Alex Bryan

Morningstar Analyst Ratings have done a decent job guiding investors toward better-performing index funds.

The new ratings framework should improve ratings efficacy by bringing more structure and consistency to the ratings process and elevating the impact of fees.

Alex Bryan discusses which parts of the market are more ideal for an active approach.

Low interest rates depress expected returns for both stock and bond investors.

This study finds evidence that bond managers' risk-adjusted gross-of-fee performance tends to persist.

Alex Bryan discusses Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities and shares two ETFs to consider.

A closer look at the merits of common arguments against index investing.

This strategy effectively targets firms that should have the capacity to raise their dividends in the future.

Alex Bryan discusses how changes to the methodology will add value to the rating.

This ETF takes a novel approach to diversification.

Alex Bryan explains how investors should approach bond products and decide whether they should have a role in portfolios.

Alex Bryan shares some favorite bond exchange-traded fund picks.

Foreign stocks have an important role to play.

These low-volatility funds practice very different strategies yet hold up well during market downturns.

This high-yield bond ETF takes less risk than most of its peers.

These ETFs have potential to deliver attractive performance over the long term.

Concerns over the valuations of this fund's holdings are overblown.

This portfolio targets stocks of all sizes with attractive value, momentum, and quality characteristics.

A closer look at three approaches to boost income without loading up on the riskiest areas of the market.

This high-yield bond ETF uses forward-looking market information to keep risk in check.

Liquid alternatives can diversify risk, but most do little to improve traditional portfolios.

How much foreign exposure you need and where to find it.

Small-cap index investing works, just don't do it with the Russell 2000.

This iShares ETF offers exposure to an attractive area of the high-yield bond market.

Quality and value investment strategies often introduce ancillary sector bets, but it is probably prudent to constrain them.

Trek outside of total market index funds with these ideas from Alex Bryan.

This strategy aggressively pursues value and momentum stocks, while attempting to cut downside risk.

Alex Bryan offers picks that deliver income while being mindful of risk.

Bad performance tends to cluster.

There are other variables at work.

A recent Morningstar study found that high-conviction managers haven't outperformed their better-diversified counterparts.

Alex Bryan discusses how to de-risk a portfolio, and he shares two fund ideas.

This fund uses a steady hand to reduce exposure and volatility while managing momentum.

Alex Bryan shares his research on the link between portfolio concentration and performance.

Changes in market volatility may be helpful for timing exposure to momentum and low-volatility funds.

It's hard to succeed with tactical bets, but simple momentum and contrarian strategies show some promise for tactical allocation.

Silver-rated Fidelity U.S. Bond Index's tilt toward high-credit-quality issuers provides good downside protection.

Alex Bryan shares research and fund-specific suggestions.

This ETF uses offensive and defensive momentum signals for tactical asset allocation.

Set an appropriate asset allocation, build it with strong core funds, and stick with them for the long haul.

While share buybacks have a lot going for them, they aren't necessarily predictive of future performance.

Key takeaways from Daniel Kahneman's book, "Thinking Fast and Slow."

Alex Bryan's ETF picks include one that's plain-vanilla, two minimum volatility options, and a dividend-payer.

Silver-rated iShares Edge MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF is a compelling option.

These factor strategies aren't groundbreaking, but they offer some incremental advantages over their peers.

It's hard to beat the market, but that's not necessary for investment success.

Alex Bryan says investors should prioritize their risk capacity and risk tolerance when choosing asset allocation, and he offers three core building blocks to start with.

Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF should shine in tough market environments.

There's some evidence that factor timing might yield a small benefit, but it's far from conclusive.

Alex Bryan says that although it may be possible to get above-market returns, investors are better off focusing elsewhere.