Investing Strategies for This (Or Any) Market
Ben Baden and Kirk Shinkle

Economic blues at home and debt crises abroad, a sickly job market, and a general fearfulness are still weighing heavily on the minds of many Americans. At times like these, it's worth taking stock of some of the investing basics that can make any portfolio a less fraught proposition. Consider the following a checklist for staying sane when markets seem to be anything but friendly

7 Mutual Funds for Dividend Junkies
Katy Marquardt

Funds that focus on dividend-paying stocks vary in strategy. Some sit squarely in the value camp and contain bargain-priced stocks with above-average yields. Some search for dividends abroad. Others focus more on future dividend growth than on high current yields. Here is a sampling of funds -- including one ETF -- that take different approaches to satisfy dividend devotees

How to Navigate a Low-Rate Environment
Ben Baden

Many experts believe that inflation is no longer a major concern, so the Federal Reserve's announcement -- that it will buy long-term treasury bonds -- shouldn't come as a huge surprise. As such, it will be another year before any changes in the Fed funds rate. With that in mind, here are some ways investors can prepare their portfolio for a slow economic recovery

5 Slow and Steady Funds for Skittish Investors
Ben Baden

Generally, large-cap value funds invest in well-known companies that are undervalued and trading at a cheap price. The stocks within these funds often pay dividends. Such funds may not shine during strong market rallies, but the undervalued stocks in their portfolios can provide consistent returns over the long term. With that in mind, here are five top-ranked large-value funds

Will the REITs Rally Continue?
Ben Baden

You've probably noticed some vacant office buildings. But what you may not have seen is commercial real estate's latest rally -- at least on Wall Street. Real estate funds, which primarily invest in real estate investment trusts (REITs), are the best-performing fund asset class so far this year. Is there still room for REITs to run? It depends on who you ask.

3 Ways to Invest in the Real Estate Rally
Ben Baden

Believe it or not, there's a rally in real estate -- commercial real estate, that is. So far this year, real estate funds, which invest primarily in real estate investment trusts (REITs), have returned about 17 percent. And over the past year, they've gained almost 40 percent, according to Morningstar. Here's a few important things to know about investing in real estate funds

More You Know About Stocks & Industries; Less Volatility Will Rock Your World
Andrew Leckey

The price volatility of five of the 10 sectors of the S&P 500 is currently at or near the all-time high of the past 20 years. Furthermore, none of the remaining five sectors have volatility levels below their long-term average. But while volatility is the first risk to consider, it's not the last. These guidelines for low-risk investing apply to many stocks

Investors Still Favor Bond Funds
Ben Baden

Investors still trust the safety of bond funds. June was another good month for fixed income. The Investment Company Institute reported that overall, mutual funds saw net inflows, mostly into bond funds

Valley Forge Fund: How a One-Man Mutual Fund Beats the Rest
Ben Baden

You've probably never heard the name Bernard Klawans. For four decades, the 89-year-old has managed a mutual fund single-handedly. Klawans has never had any formal training in money management or finance, yet he has been able to outperform some of the greatest minds in the fund business. The aptly named Valley Forge fund has weathered some of the worst market climates since its launch

Mutual Fund Fee Reform: Multibillion-Dollar Sleight of Hand
Rob Silverblatt

As the Securities and Exchange Commission looks to push through its reform of mutual funds' 12b-1 fees, one nagging question looms large: Will billions of dollars simply disappear from the mutual fund industry?

Essential Sites For the ETF Novice
Katy Marquardt

Investors looking to buy exchange-traded funds face a tsunami of choices these days. With just over 1,000 ETFs traded in the United States, it can be a challenge to differentiate among them and determine which best fit your goals. Sure, you can get information directly from the individual providers. Here's a handful of websites can help you wade through and compare ETFs

Avoiding a Bond Market Bubble
Andrew Leckey

A bond market bubble, though still a hazy prospect on the horizon in 2010, represents the latest risk to have potentially destructive consequences. Interest rates are at historic lows and bond prices at historic highs, but at some point rates are certain to rise again

When Choosing a Bond Fund Keep These Factors in Mind
Ben Baden

It's important to make sure you're making a well-informed decision. Whether there is a bond bubble brewing or not, here are four themes to consider when selecting a bond fund in today's tumultuous investing climate

3 Ways to Invest in the Small-Cap Rally
Ben Baden

For investors who have been scared off by recent volatility, here's three small-cap mutual funds that are highly ranked by S&P and have a low beta compared to their peers

Catastrophes and Your Investment Risk
Andrew Leckey

The BP oil spill is the latest example of a catastrophe bringing the methods of a company and its industry into question, but it is important to consider the potential risks of every investment. That's not to scare you off altogether as an investor, but to point out that it makes sense to diversify your holdings -- for those times when bad turns to worse.

Mutual Fund Buzz: America the Beautiful
Kirk Shinkle

For all the talk of a double-dip recession, there's a surprising amount of near-term interest in buying American. Just look at bond giant Pimco, where managers continue to move into U.S. Treasuries.

Mutual Fund Buzz: Emerging Markets Get a Boost
Kirk Shinkle

Emerging markets, with their hoped-for consumer booms and relatively modest debt burden compared to the developed world, should continue to draw inflows of all sorts.

