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There will be investigations and already there are lawsuits over Facebook's overhyped IPO, but no investigation is necessary into the reason for the outrage over the stock's rapid fall. It's called human nature

JP Morgan: Return of the Vampire Squid

JPMorgan has had a reputation for managing its tentacles well -- until now. The bank's new snafu has reignited debate over what new rules are needed to limit risk at government-insured banks

Are Dividend ETFs the Best Income Alternative?

As bonds struggle, investors hunt for income. But not all ETFs are created equal

Master Limited Partnerships Have Come a Long Way

They may not have always had the best reputation, but Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs) are worth a new look

Facebook and Twitter Cause Insider Trading Headaches for the SEC

Social media networks have created a new sphere for financial insiders to engage in stealth activities

Cheap vs Value: Stock Investors Sometimes Get What They Pay For

Digging through the stock bargain bin can be rewarding, but also disappointing

Why the Facebook IPO is Overhyped

Will the Facebook IPO add jobs, make investors phenomenally wealthy, and be the biggest offering in history? Don't bet on it

Investors Increasingly Tap Social Media for Stock Tips

Investors who ignore social media use by publicly traded companies, even as a compliment to other communication methods, may miss an opportunity. But do a few skipped tweets really impact a portfolio?

Where Smart Investors Put Their Money

Success for most individual investors stems from investing at an early age, setting aside new investment funds on a regular basis, and seeking low-cost and diversified investments

How to Create a Bond Ladder

Financial planners often talk about an 'investor toolbox,' a collection of instruments and strategies that help generate income. Investors might consider adding a bond ladder to their tools

European Investment Opportunities Outside the Euro Zone

Many investors have opted to look beyond the 'zone' for exposure to developed Europe. The short list includes heavy-hitters the United Kingdom and Switzerland and extends to Scandinavian nations

REITs Prove to be Surprisingly Reliable

It may seem surprising that some forms of real estate have been among the most reliable of investments

An Investing Guide to Closed-End Funds

Closed-end funds (CEFs) may be one of the most misunderstood investments

Large-Cap Growth Funds Most Resilient in 2011

Large-cap growth funds have held up better than most other types of stock funds in 2011

How to Invest in the Globe's Booming Population

Betting on commodities by buying futures contracts directly can be very risky. So having a core position in a fund that invests broadly in commodity-related businesses with some side positions tied specifically to agriculture and energy is probably the smartest move for the retail investor

When Companies Buy Their Own Shares, Should You?

Companies that find themselves flush with cash have been buying back their shares in 2011. If they're so convinced that they're getting a bargain, perhaps investors should take a closer look as well

How One Amateur Investor Spots Stocks Before Wall Street

Do amateur investors like you have any advantages over professionals? Perhaps ...

A Beginner's Guide to Understanding ETFs

If exchange-traded funds sound like exotic investments to you, here's what you need to know

How to Ride Out Market Swings With Low-Volatility ETFs

Market gyrations usher in a growing crop of low-volatility indexes and ETFs

Why Mutual Funds Make Sense in a Volatile Market

Some economists argue that these big swings are the 'new normal.' Therefore, investing in just a handful of instruments is risky. The best strategy for investing is diversification. And if you're looking to diversify, mutual funds might be your best bet

Why Junk Bonds Look Appealing

So-called 'junk' bonds may be the unpolished jewels of the fixed-income market, now that government bonds and higher-rated company-issued bonds are offering scant yield

Dollar Cost Averaging Smooths Out Volatility

Dollar cost averaging, which involves investing the same amount of money on a regular basis. Relentless investing of a set amount removes the faulty market-timing decisions that are so often the downfall of average folks

Where in the World to Invest

The world is not an easy place in which to invest these days. To make any headway, investors must exhibit the patient determination of an explorer such as Marco Polo

Market Turbulence Forcing People to Reassess Gifting, Wills and Estates

Turbulent financial markets haven't squelched generosity altogether in 2011, but they do have Americans thinking long and hard about the importance of their assets. They are reconsidering financial gifts to family members, recalculating value of their property, and reassessing financial components of their wills and estate plans

Why Investors Should Choose CDs Over Treasuries

Treasuries suit investors that are purely seeking safety. But investors seeking a decent yield will need to look elsewhere

Are Gold Mining Stocks Set to Take Off?

