Weekend Investor
Why U.S. stock funds, ETFs could see a 2012 rally
1.
mutual fund AND etf review and outlook
Stock-fund, ETF investors look for a better 2012
The first year after the “lost decade” for U.S. stocks was also lost. And 2012, while positive for the market, may create more investment obstacles.
• How international funds could profit in 2012
• Bond funds could defy gravity again next year
Dead heat
in Iowa
Romney, Paul in statistical tie on eve of Tuesday caucuses, but Santorum is closing fast, local poll finds.
• 5 things to watch for in Iowa caucuses
Reports to show U.S. economy continued to grow in December, but there's no evidence yet that the recovery can sustain itself in the new year.
• One eye on Wall Street, the other on Europe
• Stocks to watch Tuesday: Boeing, Verizon
• View from the Street
U.S. markets closed Monday for holiday
weekend headlines
• No Knicks, Rangers on NY Time Warner cable?
• HK bans some Shenzhen poultry imports
• China's Jade Cargo grounds planes
• Sears completes Orchard Supply spinoff
• China unlikely to cut interest rates quickly
• One eye on Wall Street, the other on Europe
• Stocks to watch Tuesday: Boeing, Verizon
• View from the Street
U.S. markets closed Monday for holiday
weekend headlines
• No Knicks, Rangers on NY Time Warner cable?
• HK bans some Shenzhen poultry imports
• China's Jade Cargo grounds planes
• Sears completes Orchard Supply spinoff
• China unlikely to cut interest rates quickly
Chuck Jaffe
8 fearless fund forecasts
Myra C. Saefong
Commodities comeback
Conrad de Aenlle
Nowhere to go but up
Latest News
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/news/latest
Danish container line executve to return in month
A.P. Moeller-Maersk: CEO recuperating from surgery
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2011: Tough Year Everywhere »
Euro
zone crisis hammers stocks
Stoxx 600 benchmark falls 11% as sovereign-debt crisis in euro zone takes toll on markets.
• Spain predicts higher budget deficit
• Emerging markets take a hit
• No fix for euro crisis likely
Stoxx 600 benchmark falls 11% as sovereign-debt crisis in euro zone takes toll on markets.
• Spain predicts higher budget deficit
• Emerging markets take a hit
• No fix for euro crisis likely
•
Japan stands strong despite disaster year
• China's next generation of leaders | Asia 2011 in pictures
• U.S. treasurys best corporates | Financials down 18%
• Dollar pares gains | Gold rebound s | Crude gains 8%
|
European elections to watch
• China's next generation of leaders | Asia 2011 in pictures
• U.S. treasurys best corporates | Financials down 18%
• Dollar pares gains | Gold rebound s | Crude gains 8%
Commentary »
- Next: Lawrence G. McMillan
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Next: Jon Friedman's Media Web
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Next: Myra Saefong's Commodities Corner
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Next: John Shinal's Tech Investor
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Next: Brett Arends' Portfolio Insights by Brett Arends
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Next: Chuck Jaffe
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Next: Robert Powell
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Next: Matthew Lynn's London Eye
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Next: Bill Mann's Canada
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Next: Jeanette Pavini's Buyer Beware
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Next: Al Lewis
Inside MarketWatch »
Defiant Tehran rattles missile, nuclear sabers
Even as U.S., West tighten economic sanctions, Iran announces it has produced nuclear fuel rod, test-fires new missile during war games.
New U.S. laws
Minimum wage hits $9.04 an hour
Washington becomes first state to mandate hourly pay above $9. Workers in San Francisco get at least $10.24. Federal minimum remains $7.25.
• Restrictions on tanning, cough syrup
India
Stock market opens to foreigners
For first time, individual foreign investors will be able to buy stocks in India.
energy
AES unit goes bankrupt
New York subsidiary files for Chapter 11 protection, says it will sell two coal-fired power plants.
• Exxon gets Venezuela damage award
Israel
The case for exporters
Prelude Israel Fund's Elan Zivotofsky makes investing case for five diverse companies
Paccar ready
to roll in 2012
U.S.-based maker of Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF heavy-duty trucks looks to accelerate sales in the coming year.
Personal Finance »
Plan changes headed your way in 2012
New year brings changes to 401(k)s and beyond, writes Robert Powell.
• Don't risk your retirement on stocks
TAX WATCH
Purging your tax and financial files
The end of the year is a great time to clean house, and to purge the year's detritus. What about tax returns and financial records?
