Initial public offerings (IPOs) often attract initial public interest—especially when familiar brands become broadly available to investors for the first time.

Over the course of a summer, it’s not unusual for the stock market to be a topic of conversation at barbecues or other social gatherings.

Investment opportunities exist all around the globe.

“I have found that the importance of having an investment philosophy—one that is robust and that you can stick with— cannot be overstated.”

Over the last several years, index funds have received increased attention from investors and the financial media.

A quick online search for “Dow rallies 500 points” yields a cascade of news stories with similar titles, as does a similar search for “Dow drops 500 points.”

Investment fads are nothing new. When selecting strategies for their portfolios, investors are often tempted to seek out the latest and greatest investment opportunities.

After logging strong returns in 2017, global equity markets delivered negative returns in US dollar terms in 2018.

As 2019 approaches, and with US stocks outperforming non-US stocks in recent years, some investors have again turned their attention towards the role that global diversification plays in their portfolios.

It’s almost Election Day in the US once again. For those who need a brief civics refresher, every two years the full US House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate are up for reelection.

Costs matter. Whether you’re buying a car or selecting an investment strategy, the costs you expect to pay are likely to be an important factor in making any major financial decision.

With school back in session in most of the country, many parents are likely thinking about how best to prepare for their children’s future college expenses.

Diversification has been called the only free lunch in investing. This idea is based on research showing that diversification, through a combination of assets like stocks and bonds, could reduce volatility without reducing expected return or increase expected return without increasing volatility compared to those individual assets alone.

From 1928–2017 the value premium in the US had a positive annualized return of approximately 3.5%. In seven of the last 10 calendar years, however, the value premium in the US has been negative.

When the prices of goods and services increase over time, consumers can buy fewer of them with every dollar they have saved.

For investors, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the relentless stream of news about markets.

Growing interest in the impact of fossil fuels on the global climate may spark questions about whether individuals can integrate their values around sustainability with their investment goals and, if so, how.

Checking the weather? Guess what—you’re using a model. While models can be useful for gaining insights that can help us make good decisions, they are inherently incomplete simplifications of reality.

After a period of relative calm in the markets, in recent days the increase in volatility in the stock market has resulted in renewed anxiety for many investors.

Throughout 2017, the S&P 500 Index recorded 62 new closing highs in 251 days of trading. In the first three weeks of January 2018 alone, the index crossed 10 new record closing highs in 13 days of trading.

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are receiving intense media coverage, prompting many investors to wonder whether these new types of electronic money deserve a place in their portfolios.

As investors ring in the new year, some may see the occasional headline about the “January Indicator” or “January Barometer.”

By pursuing a globally diversified approach to investing, one doesn’t have to attempt to pick winners to achieve a rewarding investment experience.

Focusing on what you can control can lead to a better investment experience. Whether you’ve been investing for decades or are just getting started, at some point on your investment journey you’ll likely ask yourself some of the questions below. Trying to answer these questions may be intimidating, but know that you’re not alone.

The US stock market has delivered an average annual return of around 10% since 1926. But short-term results may vary, and in any given period stock returns can be positive, negative, or flat.

It will soon be the 10-year anniversary of when, in early October 2007, the S&P 500 Index hit what was its highest point before losing more than half its value over the next year and a half during the global financial crisis.

In the world of investment management there is an oft-discussed idea that blindfolded monkeys throwing darts at pages of stock listings can select portfolios that will do just as well, if not better, than both the market and the average portfolio constructed by professional money managers.

Costs matter. Whether you’re buying a car or selecting an investment strategy, the costs you expect to pay are

Research shows that, like stock prices, changes in interest rates and bond prices are largely unpredictable.

“The market hates uncertainty” has been a common enough saying in recent years, but how

Since the 1950s, there have been numerous

While the logical guess might be 5,000, as of December 31, 2016, the index actually contained around 3,600 names. In fact, the last time this index…

Checking the weather? Looking at a map of the world to plan your next vacation? Guess what—you’re using a model. While models can be useful for gaining insights …

There has been much discussion in the news recently about new nominal highs in stock indices like the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 …

In liquid and competitive markets, current interest rates represent the expected probability of all foreseeable actions by the Fed and other …

The close of each calendar year brings with it the holidays as well as a chance to look forward to the year ahead.

In the coming weeks, investors are likely to be bombarded with predictions …

In 1958, economist Leonard Read published an essay entitled “I, Pencil: My Family Tree as Told to Leonard E. Read.” …

Next month, Americans will head to the polls to elect the next president of the United States …

Nominal interest rates are currently below zero in many countries, including Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Sweden, and Japan …

With school back in session in most of the country, many parents are likely thinking about how best to prepare for their children’s …

A relevant question for many investors is whether their view of economic growth should impact how they invest …

When investing in stocks, understanding the volatility of their returns can be an important ingredient to help investors maintain …

With the annual reconstitution of the Russell indices approaching, it is a good opportunity to revisit …

Many investors look to gross domestic product (GDP) as an indicator of future equity returns …

Anyone searching for investment advice is undoubtedly confronted with many choices of service providers operating under titles such as …

Fixed income can play an important role in a portfolio. But its role may vary according to an investor’s financial needs …

During a weak global economy and uncertain financial markets, many investors tout the benefits of holding gold. Some proponents …

In early August, Standard & Poor’s downgraded US government debt from …

Since the onset of the financial crisis in late 2007, the Federal Reserve …

In 2010, prominent industry analysts warned of a looming fiscal crisis among state and local governments. Some experts even predicted widespread …

The 2008 global market crisis and the struggling economy have left many investors fatigued. Despite two years …

Since the financial crisis hit in late 2008, the US monetary base has more than doubled, from about $800 billion in mid-2008 to …

As government spending hits record levels around the globe, some politicians, economists, and pundits are warning …

The need for retirement planning doesn’t end with the onset of retirement. A new retiree’s …

In recent years, structured products have gained favor among retail investors in Europe and the US. Investment banks promote these …

With interest rates near historical lows, some investors may be anxious about a possible rate climb and its potential impact …

Proponents of active management believe that skilled managers can outperform the financial markets through security selection, market …

Real estate as a wealth generator is hardly a new idea. People owned property long before the advent of stock exchanges and other …

The US stock market has taken investors on a bumpy ride in recent years. This volatility …

Global diversification gives investors a valuable tool for managing risk and volatility in a portfolio. But smart diversification has an important …

Choosing a basic stock-bond mix is an important first step in portfolio design. Although the decision may …

As the capital markets have improved, more investors have shifted their concern from weathering the financial crisis to …