Investments

U.S. stocks were little changed, after the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index reached an all-time high last week and headed toward its biggest annual gain since 1997.

U.S. stocks were little changed, after the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index reached an all-time high last week and headed toward its biggest annual gain since 1997.

Five years after the equity bull market started, U.S. investors returned to stocks in 2013, just in time for the best relative returns versus bonds on record.

Scandals surrounding the setting of some of the world’s most important financial benchmarks, which influence the prices people pay for everything from oil to mortgages, have shaken confidence in vital markets.

Hedge funds got less bullish on gold for the seventh time in eight weeks as the U.S. economy strengthens and inflation fails to accelerate, driving prices to the biggest annual drop in more than three decades.

The number of mergers and acquisitions of financial advisors is set to increase substantially in 2014 and beyond, according to research released by Tiburon Strategic Advisors.

Crocs Inc. Chief Executive Officer John McCarvel will retire and Blackstone Group LP will invest $200 million in convertible preferred stock as the maker of colorful plastic clogs struggles to regain lost popularity.

U.S. stock-index futures were little changed, after the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced for a second week, heading toward its biggest annual gain since 1997.

Emerging-market stocks advanced, led by the biggest rally in Turkey’s benchmark index in more than three months, amid speculation political tension in the country may ease.

For all the losses on Treasuries this year, demand for U.S. government debt remains stronger than before the financial crisis.

Pacific Investment Management Co. and BlackRock Inc. are set to take over Eike Batista’s failed oil ambitions as creditors accept losses as deep as 99 percent on $5.8 billion of debt in return for ownership stakes.

Outflows, weak supply, rising interest rates, and mediocre returns are forecast for the municipal market as it prepares to ring in 2014 — in other words: more of the same.

Moore Capital Management LP, the hedge-fund firm run by billionaire Louis Moore Bacon, offered positions to money managers at SAC Capital Advisors LP, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.

Fidelity Investments, the world’s second-biggest mutual-fund company, said Ramona Persaud on Jan. 1 will take over management of two dividend growth funds that collectively manage almost $10 billion.

Municipal debt tied to real-estate development is set to be the best-performing part of the $3.7 trillion state and local-bond market this year as an improving housing market boosts the securities’ earnings.

An advisor to non-U.S. citizens needs to consider where they are domiciled before refining a planning strategy.

Outflows, weak supply, rising interest rates, and mediocre returns are forecast for the municipal market as it prepares to ring in 2014 — in other words: more of the same.

Have you considered how much more enjoyable your own post-work years might be if you’d only take the time to mentor the next … you?

Treasuries reached the cheapest level relative to stocks in 3 1/2 years before U.S. data today projected to show durable-goods orders rebounded, bolstering the case for the Federal Reserve to further slow stimulus.

Treasuries Reach Cheapest Level Relative to Stocks on Fed Prospects