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Investing

Veronica Dagher's Picks for Dartboard Contest

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 21:50:00 EDT

Picks for the six-month contest include Apple, Intel and Chevron.

Getting a Big Tax Refund Means You're Doing It Wrong

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 21:01:00 EDT

About 75% of individual taxpayers will receive federal income tax refunds, with the average refund totaling around $3,000. From a purely economic standpoint, this makes no sense.

Test Your Prediction Skills

Fri, 04 May 2012 17:47:00 EDT

What's ahead for Tyson Foods' share price?

Carlyle Group Profit Slides

Tue, 15 May 2012 12:38:00 EDT

The buyout group's first earnings report as a public company highlighted the uneven results typical of private-equity firms while delivering the cash distributions Carlyle executives had promised investors in its funds ahead of its initial public offering this month.

A Strong Quarter...But Investors Still Weren't Buying U.S.-Stock Funds

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:01:00 EDT

Quarterly Monitor: The average diversified U.S.-stock fund returned 12.3% in the first three months of 2012, but investors were still net sellers of U.S.-stock funds.

This Week

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:38:00 EDT

U.S. markets surged after Apple posted better-than-forecast earnings; in February, home prices in the 20-largest U.S. cities fell 3.5% from a year earlier; and Social Security's trust funds could run out of cash by 2033.

Could a Stock ETF Cloak Its Portfolio?

Mon, 07 May 2012 00:01:00 EDT

ETF investors may one day face a trade-off: new funds with stock-picking managers, but less transparency about the funds' holdings.

In Translation: Real Interest Rates

Mon, 07 May 2012 00:01:00 EDT

The savviest investors pay close attention to this inflation-adjusted rate, which is negative for U.S. Treasurys these days.

Investors' Prying Eyes Blinded by New Law

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 17:56:00 EDT

An analysis for The Wall Street Journal lends some support to the JOBS Act's detractors, who say easing regulations will lead to more financial problems and fraud, and make it more difficult for investors to detect those issues.

Fed Watching Gets Trickier For Investors

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 22:28:00 EDT

One little word caused investors to pile out of stocks in the past two weeks, only to rush back. They would be better off doing less trading and focusing on the bigger picture.

Retirees: Pump Up Those Yields!

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:51:00 EDT

A little-known strategy called a 'death put' can help you lock in higher returns—without stiffing your heirs.

And Warren Buffett's Successor Is...

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:51:00 EDT

We mined Mr. Buffett's own writings about his executives for clues as to who will someday step into his colossal shoes.

Polishing the Dimon Principle

Fri, 11 May 2012 17:05:00 EDT

The travails of J.P. Morgan are a reminder that one of the biggest dangers in finance is self-deception.

Citi, Credit Suisse, Goldman Bid Jointly on AIG Bonds

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:34:00 EDT

Citigroup, Credit Suisse and Goldman Sachs are banding together to outbid five other Wall Street dealers for some $7.5 billion in commercial mortgage-backed securities taken on by the New York Fed during the AIG bailout.

Test Your Prediction Skills

Fri, 11 May 2012 15:54:00 EDT

What's ahead for the consumer-price index?

How Facebook Could Trip Up Investors

Fri, 11 May 2012 16:28:00 EDT

Facebook's IPO, the biggest in U.S. history, could hurt small investors who play it unwisely. Here's a guide.

Advisers Customize Messages to Clients

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:01:00 EDT

Adviser Alert: Investors may get different material, at varied frequencies, to fit their needs. Plus, other news for brokers, wealth managers and their clients.

The Allure of Emerging-Markets Bonds

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:01:00 EDT

Investors looking to diversify into emerging markets might be surprised to know there's more than stocks on the menu.

How to Boost Emerging-Markets Returns

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:23:00 EDT

Your emerging-markets portfolio may need more exposure to emerging markets. Here's what to do.

Risky Investing: The Margin Loan

Tue, 15 May 2012 11:09:00 EDT

Lured by ultralow interest rates and a recovering stock market, investors have rediscovered a risky investing tool: the margin loan.