Historically, when investors get nervous, they buy gold to protect against further declines in the market, boosting the metal's price. But this time, a strange thing has happened: The stocks of the companies that pull gold out of the ground haven't yet taken off

6 Ways to Insulate Your Portfolio from Shocks

With stocks bouncing around more than a San Francisco street car, many investors are looking for ways to ground their portfolios. Stability is not easy to find in this market, but financial experts recommend these six moves to anyone hoping to insulate their portfolios from major bump

Investors Have Their Heads in Cloud Computing

The global cloud-computing market is expected to reach $241 billion in 2020, up from $41 billion in 2010, according to Forrester Research. That long-term potential is reflected in the high-flying stocks of companies actively involved in the concept

Bank of America Still Has Potential for Rebound

The question for Bank of America shareholders is how quickly it can put past mistakes in the rearview mirror, significantly improve its controls and use its enormous size to greater competitive advantage

What Happened to the Muni Bond Blowup

Turn the clock back to late 2010, and all the talk in the investment community was about potential Armageddon in the municipal bond market. Midway through 2011, not a single rated municipality has defaulted on its debt. Here's what investors may expect moving forward

Is it Time for Investors to Show Russia Some Love?

Politics dominate now, but long-term draws include middle-class and infrastructure growth

Why the Dow Hitting 13,000 Isn't a Major Milestone

The Dow Jones Industrial Average hit 13,000 recently, marking a major post-recession milestone for the stock market index. Still, it seems like an arbitrary milestone

Where to Invest in 2012

Stock indices ended 2011 just as they started the year: Markets, across the board, were flat. But there's a bright side to this underperformance

Apple's Quarterly Revenues

The brand that has achieved almost religious status for some diehard fans continues to expand its reach by impressive leaps

China ETFs On Sale, But Worth the Risk?

Exchange-traded funds that track China had been high-flyers over the past few years. This year has been a different story, featuring a double-digit percentage drop that has now run into a mild late-year bounce

In This Market, the Appeal of 'Go Anywhere' Funds

These funds give portfolio managers considerable leeway in choosing among different asset classes

How Dividend Payers Boost Returns and Reduce Risk

With bond yields so low, dividend-paying stocks can be a good alternative for income-seeking investors

Why You Should Invest in 'Global Gorillas'

Global large caps offer a fairly conservative approach to investing in booming emerging markets

Stocks That Are Prospering in this Volatile Market Year

Not all stocks perform poorly during a tough year for the market. Some that you might consider yawners in more robust times actually hang in there and prosper

Why Europe Still Deserves a Place in Your Portfolio

Europe might seem too treacherous for investors just now. The region's broader stock market is down more than 20 percent so far this year. But some asset allocation advisers and fund managers believe there is a place for European exposure in a diverse portfolio that can tolerate at least some level of risk

Buying Stocks at a Discount Price in Volatile Markets

The volatile stock market provides opportunity for investors. Buying a stock at a discounted price only makes sense, however, if you've snared a bargain that actually pays off in the long run. That is easier said than done

20 Funds That Can Weather Downturns

To help find funds that have a history of strong performance in rough times, we compiled a list of funds, spread among a range of asset classes, with impressive 10-year track records

Ultra Short-Term Bond Investors Fighting Two Battles

Year-to-date performance so far in 2011 is lagging the broader bond fund category, but some financial advisers still see an effective short-term investment opportunity lurking within carefully selected bond funds, especially compared with other short-term options

