Global investing

Credit conditions in China warrant special attention in light of the country's considerable size and systemic importance to the global economy.

A diversified portfolio may need foreign stocks, but are non-U.S. bonds worth the trouble?

Morgan Stanley reported on Thursday that its global wealth management business saw it pre-tax income fall to $239 million, down from $356 million one year ago, and net revenue of $3.34 billion, up from $3.23 billion in the third quarter of 2011, as the firm closed its acquisition of the next stake in the Smith Barney joint venture.

Global wealth management firms engaged in 65 M&A deals from the beginning of 2011 to the end of the third quarter of 2012. During that time, $635 billion in assets under management changed hands.

Increasing stability and high levels of per-capita growth in far-flung global economies have created investment opportunities for intrepid investors.

Hindsight isn't really 20/20 because there's a good chance one could misinterpret what happened. And if we connect the dots incorrectly and claim a pattern that isn't there, then we've gone through the pain without learning anything. And we're bound to repeat the same mistakes someday.

The search for global investments has become at once more far-reaching and fundamental. Expanding the search geographically can glean opportunities in essentials like food, water and energy. Population growth and higher labor costs also play a part in global investing. But be warned: Your clients will need nerves of steel.

As the global markets limp slowly toward stability, the natural resources sector will be an area of opportunity for clients.

An aging population and government inaction challenge Japan's faltering economy.

It's a summer of uncertainty, with affluent optimism gyrating based on the latest economic news. It also contributes to a fundamental irony: these days, affluent investors simply don't feel affluent.

North America led the drop in global confidence, falling 8.7 points to 84.4.

The wealth management unit reports a drop in revenue from commissions and transaction fees.

While still somewhat lackluster, the July jobs report is a strong starting point for growth in equities markets, says Mark Luschini, chief investment strategist at Janney.

With all eyes toward London, one Senator is looking to reward winning athletes with a tax break.

U.S. stocks rallied for the first time this week, commodities gained and Treasuries declined after American payrolls climbed more than forecast in July.

U.S. investors are growing gloomier about the economy thanks to the looming federal debt and the uncertainties surrounding the presidential election, as one of the closely watched investor optimism indices declined for the third time this year.