Stock Funds for the Timid

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 21:56:00 EDT

'Long-short' mutual funds offer ways to seek profits, protection or some of both. But they aren't for everyone.

Inherited IRAs: Still A Sweet Deal

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 22:02:00 EDT

Heirs can stretch withdrawals throughout their lives, meaning the assets could increase in value, tax-deferred, for decades.

Buy Low Sell High? Not in This Market

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:41:00 EDT

Despite technological efficiencies, poll after poll shows that investors feel the markets are tilted unfairly against them. It makes us long for the good old days when trades were handled by fallible, corruptible humans, writes David Weidner.

How to Play the Bond Market Now

Mon, 07 May 2012 00:01:00 EDT

What's a good balance between risk and reward? Many pros are bracing for higher interest rates but are willing to shoulder some risk of defaults.

Banks Fined Over Sales of Nontraditional Funds

Tue, 01 May 2012 14:39:00 EDT

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority has sanctioned units of Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, UBS and Wells Fargo more than $9.1 million for allegedly improper sales of leveraged and inverse exchange-traded funds.

Is College the 'Best Investment'?

Fri, 04 May 2012 17:15:00 EDT

The best returns are often from schools with strong engineering, computer science, economics and natural-science programs, say experts.

Reader Picks for New Dartboard Contest

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 21:49:00 EDT

Readers see growth potential in stocks including Wal-Mart, Abbott Laboratories and Buffalo Wild Wings.

It's Not Your Fault Your Fund Can't Keep Up

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 21:51:00 EDT

Yes, the market had a stupendous first quarter. But how did your mutual fund do? If it's like most of them, not nearly as well.

Vacation-Home Markets Heat Up

Fri, 04 May 2012 12:25:00 EDT

Market conditions are improving in some high-end locales. Here's a guide.

Heavy Machinery and Materials

Thu, 10 May 2012 00:01:00 EDT

The No. 1 analyst in the category: Mark Parr of KeyBanc Capital Markets.

This Week

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 17:18:00 EDT

Stocks eked out a gain this week; home sales had their worst monthly drop since August; and more investors cited the economy as a concern, a survey found.

What Would Giannini Think of Bank of America Today?

Thu, 10 May 2012 09:12:00 EDT

When Amadeo "A.P." Giannini died in 1949, Bank of America was admired and seemed to know instinctively how to make popular and profitable investments. These days, you have to wonder if he would recognize the bank he nurtured to life.

The Dividend-Fund Dilemma

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 11:16:00 EDT

Sooner or later, the markets always punish investors who do the right thing for the wrong reason. Some investors in dividend-oriented stock funds might end up learning that lesson the hard way.

Wall Street Has Some Swagger Back

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 07:10:00 EDT

Just two days into this week, it was looking rough for Wall Street, as critics, investors and regulators called out the industry. But big financial interests are beating back every broadside with a vigor not seen since the financial-bubble days.

Don't Bank On It

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:01:00 EDT

Loans to companies with lower credit ratings can have sizable yields. But investors need to watch out for the risks.

Overcoming a Fear of Foreign Investing

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:01:00 EDT

When investors fear venturing outside the U.S., advisers feel they have to proceed firmly, but carefully.

Test Your Prediction Skills

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:54:00 EDT

What's ahead for toy maker Hasbro?

This Week

Fri, 04 May 2012 17:48:00 EDT

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.4%, and U.S. added just 130,000 private-sector jobs in April.

How to Get a 7% Guaranteed Return—From Social Security

Tue, 01 May 2012 14:50:00 EDT

The same math that's driving Social Security costs sharply higher can provide generous returns for people approaching retirement. Here's how.

Tips for Returning Troops

Mon, 07 May 2012 00:01:00 EDT

After combat stints, service members and families can face financial challenges.

Nomura Shuts Another Mutual Fund

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 17:46:00 EDT

Nomura Holdings has shuttered its second U.S. mutual fund in four months as the Japanese investment bank grapples with poor performance and an overall downturn in the fund industry.

The Market's New Motto—'Made in the U.S.A.'

