Worth the RiskBarron's/Lipper's Best Fund Families of 2011 stayed fully invested, but in safe plays. So who came out on top?
How to Break Up the BanksA Barron's interview with Roberta Karmel, a former SEC commissioner and current professor at Brooklyn Law School. What's the best way to cope with modern financial giants?
At Long Last, FacebookFacebook's shares could get a pop at the IPO, but as Google's experience shows, it's hard to maintain investor excitement over time, even with strong growth.
Rewind: TiVo's Compelling Second ActThe DVR pioneer's shares, once highfliers, have long been grounded. But software-patent victories and advanced hardware have made them attractive again.
Protect and AttackSeven-year-old Lenovo is the world's second-largest PC maker. It could eclipse leader Hewlett-Packard as it presses into emerging markets, including its home turf, China. Watch out Dell and Acer.
Time to Play Chicken With "Wings"Buffalo Wild Wings has had a storied flight, but the restaurant company's shares could get clipped as chicken-wing prices soar. Checking out the broiler chicks.
Focus Lists Were Out of Focus in 2011's Turmoil Two West Coast investment firms took top honors in our latest ranking. But for many others, last year's volatility took a deep toll.
A Remedy for Runaway Health-Care CostsStates are taking steps to coordinate care for "duals"— patients eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid coverage. That's good news for patients, managed-care companies like UnitedHealth and Humana, and Uncle Sam.
Where 2011's Top Funds See Opportunity in 2012A variety of bonds, gold, selected emerging-market stocks and big safe U.S. shares look best for the year ahead.
A More Perfect UnionAmericans aren't well served by the current process of presidential selection.
Nasdaq Hits an 11-Year High as Stocks RallyFacebook's filing and strong jobs data push stocks sharply higher Friday and on the week. Plus, why MetLife and its dividend could rebound, and a positive look at Iconix.
Europe Teeters, but German Stocks ShineInvestors frightened of Europe have found a haven in Germany, where stocks are up 14.7% this year. Also, continued questions about how to manage Greece, and why a big mining merger doesn't herald an M&A revival.
The Way to Play Chicken—and Win—in IndonesiaSectors like mining are overdone in Indonesia, but demand for chicken is rising. Two poultry companies offer a clever way into Indonesia's thriving domestic market: Charoen Pokphand and Japfa Comfeed.
Playing Facebook With PutsSix days after the stock begins trading, options on it will be listed. Here's what to do.
Low-Hanging Fruit: OJ Will DropFears surrounding a fungicide affecting Brazilian oranges are turning out to be a tempest in a juice glass. So expect OJ futures prices, which had soared on supply-squeeze fears, to drop.
Value Grows Scarcer in MunisYields tumble as munis gain 2.31% in January on the heels of a 10.7% gain in 2011.
More Jobs, Less FacebookAs Facebook users go back to work, they'll have less time to update their pages and peer at those of others. On the plus side, the company's $5 billion IPO has monetary policy at its back.
A Market List for Seekers of CalmBespoke Investment Group has produced a list of stocks ranked in order of nonvolatility over the past decade.
Fannie Mae's Fire SaleFannie Mae will soon start auctioning off foreclosed houses and pools of non-performing loans in bulk. How to buy a cut-rate rental property.
January Jobs Are Up and DownThe U.S. lost 2.7 million jobs in January—before seasonable adjustments. That isn't as bad as usual, which augurs well.
A Profit "Parade" That's Leaving Everyone BehindGetting in front of a parade has been called a key to technology success, but for many aspirants, that's proving to be a tough march.
It's Time to Rein In BezosIt's surprising that shareholders were surprised Amazon.com fell well shy of forecasts of its fourth-quarter revenue. Its CEO has long gotten a pass on margin erosion.
Fix Your MusicPeachtree Audio's iDAC gives new life to digital music files.
Fidelity Amps Up Cross-Border OfferingsMore countries for more customers: Fidelity frees up access to smaller investors, and adds access to new bourses and currencies.
Seasoned Vets Run Rookie FundsA few very young value funds get the once-over from our funds columnist. Three are run by investment veterans, while a fourth features an intriguing dark horse.
An Active Approach to ETFsEaton Vance is developing a hybrid ETF that melds aspects of passive investing with active money management. Will the SEC let it fly?
Toy StoryThe toy makers raise their dividends for the third straight year. Limited Brands and Hershey sweeten theirs as well.
In Defense of the Free MarketIn Books: A blueprint for streamlining public administration; what money cannot buy; inside the financial bubble; and why good policing really works.
Stocks in the Spotlight FridayGenworth, Sony and Constant Contact rose. Estee Lauder fell.
Transaction Processors That Can Pay OffBarrington Research likes TNS, Official Payments and others.
Is Weyerhaeuser Out of the Woods?The struggling timber and homebuilding company beat top- and bottom-line expectations for the fourth quarter, cheering investors.
Less Sweet on NetSuiteCaris & Co. downgraded the software firm to Above Average.
Contractors Exposed to a Defense CutTextron, Boeing and Triumph may see revenue cut starting in 2014.
Don't Overpay for J&J With Johnson & Johnson trading at a premium to its peers, investors should wait for a lower price before buying.
