The Short Answer

Here's the skinny on IRA recharacterizations.

Many funds use futures, options, and swaps in executing strategies.

Company matches are typically allotted each pay period, meaning those who max out annual contributions early could miss out on extra retirement savings.

Investors with IRA and 401(k) accounts still may end up paying foreign income taxes.

How and when does Morningstar use data from funds that no longer exist?

This popular metric can be calculated different ways, which each have their own shortcomings.

The method used to purchase stock might not be your best bet when selling.

Learn Morningstar's rules for rankings and star ratings when a fund spends time in more than one group.

Retirees who don't specify which holdings to sell could be at risk for incurring a heavy tax penalty.

Uncle Sam's cut depends on the type of annuity as well as how and when you receive payments.

Consider the tax implications before adding a muni investment to your portfolio.

Don't swap your whole fixed-income position for dividend-paying stocks.

Higher tax rates and government-spending cuts aren't the only potential changes that might affect household finances.

Data differentiate performance for investors who buy load-waived funds through retirement plans and other avenues.

Return on invested capital is a widely used metric that can help indicate whether a company has an economic moat.

A globetrotting portfolio could have an impact on your bottom line.

American depositary receipts provide individual investors with a way to invest abroad using U.S. exchanges and U.S. dollars.

Some states offer tax incentives for transferring funds to in-state plans, and tax penalties for leaving them.

We detail how Morningstar uses extended return data to show historical performance for newer fund share classes.

Investing set amounts at regular intervals can reduce risk but may lead to lower returns compared with the lump-sum approach.

We tackle some common misconceptions about the popular college-savings vehicle.

Here's your guide to making sense of the alphabet soup of investment vehicles.

Understanding net asset value can be key to understanding how different fund types work.

The education savings vehicle's use for precollege expenses is set to expire at the end of this year.

Options include cash gifts and funding a 529, but beware the financial aid impact.

Consider these strategies to stretch out your tax savings during your retirement years.

Knowing how much to sock away for your golden years requires understanding these variables.

Understanding the differences and similarities between these two popular indexing strategies can affect your portfolio planning.

Calculating required minimum distributions is relatively straightforward, but beware of complications.

Uncle Sam's cut depends on the type of annuity, as well as how and when you receive payments.

Tax rules allow a giver to contribute up to $65,000 to an individual’s college savings account in a single year without incurring tax consequences.

More seniors are remaining in the workforce, but saving remains an essential safeguard against unforeseen circumstances.

This asset class has its own share of drawbacks, and new federal regulations add uncertainty.

The insurance company's financial rating and your state's guaranty limits are among considerations to make when buying.

Knowing whether your fund uses a 'to' or 'through' glide path may affect how you invest.

Some index funds and ETFs tend to outperform their peers for a handful of reasons.

Premium users can find helpful stock data from the past using these site tricks.

Putting all your student debt in one basket is primarily a convenience, but it could end up costing you money.

Monthly savings shouldn't be the only consideration in determining whether to take advantage of today's rock-bottom rates.

Each measure plays a key role in helping bond investors evaluate interest-rate risk, but duration is the more complex of the two.

Morningstar.com rating lets you size up the competitive advantages of a fund's portfolio of stocks.

Securities lending to short-sellers and others can help mutual funds lower expenses, but it's not without risk.

Under margin account rules, brokerages may loan out customer shares to cover other customers' short sales.

Small differences in expense ratios can mean big bucks down the road.

Morningstar analysts take into account multiple factors in determining a company's intrinsic worth.

Whether giving money for a down payment or providing a loan, make sure you know the rules when helping kids buy a home.

Various indexing methodologies offer different strengths and weaknesses you should keep in mind.

Investing in funds based in other countries carries with it a variety of pitfalls.

Knowing financial aid rules is key given the rising cost of higher education.

When the unthinkable occurs, the Securities Investor Protection Corporation steps in to help investors.