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 17:52:00 EDT

Many investors are overlooking a resurgence in the U.S. manufacturing sector. If you want to get a piece of the new action, focus on chemical companies, auto and steel makers, and other manufacturers.

Why Stocks Look Too Expensive

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 11:19:00 EDT

Various indicators suggest the market is no longer a bargain. Here's what investors should do.

In New Funds, Old Flaws

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 20:51:00 EDT

Since being introduced in the U.S. in 1993, ETFs have offered an unrivalled combination of low costs, minimal tax bills and maximal predictability of returns, but don't confuse them with the newer ETNs.

Apple Shares Helped Power the Past Year's Top Funds

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:01:00 EDT

Winners' Circle: The tech giant was popular at many of the best-performing diversified U.S.-stock funds, as tracked in our quarterly ranking.

Is It Time to Cut Back on Apple?

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 12:47:00 EDT

Whether or not you think the stock is overpriced, you probably own too much. We explain how to pare your stake—smartly.

Beware of 'Leveraged' ETFs

Fri, 11 May 2012 21:29:00 EDT

Despite years of warnings about the dangers of "leveraged" exchange-traded mutual funds, many small investors—and, apparently, some investment professionals—may still not be getting the message.

Opportunities in Europe's Wreckage

Fri, 11 May 2012 16:08:00 EDT

The best strategy: Avoid Southern European nations and invest in companies that make much of their money overseas and still are growing.

Inspect the Fees in Your 401(k)

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 15:33:00 EDT

New disclosures will make this easier later this year. But you don't have to wait. Here's how to check key expenses in your retirement plan today.

How Advisers Can Market to Women

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:01:00 EDT

Financial advisers say that women are very different from men when it comes to attitudes toward money. And that requires a unique strategy to win their business.

Rethinking Reinvestment of Dividends

Mon, 07 May 2012 00:01:00 EDT

Tax hassles lead some mutual-fund investors to think about taking dividends in cash. There can be other reasons to change, too.

College Graduates, Start Saving Now

Sat, 21 Apr 2012 20:17:00 EDT

If you can rid yourself of the notion that it's way too early to think about retirement, you can avoid the financial headaches Mom and Dad are dealing with.

Muni Buyers Gain Peace of Mind, at Expense of Yield

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:50:00 EDT

Bond issuers are adding insurance again, providing protection to investors but driving down payouts.

Is Natural Gas a Flaming Buy?

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:05:00 EDT

The news about natural gas is awful—exactly the type of conflagration that value investors love.

Congress Eyes 401(k)s Again

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 16:28:00 EDT

The increasing focus on retirement savings is a reminder that tax treatment of the accounts, once considered permanent, is anything but.

Sympathy for the Devils May Be Running Short at Goldman

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:01:00 EDT

David Weidner: The Rolling Stones have more in common with the shareholders and board of Goldman Sachs than either of them probably ever considered.

Test Your Prediction Skills

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:55:00 EDT

What's ahead for exchange operator NYSE Euronext?

How Facebook's Elite Skirt Estate Tax

Fri, 11 May 2012 16:30:00 EDT

Mark Zuckerberg and other insiders appear to be using special trusts to shield their shares from gift or estate taxes.

In Translation: Short Interest

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:01:00 EDT

What does the 'short interest' in a stock or ETF tell you, if anything? We explain in the first in a series of occasional stories defining a common financial term in simple English.

When Investing Trends Won't Die

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 17:21:00 EDT

Bucking the trends can cost investors big bucks. Here are three talked-about trades that could wind up biting contrarians back.

Advisers, Here's How to Ask Clients for Referrals

Mon, 07 May 2012 00:01:00 EDT

Adviser Alert: There are right ways and wrong ways, specialists in the field say. Plus, other news for brokers, wealth managers and their clients.

Why Three-Year Returns Suddenly Look Better

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:01:00 EDT

Fund Fiend: These trailing returns have jumped as the 2007-09 bear market fades into history. But the downturn shouldn't be forgotten by investors selecting mutual funds.

