Investments

To avoid common traps like groupthink, firms' investment committees need to start by examining how they think.

International investors are the most upbeat about the global economy than at any time in almost five years, buoyed by the U.S.-led revival of industrial nations, according to the Bloomberg Global Poll.

Jeff Altman and John Paulson, two of last year’s best-performing hedge-fund managers, are predicting that stocks will continue their rally in 2014 even as the bull market approaches its sixth year.

In another sign of the improving tenor of the municipal bond market, muni mutual funds recorded their first inflows in 34 weeks, Lipper FMI numbers showed.

Bond dealers expect 2014 to be the second-worst year for municipal issuance in a decade, and some predict the lowest volume since 2000, as the Federal Reserve's tapering program pushes interest rates higher.

The contraction in the U.S. market for borrowing and lending securities amid rising interest rates and heightened global bank regulation will increase this year, according to Fitch Ratings.

The move is part of a shift of emphasis from life insurance "to a more well-rounded protection and retirement planning approach."

Certain securities salespeople are giving the brokerage industry a bad name by putting clients into manifestly unsuitable securities, namely leveraged and inversed ETFs, which are attracting wary and watchful eyes among U.S. regulators.

Gold climbed to the highest level in a month on speculation that the Federal Reserve will slow the pace of cuts to stimulus after U.S. payrolls increased less than analysts forecast. Silver, platinum and palladium rose.

Municipal bonds remain attractive even after their divergence from Treasuries this past week, industry watchers say, suggesting the recent signs of strength in the market may carry into the new year.

Month after month, JPMorgan Chase endures negative headlines — this week came the announcement that the bank is paying $2.6 billion to settle allegations related to Bernard Madoff's Ponzi scheme — yet investment analysts remain bullish on its stock.

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said the probe that led to his settlement with BlackRock Inc. over analyst surveys is looking at brokerage firms and individuals who provided nonpublic information that could have been used to trade.

U.S. stocks fluctuated as investors scrutinized data showing a slowdown in jobs growth for clues on the pace of Federal Reserve stimulus cuts.

Municipal bond mutual funds recorded their lightest outflows since May 22—when they last registered inflows. But money still flowed from funds for a 33rd straight week, Lipper FMI numbers showed.

Contrary to popular belief, there are some tech stocks that offer dividends for a client portfolio. Here are a few ways to find them.

FINRA alleges that the firms' advisors sold two types of highly risky ETFs that even they didn't understand.

In this newly created role, Philip Poole will lead research activity across the firm’s investment platform globally.

UBS AG, Switzerland's biggest bank, is considering a spinoff of its investment banking business as regulators’ demands for more capital thwart efforts to boost returns, according to Mediobanca analysts.

Emerging-market stocks rose for the first time this year after the International Monetary Fund said it will raise its forecast for world growth.

China’s stocks rose, led by energy companies after Offshore Oil Engineering Co. reported a jump in profit. A gauge of small-company shares headed for a record.