Dow up about 175% since March 2009, aided by Fed bond buying, better-than-forecast economic data and corporate earnings that beat analyst forecasts.
Policy critics charge the markets are 'artificial,' but some strategists say the central bank can manage continued stimulus pullback.
The last <i>Breakfast with Benjamin</i> menu of the year features: A cautionary tale on chasing performance; why active management is not dead yet; cheap oil claims its first energy-sector victim; and a reminder that annuities are not investments.
The Russell 2000 Index climbed to an all-time high and the Nasdaq Composite Index reached a level not seen since 2000 as an equities rally that started last week continued through one of the slowest trading days of the year.
Platforms, popular with RIAs, post tremendous growth for firms, fund managers.
Investors in a nontraded REIT launched by Tony Thompson, the one-time noted real estate sponsor, were told last week that the net asset value of the REIT had eroded by nearly 30%.
<i>Breakfast with Benjamin</i> features a contrarian market call from Societe Generale that seems obvious. Plus living in a world where oil is cheap, making the most of year-end client reviews, and nine tweets that made news this year.
A look at the famed economist, who was a sterling money manager because of his willingness to question prevailing opinion and act against the consensus.
Industry "floored" by allegation that REIT czar had hand in $23 million accounting error at American Realty Capital Properties.
Legg Mason's seven asset management affiliates offer differing views on global investment opportunities ahead.
<i>Breakfast with Benjamin:</i> Cheap oil draws interest in energy ETFs. Plus: Finding value under the hood of hedge funds, how to talk like a Wall Street guru, and get insurance or get ready for Obamacare taxes.
As the stock market wraps another solid year, advisers are beginning to wonder how long the indexed-investing run can last and are startign to think about risk management, which means looking for active managers.
On the <i>Breakfast with Benjamin</i> menu today: Mohamed El-Erian breaks down the better-than-expected economic growth numbers. Plus: Warren Buffett's big year, gold investors are only starting to feel the hurt, and finding value where others only see tax-loss selling.
As one investor, with $50 million in the well-known analyst's fund, asks for redemption, three execs depart from fund that launched in November 2013.
New report from Morningstar casts doubt on the relative cost advantages of popular exchange-traded funds. And there is, of course, the Vanguard effect.
Despite potentially lower costs and better outcomes for investors, broker-dealers are taking a cautious approach to a product that could slash their revenue.
As economic strength and Fed policy push the greenback to a 7-year high, market strategists see knock-on gains for other assets.
In a preliminary decision, the Securities and Exchange Commission has rejected applications for nontransparent ETFs from BlackRock, Inc. and Precidian Investments, determining that the proposals are not in the public interest.
Up to $13.6 billion in fresh equity expected to flow from listings, mergers and special distributions.
Giving the Fed credit and blame for pushing markets past fundamentals.