Investing in the Globe's Emerging Bright Spots

Although emerging markets have taken a dive lately, the long-term outlook for these fast-growing countries remains favorable for investors, especially as growth in much of the developed world stalls. Investors should consider folding high-growth global exposure into a balanced portfolio

How to Play Emerging Markets With U.S. Stocks

Because of the volatility and instability often associated with less-mature foreign financial markets as well as potentially undependable and non-standardized financial reporting, investing in stocks through foreign exchanges turns off many U.S. investors. Another option is investing in U.S. companies that rely on exports -- to Asia, Latin America, and elsewhere -- to boost their bottom lines

What the Treasury Market Is Telling Investors

In today's low-yield environment, the U.S. government will pay you just 1.9 percent a year over the next 10 years if you invest in a 10-year treasury bond. That's an all-time low that has many investors scratching their heads

Things Investors Can Learn From Fairholme Fund's Struggles

So far in 2011, Fairholme has lost about 22 percent, landing it near the bottom of its category and sending investors fleeing from the fund. Here are four lessons investors can take away from the Fairholme Fund's recent struggles

What Fed Policy Means for Your Money

If you're primarily a saver -- in or nearing retirement, for example -- you'll continue to see paltry yields on investments like money market funds or certificates of deposit. So what's a saver to do?

Weathering Markets with Prudence & Patience

Uncertainty underscores the need for a diversified personal portfolio that is long-term in nature with a logical time horizon. Cautious investors had already begun carefully pulling back their overall stock holdings before recent turmoil

Factors That Drive Stock Prices

When deciding how to allocate your stock portfolio to different regions of the world, there are many factors investors should consider. A stock market's valuation, the country's expected economic growth, and the actions of its central bank all play a role. Here are five factors that drive stock prices

Health Care a Sound Investment

Health care investing is making a comeback in 2011. The industry has shaken off irrational fears about reform and refocused on the opportunities that an aging population provides. Compared to industries more closely tied to the economy, it isn't scary at all anymore

Should You Invest in Bond Funds or Individual Issues?

Should you go with individual bonds or give the nod to bond funds? It depends. Here's why

The Outlook for Muni Bonds

Managers and analysts are optimistic yet skeptical that last year's double-digit gains can be repeated

Waiting Out China's Next Growth Spurt

Europe and the United States will have a lot of pull on China's 2012 economic and stock-market fate. There's little Chinese officials can do about that. But domestically, officials appear to have orchestrated a soft landing

Consumer Stocks Join Dividend Play List

Dividend plays are likely to remain attractive in 2012, but steeper valuations, in utilities and tobacco for instance, may encourage investors to stretch their search to select consumer stocks

Luxury Retailer Stocks Primed for Holidays

Luxury retailers will likely continue to please their stockholders this holiday season, just as they have throughout much of the economic downturn. It is one way that an average investor can benefit from spending patterns of the well-to-do

Why Investors Should Keep Their Eyes on the Cloud

Analysts say cloud computing will revolutionize the way we use technology

Are Leveraged ETFs Ever Right for Retail Investors?

Who are leveraged exchange-traded funds meant for? The answer depends on your level of sophistication and investing time horizon

Fixed Annuities: Missing Piece of Your Retirement Planning Puzzle?

Many people contribute to employer-sponsored retirement plans and IRAs, but there is another tax-advantaged retirement vehicle that shouldn't be overlooked: annuities

Are ETFs to Blame for the Rise in Volatility?

