-index-funds/) - [Fact Sheet: REITs](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/fact-sheet-reits/) - [Fact Sheet: Dollar-Cost Averaging](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/fact-sheet-dollar-cost-averaging/) - [Fact Sheet: Market Capitalization](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/fact-sheet-market-capitalization/) - [Fact Sheet: Bond Duration](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/fact-sheet-bond-duration/) - [Drawdown Fact Sheet](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/fact-sheet-drawdown/) - [Duration Fact Sheet: What It Measures and What It Does Not](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/fact-sheet-duration/) - [Free Cash Flow Fact Sheet](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/fact-sheet-free-cash-flow/) - [Tracking Difference Fact Sheet](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/fact-sheet-tracking-difference/) - [Yield Curve Fact Sheet](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/fact-sheet-yield-curve/) ## Comparison Matrices - [Roth vs. Traditional IRA](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/comparison-matrix-roth-vs-traditional-ira/) - [ETF vs. Mutual Fund](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/comparison-matrix-etf-vs-mutual-fund/) - [Growth vs. Value Investing](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/comparison-matrix-growth-vs-value-investing/) - [Active vs. Passive Investing](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/comparison-matrix-active-vs-passive-investing/) - [Stocks vs. Bonds](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/comparison-matrix-stocks-vs-bonds/) - [Taxable vs. Tax-Advantaged Accounts](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/comparison-matrix-taxable-vs-tax-advantaged/) - [Individual Bond vs. Bond Fund: Comparison Matrix](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/matrix-individual-bond-vs-bond-fund/) - [Money Market Fund vs. Bank Savings Account: Comparison Matrix](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/matrix-money-market-fund-vs-bank-savings/) - [Roth IRA vs. Traditional IRA: Mechanics-Only Comparison Matrix](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/matrix-roth-vs-traditional-ira/) - [Target-Date Fund vs. Balanced Fund: Comparison Matrix](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/matrix-target-date-fund-vs-balanced-fund/) - [Treasury Bills vs. Bank CDs: Comparison Matrix](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/matrix-treasury-bills-vs-bank-cds/) ## Mistake Labs - [Selling Winners Too Early](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/mistake-lab-selling-winners-too-early/) - [Overconfidence in Stock Picking](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/mistake-lab-overconfidence-in-stock-picking/) - [Anchoring to Purchase Price](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/mistake-lab-anchoring-to-purchase-price/) - [Neglecting Tax Drag](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/mistake-lab-neglecting-tax-drag/) - [Recency Bias in Asset Allocation](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/mistake-lab-recency-bias-in-asset-allocation/) - [Anchoring to Your Purchase Price](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/mistake-lab-anchoring-purchase-price/) - [Ignoring Taxes Until After the Trade](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/mistake-lab-ignoring-taxes/) - [Overtrading: When Activity Becomes the Objective](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/mistake-lab-overtrading/) - [Performance Chasing: The Mistake of Buying the Rear-View Mirror](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/mistake-lab-performance-chasing/) - [Confusing Yield With Return](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/mistake-lab-yield-vs-return/) ## Research Protocols - [Evaluating a Stock Before Buying](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/research-protocol-evaluating-a-stock-before-buying/) - [Reading an Earnings Report](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/research-protocol-reading-an-earnings-report/) - [Analyzing a Company Balance Sheet](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/research-protocol-analyzing-a-company-balance-sheet/) - [Screening for Value Stocks](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/research-protocol-screening-for-value-stocks/) - [Sizing a Position](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/research-protocol-sizing-a-position/) - [Bond-Fund Due-Diligence Protocol](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/research-protocol-bond-fund-due-diligence/) - [Dividend Sustainability Verification Protocol](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/research-protocol-dividend-sustainability/) - [ETF Due-Diligence Protocol](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/research-protocol-etf-due-diligence/) - [A Primary-Source Protocol for Reading a 10-K](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/research-protocol-reading-10k/) - [REIT Research Protocol: Property to Capital Structure](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/research-protocol-reit/) ## Data Methodologies - [How Index Returns Are Calculated](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/data-methodology-how-index-returns-are-calculated/) - [How ETF NAV Is Calculated](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/data-methodology-how-etf-nav-is-calculated/) - [How Major Economic Indicators Are Constructed](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/data-methodology-how-economic-indicators-are-constructed/) - [How Credit Ratings Are Assigned](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/data-methodology-how-credit-ratings-are-assigned/) - [How Volatility Is Measured in Financial Markets](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/data-methodology-how-volatility-is-measured/) - [How CPI Is Built: A Swoopr Data Methodology Page](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/data-methodology-cpi/) - [How to Store FRED Series Without Losing Context](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/data-methodology-fred-series/) - [How GDP Data Should Be Read and Versioned](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/data-methodology-gdp/) - [SEC Companyfacts Data: What the API Gives You and What It Does Not](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/data-methodology-sec-companyfacts/) - [Total Return Calculation Methodology](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/data-methodology-total-return/) ## Forecast