Is Your Portfolio Ready for A Double-Dip Recession?
Rob Silverblatt and Ben Baden

With the threat of a double-dip recession in the near future, investors should position their portfolios to protect themselves from another downturn. With that in mind, here are 10 portfolio themes that investors should keep in mind in these uncertain times

Anatomy of a Risky Target-Date Fund
Rob Silverblatt

Ever since target-date funds took on sharp losses during the downturn, critics have been wondering aloud whether these products, which are marketed to hands-off investors, have taken on too much risk

When is the Best Time to Buy An Immediate Annuity
Humberto Cruz

A white-knuckle stock market ride since May has rekindled interest among readers at or near retirement age for immediate annuities that turn a lump sum premium into a guaranteed income for life. But many wonder, is this a good time to buy?

5 Tips For the Average Investor
Ben Baden

The stock market remains full of uncertainty because of a combination of factors, including worries that the U.S. economy is slowing and doubts about the strength of the Euro. It's times like these when investors should remember a few basic investing rules that can help see a portfolio through uncertain times.

Why Emerging Markets Belong in Your Portfolio
Ben Baden

First things first: emerging markets stock funds are still a volatile asset class. But if you break up the globe into different regions, the countries these funds invest in rank among the most attractive long-term prospects. Why?

What China's Currency Reform Means For Investors
Rob Silverblatt

The Chinese government's move to allow its currency, the renminbi, to appreciate against the dollar provided a big boost for U.S. stocks as investors expressed their confidence that American companies will be able to gain a firmer foothold in China's notoriously protective economy.

Financial Reform For the Retail Investor
Rob Silverblatt

It should hardly come as a surprise that one of the more contentious issues in the financial reform debate has assumed the disguise of a seemingly unassuming query: Should broker-dealers be required to act in the best interests of their clients?

Target-Date Funds Are Not A 'Sure Bet'
Humberto Cruz

Rather than have to put together and readjust a diversified portfolio over time, investors leave the task up to the fund manager. Target-date funds typically invest in a diversified mix of stocks, bonds and cash that becomes more conservative as the target date nears.

ETFs Can Be Volatile Too
Andrew Leckey

Just when investors thought the exchange-traded fund was the absolutely perfect investment to diversify their portfolios, turns out it can carry risks just like other investment vehicles.

Chinese Growth Expected to Boost Asian Markets Long-Term
Andrew Leckey

While Asian markets have been slowed this year by global worries and remain volatile, dramatic Chinese growth is expected to drive them ahead longer-term. That makes them hard to resist for investors, especially with lower stock prices, despite worries that China's economy and real estate market have come too far too fast

3 Mutual Funds to Steer Clear Of
Rob Silverblatt

Long-term investors are often loath to part with their mutual funds. Still, there are plenty of problem-plagued funds, and in many cases it's downright difficult to make a case for them. With that in mind, here's a list of the three worst-rated funds

Mutual Fund Buzz: Alternatives On The Rise?
Kirk Shinkle

Here's the leading edge of long-short, arbitrage, and other hedge fund strategies being turned into mutual funds over the past few years. It's a sign that asset managers may be wading further into more exotic terrain formerly occupied by hedge funds alone

Mutual Fund Buzz: The Tax Man Eyes The Fund Manager
Kirk Shinkle

It could be a rough one for some fund manager paychecks. That's because the Senate is expected to vote on a jobs bill that includes a big tax hike on private equity firms, hedge funds, and some real estate fund managers

Mutual Fund Buzz: Bond Bubble?
Kirk Shinkle

Is the bond bubble real? The WSJ says yes after surveying bond-fund managers. It's been a huge year for bond funds, as fixed income funds felt the love along with a rush of inflows from investors who fled stocks. Unfortunately, the tide may be turning as more scared investors continue to pile into bonds in the face of a still-weak economy and the European debt crisis

Ease Back Into Stocks With These Mutual Funds
Ben Baden

Investors spooked by recent market volatility are considering conservative allocation funds as a way to ease back into stocks. These funds contain a mix of stocks and bonds, but generally invest less than half of their assets in equities. Instead, they focus on a range of fixed-income investments, cash, and sometimes commodities like gold. Here's five conservative allocation funds

Value and Growth: Why Investors Need Both
Ben Baden

Value versus growth investing: which one is right for you? Managers of value funds search for unloved, discounted companies and dividends, while growth managers look for companies whose earnings are expected to grow at an rapid rate. Comparisons aside, you don't have to choose between one or the other: every investor should have a combination of the two. Here's how

Investing Your Social Security Check? Consider These Factors
Rob Silverblatt

For many seniors, monthly Social Security checks are a safety net used to cover immediate costs. But for those who have the luxury of being able to grow their portfolios, these payments can represent a regular source of investable income. For seniors looking to invest all -- or even a portion -- of their Social Security income, here are some things to consider

New Efficiencies Should Help Alcoa as Recession Lifts
Andrew Leckey

The world's largest aluminum producer has positioned itself to benefit from a global economic recovery but in the meantime must cope with low and uncertain prices for that metal.

Mutual Fund Fees: How Much is Too Much to Pay
Katy Marquardt

When it comes to mutual fund investing, cost matters -- a lot. Studies show that over time, funds with highest relative returns are often the cheapest. What's more, funds with steep annual expenses tend to have weaker management, higher risk strategies, and fewer resources. So how much is too much to pay?

In Gold's Shadow: How Other Metals Fit Into Portfolios
Rob Silverblatt

Gold, which thrives when investors are fearful, tends to stall or sink when markets are strong or when crises settle down. Gold, however, is hardly the only precious metal out there. With that in mind, here's a guide to how three other metals -- platinum, palladium, and silver -- fit into investors' portfolios.

