Bonds are a better option than cash and less volatile than stocks, but investors should be mindful of headwinds and possibly rethink their fixed-income allocations, says Morningstar's Christine Benz.
Overspending and impatient selling are two moves that can prematurely drain retirees' portfolio income, warns financial columnist Gail MarksJarvis, who offers strategies to avoid these pitfalls.
Investors should keep their expectations in check with few asset classes looking particularly attractive and complacency in the marketplace, says Allocation Fund Manager of the Year David Giroux of T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation.
Morningstar 2012 Fixed-Income Fund Manager of the Year Mark Kiesel says housing and energy sector bets proved positive last year, and he sees multiyear growth potential in these and other areas.
Judging from Wednesday's 312-point drop in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the equity market could be replacing the bond market as the new "vigilantes" who try to drive some sense into Washington, says Schwab's chief investment strategist Liz Ann Sonders.