Scorecards - [Analyst Earnings Estimates](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/forecast-scorecard-analyst-earnings-estimates/) - [Interest Rate Predictions](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/forecast-scorecard-interest-rate-predictions/) - [Recession Predictions](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/forecast-scorecard-recession-predictions/) - [Stock Market Predictions](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/forecast-scorecard-stock-market-predictions/) - [Commodity Price Predictions](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/forecast-scorecard-commodity-price-predictions/) - [Analyst Earnings Forecast Scorecard: Methodology](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/forecast-scorecard-analyst-earnings-methodology/) - [Federal Reserve Projection Scorecard: Methodology](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/forecast-scorecard-fed-projections-methodology/) - [Inflation Forecast Scorecard: Methodology](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/forecast-scorecard-inflation-methodology/) - [Price-Target Accuracy Scorecard: Methodology](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/forecast-scorecard-price-targets-methodology/) - [Recession Forecast Scorecard: Methodology](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/forecast-scorecard-recession-methodology/) ## Investment Checklists - [Before You Buy a Stock](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/checklist-before-you-buy-a-stock/) - [Annual Portfolio Review](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/checklist-annual-portfolio-review/) - [Evaluating a Mutual Fund or ETF](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/checklist-evaluating-a-mutual-fund-or-etf/) - [Reading an Annual Report](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/checklist-reading-an-annual-report/) - [Opening a Brokerage Account](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/checklist-opening-a-brokerage-account/) - [Before You Buy an ETF: Evidence Checklist](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/checklist-before-buying-etf/) - [Before You Buy an I Bond: Evidence Checklist](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/checklist-before-buying-i-bond/) - [Before You Buy a Single Stock: Evidence Checklist](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/checklist-before-buying-single-stock/) - [Before You Reach for Yield: Evidence Checklist](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/checklist-before-reaching-for-yield/) - [Before You Use a Stop Order: Evidence Checklist](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/checklist-before-using-stop-order/) ## Post-Mortems and Autopsies - [Why 'Buy the Dip' Can Fail Without a Decision Rule](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/buy-the-dip-no-rule-post-mortem/) - [Autopsy of a Concentrated Growth Portfolio](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/concentrated-growth-portfolio-autopsy/) - [Autopsy of a Covered-Call Income Portfolio](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/covered-call-income-portfolio-autopsy/) - [Autopsy of a Crypto Yield Strategy](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/crypto-yield-strategy-autopsy/) - [Why a High-Yield-Chasing Portfolio Can Fail](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/high-yield-chasing-portfolio-post-mortem/) - [Autopsy of an Illiquid Alternative Investment](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/illiquid-alternative-investment-autopsy/) - [Autopsy of a Long-Term Leveraged ETF Hold](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/leveraged-etf-long-hold-autopsy/) - [Why Owning Many Funds Can Still Leave a Portfolio Concentrated](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/many-funds-hidden-concentration-post-mortem/) - [Why a Stop-Loss Plan Can Fail in a Fast Market](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/stop-loss-plan-fast-market-post-mortem/) - [Why Volatility Targeting Can Deleverage at the Worst Time](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/volatility-targeting-deleveraging-post-mortem/) ## Evidence Reviews - [What the Evidence Says About Diversification](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/evidence-review-diversification/) - [Dividend Yield Is Not Total Return: An Evidence Review](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/evidence-review-dividend-yield-total-return/) - [What the Evidence Says About Investment Fees](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/evidence-review-investment-fees/) - [What the Evidence Says About Market Timing](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/evidence-review-market-timing/) - [What the Evidence Says About Rebalancing](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/evidence-review-rebalancing/) ## Failure Patterns - [Failure Pattern: Home Country Bias](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/failure-pattern-home-country-bias/) - [Failure Pattern: Mental Accounting](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/failure-pattern-mental-accounting/) - [Failure Pattern: Overtrading](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/failure-pattern-overtrading/) - [Failure Pattern: Panic Selling](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/failure-pattern-panic-selling/) - [Failure Pattern: Performance Chasing](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/failure-pattern-performance-chasing/) - [Concentration Disguised by Fund Count](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/failure-pattern-concentration-disguised-by-fund-count/) - [Hidden Correlation: Why Diversification Can Disappear in Stress](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/failure-pattern-hidden-correlation/) - [The Leverage Feedback Loop: How Small Losses Become Forced Sales](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/failure-pattern-leverage-feedback-loop/) - [Liquidity Mismatch: When the Asset and the Promise Do Not Line Up](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/failure-pattern-liquidity-mismatch/) - [The Refinancing Wall: When Maturity Becomes the Risk](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/failure-pattern-refinancing-wall/) ## Source Guides - [FINRA BrokerCheck: A Source Guide for Investors](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/finra-brokercheck-source-guide/) - [FRED Economic Data: A Source Guide for Investors](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/fred-economic-data-source-guide/) - [SEC