Should Investors Sit This One Out?
Rob Silverblatt

Perhaps the most daunting aspect of the recent market turmoil is the simple fact that whenever stocks shoot up, a whole army of rally-killing scenarios seems poised to swoop in and drag prices back down. As this confluence of factors injects a sense of unpredictability into the stock market, it's no surprise that many jittery investors have opted to sell some holdings and hang onto the cash

There's No 'Perfect Time' to Dive Into Investing
Andrew Leckey

Investors shouldn't hold their breath. In 2008, stock prices were low but prospects dim as our financial system teetered. Gains in 2009 were a rebound from that low point but came as a surprise. In 2010, Europe's financial weakness has shocked the world. What's a novice investor to do? Stop waiting for a sign, say the experts

How to Keep Your Cool in a Turbulent Market
Ben Baden

Are we in a full-scale stock market correction? Is it a practical time to invest? Should you just stay on the sidelines? Despite plenty of forecasting, no one really knows where the market is headed. But many experts agree that average investors with a long-term mindset should consider dollar-cost averaging instead of trying to time the market and investing a lump sum.

How to Repair Your Damaged Portfolio
Rob Silverblatt

In the financial turmoil of the past decade, mutual fund investing became decidedly more complicated. After all, over the course of just 10 years, investors looked on as two bear markets ravaged the economy, as a pair of bull markets jolted stocks back to life, and as the Internet and housing bubbles inflated to their breaking points and then burst

Keep Bond Portfolio Broadly Diversified
Humberto Cruz

With uncertainty about the economy and the government deficit, inflation expectations and the direction of interest rates, bond investors are in a pickle. So what to do? Should investors abandon bonds and bond funds or keep their money only in the shortest-term instruments to minimize risk of principal loss if interest rates rise?

Why Not All Target-Date Funds Are Created Equal
Ben Baden

For investors who would rather give professionals the keys to their portfolio, target-date funds are a simple solution. Investors select funds with a horizon date, which generally matches up with the year they turn 65, then leave the fund allocation, and rebalancing up to the fund company. That's the general idea, but investors should be aware that allocation strategies can vary significantly

Five Tips to Avoid Confirmation Bias
Robert Pagliarini

The problem with confirmation bias is that you selectively filter what information you choose to pay attention to and value. So, not only will you actively look for evidence that confirm your existing beliefs, but even more perniciously, you'll discredit any information that contradicts your viewpoint. Here's five tips to minimize this cognitive distortion

Financial Reform Legislation Gives Shareholders More Say
Kathy Kristof

Financial reform seems certain to usher in rules that shareholder advocates have been trying to win for decades as a way to rein in runaway executive pay and make corporate boards more responsive to shareholders.

Fiduciary Provision May Be Most Important Part of Financial Reform Bill
Kathy Kristof

Financial professionals are waging a heated battle over a little-noticed part of the financial reform bill moving through Congress that's all about one word: trust. For individual investors who pay professionals to help them invest or plan for retirement, it may be the most important piece of the legislation.

Why Your Portfolio Needs More Risk
Rob Silverblatt

Lately, the market has shone a light on an entirely different type of risk, one that's far more paradoxical and difficult to grasp. Sometimes the biggest risk you can have in your portfolio is not having enough risk. Advocates of this philosophy point to two main scenarios.

What Gold Can and Cannot Do For You
Ben Baden

While the Euro has taken a hit, gold has shot up to all-time highs, above $1,200 per ounce. Investors must decide for themselves whether or not commodities like gold belong in their portfolio, but for those who want to know what all the fuss is about, here are a few things to know

Read Mutual Fund Ads Critically
Humberto Cruz

For many fund companies, performance sells although some firms advertise low costs rather than performance. And when the fund's actual return isn't all that great, then 'relative' performance, is the thing to tout when you can. We need to read ads critically, including the tiny-print disclaimers in the footnotes. We also need to question how significant performance numbers are. Here's why

Keep the Right Bonds in Your Portfolio
Kathy Kristof

Investors, made nervous by two years of roller-coaster performance in the stock market, have been pouring money into bond funds over the last year, seeking a haven for their assets. But if interest rates start to rise next year -- as most expect they will -- these mutual funds that hold bonds may not look quite as profitable, experts say.

European Debt Crisis Affects Investments
Rob Silverblatt and Ben Baden

Despite the initial confidence boost, a number of questions remain unanswered. Chief among them is what European Union countries will do to keep the problem from spiraling out of control after this temporary stopgap expires. Here you'll find explanations as to what has already happened and tips for what's on the horizon

7 Valuable Lessons For Investors
Katy Marquardt

In this stomach-churning market of dramatic highs and lows, it's easy for investors to lose their way. It may be time to reevaluate your strategy and refresh your investing know-how. With that in mind, a group of professional money managers provide their best investing advice

The Reality of Mutual Fund Returns
Ben Baden

Morningstar calculates what it calls investor returns. And the difference can be huge. That's because, by using 'dollar-weighted' returns to measure how your own dollars fared while in the fund, Morningstar takes into account an all-too-common investing error: buying funds when they're flying high and dumping them when they fall behind.

