The core-holding concept has to be one of the most exciting investing ideas since Christopher Columbus started cold-calling potential backers.

Okay, that's sarcasm. "Core holding" and "exciting" don't go together. But what core holdings lack in thrills, they make up for in importance.

A core holding is just what it sounds like: It's the central part of your portfolio. The core requires investments that will be reliable year in and year out. They're the solid foundation for the rest of a portfolio.

To reach your investment goals, your portfolio needs a solid, reliable core. The rest is often frills.

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