Amy C. Arnott

Investing can be complicated, but common portfolio guidelines can be a good starting point.

They won't excel in every down market, but the long-term investment case remains solid.

These areas stand to benefit from a global economic recovery.

Morningstar’s Global Risk Model reveals how the investment giant’s equity holdings stack up on 11 measures of risk.

Despite their complexity, buffer funds have generally performed according to plan.

Learning from past misfortunes can help investors avoid future tax woes.

There are good reasons behind the sector’s growing dominance, but it warrants some caution.

Morningstar’s Global Risk Model reveals how some of the app’s most popular stocks stack up on 11 different measures of equity-related risk.

Communicate early and often with your family about what to expect after you’re gone.

Their yields might look tempting, but they come with a few drawbacks.

A flexible approach to international allocation sounds good in theory, but it doesn't always pay off in practice.

The order in which returns unfold over time can either help or hurt.

A more disciplined investment approach can help investors avoid bad outcomes.

A systematic investing approach doesn't usually improve returns, but it can help in certain situations.

A more disciplined approach should lead to better results.

We found the results fund investors have experienced in dollar terms were within close range of reported total returns overall.

The order of when things happen has implications for retirement savers, too.

The order of when things happen can be your friend or foe.

The price of gold looks good this year, but the precious metal's longer-term track record is mixed.

Make sure to consider downside risk and volatility.

This year's turbulent market was yet another reminder of the power of portfolio rebalancing for risk reduction.

Why adding more asset classes isn't always helpful.

With bond yields near zero, traditional 60/40 allocations won't work as well as they did in the past.

The currency headwinds for unhedged equity exposure won't continue forever.

There’s not much to like when it comes to structured notes.

It hasn’t been much of an issue lately, but it’s still a long-term threat.

This year's turbulent fixed-income market sheds some light on the limitations of intermediate core-plus bond funds.

Investors can take smaller steps to reduce a portfolio’s risk profile without making a sweeping overhaul.

Why low-volatility funds have had mixed results during the pandemic-driven downturn.

Morningstar's fund flow data suggests investors took active steps to rebalance their portfolios in 2019.

These all-in-one funds offer not only simplicity, but also valuable insights for DIY investors.

Real estate has lagged lately, but it’s still worth including in a portfolio.

The data suggest you should focus on passively managed funds for the majority of your portfolio's international exposure, but it doesn't have to be an either/or choice.

Unless you're in one of the highest tax brackets, the tax advantages might be smaller than you think.

The active/passive debate doesn't have to be an either/or choice.

Converting your savings to a paycheck in retirement is harder than you might think.

Consider adjusting your portfolio's mix to get a more customized fit.

Adding international stocks has some benefits, but it's not a magic bullet.

Great stock values are rare, but they aren't impossible to find.

These stocks are pricey enough to consider selling.

These firms boast economic moats and trustworthy management.

This area has been out of favor, but don't write it off just yet.

Focusing on the essentials can help you avoid mistakes.

These stocks have healthy payouts and the cash flows to support them.

Sometimes it's best to take the tax loss and move on.

Wide economic moats should put these firms on your radar screen.

These companies have generated high cash returns and earnings yields.

We think this battered drug stock is a compelling bargain.

Uncertainty weighs on third-quarter returns.