Mutual Funds and a Changing Landscape
Kirk Shinkle

Investors will find that they face a changing landscape. Shifting demand, new investment choices, and fallout from the downturn mean that the most common type of fund owned by average Americans -- equity funds run by a stock-picking manager -- will experience new competition. Here's a look at a few of the most significant trends people shopping for mutual funds now will want to consider

Assembling a Sturdy Retirement Portfolio
Kimberly Palmer

Even retirees who actively manage their investments will want the bulk of their portfolio in a diverse set of investments that don't require much daily monitoring. You should be setting up your portfolio in a way so you're not making constant changes

Funds for Recent College Grads
Ben Baden

Now that you're heading into the real world, it's time to begin planning your financial future. Saving money might not currently be your top priority, but you'll see a huge payoff down the road if you get started early

Many 'Wide Moat' Companies Losing Competitive Advantage
Andrew Leckey

Every company is looking over its shoulder these days. The number of firms with a 'wide moat' that presents an almost insurmountable obstacle to potential competitors has been declining. Rapid-fire innovation, technology and globalization mean challengers can arise from almost anywhere. Competitive advantage these days is difficult to obtain

Who Got Hit Worst in the Market Crash
Mark Miller

Media coverage of the 2008 market crash often focuses on investors close to retirement age. The story line is that pre-retirement investors took some of the worst hits and compounded their difficulties when they panicked and sold at market bottom. All true. But, the overall record of these close-to-retirement investors actually is considerably better than those of other age groups

Utility Stocks: Trade Flash for Dependable Payouts
Andrew Leckey

The utility stock has been a 'no-brainer' investment, an obvious choice of those foraging around to find greater income. In 2010, the prospects of this traditional vehicle may improve somewhat. Exciting, utilities stocks are not. Yet conservative and retired investors usually covet utilities not for any flash, but for steady dividends

Formulate Strategy Before Diving Into Higher Risk Mutual Funds
Andrew Leckey

Sometimes -- especially when a bear market awakens from its hibernation -- investors begin to feel the urge to take a flier on a higher-risk mutual fund. Which can be OK. Having a very small portion of your holdings in speculative choices can be acceptable so long as it doesn't involve little Johnny's tuition, next year's retirement expenses, or the bulk of your family nest egg.

Income Investors Face Challenges as Economy Shifts
Andrew Leckey

The search for high yields presents a quandary for income investors. If interest rates rise in the future, the value of high-yield, longer-term bonds bought now will decline. But if a high-dividend-paying stock is chosen, the investor needs to be relatively sure that today's impressive dividend is here to stay. Here's high-quality large-cap companies with predictable futures

Contrarian Investors Target Promising Out-of-Favor Stocks
Andrew Leckey

Running with the herd is the most popular way to invest because everyone will commend you for heading in the right direction. Taking a contrarian view, on the other hand, opens you to ridicule from your peers. You may seem out of step, as if you missed getting the proper message or aren't smart enough to grasp the obvious.

Investing for Retirement A Balancing Act
Andrew Leckey

Retirement investing is important, but not quite as effortless as it's sometimes made out to be. That's why ongoing asset allocation, low-expense selections and considering your 401(k) in the context of all your investments should be your game plan

Fees Can Take Big Bite Out of Retirement Fund Contributions
Kathy Kristof

Making an annual contribution to a retirement plan? A recent study could give you pause. It says that more than half of the average person's IRA contribution is being eaten away in fees. The study focused on the $1.88 trillion in retirement money that's invested in mutual funds.

Small-Cap Stocks Poised For Big Comeback
Andrew Leckey

Consider the upbeat scenario: An improved economy reinvigorates consumers, who run out to buy pairs of new shoes. While that is an oversimplified example of cause and effect, it depicts the basic logic behind some of the good prospects for small-cap stocks. They were hammered in 2008, regained momentum in 2009 and show promise for 2010 based on hopes of a better economy

John C. Bogle's Old-fashioned Investing Advice Still Applies
Kathy Kristof

There aren't a lot of investment experts who will tell you what they said 10 years ago and just how much of it turned out to be right. But John C. Bogle isn't your average investment expert. The 80-year-old founder of Vanguard has been preaching a simple, disciplined approach to managing money since he graduated from Princeton and got a job at Wellington Management in the 1950s

10 Great Mutual Funds You've Never Heard of
Rob Silverblatt

Here are 10 great funds you've probably never heard of. All of them are small funds (only one has more than $100 million under management) that receive at least an 8 out of 10 using U.S. News's recently unveiled Mutual Fund Score.

Mutual Funds Fees & Expenses Only One Factor
Humberto Cruz

I often read about avoiding high expenses in mutual funds, but when I talked to my broker he said expenses don't matter because rates of return have to be stated after all expenses and fees. So, if I have a return of 7 percent a year and a lower-cost fund also has a return of 7 percent, it's all the same to me. Is this correct?

Why Investors Are Flocking to Index Funds
Ben Baden

Since the dawn of indexing, a debate has raged between indexing diehards -- who think passive investing is the only way to match the market over time -- and those who believe that real, live stock pickers can do the job better. It may just come down to your personality. Do I trust a manager to pick the best stocks or put my faith in an index fund?

Trend-Setting Companies Target Hip Young Consumers
Andrew Leckey

The ability to keep up with often-fickle trends is a worthy skill that many companies have failed miserably trying to master. Those that have done it best often command top dollar for their shares, but their likelihood of continued success could make them worth their premium price.

Weakening European Stocks Offer Some Bargains for U.S. Investors
Andrew Leckey

Europe's ongoing fiscal trauma may present opportunities for U.S. investors. There could be possibilities in European stocks that are depressed in price or in stocks of U.S. multinational companies most likely to gain from European misfortune. The primary risk is ongoing problems involving not only Greece but other EU countries could become so dire that they sour all global markets.

Healthcare Reform Could Have Positive and Negative Effects on Drug Stocks
Andrew Leckey

The complex prescription for successful healthcare investing usually includes the careful consideration of drug pipelines, current-product sales, patent expirations, potential mergers and stock dividends. Add to that list in 2010 an untested ingredient called healthcare reform.

