Most often, investors looking for higher returns from their bond holdings invest in actively managed bond funds. They believe an active bond manager has the investment skill likely to increase returns over the benchmark index, while taking no more risk.

The perpetuation of the myth that you can pick outperforming actively managed funds through "research" is a cruel hoax. It makes ordinary investors feel inadequate when their efforts fail.

A 10 year record of stellar performance is not predictive of future performance. Instead, investors would be far better served limiting their portfolios to globally diversified, low-management fee index funds in an appropriate asset allocation.

Investors suffer from the perfect storm of collective amnesia and cognitive dissonance when it comes to evaluating the predictions of self-styled stock market gurus.

those attending presumably assumed they were there to learn from real "alpha" experts, which is a fancy term describing the value added by a fund manager over its designated benchmark. They must have been disappointed.

They are not working for those they are intended to benefit: employees saving for retirement. They are working great for brokers, advisors, recordkeepers and others who "serve" these plans.

Mr. Biggs has been "big" in the world of securities prognosticators for many years. He was the formerly the head strategist at Morgan Stanley where he was reportedly responsible for the formation of its investment management business.

The most famous Muppet of all, Kermit the frog, famously stated, "It's not easy being green." Turns out, it's not easy as being an empowered investor either.

The views of the Republicans running for office are getting a lot of air time. Whatever the relative merits of these candidates, investors might be misled by some of the spirited dialogue.

Everyone wants to be a stock market winner. There were some big winners in 2011.

Why do we assume employees can be skilled investment advisers? We need reform that makes the process of making investment selections in 401(k) plans foolproof. Current reform just doesn't cut it.

I recently reviewed the portfolio of a young man who had inherited almost $1 million. He thought his portfolio was "well diversified" because almost all of it was invested in an S&P 500 Index Fund. Several issues were apparent, which you might be able to relate to your investments.

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Department of Labor on Monday issued a new regulation designed to improve access to expert investment advice for workers ...