Investment insights

The United States is the best market for fund investors based on criteria such as investor protection, transparency, fees, taxation, and investment distribution, according to Morningstar’s Global Fund Investor Experience report.

Investors are reminded almost daily that the world is changing—that the post-war era of U.S.-led economic growth is becoming a thing of the past. While the U.S. economy remains one of the most dynamic and resilient in the world, the collective economic might of the developing nations—with China at the forefront—continues to grow and expand on both an absolute and a relative basis.

“If corporate America does not achieve parity in boardrooms as other countries are actively implementing, we will fall further behind,” Eve Ellis warned at the Women Advisors Forum.

Women advisors are more risk averse than their male counterparts, and in the wake of the financial crisis, that has proven to be a good thing.

Looking for international investing ideas? Every year, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney unveils its list of global investment ideas. Its 2012 list generally posted strong gains led by emerging markets equities (up 19.1%), dividend aristocrats (up 16.9%), U.S. large-cap growth (up 15.3%), and global gorillas (up 13.4%).

Rocco Carriero, an Ameriprise Financial advisor, warns investors to focus on strategy and asset allocation as opposed to being blinded by volatility.

A new Franklin Templeton survey found that globally investors are optimistic about 2013, but are still wary of the potential for risk.

Fidelity Investments has rolled out a target volatility strategy, the Fidelity VIP Target Volatility Portfolio. The portfolio seeks to manage total return volatility within a target range.

A new study attempts to quantify the very real effect that low interest rates and muted yields in certain asset classes could have on investors' retirement planning.

During market bubbles a lot of details get overlooked, according to Dawn Bennett. With the Dow hitting a new high of 15,000, we have to ask ourselves – what are we missing? How long can this last?

The Goldman Sachs chief is bullish on China, calls proposals for taxes on financial transactions "screwy," and believes that his firm needs to do a better job of repairing its image.

Speakers and attendees alike had plenty to say about the merits of an active management approach to investor assets at the annual conference of he National Association of Active Investment Managers. Check out some of the smartest things overheard at the conference.

Speakers and attendees alike had plenty to say about the merits of an active management approach to investor assets at the annual conference of he National Association of Active Investment Managers. The following are some of the smartest things overheard at the conference.

From athletes who abuse illegal substances in order to win to business executives who lie on financial statements to boost profitability, examples of cheating are all around.

Starting holistic planning earlier will help preserve boomers' wealth

Unfettered interest in fixed income has persisted, despite the reality that interest rates will rise.

Some nontraditional investments can provide valuable diversification in a portfolio. But choose wisely.

The current investing enviornment is the “Rodney Dangerfield” of bull markets, because even after five years of bullish returns it is still not getting the respect it deserves, according to Liz Ann Sonders, Charles Schwab’s chief investment strategist.

Here are a handful of tips and general trends for advisors to keep in mind this week.

Now that the S&P 500 is back in the news for hitting a new high, investors appear to be ready to start putting money back into stocks again. Still, Gary Stroik wonders if the timing of this new-found enthusiasm isn’t a bit instructive.