What to Do About Inflation & What Not to Do
Matthew Bandyk

American consumers have had plenty of things to worry about over the past year, but inflation has not been one of them. From the end of 2008 to the end of 2009, the consumer price index rose 2.7 percent, much lower than the 4.1 percent growth in 2007. But many Americans are worried that prices will rebound -- big time -- in 2010. Here's why

Kick-Start a Portfolio With Just a Little Cash
Ben Baden

When times are tough, it can be daunting to come up with enough cash to start -- or continue -- investing. But even a relatively small amount of seed money can pay off big in the long run. Here's how to get going with $1,000 or less

Exchange Traded Funds Offer Low-Cost Diversification
Andrew Leckey

More than $1 trillion is invested worldwide in exchange-traded funds and those assets continue to grow as new ETFs are introduced and investors discover the concept. ETFs replicate indexes or sectors with a goal of low-cost diversification. ETFs are traded on an exchange so you can buy and sell during market hours, unlike a mutual fund in which you trade shares at the end of the day.

Fresh Look at Socially Responsible Mutual Funds
Rob Silverblatt

Most socially responsible mutual funds are born of a desire to help the environment, slow the spread of violence, or boycott certain practices. Parnassus Workplace (PARWX), on the other hand, sprang from the stocks of publicly traded companies that made Fortune's list of the '100 Best Companies to Work For'

Technology Opens Doors for Investors
Rob Silverblatt

In an era in which the Internet is steadily uprooting traditional business models, David-versus-Goliath stories are becoming increasingly common. Meanwhile, the traditional investment and fund players have responded with advances of their own. Here's a look at some technologies that have emerged in this climate

Make the Most of Your Mutual Fund Money
Ben Baden

For most investors, the past 10 years have been sobering. Speculation drove growth stocks sky-high culminating in the tech-bubble burst. Later on, once trusted financials companies came to the brink of collapse. Times have changed. In turn, so should your investing habits. Here are some tips on becoming a smarter, more frugal mutual fund investor.

Will Bank Stocks Soar or Dive in 2010
Andrew Leckey

Bank stocks rose like a phoenix from the financial ashes over the past year or so, lifting the results of the funds that owned them as well. It would seem logical that an economic recovery would loft them even higher in 2010. The problem is that nagging questions about government intervention, housing and consumer credit may weigh them down.

Fiduciary Standard for Giving Investment Advice
Humberto Cruz

Consumer groups are pushing for a 'fiduciary standard' for brokers and anyone who gives investment advice. Fiduciary standard means putting clients' interests first, as registered investment advisers are legally required to do. Brokers generally are held to a less strict 'suitability' standard, meaning recommendations must be suitable to the client but don't have to be the best for them.

Growth Vs. Value Investing: 2010 Promises to be An Exciting Year
Andrew Leckey

The battle of growth versus value investing rages on in 2010. These distinct investment personalities move in cycles, one dominating for a period before being overtaken by the other. And then it starts all over again. Here's a look at potential growth and value investments.

TIPS Attracting More Investors As Hedge Against Inflation
Andrew Leckey

Some investors are increasingly deciding to put money in a safe investment backed by the full faith and trust of the U.S. government: Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities, known as TIPS, that provide protection against inflation.

Global Economic Risk Spooking Investors
Matthew Bandyk

Despite federal spending consuming 27.2 percent of GDP, the United States maintains a Aaa rating. But you can't say the same about many countries in both the developed and developing world where continued fallout from the economic crisis is hurting their credit ratings. As a result, investors have viewed the economic situations in these countries as increasingly risky bets.

Gold Remains Volatile But Worth Modest Gleam in Portfolio
Andrew Leckey

The concept 'good as gold' is polished to a fine shine from time to time by negative factors such as volatile currencies, weak financial markets, bank failures and instability due to political, economic and financial unrest. Historically considered a safe haven, gold's performance in recent years has benefitted from all those forms of global financial pestilence

Economic Gale Winds Have Made Investing Tough
Andrew Leckey

Some bold calls made during the market plummet of 2008 proved highly successful and an examination of the logic behind them can be helpful for the future.

Tech Trauma Should Ease in 2010 As Demand Climbs
Andrew Leckey

Tech trauma is a modern investor ailment. While the patient is aware that technology stocks are symbolic of the near- and long-term promise of the economy, their erratic movement can spike blood pressure beyond normal limits. The prescription for 2010 therefore requires tech stocks compatible with needs of a recovering business world

Are International Investments Still Good Plays
Andrew Leckey

There is still promise abroad in 2010, yet don't get carried away. Dynamic years are often been followed by dismal ones in the quixotic world investment mix. It increasingly makes sense to include international stocks or mutual funds as part of your personal portfolio, but you should do so in moderation.

Google Remains Powerful Brand
Andrew Leckey

Google continues to innovate and invest in new businesses as it battles strong competitors. Its powerful brand name and top-notch technical staff help keep it ahead of the curve. Having loads of cash doesn't hurt either.

New Economic, Market Trends Merit New Approach to Once Shunned Investments
Andrew Leckey

Investors seeking industries they can count on in 2010 will have to think outside the box. New economic and market trends require a reexamination of previously-avoided groups, such as regional banks, insurers, shipping companies, utilities, consumer staples firms and auto component companies. All could take a turn for the better in the coming year.

Timeless Investment Principles More Valuable Than Stock Picks
Humberto Cruz

Rather than waste your time with useless lists, I'll emphasize timeless investment principles for 2010 and beyond. But I can hear you now. You also want specifics, not just concepts. I'll give you specifics, too.

Make Your Financial Resolutions
Andrew Leckey

Negatives will linger into 2010, making it a year to tread lightly but carry a big emergency account. Market volatility is certain to continue. The most significant potential boost to stocks could come from an improved jobs picture that makes all investors breathe a sigh of relief.

