ETNs, MLPs and REITs: Trading Off the Beaten Path
These investments may appear similar to stocks, but they have some distinct qualities.Today's Stocks & Topics: The Stock Market, MSFT - Microsoft Corp., Apple’s Earnings, New Chip Credit Cards, AKAM - Akamai Technologies Inc., 30 Day Rule, DEST - Destination Maternity Corp., Gross Domestic Product: GDP, TTM - Tata Motors Ltd. ADR, ZINC - Horsehead Holding Corp., Ferrari's IPO.
45m Oct 27, 2015
45m
Mutual Fund Shortfall
What’s wrong with this picture? A mutual fund shows a average return of 9%, but the individual mutual fund investor only gets 7%. Stocks and topics: Retirement accounts, CMI - Cummins Inc., Bond market, CVX - Chevron Corp., China and the Fed, Age based financial education for school children, C - Citigroup Inc.
43m Oct 24, 2015
43m
10 Things to Know About Money Before You're 40
Every decade is a milestone of sorts, but turning 40 should come with a special, financial heads up. Topics and Stocks: Fading Entrepreneurship in U.S., Cramer Stock Picks, Earnings Per Share, STJ - St. Jude Medical Inc., O - Realty Income Corp., GLDSPDR Gold Trust (ETF), SNH - Senior Housing Properties Trust, AAPL - AAPL - Apple Inc.
44m Oct 23, 2015
44m
Socially Responsible Retirement Investing
When retirees are invested in the stock market, many are steering their portfolios toward higher ethical ground. AIQUF - L'Air Liquide S.A., ETF dividends, KIM - Kimco Realty Corp., Debt Ceiling, AET - Aetna Inc., XOM - Exxon Mobil Corp., 401(K) fees, Healthcare stocks
44m Oct 22, 2015
44m
Positive Signals from the Eurozone
Recent economic indicators have shown higher-than-projected figures and despite unstable industrial production, European consumer confidence hit a four-year high in July. U. S Economic Stregth, Consumer sector, BAC - BAnk America, WMT - WALMART, TSLA - Tesla Motors Inc., 1031 Exchange, XOM - Exxon Mobil Corp., SWN - Southwestern Energy Co., CMG - Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.
56m Oct 21, 2015
56m
Managing a Better Than Average 401K
Nothing may be more central to your retirement plan. It can represent the largest chunk of most retirement nest eggs. Today's Stocks & Topics: Job Market statistics, QE - How it failed, JNJ - Johnson & Johnson, FCX - Freeport-McMoRan In, LNDC - Landec Corp.,HAS - Hasbro Inc., NFLX - Netflix, The 4 keys to investing susccess.
44m Oct 20, 2015
44m
How Much Can You Stand To Lose?
Retirees, in particular, may be thinking that they don't have time to endure another round of deep paper losses and wait for a rebound.Today's Stocks & Topics: Options, Wal-Mart, Warrant Buffet, Cyber-Theft, Variable Universal Life Policy, Cyber-Security, AMZN - Amazon.com Inc., FCD - Fairchild Semiconductor International Inc., Traditional I-R-A, SDIV - Global X Super Dividend ETF, Hedge Funds,...
45m Oct 17, 2015
45m
Where ARE Your Financial Strengths and Weaknesses?
A well-constructed personal balance sheet can be a reality check - something essential to building a financial plan.Today's Stocks & Topics: Lump-Sum Distribution, Gold, AUY - Yamana Gold Inc., Long Term Bonds, HL - Hecla Mining Co., New Investor, S&P 500, 401k, CDs, SBUX - Starbucks Corp.
45m Oct 16, 2015
45m
Can Government Bonds Provide Downside Protection?
Despite low real returns, Treasuries still have a role in investors' portfolios.Today's Stocks & Topics: 401k, Europe, Asian Markets, Nasdaq, Resistance, MKTO - Marketo Inc., Down Payment or Invest, Long Term Insurance, WMT - Wal-Mart Stores Inc., GPRO - GoPro Inc., BX - Blackstone Group L.P., Good Stock for Grandkinds.