Seventy billion shares of ETFs were traded last month, up 86 percent from July

Low Interest Rates Support Higher Gold Price

Concerns about higher inflation and fears of a downturn have helped boost gold's price, but the biggest contributor has been historically low real interest rates. Here's why the price of gold has the potential to move even higher

Gold ETFs Still Shine in a Diverse Portfolio

According to some analysts, gold may hold the bulk of this run into 2012; at least three major investment banks hiked their price forecasts, though some do expect gold to pull back from what they see as current highly speculative levels. Here's a look at some of the leading gold ETFs

Retirement Investors Who Make a Plan Better Equipped For Volatility

The stock market's recent volatility has put new focus on a key question older investors have been asking themselves since the 2008 crash: What is the correct retirement portfolio equity exposure for investors close to retirement

Smoothest Mutual Funds Offer Stability in Volatile Times

The bright side of the topsy-turvy situation, if there is one, is that it has added to the luster of smooth-performing investments. While such careful choices won't be leaders in hot markets, they provide a desirable safety net in downturns

Why You Should Give ETFs a Try

The traditional portfolio has long been anchored by mutual funds, but a growing number of investors are embracing a nimbler, cheaper alternative. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which debuted in the early 1990s, have attracted a substantial amount of assets in recent years, recently surpassing the $1 trillion mark. Here's why

Target Date Funds Have Performed Better in Latest Market Downturn

Target date funds came under heavy fire for failing to protect older retirement investors after the 2008 market crash. But target date funds (TDFs) have performed better during the market's recent volatility -- thanks to lessons learned last time around

Green Technology Stocks Take Their Licks But Keep on Ticking

Taking advantage of greatly reduced stock prices is a tricky business. One strategy is to find an investment area so certain to grow that it will be around long after market traumas subside. Green investing, which offers the added potential of innovative companies getting snapped up by bigger firms, could be one of those areas

The Case For and Against a Stockless Portfolio

For investors, volatility can be scary. And stocks are always going to be much more volatile than more conservative investments like bonds. But when deciding whether a portfolio with only a small allocation to stocks or none at all is right for you, it's important to examine other risks that may not be as obvious

3 Sites for Picking the Right ETFs for You

With more than 1,000 ETFs traded in the United States covering just about every nook and cranny of the market, it can be a monumental task to sift through them all and determine which funds best fit your goals. Here are three sites to help you navigate the ETF world and find the right funds for you

High-Yield Bond Investing Not For the Faint of Heart

Junk bonds remain a viable market for yield-seekers, but only for a small portion of an individual's portfolio. Anyone who believes the economy will worsen shouldn't consider them at all because debt of companies with subpar credit is not for the faint of heart

Why There's a Disconnect Between Stocks and the Economy

While the U.S. economy is saddled with sluggish growth, a near double-digit unemployment rate, and a housing market plagued by foreclosures and falling prices, the stock market has been booming since hitting bottom in March 2009

Asset Classes for Yield-Hungry Investors

Taking on a bit more risk can make a portfolio safer because it allows investors to capitalize on the benefits of diversification and capture more yield. That extra yield can provide more cushion to help a portfolio withstand market swings. Here's a look at a few asset classes that still provide ballast for portfolios, but allow investors to reap better yields

Funds for the Everyday Investor

With thousands of options to choose from, selecting the right mutual fund can be tough. While past performance is no guarantee of future success, one of the most proven strategies is selecting funds with solid long-term track records. Managers of these funds tend to invest for the long haul instead of making shortsighted bets or chasing the latest market trend. Here's our top 50

Home Improvement Mecca Struggles to Stay Steady

The results of the world's largest home-improvement specialty retailer are tied to consumers' willingness to buy for their homes and to the operating efficiency of the company. The question for stock investors is whether both factors will be strong enough to provide robust returns going forward

Defensive Investing Lets You Take Risk With Peace of Mind

What options are available for investors who cannot survive on the puny returns from conservative investments but who also do not want to take significant market risks, remembering what happened to their portfolios in 2008?

