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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.

Perhaps it was only a matter of time before Morningstar decided to put its stamp of approval, and disapproval, on alternative mutual funds.

For the week ended July 25, investors pulled an estimated $2.13 billion from U.S. stock funds, reversing the previous week's $95 million inflow, their first inflow since late May, according to the Investment Company Institute.

Strong commodity demand will propel economies and firms throughout Latin America.

Exchange-traded funds are the ultimate better mousetrap. But despite all the benefits they offer, there are some risks as well, partly because institutional investors have rushed in. Are they right for your clients?

Emerging market funds specializing in Africa and the Middle East lead were top performers in the latest rankings.

Taking a look at China as an emerging market and its prospects for future growth.

Software continues to evolve to help advisors create detailed analyses of money managers' patterns of returns.

Without heavy volatility or high correlation, a broad-basket commodity fund can boost a balanced portfolio.

Experts disagree about whether the economy is in an inflationary cycle, but advisors can offer clients ways to brace for it.

Avoiding the debt and banking crisis in Europe and a slowdown in growth in emerging markets, mutual fund investors did better by focusing on the U.S.

Sy Sacks is on a crusade. He believes the costs of putting together and operating a mutual fund aren't being shared equally. And he wants to do something about it.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average trimmed 2.65 points to finish at 13,073.01 Monday while the Nasdaq and S&P 500 clipped 12.25 points and 0.67 points, respectively. Here are some more details from Monday's trading session: Dow Jones Industrial Average: Today's drop snaps a three-day winning streak. An intraday high of 13128.64 occurred at 10:25:56 today, representing an increase of 52.98 points, or 0.41%. An intraday low of 13042.85 occurred at 12:16:55 today, representing a decrease of 32.81 points, or 0.25%. Thirteen…

In a review of the mutual fund and ETF market, Cerulli gave a few reasons for the value funds reaching these heights, but also cited a few caution signs for advisors to note.

Hedge funds raised commodity bets in the longest bullish streak in three years as speculation that policy makers will increase economic stimulus drove prices toward the biggest monthly rally since October.

Janus Capital Group Inc. this week reported second quarter net income of $23.4 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, compared with net income of $41.9 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, in the second quarter 2011.

Target-date funds pulled in $13.9 billion in the second quarter despite the nearly 3% loss on average, according to Morningstar.

The tide of investor demand stays high for municipal bond mutual funds. A strong week of record-low muni bond yields on the intermediate and long ends of the curve marked the week ended July 25.investor-demands-keeps-muni-fund-flows-high

The Dow Jones Industrial Average stormed up 211.88 points Thursday to end at 12,887.93 while the tech-laden Nasdaq and S&P 500 gained 39 points and 22 points, respectively.

Mass affluent clients represent the sweet spot for every wealth management firm's business. So what's on their minds right now?