EDGAR: A Source Guide for Investors](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/sec-edgar-source-guide/) - [TreasuryDirect: A Source Guide for Direct Government Bond Investors](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/treasury-direct-source-guide/) - [How to Read GDP Data From the Bureau of Economic Analysis](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/source-guide-bea-gdp/) - [How to Read CPI Data From the Bureau of Labor Statistics](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/source-guide-bls-cpi/) - [How to Use FRED Without Misreading the Series](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/source-guide-fred/) - [How to Use SEC EDGAR as a Primary Source](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/source-guide-sec-edgar/) - [How to Use TreasuryDirect for Treasury and Savings-Bond Research](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/source-guide-treasurydirect/) ## Diagnostics - [Why Is My Portfolio So Volatile? A Diagnostic Guide](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/high-portfolio-volatility-diagnostic/) - [Why Did This Investment Lose Money? A Post-Loss Diagnostic](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/investment-loss-diagnostic/) - [Am I on Track for Retirement? A Diagnostic Checklist](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/retirement-on-track-diagnostic/) - [Why Is My Portfolio Underperforming? A Diagnostic Tree](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/underperformance-diagnostic-tree/) - [Why Am I Not Saving Enough? A Behavioral and Structural Diagnostic](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/why-am-i-not-saving-enough-diagnostic/) ## Decision Guides - [Individual Bonds or a Bond Fund? A Decision Guide](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/individual-bonds-vs-bond-fund-decision-guide/) - [Lump Sum or Dollar-Cost Averaging? Frame the Decision Correctly](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/lump-sum-vs-dollar-cost-averaging-decision-guide/) - [Market Order or Limit Order? Choose Based on the Failure You Can Accept](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/market-vs-limit-order-decision-guide/) - [Money Market Fund or Bank Savings Account? What Actually Changes](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/money-market-fund-vs-bank-savings-decision-guide/) - [TIPS or I Bonds? A Decision Guide Built Around the Constraints](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/tips-vs-i-bonds-decision-guide/) ## Myth vs. Fact - [Myth vs. Fact: Diversification](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/myth-vs-fact-diversification/) - [Myth vs. Fact: Dollar-Cost Averaging](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/myth-vs-fact-dollar-cost-averaging/) - [Myth vs. Fact: Passive Investing](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/myth-vs-fact-passive-investing/) - [Myth vs. Fact: Real Estate as an Investment](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/myth-vs-fact-real-estate-investing/) - [Myth vs. Fact: Stock Market Predictions](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/myth-vs-fact-stock-market-predictions/) - [Myth: Bonds Cannot Lose Money](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/myth-bonds-cannot-lose-money/) - [Myth: A High Dividend Yield Means Safer Income](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/myth-high-dividend-yield-safer-income/) - [Myth: The Lowest Expense Ratio Always Means the Cheapest ETF](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/myth-lowest-expense-ratio-cheapest-etf/) - [Myth: More Funds Automatically Means More Diversification](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/myth-more-funds-more-diversification/) - [Myth: A Stop-Loss Order Guarantees Your Maximum Loss](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/myth-stop-loss-guarantees-maximum-loss/) ## What Changed - [What Changed: 401(k) Contribution Limits and Rules](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/what-changed-401k-contribution-limits/) - [What Changed: U.S. Cryptocurrency Regulation](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/what-changed-crypto-regulation-us/) - [What Changed: ETF Regulation and Structure](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/what-changed-etf-regulations-2024/) - [What Changed: Money Market Fund Reforms (2024)](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/what-changed-money-market-reform-2024/) - [What Changed: Capital Gains Tax Rates](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/what-changed-short-term-capital-gains-rates/) - [What Changed When I Bonds Became Electronic-Only?](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/what-changed-i-bonds-electronic-only/) - [What Changed in the SEC's 2023 Money Market Fund Reforms?](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/what-changed-money-market-fund-reforms-2023/) - [What Changed in Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plans?](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/what-changed-rule-10b5-1/) - [What Changed in Public-Company Cybersecurity Disclosures?](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/what-changed-sec-cybersecurity-disclosures/) - [What Changed When U.S. Securities Settlement Moved to T+1?](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/what-changed-t1-settlement/) ## Diagnostic Trees - [Why Did My Bond Fund Fall When Rates Rose? A Diagnostic Tree](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/bond-fund-fell-rates-diagnostic-tree/) - [Why Did My Cash Yield Change? A Cash-Return Diagnostic Tree](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/cash-yield-change-diagnostic-tree/) - [Why Did a Company Cut Its Dividend? A Diagnostic Tree](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/dividend-cut-diagnostic-tree/) - [Why Is My Portfolio More Volatile Than I Expected?](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/portfolio-volatility-diagnostic-tree/) - [Why Did My ETF Underperform Its Index? A Diagnostic Tree](https://www.getswoopr.com/research-lab/why-etf-underperformed-index-diagnostic-tree/) ## Narrative vs. Data ## News Impact Assessments ## Plain-Language Glossaries ## Portfolio Pressure Tests [Swoopr Editorial Team](https://www.getswoopr.com/authors/swoopr-editorial-team/) produces independent investment education and research content. Corrections: [corrections policy](https://www.getswoopr.com/legal/corrections-policy/). Standards: [editorial standards](https://www.getswoopr.com/legal/editorial-policy/).