How Long Will It Take to Recover Your Investment Losses
Kirk Shinkle

It has been well over a year since the worst crisis in decades rocked Wall Street, sending nearly every class of financial assets -- from stocks to bonds to real estate -- into a tailspin. Markets have managed to claw back from some of those substantial losses, but nearly everyone is still feeling poorer than just a few years ago. So where do average investors stand today

The 10 Strangest Mutual Funds
Rob Silverblatt

When mutual funds step off the beaten path, there's no telling what will happen. In the past, for example, oddball funds have fought the war on terror, tried to prop up the sky, and fantasized about swinging a presidential election. And although those particular funds failed, others have stepped in to carry the torch and preserve a long and proud tradition of eccentric investing styles. Here are the 10 quirkiest funds we could find

Experts Offer Advice on Investing in 2010
Andrew Leckey

How would you invest $10,000 in the coming year? We pose that question annually to a panel of investment experts. With hopes for an improved economy, the panel peers into its investment crystal ball for 2010

Investor Protection Act Would Shake Up Financial Adviser Duties
Mark Miller

There really are just two types of financial advisers: those who -- by law -- work for their clients, and those who really don't. The legal litmus test is called fiduciary duty, which means that the adviser is obligated to put the best interest of the client ahead of all else. That distinction is at the heart of an important debate heating up in Congress over a set of financial services industry reforms

Mid-Cap Stocks Have Reigned in 2009
Andrew Leckey

Mid-cap stocks have been anything but middling in 2009. They've been the sweet spot for investors still leery of the large-cap stocks that burned them in the recent past. Too many big-name companies also seem to be offering only downsizing as a strategy these days.

'Free Lunch' Investment Seminars Often End Up Costing You Money
Humberto Cruz

For six months, I attended every 'investment seminar' offering a free lunch that I found advertised in the newspaper or in postcards I got in the mail. I soon realized I would learn little about investing but a lot about high-pressure sales tactics for high-commission products.

Smart Year-End Tax Moves
Andrew Leckey

It's your move: Year-end tax moves can improve your position for the coming tax season and upcoming year. They're especially important because some steps must be taken before the year runs out. Keeping the potential for tax hikes in 2010 and 2011 in the back of your mind, tend to your tax business in the here and now

IPO Activity Is Up, But Examine Each Offering Carefully
Andrew Leckey

In a year of other IPO gains by familiar names such as Hyatt Hotels (H) and Vitamin Shoppe (VSI), the average first-day IPO price "pop" has been 7 percent and the average overall return 10 percent. But don't get the impression we've returned to the wild-and-crazy IPO markets of the past.

Holidays May Be Merry for Some Retailers
Andrew Leckey

A holiday season of high unemployment and nervous consumers would seem to dictate coal in the stockings of all retailers and their shareholders, yet some have reason to be jolly. It's a matter of being in the right place at the right time despite a weak economy.

For Shareholders, Cost-Cutting Can Cut Both Ways
Andrew Leckey

Companies have cut costs to the bone in this brutal recession. Lost jobs, shuttered facilities and difficult mergers are commonplace throughout corporate America. The question for investors is whether all that slashing actually improved efficiency at the firms whose stock they own or instead rendered them too emaciated to participate in an economic recovery.

Are Traditional Stock Percentage Formulas Still Valid
Andrew Leckey

The basic mid-range formula for personal portfolios traditionally has been 60 percent stocks and 40 percent bonds, based on a belief this provides the ability to keep up with inflation with some cushion as well. Percentages are adjusted according to an individual's risk preference, the types of stocks and bonds and the investment time frame. The question is whether the trauma of last year dictates that stock percentage should shrink or disappear

Online Brokers Drawing More Investors
Andrew Leckey

Blind-faith investing is dead in 2009. Market volatility has driven home to Americans the reality that they are ultimately responsible for their own investments. It also prompted backlash against giant brokerage firms that exacted sizable commissions but gave clients little to show for their money but losses last year.

Socially Conscious Investing Picks up Steam
Andrew Leckey

Socially conscious investing lets people put their money where their ideals are. While all investments took their lumps over the past year, mutual funds that employ environmental, social and corporate-governance screens have been gaining serious investor attention

Muriel 'Mickey' Siebert Calls for Hedge Fund Regulation
Kathy M. Kristof

Muriel Siebert is fighting for more regulation on Wall Street -- a suggestion rarely made by industry insiders. She contends that regulation is desperately needed to reduce market manipulation, restore investor confidence and eliminate systemic risks that have become so great that they threaten the entire economy.

Rebuilding Your Investment Portfolio
Kirk Shinkle

Markets have managed to claw back from the worst crisis in decades to rock Wall Street, but nearly everyone is still feeling poorer than just a few years ago. So where do average investors stand today when it comes to regaining all that lost investment, especially the millions of Americans nearing retirement age? In many cases, they're still digging out. And how long will it take to recover your losses? Maybe not as long as you think

Foreign Currency Investing: Now May Be the Time
Kathy Kristof

If you've been trying to find a place to invest your money and are feeling uneasy with U.S. stocks and bonds, consider looking overseas. You should know that an increasing number of experts are encouraging clients to boost their holdings in international currencies -- a once-rarefied market that's become more accessible to individual investors.

