Investment insights

These pass-through vehicles often yield around 5% or 6%, though they can present tax-reporting headaches and are far from risk free.

These pass-through vehicles often yield around 5% or 6%, though they can present tax-reporting headaches and are far from risk free.

These pass-through vehicles often yield around 5% or 6%, though they can present tax-reporting headaches and are far from risk free.

The top three players – Blackrock, State Street and Vanguard – currently dominate U.S. ETF market share, holding more than 80% of total assets as of mid-2014, a percentage that has remained relatively unchanged since 2012.

While actual hedge funds may be limited to the very wealthy, advisors are using their strategies to reduce risk in the portfolios of everyday clients.

While actual hedge funds may be limited to the very wealthy, advisors are using their strategies to reduce risk in the portfolios of everyday clients.

While actual hedge funds may be limited to the very wealthy, advisors are using their strategies to reduce risk in the portfolios of everyday clients.

For advisors, the choices among alternative beta portfolios are numerous. Which ones make the most sense for clients?

How does owning gold compare to owning precious metals equities?

Long-term gains on some gold investments can be surprisingly high, under the rules for collectibles.

For advisors, the choices among alternative beta portfolios are numerous. Which ones make the most sense for clients?

How does owning gold compare to owning precious metals equities?

Long-term gains on some gold investments can be surprisingly high, under the rules for collectibles.

Long-term gains on some gold investments can be surprisingly high, under the rules for collectibles.

Positive actions like increases and initiations hit a 35-year high for the first half, but payouts are still below the historical average.

To include real estate in a portfolio, buying rental property may be more practical than investing in tax liens or making private loans.

Though private, non-traded REITs have very high loads and ongoing expenses, low cost REITs can have a place as alternatives in our clients' portfolios.

Though private, non-traded REITs have very high loads and ongoing expenses, low cost REITs can have a place as alternatives in our clients' portfolios.

Though private, non-traded REITs have very high loads and ongoing expenses, low cost REITs can have a place as alternatives in our clients' portfolios.

Gold’s role as an alternative investment might be reduced with Washington moving back from the brink of default.