45m Oct 15, 2015
45m
A Step-By-Step Rebalance For Your 401(k)
Only one in five rebalanced their portfolio last year, an important step in the retirement planning process.Today's Stocks & Topics: OXYS - OxySure Systems Inc., Reverse Stock Split, Goldman Sachs, 3rd Quarter Earnings, Mistakes on Managing Money, GE - General Electric Co., Stock Prices, Day Trading, T - AT&T Inc., CSCO - Cisco Systems Inc., LUV - Southwest Airlines Co.
45m Oct 14, 2015
45m
Did You Know Your 401(k) plan Uses Target-Date Funds?
These funds, whose assets automatically shift into more conservative investments as you approach retirement are increasingly the default option for many 401(k) plans. Should they be in yours?Today's Stocks & Topics: Support Level, ALK - Alaska Air Group Inc., Real Estate, Options, Reverse Mortgage, Bad Money Habits, VZ - Verizon Communications Inc., CSCO - Cisco Systems Inc., T - AT&T Inc., Ret...
45m Oct 13, 2015
45m
Is a 'Bear-Market Fund' a Good Strategy For You?
Given the recent frightening, violent sell-off, would it be wise to allocate a portion of your portfolio to this type of fund?Today's Stocks & Topics: The Fed, Stop Panicking About the Stock Market, Housing, October Fest in Germany vs. USA, Energy Companies, M - Macy's Inc., Institutional Buying, IJR - iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF, EBAY - eBay Inc., Unemployment Rate.
45m Oct 10, 2015
45m
Will We Have To Settle For Smaller Gains?
How much can we really expect from stocks, bonds and cash over the next 10, 20 or even 30 years?Today's Stocks & Topics: Investing, Economic Numbers, A - B - C Shares, Interest Rates, Equity Key, Stock Investing, Retirement contributions, Social Security, Exchange Traded Funds.
47m Oct 08, 2015
47m
Did ETFs Fail Investors?
In the investment markets - the portions that affect you and me - exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have emerged as the ultimate market Disruptor.Today's Stocks & Topics: Investing, Junk Funds, Alcoa, The Job Market, Earnings, Returns, VASC - Vascular Solutions Inc., AGN - Allergan PLC, Support Levels, LCI - Lannett Co. Inc., DVK - Derwent London PLC.
46m Oct 08, 2015
46m
Why Women Are Doing Better at Preparing for Retirement
Women have made great strides in the challenge of financial readiness.Today's Stocks & Topics: Minimum Wage, U.S Exports, 5 Reasons American Apparel is Bankrupt, Tesla, Job Report, GGN - GAMCO Global Gold Natural Resources & Income Trust, Oil, POT - Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc., Where to Invest, DRIPs, I-P-Os, 15 or 30 Year Mortgage, BIDU - Baidu Inc. ADR, GILD - Gilead Sciences Inc., X - ...
45m Oct 07, 2015
45m
Real Estate Finds a Home in a Solo 401(k)
Here's how an investment in Real estate could fit into a retirement account.Today's Stocks & Topics: POT - Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc., LCI - Lannett Co. Inc., Index Funds, Jobs Report, The Bond Market, World Banks, FEYE - FireEye Inc., Z - Zillow Group Inc., FANUY - Fanuc Corp., Options, Ex-Dividend Dates.
45m Oct 06, 2015
45m
Market Corrections Weed Out The Weak
Market corrections can remove those who should not be investing and those who distort market prices.Today's Stocks & Topics: Health Care Sector, Bio-Tech Industry, 3rd Quarter GDP, Tesla SUV, Oil Demand in China, Commodities, Trend Lines, NSC - Norfolk Southern Corp., Long Term Care, INTC - Intel Corp., AAPL - Apple Inc., MNDO - MIND C.T.I. Ltd.