• Make the most of your charitable donations
• Expanded MarketWatch tax coverage
Video »
in spotlight
Concern about a slowing Chinese economy, plus reaction to Kim Jong-un (above), North Korea's new leader, could drive markets in the coming week.
• Asia will keep an eye on Europe
Wall Street Journal editors and reporters examine the origins of Europe's debt crisis and why it spread with to engulf much of the continent and threaten the world.
Low-cost units are part of China's plan to restructure its housing sector. Some say it's a risky strategy for the shaky real estate industry.
As Facebook takes steps toward an expected IPO, the big investment banks are battling to be the offering's top underwriter.
MarketWatch Radio »
the hamster
What automobile makers could rev up sales in 2012? Think electric. And think hamsters — as in South Korea's Kia
Paulsen pick: S&P; up 15% in '12
Jim Paulsen of Wells doesn't expect the debt crisis to disappear but thinks the stock market is on the verge of taking off — perhaps rising 15%.
• 2012 could look very familiar
• Time for your year-end financial checkup
Apple dominated the tablet market in 2011, but there are signs that competition will be heating up in 2012.
The road ahead: electric, lighter, classier
In 2012 and beyond, look for more use of electric motors and lighter cars to increase gas mileage. You also can expect better interiors, predicts Ron Amadon.
• 3 best luxury cars of 2011 | 3 best economy cars of 2011
In 2012 and beyond, look for more use of electric motors and lighter cars to increase gas mileage. You also can expect better interiors, predicts Ron Amadon.
• 3 best luxury cars of 2011 | 3 best economy cars of 2011
Best Cities for Business »
Capital idea for
companies
Washington, with plenty of companies and a thriving economy, ranks No. 1 on MarketWatch's list of top cities for business for second year.
• Omaha ranks tops for employment
• Why Washington rules: Meet the executives
• New Orleans business: Most improved in 2011
• California, Florida and Ohio cities in Bottom 10
Washington, with plenty of companies and a thriving economy, ranks No. 1 on MarketWatch's list of top cities for business for second year.
• Omaha ranks tops for employment
• Why Washington rules: Meet the executives
• New Orleans business: Most improved in 2011
• California, Florida and Ohio cities in Bottom 10
Personal Finance »
Money
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Investing
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Spending & Saving
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Real Estate
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Retirement
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Taxes
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Careers
Best world cities for quality of living
Vienna leads an international parade of livable places.
Want to get out of jury duty? Here's how
Judges and lawyers hear all kinds of excuses, but these are ones that work.
Judges and lawyers hear all kinds of excuses, but these are ones that work.
Why you can't get the lowest mortgage
Rates are near record lows but you might not see them.
Rates are near record lows but you might not see them.
How to live to be 100 and be healthy
It takes "guts and smarts" to make it to the century mark feeling well.
It takes "guts and smarts" to make it to the century mark feeling well.
Vienna leads an international parade of livable places.
New gold bugs are young and restless
Investors in their 20s and 30s see gold as a hedge for uncertainty.
Investors in their 20s and 30s see gold as a hedge for uncertainty.
The 10 best places to live in the U.S.
Austin, Texas, tops the list, but where else looks good?
Austin, Texas, tops the list, but where else looks good?
Retirement Adviser »
New directions for 401(k) offerings
Companies are moving to slim down the number of investments offered to workers in their 401(k) plan, in an effort to avoid common investment errors. Will that hurt or help your retirement?
• Will fee disclosure shock? | New fixed-income options
• Pros and cons of fee disclosure
|
401(k) menu shrinks
• See the latest on 401(k) trends in our full special report
Companies are moving to slim down the number of investments offered to workers in their 401(k) plan, in an effort to avoid common investment errors. Will that hurt or help your retirement?
• Will fee disclosure shock? | New fixed-income options
• Pros and cons of fee disclosure
|
401(k) menu shrinks
• See the latest on 401(k) trends in our full special report
More stock news, commentary, advice »
Markets
All the latest stock-market news, top markets columns and world-market coverage.
All the latest stock-market news, top markets columns and world-market coverage.
Commentary
Check out our opinion leaders and bloggers who put the news in perspective.
Check out our opinion leaders and bloggers who put the news in perspective.
Economy & Politics
News from Washington and around the globe, including economic data and the Fed.
News from Washington and around the globe, including economic data and the Fed.
Investing
Tips for growing your nest egg through stocks, bonds, ETFs and mutual funds.
Tips for growing your nest egg through stocks, bonds, ETFs and mutual funds.
Lawrence G. McMillan