Unusual Stock Funds Intriguing, Still Judged on Performance

Some unusual funds are whacky and some adhere to overly focused strategies. However, others work fine for investors seeking to add spice to predictable portfolios that had been formulated by the book. And ideas for funds keep coming, even if they don't all get off the ground

Modern Investors Idolize Financial Hall of Famers

While basketball players may aspire to 'be like Mike,' as in NBA great Michael Jordan, investors have a variety of role models to choose from. Finding one that suits their personality is not easy, so it makes sense to study as many as possible. The best-known names excel in common sense and patience

2 Bright Spots in Europe: Denmark and Norway

With several countries in Europe on the verge of default the continent may seem like a bad bet for investors, at first glance. But outside Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece, and Spain, countries often referred to as the PIIGS, there may be some bright spots for investors

5 Ominous Signs for Stock Investors

Although the S&P is still up by about 5 percent so far this year, the index has dropped 3 percent so far during May. Market watchers point to a number of reasons why stocks could head lower, including the end of the Federal Reserve's highly controversial second round of quantitative easing, known as 'QE2.' Here are five signs that don't bode well for stocks

Executive Pay Zooming Skyward Again

Shareholders of more than 20 other companies nationwide have rejected their top managers' pay packages, and more such rebuffs are expected in the months ahead. For now, however, executive pay once again is zooming skyward after pausing for a couple of years for the recession

Bank Stocks Slow to Show Recovery But Could Be Turning the Corner

Bank stocks favored by investors are few and far between these days. Despite improved earnings and more stringent safety requirements, the stocks of financial institutions have lagged behind the broader market in 2011. Weighing down their prospects are a slowly recovering economy and limited loan growth

United Technologies: Conglomerate Relies on Cyclical Growth Factors

Investing in any conglomerate requires that an investor do some homework to fully understand it. There are many facets to diversified companies, with business units often being added or sold off

International Paper Company Thinks Inside the Box

What are the expectations for shares of International Paper Company?

Why Copper Is the Metal to Watch

In recent weeks, metals of all sorts -- precious and industrial -- have taken a beating in a major selloff in the commodities market. Experts cite a number of reasons, including speculation, increased margin requirements, and concerns that the economic recovery may not be as strong as previously thought. But experts say the losses in copper are the most troubling

Auto Industry Weathers High Fuel Prices

It may not be happy days again for the auto industry and its shareholders, but there is light at the end of the highway. High fuel prices have boosted sales of smaller cars, while luxury brands have been energized by improving economies and strong Chinese demand

A Closer Look at Restaurant Stocks

The restaurant industry, hit hard by recession and high unemployment, is seeing less investor appetite for its stocks. As in any severe shakeout, some types of restaurants and individual brands have used the opportunity to re-examine and perfect their businesses. They've shown gains in an industry still offering investment opportunities in 2011

Adobe Overcomes Obstacles to Continue Its Rise

Coming off a lackluster year, this pioneering software company that is famous for its Flash, Photoshop, Illustrator and Acrobat products should have a better 2011.

Where to Find the Dividends Now

Dividend-paying stocks make up the core of many income-focused investors' stock portfolios. What better way to woo investors than by cutting them a periodic check for investing in the stock of their company?

What Style of Index Investing Is Right for You?

For years, traditional market cap-weighted index funds have been the go-to product for passive investors. Studies show they tend to outperform their actively managed counterparts over the long term. But over the past several years, alternative forms of indexing have gained momentum. Here's the different indexing styles to help you find the right fit for your portfolio

Emerging Markets: Proceed With Caution

Recent news of rising inflation in emerging markets has many investors feeling nervous. Several countries have already begun tightening monetary policy and hiking interest rates to rein in rapid price increases, actions designed to slow down their superheated economies. The combination of slower growth and rising prices will produce a much less certain environment for investors

Best Intermediate-Term Bond Funds for the Long Term

Common wisdom says that over long periods of time, stocks generally produce higher returns than bonds. But over the past decade or so, fixed-income has won out. But rates could move higher in the near future. When rates rise, the prices of bonds fall -- and that spells trouble for many types of bond funds, including intermediate-term bond funds