45m Oct 03, 2015
45m
Managing Your Portfolio and Your Taxes
For some, this issue may be among the more influential factors when selecting investments.Today's Stocks & Topics: PANW - Palo Alto Networks Inc., Economic Numbers, Current Job Market, Commodities, CSIQ - Canadian Solar Inc., Mutual Funds, BIDU - Baidu Inc. ADR, EMC - EMC Corp., NLNK - NewLink Genetics Corp., Bond Funds, HAIN - Hain Celestial Group Inc.
45m Oct 02, 2015
45m
What Regulates The Financial Advice You Get?
Does the current regulatory environment leave you at risk of getting investment advice that’s not in your best interest?Today's Stocks & Topics: Selling, Elder Abuse, Japan, ZINC - Horsehead Holding Corp., Bonds, SNH - Senior Housing Properties Trust, HCP - HCP Inc., MA - MasterCard Inc. Cl A, V - VISA Inc. Cl A., LCI - Lannett Co. Inc.
45m Oct 01, 2015
45m
What If You Took Your Social Security Early and Invested It?
Many people want to get their hands on their benefits as soon as possible to capitalize on them.  Let's see if that strategy pencils out. Today's Stocks & Topics: Student Loans, The Bull Market, JBLU - JetBlue Airways Corp., Correction, TGH - Textainer Group Holdings Ltd., FCX - Freeport-McMoRan Inc., GPRO - GoPro Inc., Home Loans, Retirement, Central Bank of India, SCTY - Solar City Corp., GD...
45m Sep 30, 2015
45m
Getting A Dollar For 50 Cents
Learning the secrets of 'Value Investing'. It's really pretty simple - buy undervalued stocks.Today's Stocks & Topics: Stock Evaluation, Chinese Trade Numbers, The Fed, Europe Economy, 401k, Hedge Funds, Retirement Needs, Mortgage, Bonds, Trust Deeds.
47m Sep 28, 2015
47m
3 Things You Should Never Do With a 401(k)
From how much you contribute, investment choices, or just plain neglect.Today's Stocks & Topics: S&P 500 & The Dow Jones, Cash Flows, Amazon Prime, The Gold Market, GE - General Electric Co., ETFs, POT - Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc., CAT - Caterpillar Inc., Financial Terms, APU - AmeriGas Partners L.P., Utilities.
45m Sep 26, 2015
45m
Why You Should START With Mutual Funds
To achieve the same thing on your own, with individual equities, you'd need a lot of money to invest and lots of time to manage your investments.Today's Stocks & Topics: Today’s Market, IPOs, Home Sales, The Fed, 3D Printing, Selling, New Investor, Vanguard Funds, DWX - SPDR S&P International Dividend ETF, RTN - Raytheon Co., Bear Market.
46m Sep 25, 2015
46m
CEFs Vs. ETFs
In addition to traditional open-ended mutual funds, investors are also turning toward closed end funds (CEFs) and exchange traded funds (ETFs) to generate yield.Today's Stocks & Topics: New Investor, Bio-Tech Companies, CNCE - Concert Pharmaceuticals Inc., EXPE - Expedia Inc., Companies That Avoid The Stock Market, China, Zero Balance Credit Cards, TWTR - Twitter Inc., IBM - International Busin...
48m Sep 24, 2015
48m
Should You Be An Active Or Passive Investor?
Passive investing can be profitable, but there's a time to get active too. But when's the right time for you?Today's Stocks & Topics: Commercial Mortgage Bridge Loan, Home Sales, Tax Law Selling, Apple Car, AZO - AutoZone Inc., STX - Seagate Technology PLC, Unit Investment Trust, Mutual Funds, Mutual Funds, DIS - Walt Disney Co., APU - AmeriGas Partners L.P., The Correction.
