Investment insights

Gold advanced as prices near the lowest level in three weeks encouraged purchases. Silver jumped the most in a week and palladium rose to the highest since Dec. 12.

Mutual conversions soared this year as mutual thrift executives sought to raise capital at the behest of investment bankers and others. With many of the biggest mutuals having converted this year, there may be a drop-off in conversions in 2015.

Municipals delivered solid performance overall thanks to the strength of the long duration and high-yield segments.

The ETF industry in the U.S. has finally broken through the $2 trillion dollar milestone, demonstrating the product’s surge in popularity with investors. Through December 22nd, assets have increased 18% in 2014 from $1.698 trillion to $2.007 trillion based on positive market performance and net new assets.

Clients should start preparing emotionally, as well as financially, for retirement at least five years early; Plus, downsizing your home isn't always a good idea.

The ideal investing approach should control downside risk while also achieving a reasonable rate of growth. Here are a few suggestions.

Small-cap stocks often outperform large caps, but 2015 may not be such a year.

Advisor, beware: Funds that use complex, hedge style methods may not be appropriate for client retirement accounts.

A change in S&P Dow Jones investment classifications has the potential to change both the makeup and the perception of some dividend-focused ETFs.

With ETF assets now poised to cross the $2 trillion mark in the U.S., industry experts discuss the rapid growth, innovation and market acceptance of exchange traded products in the last decade.

Retirement calculators only give an opinion of the sufficiency of retirement savings and do not provide an accurate assessment; plus, what to do when markets tumble.

Each camp offers sound reasoning for focusing on one practice over another, but what's the best strategy for client portfolios? Here's a look at how active and passive funds have fared in 2014.

Clients should estimate the amount of income they will need to support their lifestyle rather than determining the right size of their nest egg; plus, eight tips for people who will retire in 2015 and why 401(k)s are still a problem.

With investors increasingly looking to U.S. stocks and turning away from emerging market equities, many advisors are urging clients to rebalance into that sector. But each of the BRIC countries has its problems.

Decreased creditor protection for inherited IRAs will impact retirement planning next year; plus, the hidden pitfalls of collecting Social Security benefits from an ex-spouse and three dividend stocks for retirees to consider.

Are your clients prepared for the capital gain that many mutual funds are likely to pay out before year-end?

Total tax-exempt and taxable municipal bond issuance in 2015 is expected to edge up to $357.5 billion, an increase of more than 2.7% from the $348.1 billion forecast for this year.

Blue Elephant Capital Management is planning a second fund to purchase loans originated on online marketplaces, and the differences from its first fund show how hot the sector has become.

Nearly 97% of respondents said they were very or somewhat knowledgeable about saving for retirement, but just 20% passed a test to prove it; Plus, strategies to increase retirement income.

Calling it a good investment, Northwestern Mutual completed its $2.7 billion sale of asset manager Russell Investments to the London Stock Exchange Group after 15 years of ownership.