Geopolitical tensions have brought a lot of uncertainty to the markets, but investors know one thing for certain: Those tensions will cause countries to put more money into their defense systems and militaries. When a significant amount of capital flows... Read more
The underperformance of active management versus passive indexing has been well documented, especially in equities. According to the latest S&P Dow Jones Indices SPIVA report, 89.3% of U.S. large-cap active funds underperformed the S&P 500 over the 15-year period ending... Read more
Like many commodities, lithium prices are volatile. Right now they’re on the upswing, prompting investment interest, but long-term investors should use caution. In 2022, a benchmark lithium chemical hit a record above $80,000 per metric ton in key market China... Read more
For retirees, one of the most popular options in Vanguard’s lineup has long been the Vanguard Wellesley Income Fund Investor Shares （ticker: VWINX）。 It has a long track record, delivering a 9.2% annualized return since July 1970 with a balanced... Read more
Most investors are familiar with exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, as tools for gaining exposure to stocks, fixed income, commodities and cryptocurrencies. The structure has also expanded to include more complex derivatives such as options, swaps and futures. What many investors... Read more
Investors worried about the economy can take some comfort in the headline data. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the U.S. economy grew by 2.1% in 2025 as measured by gross domestic product. However, that top-line figure masks... Read more
If you want a clear read on how geopolitical events have shaped markets in 2026, look no further than the CBOE Volatility Index, or VIX. The VIX estimates expected volatility in the S&P 500 over the next 30 days by... Read more
Most investors are familiar with the Nasdaq composite, an index of more than 2,500 U.S. stocks that has a heavy concentration in the technology sector. There are a number of funds out there that can give investors diversified exposure to... Read more
You can’t scroll through a financial news feed today without seeing a headline about a major market segment, be it tech or industrials, getting completely reshaped by artificial intelligence. “A few years ago, data centers were built mainly to store... Read more
Macroeconomic cycles are often defined by the environments in which certain assets tend to perform best. For example, real assets such as commodities and natural resource stocks have historically held up better during inflationary periods. Since September 2024, however, U.S.... Read more
Real estate investment trusts, or REITs, come in many shapes and sizes. An industrial REIT is a unique type of company in this sector that offers exposure to logistics and supply chain infrastructure, supported by long-term demand from e-commerce and... Read more