Know Target-Date Fund's Strategy Before Investing
Andrew Leckey

Forget about resting easy. Target-date funds, billed as confidence-building vehicles that gradually shift your holdings into more conservative fixed-rate instruments as their date nears, have caused some sleepless nights. Investors stashed money in these one-stop retirement plans so they didn't have to worry about making their own allocation decisions. But it has become clear they need to better understand the basic

Oil Investments Are Predictably Unpredictable
Andrew Leckey

Oil companies are the elephant in the room. The wide trading range and erratic movement of oil prices has been perplexing to pundits, investors and motorists alike. You're not hearing bold prognostications or definitive explanations about either oil prices or oil-company stocks. Better to simply wait quietly for everything to play out, most rational people reason. When that will occur, however, no one knows for sure.

Mergers and Acquisitions Perking Up Again
Andrew Leckey

Whether or not you're personally convinced that the recession is just about over, those in the big-buck mergers-and-acquisitions game are believers. 'It's all a sign you can't keep a good capitalist down and eventually greed will overcome fear,' said James Paulsen, chief investment officer for Wells Capital Management, Minneapolis. People are saying, 'Gee, not only are we not going to have a depression, but it looks like we're actually going to have a recovery.'

Festive Times for International real estate Funds
Andrew Leckey

Let's get the party started: An overseas run-up in real estate funds is rocking. International real estate funds are up 38 percent in 2009, or about 100 percent above their market bottom in March, according to Lipper Inc. Global real estate funds that also include U.S. companies are up 28 percent this year.

Demographics Should Factor into Investment Strategies
Andrew Leckey

Demographics will be playing an increasing role in long-term investment. A global potpourri of aging populations, rising middle classes and out-of-kilter national economies must be factored into individual strategies for the future. Savvy investors consider such things ahead of time, rather than as they occur.

Avoid Motion Sickness With These Investments
Andrew Leckey

Most investors want to avoid motion sickness. Even if the final results could be the same, arriving at those results on a smooth road with few bumps is preferable to veering up and down like a roller coaster. Yet those same investors also have some difficulty shaking off a commonly held belief ...

Time to Pick Inflation-Fighting Investments
Andrew Leckey

Some experts are convinced that a rise in prices will be the end product of stimulus packages, bank bailouts, budget deficits and economic recovery. Their belief is not universal, and timetables are pure conjecture. Nonetheless, that hypothesis is worth some consideration by any investor with a well-rounded portfolio.

Should You Join the Roth Conversion Parade
Mark Miller - Retire Smart

Get ready for a big push from the mutual fund industry this fall urging you to convert your traditional tax-sheltered retirement account to a Roth IRA. The inspiration for the marketing drumbeat is a change in federal law next year that lifts the household income limit for eligibility to convert traditional IRAs to Roth accounts. Marketing hype aside, retirement investors should give serious consideration. Here's why ...

Size Up Your Inflation Risk, Then Gird for the Possible
Kathy Kristof

Prices for goods and services have been relatively tame for the last three decades, but billionaire investor Warren Buffett recently put words to the fear of many market professionals. Inflation may not be around the corner. But, he said in a recent opinion piece, unless something is done to curb government deficits, inflation could hit with a vengeance when the economy starts to gain steam.

Should You Invest in Socially Responsible Funds
Kimberly Palmer

Socially responsible investing, often referred to as SRI, has grown so much over the past decade that the industry group Social Investment Forum estimates it accounts for 1 out of every 9 dollars that is professionally managed in the United States today. But some consumers hesitate to put their money into socially responsible funds. Here are questions and answers to help you decide if socially responsible investing is right for you.

Investing - Roth IRA Conversion: Good Timing is Important
Humberto Cruz

When you convert a traditional IRA to a Roth, you owe tax on the converted amount as if you had simply withdrawn it from the traditional IRA (which in fact you have). But a conversion avoids the normal 10 percent penalty on IRA withdrawals before age 59-and-a-half.

Investing - Congress Mulls Stricter Standards for Brokers
Humberto Cruz

As Congress considers extending the fiduciary standard to brokers - in essence, requiring them to put clients' interests first - consumer and investor advocates, regulators, professional groups and prominent advisers are urging its adoption and trying to prevent attempts to water the standard down.

Investing - Be Smart About Charitable Giving
Andrew Leckey

Charitable giving didn't dry up with recession, but it did become more selective. You aren't seeing donation pledges and checks tossed around casually in 2009. That prudent philosophy has prompted nonprofit organizations to hold their friends close.

Investing - PIMCO Fund Family Has Excelled During Downturn
Andrew Leckey

The PIMCO fund family gets a gold star for insight and early detection of the housing and mortgage debacles, resulting in strong results throughout many of its funds over the past three years. 'PIMCO and the strength of its bond portfolios has really stood out as a perceived advantage for it during the downturn'

Investing - Alcohol, Tobacco Stocks Are Recession-Resistant, Not Recession-Proof
Andrew Leckey

Alcohol and tobacco will always be controversial investments for obvious reasons, yet they tend to weather recession better than many other stock groups. Credit their massive cash flow from loyal repeat customers for a resiliency that overshadows their dubious reputations. No industry, however, can turn a blind eye to 2009 economic trends.

Are Sin Stocks Recession-proof
Kirk Shinkle

"Sin" stocks have had a rough go during this recession despite a reputation as one of the safer spots to park your money during downturns. Gambling, booze, and cigarette firms all have loyal (addicted, even) customers who are supposed to keep coming back no matter how bad the rest of the economy gets. Unfortunately, as with many other bits of the market, this time is different.

Best Mutual Fund Families
By Katy Marquardt

In a recent survey, more than 3,000 financial advisers weighed in with their picks of the top fund families. Criteria included consistency, ethics, trustworthiness, sophistication, and social consciousness. The survey was commissioned by Horsesmouth, an online adviser community and kasina, a financial services consulting firm. But since straight rankings reveal only so much, We asked a handful of financial advisers which fund families they favor and why.

