investment

7 Alternatives to Investing in the Stock Market

The stock market is a great investment if you have a long time horizon. But should you stick with stocks once you retire? Most financial advisers recommend cutting back on equities as you get older -- but that money has to go somewhere productive. Here are seven investment alternatives.

What History Predicts for Stocks in 2013

The race doesn't always go to the swift, goes the old saying. But that's the way to bet it, replies the savvy gambler. So it is with the old saying about the stock market. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. But it still makes sense to look at historical data - because that's the way to bet it.

Why Investors Pick Wrong Times to Buy Annuities

A new study concludes that investors tend to buy annuities at the wrong times. Here's why making decisions based on recent market events -- like last week's stock-market crash -- can take a big toll on your retirement wealth.

Goal-Oriented Investing: 3 Tips for Newbies

With all the stock-market turmoil, investors may find it hard to stay focused. But Rimmy Malhotra, GoalMine's chief investment officer, says its as important as ever for investors to stay the course. He offers three tips for goal-oriented investing.

Investment Tips: How to Tame the Wall Street Beast

Amid plenty of uncertainty, investors are looking for strategies that will make them wealthy. But you should forget about the idea of getting rich quick and focus on diversity, according to Larry Light, author of the new book, Taming the Beast: Wall Street's Imperfect Answers to Making Money.

10 Tips to Win at Baseball Card Investing

If you want to be a player in baseball card investing, you'll probably have to swing for well-preserved, expensive cards. The free-agent vintage cards that have already appreciated are the safest path to big wins in the future.

Bono Isn't Caught in Web of 'Spider-Man' Finances

In theory, the Broadway musical Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark had a lot going for it, including a popular Marvel superhero and songs by U2 stars Bono and the Edge. But one thing the critically savaged show doesn't have going for it is a monetary investment from Bono.

Borrowing From Retirement Plans Hits New Highs

Like a tree laden with ripe summer fruit, plump 401(k) accounts can appear as tempting sources for an easy loan, especially when other financial resources have dried up. And more people than ever have been plucking from that tree. It's not always the wrong move, but here's why it should be a last resort.

Why Single People Need Life Insurance Too

Despite some common misconceptions, life insurance isn't just for those of us who are married with children. If you're a single, you can benefit from it, too -- first, because you're probably more connected to people than you may think, and second, because it can be a great investment.

High-Yielding Utilities Worth Your Time

Picking good long-term stocks is hard, but dividend payers often prove reliable. Starting with that point, Here are some possibilities for stocks that promising in the long term.

Interest Rates May Be Going Up

With gas, food and electricity prices rising, it looks like inflation is on its way in. The only question is, how can you make it work for you...and your portfolio? Here are some hints.

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%

The Return of the Dreaded (and Dreadful) Stock Pickers

Market turbulence and economic uncertainty create fear and anxiety among investors. Unfortunately, many turn to advice freely dispensed by self-styled investment gurus -- who claim they can predict the direction of the markets or pick outperforming stocks.

How to Take Advantage of the M&A Boom

Mergers and acquisitions are becoming ever more popular, with activity up 24% in the first two months of this year -- after already growing 23% in 2010. Here's how your portfolio can benefit from this trend.

The Millionaire Class: Most New U.S. Senators are Rich

Approximately 60% of first-year U.S. senators and 40% of House of Representatives freshmen are worth at least $1 million, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. That makes them far richer than most of the Americans they represent: Just 1% of the country's population has reached the $1 million mark.

Yes, Emerging Markets Still Hold Promise

The moods that dictate underlying prices can quickly swing from one extreme to the other. Such swings often create opportunities for investors. For instance, the rush back to domestic markets is leaving opportunity on the table overseas again.

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.

Federal Budgets Cuts Now Could Stall the Recovery

Goldman Sachs drew some undeserved ire when it recently pointed to proposed cuts in federal spending as a key near-term risk. While the proposed cuts are modest, they could still undermine the rebound at a critical time.

Small Changes That Could Save You Big Bucks

It's hard to make huge changes in your spending habits all at once. To reach your new year's resolution to manage your finances better, try small steps instead. Financial experts offer 10 easy suggestions that could help you spend less and save more in 2011.

Put These 12 Financial Resolutions for 2011 on Your List

After the Great Recession and with volatile stock markets and unemployment keeping Americans jittery, more people are ready to commit to improving their personal financial situation in 2011. Here are a dozen steps that can help put you on the road to fiscal security.

Twitter Raises Another $200 Million

Don't expect Twitter to be tweeting about an initial public offering any time soon. The popular online communications service has raised another $200 million so it can keep growing without Wall Street's help.

Treasury Department Selling Off Citigroup Shares

The U.S. Treasury Department is offering up its remaining Citigroup shares, a move that marks the end of one of the federal government's largest bank bailouts. But the Treasury says it will hold out for an "acceptable price" for the 2.4 billion shares.

How to Turn Volatility Into Profit in 2011

As 2010 draws to a close, it looks like 2011 is likely to be another wild year for the stock market. Fear not: Here are some tips from T. Rowe Price portfolio managers on how careful investors can take advantage of drops and rebounds in the coming year.