Unrest in Egypt: An investor’s view

Jan 31, 2011

Soaring food prices and high unemployment have combined explosively in Egypt — and are a global threat. Don’t bet on thoughtful governmental responses.

When a 401k loan is a smart move

Jan 28, 2011

Borrowing quick cash from a 401k plan isn’t always a bad idea. These 6 questions can help you figure out if it’s the right move.

Currency clash: Dollar vs. euro

Jan 28, 2011

The battle boils down to interest-rate expectations for Europe and the United States. And the eurozone may have the upper hand — for now.

How to invest in a zigzag economy

Jan 27, 2011

The U.S. remains mired in the early stages of a recovery, while emerging markets are speeding into later stages. Knowing how to bridge the gap is key to picking stocks now.

The case for actively managed ETFs

Jan 26, 2011

Aiming for a bigger slice of the mutual fund market, the ETF industry is introducing funds run by portfolio managers. Should you invest?

Are investors too bullish?

Jan 26, 2011

On the heels of a big upswing, nervous investors are coming back to stocks. But too many are diving in just in time for a big correction.

Super Bowl theory says to go long

Jan 26, 2011

Dismiss the Super Bowl indicator at your peril. If enough people believe the market will head in a certain direction, it will.

5 auto stocks poised to rally

Jan 25, 2011

Improving sales brought a heady sense of optimism to the 2011 North American International Auto Show. Here are 5 ways to play the trend.

The return of the Internet IPO

Jan 25, 2011

The market seems ready to party like it’s 1999 as investors eagerly await shares of Facebook, Twitter, Groupon, Kayak and other popular names. But should you dive in?

10 reasons to love rising prices

Jan 24, 2011

We fretted about deflation, and now we are worried about what to do about its remedy, inflation. Maybe we should embrace it.

10 stocks for global investors

Jan 24, 2011

The best way to participate in the growth of emerging economies may be to hold blue-chip multinational companies — no matter where they are based.

7 high-potential stocks under $7

Jan 22, 2011

You might get a satisfying lunch for $7, or you could get a share of a promising company that’s flying below many investors’ radar screens.

2011: The year of wild speculation

Jan 21, 2011

From tablet devices to rare earth metals, trends are hot on Wall Street once again. But in the end, cooler heads will prevail.

Prepare for the inflation fight now

Jan 20, 2011

As emerging markets beef up efforts to curb inflation, stocks there are likely to suffer. Now is a great time to look closer to home.

Top managers’ top dividend stocks

Jan 20, 2011

Dividends provide investors with one of the surest ways to earn superior returns. These 10 dividend-payers are favorites of some of the nation’s best-known stock pickers.

ETF investors win as fees keep falling

Jan 19, 2011

When returns are low, investors watch every penny. So ETF and mutual-fund providers are slashing fees to build market share and keep from losing customers.

What you didn’t learn from the crash

Jan 19, 2011

The severity of the recent downturn likely has you swearing off stocks, but the lesson of the Great Recession isn’t to walk away. Far from it.

Our next economic worry: Inflation

Jan 19, 2011

Not so long ago, a little inflation seemed a lot better than the alternative. But now we’re seeing scary signs that it might be getting out of hand.

The 6 big market events of 2011

Jan 18, 2011

Here’s a look at some possibilities that could shape the market this year, from the first true market highs in years to a Facebook buyout.