Elephant-Sized Mutual Funds Slow to Adapt But Steady

Elephant-size stock mutual funds trumpet loudly and leave big footprints but often trail the more agile smaller funds that can hop around swiftly with the trends. Nonetheless, these behemoths remain core components in an individual's portfolio because reliability and brand-name holdings keep conservative investors coming back for more. Here are pros and cons to the biggest stock funds

6 Risks Every Investor Faces

When it comes to investing, analyzing the amount of risk you're exposed to can be tricky. On one hand, investors don't want to take on too much risk and lose their hard-earned money, but on the other, they don't want to stash their savings under their mattress and risk not seeing any appreciation over time. Here are six risks every investor faces

The Appeal of Emerging Markets Bonds

Emerging markets bond funds offer generous yields, and expected growth rates in these countries are high. Plus, there is potential for their currencies to appreciate against the dollar. Here are a number of ways to invest in emerging markets debt

Do Your Investments Love You Back?

Stocks and mutual funds are investments, not friends. They have nothing to do with a dearly departed relative who willed them to you. They harbor no warm feelings about how young you were when you purchased them or whether you once worked for their company. They have no memory of how well they did for you a decade ago. Selling has zero impact on the investments' psyche

3M: Resilient Maker of Post-It Notes Tapes Together Solid Growth

Nothing seems to hold down the manufacturer of Scotch Tape and Post-It Notes as it actively introduces innovative new products and expands its overseas reach

6 Numbers Every Investor Should Follow

While it's important to monitor the performance of broad-based indexes and the returns of your mutual funds, a number of other indicators can help you understand how the investment climate is changing. Here are six numbers every investor should follow

ETFs Not Just For Riverboat Gamblers

Screaming headlines about dramatic gains and losses in highly focused ETFs have heightened the impression that only the brave of heart can consider these upstart vehicles. The reality is that there are plenty of grown-up ETF choices for conservative investors, and the majority of invested ETF money isn't in the most exotic choices anyway

What Investors Can Learn From the VIX

The VIX uses options prices to measure expected volatility in the S&P 500 over a 30-day period. It's often referred to as the 'fear gauge' because it measures how fearful or complacent investors are at any given time. Professional money managers often use the VIX as a hedge against volatility

How to Find Value Stocks

For most investors, a market crash is a minor disaster. For value investors, who seek out shares in undervalued companies, it's hog heaven. Here are a few tips for identifying value stocks

Learning From Madoff

So what's it like to look into the face of evil? That's the question everyone is asking Diana B. Henriques, a New York Times financial reporter and the author of a new book, 'The Wizard of Lies: Bernie Madoff and the Death of Trust.'

PIMCO's Bill Gross Wades Into Active ETFs

Widely followed investment guru Bill Gross filed to launch an exchange-traded fund version of his PIMCO Total Return Fund (symbol PTTAX), the world's largest mutual fund. Experts say this could be the start of something big

The Smaller the Better: Investing in Micro-caps

When it comes to stock investing, sometimes it pays to think small. Over the long term, investors have been rewarded for allocating a small portion of their portfolio to micro-cap stocks -- companies with a market capitalization of less than about $740 million, according to Morningstar

Confidence Remains Strong in Global Markets Despite Crises

International investment experts see safe global companies to invest in that are reasonably priced because so many investors have become petrified by world events. Here are some of the best examples of stable major companies expanding their products into high-growth emerging markets

The Case for (and Against) European Stocks

The dark cloud of the sovereign debt crisis has been hanging over the European stock markets for months. After taking bailouts. Despite the gloomy outlook for some of these debt-ridden countries, other areas of Europe look promising for investors in 2011.

