ETFs

Could Your Next Stockbroker Be a Credit Union?

Credit unions, with their favorable interest rates and low fees, can be good alternatives to big commercial banks. But if you're an investor looking for a one-stop shop, you may shun them for their lack of online stock trading services. Well, don't: Many now offer online brokerage accounts, too.

The Dangerous Problem Behind ETFs' Big Asset Surge

Thanks to their lower fees, most ETFs do better for investors than similar mutual funds, and investors have noticed: They poured $154 billion into ETFs in 2012, while yanking more than $119 billion out of stock mutual funds. Just one problem: Most of that money went into the wrong kind of ETFs.

Are Individual Investors Destined to Fail?

It's axiomatic among financial-service professionals that most do-it-yourself investors are their own worst enemies, always in the grip of some cognitive bias. But might the professionals be too pessimistic?

Cash In On the Businesses You Buy From

You're probably spending a lot this holiday season, on yourself and your friends and family. Why not get a little something back? Buying shares of stock in some of the retailers you patronize can give you your fair share of the profits your purchases help to create. Retail ETFs can give you that and boost your retirement funds in the process.

3 Easy Ways to Get Great Dividends

Investments that generate income, have the potential for strong growth, and offer protection against stock market downturns: That compelling combination of attributes has made dividend stocks so popular with investors these days. To make the most of it, some investors are turning to ETFs.

5 ETFs You Need in Your Portfolio

In search of a well-balanced diversified portfolio, you could spend every spare minute combing through financial statements before you bought a single share of a company's stock. Or, you could take a shortcut and buy ETFs. Though not a magic bullet, they're a huge time and effort saver. Here are five ETFs that will make your investing a lot easier.

A Rookie's Guide to Investing in Emerging Markets

The U.S. stock market's recent gyrations have many investors ready to look overseas for better returns. But it's a complicated world out there, which is why many less-experienced investors are still sitting on the global sidelines. Here's what you need to know make investing in emerging markets a little less scary.

Where to Put Your Money Now

Ten investors survey the rubble from this week's shakeup and see opportunities everywhere. It's time to quiet those nerves and deploy your dollars to take advantage of fire-sale prices. Here's a rundown of investment ideas -- stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, and otherwise.

An ETF to Watch: Financial Services Fund

With sales estimates gloomy, the Dow Jones U.S. Financial Services ETF may be a great bet. So far in 2011, it has had a return of just over 2.6% and a dividend yield of .5%

Market Snapshot: What's Thriving in Battered Economy

The economy has had more than its share of trouble lately: Japan's earthquake comes on top of rising oil and food prices, political turmoil in the Middle East and a crop of government austerity measures. But investing opportunities lie hidden behind the bad news.

How Your Portfolio Can Profit From Higher Oil Prices

Skyrocketing prices don't have to bring only pain. Investors can also find some relief with investments that can benefit from oil's recent -- and likely future -- increases. Here are some ETFs and mutual funds worth considering, based on performance, risk and cost.