options

Hedge funds, which experienced sharp drops in assets during the credit crisis, now hold an all-time high of more than $2 trillion in capital, according to a new survey by Hedge Fund Research Inc. The figure is 50% higher than crisis-driven lows reached in the first quarter of 2009.

Apple has accumulated tons of cash, but how should it spend that money? A smart bet would be to use it to bring in the next Steve Jobs -- but there isn't one. Which leads to this thought: Maybe Apple should pay out a big dividend.

Index futures, index options, equity options and security futures are all set to expire Friday in a phenomenon known as the "quadruple witching" hour. It usually signals a time of higher trading volumes and surprises on Wall Street, but this time, investor uncertainty is likely to keep trades low.

Below are some of the best reads for investors from around the Web: What typically works in the second year of a bull market? __________ An options strategy (by me) to make money in up or down markets. __________ Great list of stock screeners for value stocks. __________

A debate has emerged online (based on this article in The Wall Street Journal) about the financial the instrument known as a reverse convertible bond. A regular convertible bond pays the owner interest, and gives him an option to swap his debt for a pre-determined number of shares in the company. A...