Checking your Fidelity Investments account is an essential part of managing your financial well-being. Whether you're tracking your portfolio's performance, reviewing recent transactions, or simply checking your balance, Fidelity offers a variety of convenient ways to stay on top of your investments. This comprehensive guide will walk you through each step, ensuring you can access and understand your Fidelity account with ease.
Your Journey to Financial Clarity: How to Check Your Fidelity Investments
Step 1: Are You Ready to Dive Into Your Financial World? Let's Get Started!
Before we embark on this journey, let's make sure you have everything you need. Do you have your Fidelity login credentials handy? This includes your username and password. If you're a new user or haven't logged in recently, you might need to set up your online access first. Don't worry, we'll cover that too!
Sub-heading: Why Checking Your Fidelity Account Matters
Regularly reviewing your Fidelity Investments account is crucial for several reasons:
Staying Informed: Understand how your investments are performing and if they're aligning with your financial goals.
Catching Discrepancies: Quickly identify any unauthorized activity or errors.
Making Informed Decisions: Access real-time data to help you make timely investment decisions.
Financial Planning: Track your progress towards retirement, savings goals, or other financial milestones.
Step 2: Choosing Your Access Point – Online, Mobile, or Phone?
Fidelity offers multiple convenient ways to check your investments. The best option for you depends on your preference and immediate needs.
Sub-heading: Option 1: The Power of the Web (Fidelity.com)
The Fidelity website is your central hub for comprehensive account management.
Open Your Browser: Launch your preferred web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, etc.).
Navigate to Fidelity's Website: Type
www.fidelity.cominto your address bar and press Enter.Locate the "Login" Button: This is typically found in the top right corner of the homepage. Click on it.
Enter Your Credentials: A login screen will appear.
Username: Carefully type in your registered Fidelity username.
Password: Enter your password. Remember that passwords are case-sensitive.
If you've forgotten your username or password, look for "Forgot username?" or "Forgot password?" links and follow the prompts to recover or reset them. This usually involves verifying your identity through email or phone.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Fidelity prioritizes security. You may be prompted for a two-factor authentication code, which could be sent to your registered mobile phone or email. Enter this code to proceed.
Access Your Account Summary: Once successfully logged in, you'll typically land on your Account Summary page. This page provides a high-level overview of all your Fidelity accounts, including their current values.
Sub-heading: Option 2: Investing on the Go (Fidelity Mobile App)
The Fidelity mobile app offers a streamlined and convenient way to manage your investments from your smartphone or tablet.
Download the App:
For iPhone users: Go to the Apple App Store.
For Android users: Go to the Google Play Store.
Search for "Fidelity Investments" and download the official app.
Open the App: Tap the Fidelity app icon on your device.
Log In:
Enter your username and password.
Many apps offer biometric login options like Fingerprint ID or Face ID for quick and secure access after initial setup. Enable these if you prefer.
Navigate Your Portfolio: The app's interface is designed for easy navigation. You'll usually see your account summary prominently displayed. You can tap on individual accounts to drill down into more detail.
Sub-heading: Option 3: A Human Touch (Phone Support)
For those who prefer speaking to someone directly or need assistance with complex issues, Fidelity's customer service is readily available.
Find the Customer Service Number: Visit the Fidelity website's "Contact Us" section (usually found in the footer) or simply search "Fidelity customer service number." The general customer service number for individual investors is 1-800-343-3548.
Prepare Your Information: Have your account number (if you know it) and any relevant personal identification information ready to verify your identity.
Call During Operating Hours: Check the website for their operating hours to ensure you call when representatives are available.
Follow the Prompts: You'll likely encounter an automated system first. Listen carefully to the options and select the one that pertains to checking your account balance or portfolio. You'll then be connected to a representative.
Step 3: Understanding Your Account Summary and Portfolio
Once you're in, whether on the website or the app, the Account Summary is your starting point.
Sub-heading: Overview of Your Holdings
On the Account Summary page, you'll typically see:
Total Account Value: This is the sum total of all your investments across all your Fidelity accounts. It gives you a quick snapshot of your overall wealth held at Fidelity.
Individual Account Values: Each of your accounts (e.g., Brokerage, IRA, 401(k), 529 Plan) will be listed with its current market value.
Performance at a Glance: Many platforms provide a quick view of your daily or year-to-date performance, often with percentage changes.
Sub-heading: Diving Deeper into Individual Accounts
To get more detailed information, click or tap on a specific account from your Account Summary. This will typically lead you to a page with:
Positions: This is a critical section that lists all the individual investments you hold within that account. You'll see:
Symbol: The ticker symbol for stocks, ETFs, or mutual funds.
Description: The full name of the security.
Quantity: The number of shares or units you own.
Current Price: The latest trading price of the security.
Market Value: The total value of your holding (Quantity x Current Price).
Cost Basis: The original price you paid for the investment, crucial for calculating gains and losses.
Unrealized Gain/Loss: The profit or loss on your investment if you were to sell it today.
Balances: This section provides a detailed breakdown of your cash, margin (if applicable), and other available funds within the account.
Cash (Core): Your uninvested cash held in a money market fund.
