Bruised Quant Funds Seek a Human Touch

Investing in Funds

A Simple Mix of Funds Can Pay Off

A 50/50 mix of stocks and bonds across three index mutual funds or ETFs often performs better than more aggressive strategies and provides some shelter from risk.

• Podcast: Benefits of a Simple Retirement Portfolio

Investing in Funds

Real-Estate Funds Offer Shelter

Real-estate funds have rebounded, outperforming the S&P 500 year to date. But their outlook from here depends primarily on whether the economic recovery continues.

ROI

Why Stocks Still Aren't Cheap

When even self-help guru Tony Robbins is warning about a market crash, it's tempting to start buying. But despite all the talk, stocks still look overvalued.

• Charts: Four measures to give you pause

Investing

Investors Head for Bunkers

Amid the market tumult, a handful of stocks have seen their share prices ratchet up to record highs. And many are connected by a curious thread: They're makers of fallout-shelter mainstays.

Weekend Investor

Break Up Without Breaking the Bank

Dividing assets in a divorce is hard enough without trying to sell a home, business or stock portfolio in a down market. Here's how to ease the financial pain.

• The Juggle: Divorcing During a Downturn

Weekend Investor

Beware That New Credit-Card Offer

So-called professional cards are increasingly being marketed to ordinary consumers, but they aren't covered under the Card Act.

Bond Tips for Yield Chasers

In the surging bond market of 2010, what began as a quest for safety is quickly morphing into a grab for yield. If investors aren't careful, they could end up with neither.

Getting Going

New Consumer Bureau: a To-Do List

The bureau should zero in on a few specific things—including credit reports and student loans—if it wants to make a splash right away.

Running With Scissors

How to Game Social Security

For many retirees already collecting benefits, a strategy known as a "Social Security reset" could sharply increase their monthly income.

Weekend Investor

This Week

What happened to your money this week.

Money

Where to Find Shelter if Deflation Occurs

Amid growing worries about deflation, some analysts recommend investors buy bonds. But interest rates on all kinds of bonds are at such skimpy levels that fixed income may not be the place to be.

MarketWatch

Paying Off the House in 15 Years

A growing number of homeowners are choosing to pay down their mortgages at a faster rate--even if it means a substantial jump in their monthly payments.

• Readers React: '15-year mortgages are way to go'

Tip of the Week

SEC Wants Your Opinion

Do you know the difference between a broker and an investment adviser--and whether both have your best financial interests at heart? The Securities and Exchange Commission wants to know.

Health Costs

Coverage After Cobra

A growing number of the unemployed are exhausting their extended Cobra health-insurance subsidies. There's a slim chance that Congress could extend the subsidy again this fall, but most experts think it's unlikely.

Al's Emporium

The Skinny on Hooters

It's one thing when two-thirds of Americans are overweight--primarily from eating the kind of fare Hooters serves--but if 17,000 Hooters Girls start packing it on, well, this is indeed a national tragedy.

Ask Dow Jones

Congress May Not Address Tax Issues Before Election

Some tax experts say there's a good chance Congress will act this year to extend the expired provisions retroactively to the beginning of 2010. But it's still not clear whether Congress will act before November elections.