46m Sep 23, 2015
46m
How To Play Bonds Before a Rate Hike
While we don't know exactly WHEN the Fed will hike interest rates, investors need to have their eyes wide open about what could happen, and what it means for bond markets.Today's Stocks & Topics: New Investor, GNW - Genworth Financial Inc., Home Sales, 401k, Dividends, WFM - Whole Foods Market Inc.
48m Sep 22, 2015
48m
Where's the Next ETF Boom?
An industry expert tells about current and upcoming developments in the fast moving ETF marketplace. Today's Stocks & Topics: GE - General Electric Co., Tesla Competition, Corrections, Junk Bonds, ADSK - Autodesk Inc., BAC - Bank of America Corp., Investing, COF - Capital One Financial Corp., Roth.
45m Sep 19, 2015
45m
Are We Going To Have To Settle For Smaller Gains?
How much can we really expect from stocks, bonds and cash over the next 10, 20 or even 30 years? Today's Stocks & Topics: Investing, BSFT - BroadSoft Inc., INO - Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc., VLTC - Voltari Corp., Economic Numbers, Shares, WM - Waste Management Inc., BPB - P PLC ADR, Interest Rates, MNKD - MannKind Corp., Equity Key.
45m Sep 18, 2015
45m
How To Play Oil's Downturn
Large integrated oil companies and refiners could be investors' best chance for bargains. Today's Stocks & Topics: Value Trap, The Fed, U.S. Poverty Rate, AAPL - Apple Inc., Interest Rates, MELI – Mercado Libre Inc., ALK - Alaska Air Group Inc.
45m Sep 17, 2015
45m
Index Funds: How Do They Work. Really.
Despite recent gains in popularity, index funds account for only 20% of all money managed by mutual funds. Why is that? Today's Stocks & Topics: Share Issues, Buy Back, Home Equity Line, Maybe is a Good Time to Buy, Jobs That Pay The Most, LUX - Luxottica Group S.p.A. ADR, Day Trading, EBF - Ennis Inc., 3 Ways To Measure A Stock, KO - Coca-Cola Co., Retail Sales, Annuities, Pension Plans.
45m Sep 16, 2015
45m
A Key Asset Class Most Investors Ignore
Most investors have no problem having zero exposure to international bonds. Does that make sense? Today's Stocks & Topics: Invest Tools, The Economy, Commodities, China, Short Interest, MRVL - Marvell Technology Group Ltd., PNY - Piedmont Natural Gas Co.
56m Sep 15, 2015
56m
The Danger of Over-Diversifying Your Mutual Funds
Too many people put their money into a grab bag of holdings, with no thought on how the parts should interact. Today's Stocks & Topics: Cash Back Into The Market, China, U.S. Oil Production, Brazil, Retirement, ORLY - O'Reilly Automotive Inc., JOY - Joy Global Inc., Mutual Funds vs. ETFs, CSCO - Cisco Systems Inc., “Above Average Investing for the Average Investor” - Steve Peasley, Re-Balancin...
45m Sep 12, 2015
45m
How To Defuse A 401(k) Bomb
While Target Date Funds are vehicles of convenience — they invest in several mutual funds in one package — they may be loaded with inappropriate amounts of risk. Today's Stocks & Topics: Dividends, Greece, Inherent, Par Value vs. Book Value, S - Sprint Corp., WFM - Whole Foods Market Inc., Oil Prices, New Investor.
45m Sep 11, 2015
45m
Worried About Interest Rates Hurting Your Bonds?
While it is uncertain when interest rates will be back up, there are plenty of other investment options to save up your money. Today's Stocks & Topics: 401k & Brokers, PSQ - ProShares Short QQQ, BABA - Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADR, 529 Plan, Online Banking, SAVE - Spirit Airlines Inc., Job Openings, China, The Stock Market, BKS - Barnes & Noble Inc.