Available to Withdraw: The amount of cash you can immediately withdraw from your account.
History/Activity: This tab provides a chronological list of all transactions in your account.
Trades: Buys and sells of securities.
Dividends and Interest: Income received from your investments.
Deposits and Withdrawals: Money flowing in and out of your account.
Transfers: Movement of assets between accounts.
You can often filter this history by date range or transaction type for easier viewing.
Step 4: Accessing Statements, Reports, and Tax Documents
Fidelity provides a wealth of documents to help you understand your account activity and tax implications.
Sub-heading: Online Documents (eDelivery)
Locate "Statements & Reports" or "Documents": On the website, this is usually found under the "Accounts & Trade" menu or within the specific account view. In the app, look for a "Documents" or "Statements" section.
Select Document Type: You'll typically find categories like:
Account Statements: Monthly or quarterly summaries of your account activity, holdings, and performance. You can usually access 10 years of statements online.
Trade Confirmations: Records of individual buy and sell orders.
Tax Forms: Important documents like 1099-DIV (dividends), 1099-B (sales), and 1099-R (retirement distributions). Fidelity typically provides 7 years of most tax forms.
Prospectuses and Financial Reports: Important legal and financial documents for mutual funds or other investments.
View or Download: Most documents are available in PDF format, which you can view directly in your browser or download for your records. It's highly recommended to download and save important tax documents.
Step 5: Utilizing Advanced Tools for Deeper Analysis
Fidelity offers sophisticated tools to help you analyze your portfolio and make informed decisions.
Sub-heading: Performance & Research Tools
Performance: Many online platforms allow you to view the historical performance of your overall portfolio or individual holdings over various timeframes (e.g., 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, inception). You can often compare your performance against relevant benchmarks.
Research: Fidelity provides extensive research tools for stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, and other securities. This includes:
Analyst Ratings: Opinions from Fidelity's research team or third-party analysts.
Financial Data: Key metrics like revenue, earnings, and valuation ratios.
News and Market Commentary: Up-to-date information that could impact your investments.
Screeners: Tools to help you find new investment opportunities based on your criteria.
Sub-heading: Portfolio Analysis Tools
Fidelity's Portfolio Quick Check® (PQC) is a valuable tool that can help you:
Analyze Asset Allocation: See how your investments are distributed across different asset classes (stocks, bonds, cash) and sectors.
Assess Risk: Understand the risk profile of your portfolio.
Identify Diversification Gaps: See if your portfolio is adequately diversified to mitigate risk.
Step 6: Security Best Practices
While Fidelity employs robust security measures, your vigilance is key to protecting your investments.
Sub-heading: Essential Security Tips
Strong, Unique Passwords: Use a complex password that combines uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using easily guessable information.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Always activate 2FA for an extra layer of security. This makes it significantly harder for unauthorized individuals to access your account even if they have your password.
Beware of Phishing Scams: Be cautious of suspicious emails, texts, or calls claiming to be from Fidelity. Fidelity will never ask for your password or personal information via unsecured channels. If in doubt, do not click on links and contact Fidelity directly using official contact information.
Regularly Review Activity: Make it a habit to check your transaction history and statements for any unfamiliar activity.
Use Secure Networks: Only access your Fidelity account on secure, private Wi-Fi networks. Avoid public Wi-Fi for sensitive financial transactions.
Keep Software Updated: Ensure your operating system, web browser, and security software are up-to-date to protect against vulnerabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - How to...
Here are 10 common "How to" questions about checking Fidelity Investments, with quick answers:
How to check my Fidelity account balance?
Log in to your Fidelity account online or via the mobile app, and your current balance will typically be displayed on the Account Summary page.
How to view my investment performance on Fidelity?
On Fidelity.com, navigate to your account summary and look for performance charts or reports. In the app, tap on your account to see performance metrics.
How to find my Fidelity account number?
Your account number can usually be found on your account statements (physical or electronic), within your online account's profile/settings, or by contacting customer service.
How to access my Fidelity statements online?
Log in to Fidelity.com, go to "Accounts & Trade," then "Statements & Reports," or find a similar "Documents" section in the mobile app.
How to see my transaction history on Fidelity?
Within your online account or mobile app, select the specific account and look for a "History" or "Activity" tab. You can often filter by date and transaction type.
How to reset my forgotten Fidelity password?
On the Fidelity login page, click the "Forgot password?" link and follow the prompts to verify your identity and set a new password.
How to set up two-factor authentication (2FA) for my Fidelity account?
Log in to your Fidelity account, navigate to your security settings or profile, and look for options to enable 2FA, typically through text message or an authenticator app.
How to get tax documents from Fidelity?
Access your tax forms (e.g., 1099s) by logging into your Fidelity account and going to the "Statements & Reports" or "Tax Forms" section. They are usually available by early February each year.
How to check Fidelity Investments from the mobile app?
Download the official "Fidelity Investments" app from your device's app store, log in with your credentials, and navigate through the intuitive interface to view your accounts.
How to contact Fidelity customer service for account inquiries?
You can call Fidelity's customer service at 1-800-343-3548, use their online chat feature, or send a secure message through your logged-in account.
