Scott Burns

Multi-alternatives and merger arbitrage ETFs are gaining adoption as advisors look to limit downside risk and address a challenging fixed-income environment, says IndexIQ's Adam Patti.

Markets are very good with long-term price accuracy, but they are neither perfectly efficient, nor prone to regular bubbles, says the AQR founder.

Investors need to truly believe in a manager's skill level because as more dollars chase market inefficiencies, it becomes harder to outperform indexes, says AQR founder Cliff Asness.

In this yield environment, bonds may be moving from a risk reducer to a risk enhancer, says RiverFront's Michael Jones.

A 'price matters' discipline combined with a momentum process can help investors avoid catching falling knives in a down market or leaving money on the table in an up market, says RiverFront Investment Group chairman and CIO Michael Jones.

Other countries that have stepped back from deficit brinks have faced pressure from the bond market, experienced a change of government, and delivered a mandate to truly deal with fiscal issues, says iShares BlackRock global chief investment strategist Russ Koesterich.

There is a much higher probability of at least temporarily going over the cliff than is appeared to be baked into stock prices, says BlackRock iShares global head of investment strategy Russ Koesterich.

BlackRock iShares global head of investment strategy Russ Koesterich sees some parallels between the U.S. and the Roman Empire, but says our problems are fixable.

The real mortgage rate--the nominal mortgage rate minus the rate of appreciation or depreciation in homes--is one of the most important housing statistics to watch, and it recently went negative again, says Schwab's Liz Ann Sonders.

A closer look at the echo boom and younger generations requires investors to take a more balanced view on the potential future effect of demographics on the markets, says Schwab's Liz Ann Sonders.

Everyone wants low-cost, transparent access to the best managers--you just need to ask them

2011 showed unabated ETF adoption, a focus on risk and income, increasing demand for non-U.S. debt, more alternative ETFs, and more, says Morningstar's director of ETF research.

Even small investors should call product providers and ask for help finding liquidity before diving into a thinly traded ETF, says iShares' Leland Clemons.

Fears about the strength of the global recovery--not the proliferation of exchange-traded produces--are driving the wild swings in the stock market, says iShares' Leland Clemons.

A combination of deficits, debt, and demographics will weigh on the U.S. economy for the next 10-15 years, says Research Affiliates' Rob Arnott.

Investors need to broaden their horizons and consider alternatives and tactical bets if they want to achieve respectable returns in the coming years, says Research Affiliates' Rob Arnott.

Research Affiliates' Rob Arnott thinks it is unlikely Apple deserves it's place as the largest market-capitalization company in the country and that investors shouldn't expect outsized returns.

BlackRock's Matt Tucker discusses notions about fixed-income ETF premiums and discounts, tax efficiency, liquidity, and more.

The Fed's Twist plan could actually hurt the nation's banking system, says First Trust Advisors chief economist Brian Wesbury.

Weak growth by itself is not proof that another recession is coming, says First Trust Advisors chief economist Brian Wesbury.

First Trust Advisors chief economist Brian Wesbury on the current intensity of the housing downturn, the European sovereign debt crisis, unemployment, and consumer confidence.

ProShares' Joanne Hill discusses the diversification benefits of owning investments other than stocks and bonds.

By breaking down hedge fund returns into various factors, new ETFs can replicate returns at a lower cost and with greater liquidity, says ProShares' Joanne Hill.

In the first half of the year, ETF investors have been looking to find income, diversify away from the dollar, and protect themselves from inflation, says Morningstar's Scott Burns.

The top 20% of low-volatility stocks have done about as well as the broad market, but with about a third of the volatility, says Morningstar ETF analyst Sam Lee.

Morningstar ETF analyst Tim Strauts explains the strategy behind the PowerShares Senior Loan Portfolio ETF and what potential bank-loan investors should consider before jumping aboard.

An uptick in demand from the institutional community has had a lot to do with increased trading volume and assets in ETFs, says State Street's Tony Rochte.

Morningstar's Scott Burns discusses investor demand for dividends, international TIPS, and deeper exposure to emerging-market consumers with State Street's Tony Rochte.

Morningstar's Scott Burns and Abraham Bailin discuss how to use a new generation of exchange-traded products to bet on rising oil prices.

An equity-linked ETF, versus products that hold futures contracts, will give investors more bang for their buck in a rising oil-price environment, say Morningstar's Scott Burns and Abraham Bailin.

Morningstar's Scott Burns and Tim Strauts explore how ETFs can provide individual investors with greater liquidity than owning individual bonds.

Some emerging-markets ETFs may not afford exposure to the more granular emerging growth stories in these regions, says Van Eck's David Semple.

Van Eck's David Semple describes how the firm's active and passive strategies work together in the emerging markets space.

PIMCO director of ETF product management Don Suskind on how to use the shop's new MINT ETF, plus insights into the firm's strategies in active and index offerings.

SSgA head of investments Dan Farley says traditional portfolio management should be expanded to also account for crisis situations, currency issues, as well as liquidity risks.

Schwab's Michael Iachini offers tips on assessing and benchmarking model portfolio strategies.

Schwab's Michael Iachini says investors should dig deeper to truly understand a fund's liquidity, plus offers tips for investing in commodity and China ETFs.

Scott Burns digs into PowerShares' yield-focused ETFs--including the Build America Bond and Fundamental High Yield funds--with firm senior vice president Ed McRedmond.

Planner Mark Balasa estimates that ETFs contributed to saving his clients up to one-third on their tax bills from 2007 to 2009.

Though they've traditionally traded at a discount to developed markets, emerging markets will command a growth premium going forward, says David Semple, Van Eck's director of international investment.

Rick Ferri's forthcoming book argue that the more actively managed funds you put in a portfolio, the lower the probability that the portfolio will outperform a portfolio of index funds.

SSgA head of investments Dan Farley says his team is looking for stability of income and returns in areas such as large-cap dividend stocks.

There are market inefficiencies that you can capture with a good disciplined process, says SSgA head of investments Dan Farley.

With an onslaught of new assets chasing returns through ETFs, it's been almost impossible to predict the effect that these funds will have on the market.

Morningstar's Scott Burns and Paul Justice examine five standout large-cap ETFs.

In WCM's new active ETF, portfolio managers Kurt Winrich and Mike Trigg look for firms with economic tailwinds, moats and great cultures.

Director of ETF research Scott Burns recaps another ugly day in the market, year-to-date performance trends, and how quality names are holding up.

ETFs have advantages, but investors must consider trading strategies before jumping in, say Morningstar's Scott Burns and Paul Justice.

During last week's turmoil, some closed-end funds popped up as being statistically undervalued, reversing a trend toward overvaluation.

These higher-risk satellite holdings could give your overall portfolio a boost, says Morningstar's Mike Taggart.