Henry Blodget: After the Fall, a Second Act Online

Thu, 10 May 2012 00:01:00 EDT

Henry Blodget, the former Wall Street analyst infamously banned from the securities industry in 2003, has taken his writing talents from analyst reports to the blogosphere at Business Insider.

How Preferred Stock Stacks Up

Mon, 07 May 2012 00:01:00 EDT

These hybrid investments, available through mutual funds and ETFs, offer high yields but significant risks.

Is Wall Street Meeting God's Expectations?

Fri, 04 May 2012 11:37:00 EDT

David Weidner: Many financial advisers have seized on the Bible, some even on Matthew 25 , to market their services. There is just one problem. Almost everyone I asked, religious, academics and atheists, said that passage, and by extension, God, wasn't talking about money.

Playing the U.S. Manufacturing Boom

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 15:05:00 EDT

Trends suggest America's manufacturing renaissance is just getting started. Here's what investors need to know.

The Smart Way to Follow 'Dumb Money'

Thu, 10 May 2012 17:13:00 EDT

"Go with the flow" may be great advice in some areas of life, but not when it comes to investing.

Big Boost to Returns of Target-Date Funds

Sun, 08 Apr 2012 00:01:00 EDT

Three-month and three-year results profited from the stock market's powerful start to 2012.

TIAA-CREF Raises $2 Billion for Agriculture Investments

Mon, 14 May 2012 15:59:00 EDT

TIAA-CREF has finished reaping funds for its agricultural investment company, raising $2 billion, including commitments from pension funds of Sweden and Canada's British Columbia and Quebec.

Tax Pitfalls for Fund Investors

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:01:00 EDT

Avoiding five mistakes -- including putting tax-inefficient funds in your taxable brokerage account and buying an ETF without learning what its tax treatment is -- can save you grief and put more money in your pocket.

Time to Limit Access to Leveraged Funds?

Mon, 07 May 2012 00:01:00 EDT

Fund Fiend: The rapid plunge of a popular leveraged exchange-traded investment in late March raises questions about whether such products have enough regulatory safeguards for individual investors.

How the Big Picture Affects Stock Picks

Mon, 07 May 2012 00:01:00 EDT

For fund managers, the lesson of recent years is that they can't ignore macro trends.

How Will You Spend Your Refund?

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 19:50:00 EDT

A vacation or an extra payment to the retirement fund? Tuition or home improvement? Readers say what they are planning to do with their 'windfall.'

Staying on Course

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:01:00 EDT

Spotlight: Following the death of its founding manager in 2010, Harbor International has maintained a strong performance investing in value shares of European and Asian companies.

State Governments Eye 'Inactive' Broker Accounts

Sat, 12 May 2012 20:57:00 EDT

At risk are accounts that states say may be inactive or abandoned but are simply running on the investing equivalent of auto-pilot—dividend re-investment plans.

How to Create a Pension (With a Few Catches)

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 00:01:00 EDT

A relatively new breed of annuity known as longevity insurance lets you use a small piece of your portfolio to purchase a relatively large income. But you must be willing to defer that income and give up access to at least some of your money.

If You're Under 40, Don't Bank on Social Security

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 18:42:00 EDT

Based on reports last week from the folks responsible for the Medicare and Social Security Trust Funds, Americans—especially those under age 40—need to reconsider their retirement plans.

Francesca's Has No Margin for Error

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 18:41:00 EDT

Its shares are expensive. If margins slip or the company can't open many new stores, its stock could get marked down sharply.

'529 Plans' Feel the Heat

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:53:00 EDT

States are making a new push to deliver lower-cost, better-performing investments in their college-savings plans—but some managers are walking away.

Building a Portfolio of European Stocks That Warren Buffett Would Like

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 20:58:00 EDT

If the Oracle of Omaha were to assemble a basket of European stocks with the attractive characteristics he likes in U.S. companies, what would he pick?

Back at the Top After a Tough 2011

Mon, 07 May 2012 00:01:00 EDT

Spotlight: Templeton Global Bond, unlike many of its peers, invests in bonds of developing countries. Some of the bets that hurt it last year are paying off this year.

