Exchange-traded funds are among the most popular recent innovations in the investing world -- with good reason: They offer a host of advantages over mutual funds. But they aren't a universally good solution: They make no sense at all within 529 college savings plans.
Designed as an easy way for investors to make money over the long term, exchange-traded funds are quickly becoming an even easier way for investors to lose money in the short term.
Now, there's a new vehicle for those looking to invest in a specific part of the market. It's called Motif Investing, and it aims to combine the best of funds with the best of individual stocks.
As Friday's Facebook IPO -- and its gory aftermath -- proves, even experts can run into trouble investing in social media. But if you're still looking to get in on the Facebook action, and want to mitigate your risks, this ETF might be the way to go.
Everywhere you look, new exchange-traded funds are popping up, and many people now think they're a must-have for a successful portfolio. But even though investors have poured more than $1 trillion into ETFs, the question remains: Do you really need them?
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.
The odds that the U.S. will default on its debt increase each day, and even if a short-term deal is reached, the ratings agencies may downgrade U.S. debt anyway. If that happens, turmoil could roil the markets. So where can the smart money flee for safety? 24/7 Wall St. offers 10 safe options.