The S&P 500 index and Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at record highs this week, capping their biggest gain in two months as a stronger-than-expected economic growth report put investors into a holiday mood.
Stock prices finished 2013 on a high note, with the S&P 500 posting its biggest annual gain since 1997, helped by consumer confidence and a rebound in housing. Concerns over valuations are rising but experts see more upside.
2014 could be a good year for mortgage REITs and here's why. Plus: Which housing markets are vulnerable to rising rates, gold-mining stocks for the truest gold bugs, an ETF end zone dance, social media apps took over in 2013, and more proof of Obamacare bumbling.
Nontraded REITS are estimated to bring in about $20 billion in retail investor capital flows by the end of this year, compared with $10.3 billion in 2012.
Turned $100,000 in seed money in 1958 into the $141 billion money management powerhouse.
Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway adds a $3.7 billion Exxon Mobil stake, its biggest new holding since IBM in 2011.
Berkshire's second-quarter profit climbs 45 percent.
IBDs are racking up a bonanza of commission dollars and marketing cash from the sale of alternative investments, namely nontraded REITs. <i>IN</i> senior columnist Bruce Kelly on whether the firms have learned from the sale of fraudulent private placements several years ago.
As the rules of the game change, some give up, others double down.
In a letter to B-D execs, Leo Wells said his real estate investment company has halted any further offerings. The reason? Lack of regulatory 'clarity.'
ConvergEx Group's chief market strategist takes an investor's look at the famous editorial and updates it to the context of today's equity market.
Plus: Asian markets are charging, hitting a year-end financial high note, how to use bond ETFs, Amex gets stung, and apps for getting fit. Check out Breakfast with Benjamin.
Fidelity Investments, the world's second-biggest mutual-fund company, said Ramona Persaud on Jan. 1 will take over management of two dividend growth funds that collectively manage almost $10 billion.
Money manager said to seek $3 billion for new credit hedge fund.
The stock market's rally has more investors and pundits screaming about too-high valuations but the fact is that corporate earnings have risen along with stock prices. The upshot? This unloved rally has room to go higher.
Rising rates this year have weighed on high-dividend stocks such as telecom, utility and real-estate investment-trust company shares. The specter of higher rates in 2014 doesn't bode well, some strategists say.
Plus: Hedge funds short gold, bonds embrace Fed taper, Obamacare hits the family budget hard, a case for reverse mortgages, and holiday tipping tips
After five years of outflows — to the tune of $242 billion — American Funds is overhauling its approach to working with financial advisers. Jason Kephart has the details.
Thanks to the magic of time, five-year average returns for equity mutual funds are looking better by the month, and advisers should prepare to hear plenty about it.
Breakfast with Benjamin: At Bernanke's final meeting, Fed poised to cut another $10B from its bond-buying program. Plus: CEOs struggle to manage expectations, income tax pain hits home, a tale of two homebuilder ETFs, and young folks aren't biting on the Obamacare sales pitch.
