Bond-fund investors need to focus on duration, credit quality, and relative yields to better understand how much risk they're taking on, says Morningstar's Eric Jacobson.
Five stats from the market and the stories behind them. This week: Fed's $40 billion bond buys in question, Wal-Mart's worrisome 1% same-store sales growth, and more.
Low bond yields have called into question the safety of the 4% withdrawal strategy, while other avenues for extra retirement income have their own pros and cons, says Morningstar's David Blanchett.
Looking to fully fund an IRA for the 2012 tax year? Get a shortlist of ideas from Morningstar strategists Heather Brilliant, Russ Kinnel, Sam Lee, and Josh Peters.