Is There Hope for Home-Related Investments & Home Builder Stocks
Andrew Leckey - Successful Investing

Recession and declining property values have hit homeowners hard, which is bad news for investments tied to homes and property. Homebuilders, home improvement centers and real estate investment trusts are left to pin their hopes on an economic revival.

Financial Security - Income Annuities
Mark Miller - Retire Smart

Let's say you won't have a defined benefit pension in retirement, or that you have a pension that won't pay much. One option is a do-it-yourself pension--better known as an income annuity. An income annuity is something like the mirror opposite of life insurance. A life insurance policy protects you and your family from the possibility you'll die prematurely; an income annuity insures you against the risk that you might outlive your assets.

Women Face High Risk of Outliving Their Money
Mark Miller - Retire Smart

Here's some bad news for men: We don't live as long as women. But there's bad news for women, too: you might live too long -- financially speaking. Women face a greater longevity risk--the danger of outliving their assets and experiencing poverty in old age. The average life expectancy for a 65-year-old American woman is 20 years, or 85 years of age--three years more than a man.

Do Your Homework Before Investing in Target-Date Funds
Humberto Cruz

Target-date funds are mutual funds designed for people retiring in or close to a particular year. For example, a 2025 target-date fund is intended for those planning to retire in or about 2025. Target-date funds are attractive and convenient -- however ...

Why Target Date Funds Face Heat and Probable Reforms
Mark Miller - Retire Smart

Target-dated funds, which offer a way to put your 401(k) investing on cruise control, are taking a lot of heat due to the large losses suffered by some close-to-retirement investors in the market crash. At a recent Washington hearing, regulators threatened to impose new regulations and controls on these fast-growing investment products.

7 Tips for Picking a Target-Date Fund
Emily Brandon

Many retirement savers think they can put their investment choices on cruise control if they use a target-date fund. These funds offer a mix of stocks, bonds, and cash that the fund manager automatically adjusts to become more conservative over time, based on the retirement date the participant selects. But it's best to take a look under the hood before stashing your nest egg in a target-date fund. Here are some tips for finding a target-date fund that is right for you.

To Stay Safe, Sell Stocks: Zvi Bodie says retirees should go into conservative overdrive
Emily Brandon

While most financial planners are still extolling the virtues of stocks -- even in the midst of a recession -- Zvi Bodie is telling retirement-age investors to run the other way. The Boston University and MIT finance and economics professor says any investor who doesn't have the heart of a high-stakes gambler should pull his or her nest egg out of the stock market and shift retirement money ...

Mutual Funds Stage a Comeback: Time to Forgive and Forget?
By Katy Marquardt

After spending much of last year in the doghouse, mutual fund managers have now had two quarters in 2009 to regain the faith of investors. Many of last year's losers are now posting solid gains over the S&P 500

Investors Near Retirement Age Face Big Challenges
Mark Miller - Retire Smart

New data shows just how steep a climb older investors face in attempting to recover from the market crash. It appears that younger retirement investors are faring much better than those near retirement age in bouncing back from last year's market crash.

Avoid These Personal Investing & Financial Gaffes
Andrew Leckey

People want to read about how to make money, not how to avoid losing money. The depth of this recession, however, makes capital preservation every bit as important as positioning yourself to make money as the economy improves. Investors typically make mistakes during this murky in-between economic period.

Choose an Investment Professional Carefully
Andrew Leckey

When it comes to selecting an investment professional, trust is a relative term. Many investors understandably feel a need for additional help in navigating today's volatile markets and economy. That means carefully checking out individual securities brokers or financial planners to find those who merit their confidence.

Immediate Annuities Offer Security, But Tread Carefully
Humberto Cruz - Savings Game

An immediate or income annuity is an insurance product that turns a lump sum premium into lifetime income. Many people hate giving up their principal to an insurance company, and immediate annuities had been slow to catch on. But amid the stock market meltdown.

Separating Deals From Duds: Blindly buying stocks can be hazardous to portfolio

Despite the market's roaring rally over the past three months, some stocks--including those of well-known companies--still look cheap. So how do you separate the deals from the duds? Understand why the stock is cheap.

Basic Materials May Be Unexciting, Except As an Investment

Basic materials stocks sound about as exciting as freshly laid asphalt, but they've become a steaming-hot investment in 2009. This group was devastated last fall as hedge funds abandoned the then-dominant thesis that the world -- especially Asia -- needs to keep building, and summarily dumped the stocks. However, ambitious economic stimulus packages in the U.S. and abroad have revived the need for basic materials.

Emerging Markets Soar but Remain Risky

Emerging markets are like those giant slices of double-mud chocolate-brownie cake offered to you by restaurant servers at the end of your meal. You run the risk of a severe stomachache later, but they sound so good it's hard to resist.

Despite Risks, Some See Opportunities in Speculative Areas of the Market

At a time when so many "sure" investments have let everyone down, speculative investing sounds like simply throwing money down the drain. Shell-shocked investors, wishing no medals for bravery, have contented themselves with safer, low-yield choices.

A Strategy for Stocks? Look Inward First
Kathy Kristof

Uncomfortable putting your hard-earned money in stocks -- even after the recent run-up that has helped recover a portion of the last year's losses?

Strength of Technology Stocks Surprises

Technology is the surprise investment leader this year.

Science and technology stock funds are up 13 percent this year, versus the 2 percent decline of the average diversified stock fund, according to Lipper Inc. Among the tech-firm royalty, Apple Inc. (AAPL) stock is up 40 percent this year, IBM Corp. (IBM) up 22 percent and Google Inc. (GOOG) up 21 percent.