45m Sep 10, 2015
45m
Getting A Dollar For 50 Cents
Learning the secrets of 'Value Investing'.  It's really pretty simple - buy undervalued stocks. Today's Stocks & Topics: Stock Evaluation, WM - Waste Management Inc., Chinese Trade Numbers, The Fed, Europe Economy, KING - King Digital Entertainment PLC, KINS - Kingstone Cos. Inc., 401k, IDV - iShares International Select Dividend ETF, Hedge Funds.
45m Sep 09, 2015
45m
What's Wrong With Target-Date Funds?
More than half of all 401(k) assets are now being held in target date funds. But before you think they will solve all your investment issues, you should look more closely. Today's Stocks & Topics: Sectors, Stock Market Bulls Are Playing With Fire, U.S. Home Sales, Greece, I-R-S & 401k,Retirement, Financial Advisor vs. Financial Planner, Stock Evaluation, 529 Plan, DIversification, Income Produ...
46m Sep 07, 2015
46m
How to Design the Best Investment Portfolio for You
So what exactly is asset allocation?  It's NOT throwing some into this stock or that fund based on a hunch about the economy or a TV commentator's opinion. Today's Stocks & Topics: Deficit, Stock Prices, Economic Ice Age, Working in Retirement, GOOG - Google Inc. vs. GOOGL - Google Inc., ISRG - Intuitive Surgical Inc., MO - Altria Group Inc., TBT - ProShares UltraShort Lehman 20+ Year Treasury...
45m Sep 05, 2015
45m
3 Must-Knows About Mutual Funds
Mutual funds are not set and forget.  First, they have to match-up with your goals. Then they need rebalancing regularly. Today's Stocks & Topics: Buy & Sell, Trade Deficit, Economic Ice Age, Dying College Majors, PFE - Pfizer Inc., Index Funds vs. Manage Funds, Interest Rates, PG - Procter & Gamble Co., BP - BP PLC ADR, The Stock Market, Solar Energy.
45m Sep 04, 2015
45m
Why You Should Sell Your Grandfather's Stocks
Millennials stand to inherit $30 trillion from parents and grandparents. Is there a downside to that? Today's Stocks & Topics: Home Equity Line vs. I-R-A, POT - Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc., Beige Book, Productivity, Retirement, CMI - Cummins Inc., LCI - Lannett Co. Inc., Risk, Technical Analysis, Coverdell ESA.
46m Sep 03, 2015
46m
Portfolio Pitfalls: A Million Dollar Portfolio with Serious Flaws
It's commonly thought that people with large investment portfolios are smart investors.  It’s not always true. Today's Stocks & Topics: Variable Universal Life Policy, Construction, September Is The Cruelest Month For Your Stocks — Or Is It?, PSQ - ProShares Short QQQ, T - AT&T Inc., VZ - Verizon Communications Inc., Muni-Bonds, WMT - Wal-Mart Stores Inc., RWLK - ReWalk Robotics Ltd., ABX - Ba...
45m Sep 02, 2015
45m
Holding A Mutual Fund For 50 Years
Is there an investment you could hold from College into retirement? Today's Stocks & Topics: FOLD - Amicus Therapeutics Inc., Volatility, Master Limited Partnerships, Earnings before Interest, Taxes and Amortization (EBITA), Re-enter The Market, Dividends.
46m Sep 01, 2015
46m
Could Commodities Be Worth The Risk?
Oil and metals offer plenty of advantages, but they also have more exposure to downside volatility. Today's Stocks & Topics: Stop Loss Orders, Big Week for Oil, China, Exercise Older People Shouldn’t Do, I-R-A, Dividends, XOM - Exxon Mobil Corp., CVX - Chevron Corp., HTM - U.S. Geothermal Inc., VAR - Varian Medical Systems Inc., E - ENI S.p.A.