Tech Stocks Volatile But Undeniably Strong

Why do tech stocks build us up just to let us down? Technology's track record is one of dramatic peaks and valleys for its investors. However, its most recent run-up seems to have more fundamentals behind it than many of the past periods of hype

Find This Year's Investing Strategy in Last Year's Return

The best research for formulating your 2011 investment strategy is readily available. It is your 2010 tax return. By taking a line-by-line look at what worked and what didn't over the past year, you can determine how to invest to your greatest advantage. Here's how

Why Big U.S. Stocks Look Like a Good Bet

After years of lackluster stock-market returns -- which many dubbed a 'lost' decade -- 2011 is shaping up to be a good year for large-cap U.S. stocks. Fears of a double-dip recession have mostly subsided, the economy is expanding again, and the S&P 500 has almost doubled since its March 2009 low. Here are six reasons large-cap U.S. stocks look like a good bet

What Next for Gold? Is Gold's Latest Selloff a Turning Point?

During times of uncertainty, investors flock to gold. But times aren't as uncertain as they used to be. Granted, unemployment remains high, and there is unrest in countries in the Middle East like Egypt. But the fear of a double-dip recession has mostly subsided in the United States and the economy is expanding again. Is this is a short-term selloff or a major turning point for gold prices?

eBay: Competition and Changing Trends Cloud Online Marketplace's Future

There is reason to have mixed emotions about eBay -- a profitable e-commerce brand with a global presence in more than 30 countries. While its online payment service PayPal continues to be a hot performer, competitors and changing Internet trends are pressuring its mature eBay online auction business

Best Large-Cap Blend Funds for the Long Term

Last year's three least popular stock fund categories were large-growth, large-blend, and large-value. Large-growth funds saw the most outflows, followed by large-blend and large-value, according to Morningstar. That means the three categories could be poised for strong gains in the next few years, experts say. With that in mind, here are the best large-blend funds for the long term

Investing Ideas for Today's Slow-Growth Economy

A string of bad economic reports have raised concerns that the U.S. economy is in the midst of a slowdown. The question now seems to be whether this will be a prolonged period of weakness, or just a bump in the road. Such changing economic developments have implications for your investments. Here are six strategies for positioning your portfolio in today's slow-growth economy

The Most Successful Companies Stay Relevant

Staying relevant is never easy for a company or its long-suffering investors. Firms and their products can go in and out of style -- and out of profitability, as well. Selecting those that will prosper year after year through good and bad times while rewarding their shareholders is an accomplishment

When Asset Size Matters in Fund Investing

When a fund swells in size, 'asset bloat' becomes a concern. When a fund has a giant asset base, its manager may have trouble maneuvering in and out of positions and investing in certain securities. But the degree to which asset size affects a manager's ability to do his or her job depends on the type of fund and strategy its manager employs

Investing Intelligently Yet Cautiously Key for Rest of 2011

Investors have to wonder over the course of this year of economic and political surprises whether the stock market will finish with a roar or with a whimper. Since anything seems feasible, the predictions of experts run the gamut

The Appeal of Go-Anywhere Funds

In the face of growing volatility in the markets, world-allocation funds are gaining appeal among investors. While many fund managers are limited to a particular size of company or slice of the market, managers of go-anywhere funds have the flexibility to do just that: spread their investments throughout different parts of the world and among various asset classes

Demand and Disasters Complicate Global Energy Picture

The global energy picture has become more complicated in 2011, but investors are making some sense of it. The nuclear outage in Japan and turbulence in oil-producing nations is prompting increased demand for alternative electricity sources such as natural gas and coal, though both carry some environmental concerns

Russia Stocks Soar on Rising Oil Prices

Of the rapidly growing BRIC countries Russia has always been a sort of odd man out. While the others have registered double-digit or near double-digit growth for years, the Russian economy has grown at a much more moderate pace. But lately, Russia's economy has been benefiting from what many other nations, including the United States, are struggling with

Energy and Construction Stocks Looking Good -- For Now

While there are solid prospects for stocks of engineering and construction firms, they won't come from efforts to rebuild a devastated Japan. The primary drivers will be high oil prices, general economic revival and U.S. government spending programs. Oil prices are important because international and national oil companies are the top customers for engineering and construction services

What Investors Can Learn From Fund Flows

Investors can learn a lot from looking at which funds fellow market participants are flooding into or shunning. By analyzing trends in fund flows -- which measure the amount of money entering and exiting different types of funds -- investors can sometimes glean which asset classes are overheating or unloved

High-priced Stocks Worth the Money?

