During the 1990s, S&P 500 index funds were all the rage and, for most core investments, the bogey to beat. But lately the index has been offering stingy returns: During the five years ending in April, the S&P 500 averaged just 2.7 percent annually...

The primary and most tangible benefit of a 529 plan is the tax-deferred growth of the assets in the plan (growth is tax free to the extent the plan assets are used for tuition.) (See 529 Basics, p. 55.) But this benefit must be weighed against the...

One of the pillars of modern portfolio theory is the efficient market hypothesis (EMH), a theoretical framework for understanding how securities are valued in the marketplace. According to the EMH, the market is composed of well-informed and...

While investing in commodities ranks among the oldest of financial endeavors, commodities today are underrepresented in most trust portfolios because of the widespread perception that they represent a volatile and risky asset class. Also...

If 'insiders' in interest-rate sensitive industries are buying, should you?

Where - and why - can you buy a buck for 90 cents?

Marc Lane was skeptical about social investing, until he did his homework and found a more profitable approach

Study finds returns on actively managed funds are overstated

Now that growth is showing life, which do you choose? Your clients need both, no matter what the investing climate.

Socially responsible investing (SRI) is still relatively uncharted territory for most advisors, according to a recently released study; however, since more clients are demanding SRI than ever before, it may be time to get wise.