The US stock market is fast approaching the all-time high hit back in 2007. Investors have good reason to be optimistic, especially since fourth-quarter 2012 earnings reports are showing that higher revenue—not just cost cutting— is starting to drive earnings growth. And the pace of consumer spending is picking up, thanks to an improving employment outlook and firming real estate prices. Read More

The gist of Congress’ lastminute deal on taxes Last year, a record $263 billion flowed into exchange- traded products (ETP), including exchangetraded funds (ETF). But not all ETPs are created equal, especially when it comes to taxes. Below we summarize the tax consequences for each type of product. Read More

The middle class in Asia has been rapidly expanding over the past two decades. And on an absolute basis, it will continue to grow. The economic impact will be in areas such as financial services (insurance, banking and investments) as well as consumer goods. The undervalued favorites of a dividend The undervalued favorites of a dividend devotee Read More

In the 1950s, Keith Tantlinger essentially reinvented the box. He added corner locks to the metal boxes used for shipping, so they could be attached to one another. And he reinforced their frames and standardized sizes, allowing the containers to be picked up by cranes and stacked. Read More

Emerging markets should continue their standout performance in 2013, with growth expected to average 3 percent to 8 percent—vs. just under 1 percent for the developed world. The drivers for emerging markets are rising domestic consumption and favorable demographic trends, which ironically are catching a tailwind from the easy-money policies of the developed world. Inflation isn’t much of a concern yet, and more money in the system is once again driving up the prices of commodities and other real assets, helping to create wealth in resource-rich emerging markets. Read More

Mexico’s clamp-down on its drug cartels continues to capture media attention. Gone relatively unnoticed: the strong rebound in the Mexican economy since 2010. Wages in Mexico are up 3 percent to 4 percent annually the past five years, and unemployment is the lowest it’s been in more than three years. Mexico has benefited from a manufacturing shift back to the Western hemisphere due to higher shipping costs, the relatively weak dollar, and rising wages in Asia— Chinese wages are up 13 percent to 14 percent annually the past five years. Read More

Riven by corruption and vicious score-settling, the former Soviet Union is not a prudent place to put your money. Read More

Investors who ignore Africa are missing out on huge potential gains. Read More