How much would you pay for the services of Warren Buffett, Larry Page, Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos? Quite a bit, apparently. Those CEOs of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Google Inc., Apple Inc. and Amazon.com Inc. lead companies that command some of the highest individual stock prices

Investors Continue to Chase Short-Term Performance

Smart investing requires patience. A new study from Baird, a wealth management firm, shows that many investors lack that resolve. Time and time again, they chase short-term performance, selling funds that perform poorly and buying funds that have done well over short periods. Often, this bad habit leads investors to break one of the most important rules of investing: buying low and selling high

5 Reasons Investors Should Not Bail on Japan

Japan's economy doesn't show signs of recovering any time soon, especially in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami, and amid concerns about a damaged nuclear plant. But despite its hardships, Japan is still a legitimate force in the world economy, and many trade partners depend on exports from a range of Japanese companies. Here are five reasons investors shouldn't abandon Japan

Diversification: Can You Have Too Much of a Good Thing?

Many, if not all, financial advisors will tell you that diversification is one of the best ways to keep the twin menaces of risk and volatility at bay, while protecting your portfolio from large losses in market downturns. The basic concept involves spreading your money across several asset classes and investment styles. It's not bad advice. But diversification is a fickle friend

5 Tax Tips for Mutual Fund Investors

Stocks and bonds rewarded investors with relatively robust performance in 2010, which means it's more likely that your mutual funds ended the year with gains instead of losses. That's great news for the net value of your portfolio, but combined with the market's strong start this year, the prospect of having to pay more in capital gains taxes in the future is not as appealing

What's the Best Way to Buy Bonds?

When intereste rates rise, the price of existing bonds fall, which can mean losses for some types of bond funds. Do-it-yourself investors, take note: You can protect your portfolio from rising interest rates by investing in individual bonds. But this method may not be feasible for all investors. Here's a review of the best approaches to buy bonds

Realities of New Retirement Changing Investment Strategies

Once you enter retirement, financial reality sets in. Retirees must cope with changing economic and market trends over a long period of time, often without the backstop that was once provided by tried-and-true pension plans

Hybrids, Electrics and Overseas Growth Pushing Ford Motor

Prospects are good for Ford, although the auto industry is cyclical, meeting higher fuel standards is expensive, and labor will look to gain from the company's improved fortunes

Muni Bond Market Safer Than You Think

Pay close attention to the quality of the municipal bonds and municipal bond funds that you own or are considering buying. That's the best advice for investors in this panicky 2011 in which fleeing the muni bond market is a national obsession. Calm down and remember that all municipal bonds are not alike. Here's why

Is Now the Time to Buy Municipal Bonds?

Worries about out-of-control state deficits, underfunded municipal pension plans and rising interest rates have been kicking the teeth out of the municipal bond market lately, with prices plunging and yields soaring. And that's got some contrarians saying that now may be the time to jump into the market

How to Invest for Income

Forget the BRICs: How to Invest in Emerging Markets

Can REITs Continue to Rally in 2011?

How to Invest in Rising Oil Prices

Research Vital to Finding Right Target-Date Retirement Fund

Consumer Staples Positioned Well for the Recovery

Municipal Bonds: Trouble Brewing or Media Hype?

Best Mid-Cap Blend Mutual Funds for the Long Term

The Case for Active ETFs

Cash Rich Companies to Watch in 2011

Google's Growth Could Slow But Still a Solid Buy

Growth Expected to Continue in Emerging Markets in 2011