REITS

You%u2019ve heard it so often you can probably repeat it in your sleep: Equities are the best protection against inflation. But academic research establishes clearly that it just isn't so: Stocks aren't a good hedge against inflation at all, particularly high inflation.

On Sept. 11, 2001, Gail's husband went to work at the World Trade Center. He never came home again. During the blur of grief, the stay-at-home mom realized she was now her family's CFO. Today, she's a bona fide investor, but getting to that point meant traveling a long, challenging road.

As the economic recovery takes hold and the investing landscape shifts again, it's important to adjust your investment strategy to take advantage of the new opportunities. Here are 11 areas experts think you should consider putting your money into right now.

Real estate investment trust HCP (HCP) agreed to buy $6.1 billion of real estate assets from HCR ManorCare Inc. HCP said it will acquire 338 post-acute skilled nursing and assisted living facilities in 30 states, with the highest concentrations in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, Illinois and...

Among the day's top online stories for investors: Why the housing market is ready to boom, which sector significantly outperformed the S&P over the past year, and the scoop on Warren Buffett's successor Todd Combs.

Amid all the whining about residential and commercial real estate markets, exchange-traded funds comprising real estate investment trusts have quietly been kicking butt. They're up 22% year-to-date through Sept. 21, compared to 3.71% for the the S&P 500 stock index.

Some of the best reads for investors from around the Web, including five cheap stocks that have climbed smoothly upward in a volatile market, a comparison of four iPhone generations and what technology has in common with crack.

While the financial markets have pulled back significantly over the last several weeks, real estate investment trusts have continued to show solid gains, and they have the potential to do even better by the end of the year.

Despite the dire warnings about commercial real estate, REITs have been on a roll. And Simon Property Group -- one of the world's largest mall owners -- is now highly favored by some investors who see it as the big winner if economic rebound gains strength.

Taxes can be a big issue for investors: No one wants to make money on an investment only to have to give a major portion of it to Uncle Sam. So instead of asking politicians for a tax cut this year, investors should give one to themselves by adopting some tax-efficient strategies.