Darts Top the Readers in Latest Dartboard Contest

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 21:45:00 EDT

The darts beat the readers' picks for the first time in four contests, while the winning reader scored with a bet on hotel and casino operator Las Vegas Sands.

Talking About ETFs

Mon, 07 May 2012 00:01:00 EDT

Longtime analyst Deborah Fuhr has advice for individual investors interested in the fastest-growing market for investor assets.

Consider Big Gifts to Family This Year

Mon, 07 May 2012 00:01:00 EDT

Mixing It Up: Affluent families who have more than enough wealth for their lifetimes may want to give away some assets to loved ones before a favorable tax rule expires at year-end, these advisers say.

Claiming Spousal Benefits

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 00:01:00 EDT

Ask Next: Karen Damato answers reader questions about Social Security strategies, health savings plans and charitable gifts.

What Makes a Great Stock Analyst?

Thu, 10 May 2012 00:01:00 EDT

After two decades of our Best on the Street survey, contacts, commitment, contrarianism and conviction stand out as qualities that make for truly great stock analysis.

Bill Gross's New ETF Roars Out of Gate

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 22:07:00 EDT

The exchange-traded fund beat the giant mutual fund on which it is based. But the gap between the two shows the risk of investing in actively managed ETFs.

U.S. to Take Over Dewey Pensions

Thu, 10 May 2012 18:46:00 EDT

Regulators are moving to take over pension plans at New York law firm Dewey, saying the plans are underfunded and at risk as the ailing firm tries to liquidate its assets.

Are Variable Annuities a Good Investment?

Mon, 14 May 2012 07:49:04 EDT

Ellie Lowder says yes, because they offer the assurance of a guaranteed return. No, says Lewis Altfest, because they are too costly for the benefits they provide.

The One Percent in the Funds World

Mon, 07 May 2012 00:01:00 EDT

A small group of funds pockets the vast majority of net new cash flowing in from investors.

Gupta Team Hits Back on Wiretaps

Sat, 12 May 2012 10:08:00 EDT

Lawyers for former Goldman Sachs director Rajat Gupta urged a federal court to bar from evidence three wiretapped conversations that prosecutors said were crucial to their insider-trading case.

Should Robots Replace Financial Regulators?

Sun, 06 May 2012 15:56:00 EDT

Investment advisers are being examined infrequently, inconsistently and incompletely—and regulators are outnumbered. It's time to put computers on the case.

Successful CEOs Don't Have to Be Jerks

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 07:10:00 EDT

A reader comes away from Walter Isaacson's biography of Steve Jobs with a greater appreciation for the chief executive. Unfortunately, that CEO is not Mr. Jobs. It is Bill Gates.

The New Nontraded REITs

Fri, 04 May 2012 18:06:00 EDT

A controversial real-estate investment is getting a makeover—and while the critics still aren't sold, some advisers say it is worth considering for investors comfortable with the risks.

How to Play Central Banks

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:55:00 EDT

Since last summer, central banks around the world have been more or less on the same page. That is beginning to change—creating opportunities for investors who can spot the signals.

Mike Mayo: Makes a Career of Being a Gadfly

Thu, 10 May 2012 00:01:00 EDT

Mike Mayo, of Crédit Agricole Securities, was fired from a previous job on Wall Street but found a niche as a critic of pay, accounting practices and inflated expectations for the U.S. banking industry.

BofA Weighs Sale of Overseas Wealth Business

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:45:00 EDT

Bank of America has discussed internally a potential sale of its non-U.S. wealth-management businesses, many of which it inherited through its purchase of Merrill Lynch.

How the Survey Was Conducted

Thu, 10 May 2012 00:01:00 EDT

The methodology for the 2012 survey of stock analysts.

Is 'Peer-to-Peer' Lending Worth the Risk?

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 21:56:00 EDT

After years of hype and occasional blowups, the "peer-to-peer" lending market, which connects borrowers with mom-and-pop lenders, is starting to attract professional investors. Here's how to get started—smartly.

Is It Time for a 'Backdoor' IRA?

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EDT

The move allows people to transfer money from taxable accounts to a Roth IRA, which earns tax-free income.