45m Aug 29, 2015
45m
Adjusting Expectations: Taking The Longer View
How much you can really expect stocks, bonds and cash to deliver over the next 10, 20 or even 30 years. Today's Stocks & Topics: Market Correction, GDP Numbers, The Fed & Interest Rates, Sell or Not to Sell, The Stock Market, TOT - Total S.A. ADR, TVIX – Velocity Shares Daily 2x VIX Short Term ETN, FDX - FedEx Corp., UPS - United Parcel Service Inc., Bad Reasons to Take Your Social security Ea...
45m Aug 28, 2015
45m
Don’t Wait For The Perfect Time To Invest
In the eagerness to invest correctly and make the right choices, money can lie idle and unutilized. Today's Stocks & Topics: 401k Portfolio, Durable Goods, China, Bear Trap, Mining Stocks, TSO - Tesoro Corp., VLO - Valero Energy Corp., Diversification, UPS - United Parcel Service Inc., Inherited I-R-A, UEC - Uranium Energy Corp., CSX - CSX Corp.
45m Aug 27, 2015
45m
5 Reasons You Need a Roth IRA
The Roth IRA has its tax advantages — But there are more benefits you should know about. Today's Stocks & Topics: AVT - Avnet Inc., VZ - Verizon Communications Inc., The Stock Market, Economic Statistics, Bear Trap, Correction, MCI - Babson Capital Corporate Investors, SPY - SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust, Sectors, Gas Prices, Shorting, XOM - Exxon Mobil Corp., DIS - Walt Disney Co.
45m Aug 26, 2015
45m
How About A 401k Tune-up?
You enrolled and started saving in a 401K, but you can’t just set and forget your retirement plan — or let your plan administrator do it for you if you’re automatically enrolled. Today's Stocks & Topics: Stocks Ratings, China, Circuit Breakers, Worry About the Stock Market, GILD - Gilead Sciences Inc., AAPL - Apple Inc., UWTI – Velocity Shares 3x Long Crude ETN linked to the S&P GSCI Crude Oil...
49m Aug 25, 2015
49m
Answers To The Critical Retirement Questions
It's not just when, but how and what.  Planning your your retirement is all about answering these 7 important questions. Today's Stocks & Topics: The Stock Market, Hedging, QE, The Fed, Books, HFC – Holly Frontier Corp., NFLX - Netflix Inc., TSLA - Tesla Motors Inc., AMZN - Amazon.com Inc., NYCB - New York Community Bancorp Inc.
46m Aug 22, 2015
46m
Does Your Portfolio Reflect Your Needs or Your Emotions?
Many are holding too much in cash and bonds, and not enough domestic and international equities and alternative investments. Today's Stocks & Topics: New Investor, Paying Small or Bigger Amounts, To Buy or Not To Buy, LVS - Las Vegas Sands Corp., Shorting, PMCS - PMC-Sierra Inc., KNDI - Kandi Technologies Group Inc., PPC - Pilgrim's Pride Corp., SYY - Sysco Corp.
46m Aug 21, 2015
46m
How Investors Can Get Ready For Higher Rates
It's Wall Street's No. 1 obsession - guessing how soon the Fed will start lifting its rate and how the markets will handle it when it happens. Today's Stocks & Topics: China’s Currency vs. U.S. Dollar, The Fed, China’s Bear Market, HABT - Habit Restaurants Inc., Sectors, PPC - Pilgrim's Pride Corp., 401k, KMI - Kinder Morgan Inc., Retirement, Support & Resistance.
44m Aug 20, 2015
44m
What's Wrong With Target-Date Funds?
More than half of all 401(k) assets are now being held in target date funds. But before you think they will solve all your investment issues, you should look more closely. Today's Stocks & Topics: Sectors, Stock Market Bulls Are Playing With Fire, Greece, BP - BP PLC ADR, SHOO - Steven Madden Ltd., I-R-S & 401k, BMY - Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., SUNE - SunEdison Inc.
45m Aug 19, 2015
45m