Municipal bonds were once viewed as quintessential investments for the tax-conscious and risk averse. But they’ve become virtual pariahs in the fixed-income universe. Read More

Vanguard is the third-largest provider of ETFs in terms of assets under management, but it clearly wants to move up the ranks through head-on competition. Read More

Don't bet the house on a housing recovery. Read More

A large proportion of municipalities face spending cuts, but most are positioned to make due with weaker tax revenues. Smart investors can find value, and profits, in the space. Read More

Although you should be leery of stock tips overheard at a cocktail party, there’s value to information gathered from a long-standing network of research analysts and industry contacts. Marshall Berol and Malcolm Gissen, co-managers of Encompass (ENCPX), aren’t afraid to apply a little elbow grease to the tips they glean from industry experts. Read More

Google, M & A plays and Chevron Read More

US investors seeking exposure to emerging markets often look to the East, but there are plenty of opportunities in South America Read More

Yield-hungry investors have plunged money into all corners of the bond market, making it difficult to find attractive options. But one niche still offers value, yield and potential upside. Read More

Although investing in cigarette manufacturers entails some risk, it’s tough to argue with the industry’s profitability. As the field of competition has narrowed, gains in free cash flows have allowed tobacco manufacturers to be extremely generous with their dividends. Read More

Last month I wrote that equities markets were looking for a spark. Subsequent economic data have added more fuel to the potential fire. Read More