Is the 4% Rule Still Viable?Ruffenach: A fresh look at the 4% retirement-withdrawal rule.
Trust Me, I'm a Fund ManagerFinancial firms are rolling out a bevy of mutual funds that let their managers invest in pretty much anything. Should investors give them the reins?
Cliffs Stands to Profit From Emerging-Markets Building BoomThe company has been expanding its mining operations into eastern Canada, western Australia and Brazil, and its push outside the U.S. could help its shares climb as high as $115.
Facebook, Dead or Alive Supply and demand for Facebook stock will ensure IPO madness. The 2012 IPO market, otherwise, will be just another yawner, writes Al's Emporium.
Dividend Stocks Aren't the New BondsYou can get generous yields…but also considerable risk. Consider using stocks as just one element in a diversified income portfolio.
The Scramble for Catchy ETF TickersWith many tickers already taken and others reserved for future products, finding a symbol that's both available and memorable isn't as easy as it sounds.
Risk-Parity Funds Redefine 'Balance'A new group of allocation funds are based on the view that there is something fundamentally wrong with the classic 60-40 stocks-to-bonds mix.
What to Do With 529-Plan LeftoversIf you haven't used all the money in your college savings plan, don't just cash it in. You have other options.
Goodbye to Market TimingMixing It Up: The father-and-son team behind Merriman Inc. were once big proponents of market timing. No more. Here the firm shares a model buy-and-hold portfolio.
Bill Gross...and Fund FeesFund Fiend: Other firms are likely to feel pressure to follow Pimco into low-cost ETFs.
Are Bank Stocks 'Responsible'?The Occupy movement would shun the biggest financial institutions. Few of the 'socially responsible' funds do that.
Ways to Bet on a Rebound in EuropeThe outlook is cloudy, but stocks look fairly cheap. One option: index ETFs dominated by multinationals.
Professor's Advice: It's Best to Be BoredDavid Snowball, creator of the Mutual Fund Observer website, says exciting investments can be hazardous. Among mutual funds, he suggests promising new offerings and overlooked gems.
How to Strike It Big in the New Energy BoomNew profits and investment opportunities are coming from the surge in U.S. gas and oil production. 'America on the verge of near self-sufficiency.'
An Annuity Can Still Make SenseDespite the current ultralow rates, immediate annuities can still be a good option for retirees who need guaranteed income right now.
Hospital Observations Can Get Costly for Medicare RecipientsObservation care is billed as outpatient care, leaving Medicare beneficiaries with higher out-of-pocket expenses.
Fees on Prepaid Debit Cards Add UpPrepaid debit cards are being pitched as a way to avoid the growing number of bank fees. But these products have costs of their own, including monthly service, ATM and refilling fees.
Money Moves to Make Now, Not at the End of the YearContrary to conventional wisdom, there are some regular money moves that are better done at the beginning of the year rather than the end.
Gen Y Invests More Than It Thinks18-to-30-year-olds say they don't feel comfortable about stocks, but that bears little resemblance to how they actually invest.
Years Late, Trillions of Dollars ShortThe president has rolled out another government program to help homeowners hit by falling home prices, but there's little reason to think this plan will enjoy much more success than the previous ones.
