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The article discusses the importance of market timing in dealing with investments. It cites how Bob Parrish, a retired human-resources executive, tried market timing after 70 percent of his retirement savings evaporate in the 2002-2002 bear market. Mark Matson, a money manager, compares a market-timing strategy of switching stocks and cash to playing Russian roulette with two bullets in the chamber. Components of a successful marketing timing are cited. Also noted are the categories of indicators of market turning points in the past. INSET: 4 Ways to Fiddle Without Making All-or-Nothing Bets.

The article offers information on index funds and exchange traded fund (ETF) in the U.S. Studies show that owning the right mix of stocks, bonds and other types of investments in a portfolio adds far more to investment return than picking individual stocks. That is why index funds make a lot of sense. Index finds track broad swaths of the market and do not attempt to pick the best stocks. For use in a long-term portfolio, consider index funds and ETF interchangeable. INSETS: Long-term: 10+ years away;Medium-term: 5 to 10 years;Short-term: Fewer than 5 years.

This article discusses the investment ideas of several money managers in the U.S. Tilson Focus is a concentrated mutual fund that invests in undervalued companies of all sizes. Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway is the largest holding of Tilson Focus. One of the top picks of Sarah Ketterer of Causeway International Value fund is Sanofi-Aventis. For Nicholas Kaiser, manager of Amana Trust Growth funds, his top picks include Apple, UPS and FPL Group. INSET: Our team gains 29%.

The article talks about tripling investment gains in the U.S. To triple money in five years, an investor must earn an annualized 24.6 percent return, such as investing in T. Rowe Price Media & Telecom. To compound money by 14.7 percent annualized, invest with a talented fund manager who looks for small and middle-size companies capable of generating growth of that magnitude. By investing in Selected American Shares, investors can triple their money in ten years. INSETS: TRIPLE PLAYS;How LEVERAGE hits home;A bet on COLLEGE costs.

The article describes several hedge funds in the U.S. The Schwab Hedged Equity grades more than 3,000 U.S. stocks on a scale of A through F, based on a variety of value, risk and momentum factors. Its managers then decide which of the A- and B-rated stocks to buy, and which D- and F-rated stocks to sell short. The James Advantage Market Neutral is a fund with modest but almost always positive returns that have minimal connection to the market's ups and downs.

The article examines the factors that caused the downfall of top fund management firms in 1999. It states that most fund companies like IPS, Berkshire Focus, and Thurlow Growth lost millions of dollars in investments after the dot-com bubble of 1999. In retrospect, majority of fund companies attribute their failure to an obsession with overpriced technology stocks, lack of experience, employing untested strategies, and investing too much money, too quickly.

Explains how some professionals in the U.S. stock market came to their ursine understanding of the investment landscape. Lessons learned by Charles Allmon, a money manager and newsletter publisher, on portfolio management; Allmon's stock recommendations for 2005; Evidence of Jeremy Grantham's aversion to U.S. stocks; Arguments advanced by Grantham for his bearish calls; Factor that influenced former Merrill Lynch analyst Robert Prechter's attitude toward the U.S. stock market.

Presents the strategies of investors engaged in options trading. Jennifer Duce, airline pilot; Mike DeGeeter, bond trader. INSET: Getting BETTER results.

Presents information about hedge funds that investors should need know before they invest their money. Investment strategies of hedge funds; Ability of hedge funds to generate profit even when the markets are in decline; Ability of hedge funds to reduce the overall risk of portfolio; Popularity of hedge funds; Explanation on how should investors interpret past performance of hedge funds. INSET: A kinder, gentler ALTERNATIVE.

Presents several stock companies that appear to have a lot of potential for investment even though they are trading in a near low point as of April 2004. Factors that should boost demand for products of Tyson Foods; Challenges facing Johnson & Johnson; Cash reserves of Mattel.

Focuses on day trading in the U.S. Characteristics needed to become a successful stock trader; Impact of market index on stocks trading; Importance of stock price and trading volume data on day trading; Reasons investors invest on day trading.

Presents the opinion that there are few wise investment alternatives to stocks on Wall Street. Investments in art; Belief that the stock market rewards patient investors; Hedge funds; Commodities; Real estate; Coins; How alternative investments are riskier than stocks and bonds.

The article discusses nine low-risk stock and bond funds, as well as three of the most stable stocks in the U.S. market that should offer inflation-beating long-term returns to investors. The funds include bond funds such as that of Vanguard Short-Term Federal (VSGBX) fund, a mix of stocks and bonds such as that of Hussman Strategic Total Return (HSTRX), and stock funds such as that of the Merger Fund (MERFX).

The article discusses the types of investments that are poised to soar after the recession. Cited are banks and other financial services firms for their low interest rates, and small company stocks. The author also suggests the defensive sectors which include utilities, consumer staples and health care. Top quality companies and stocks are cited which include Procter & Gamble, Wal-Mart, Vanguard Health Care, T. Rowe Price Health Sciences, Technology Select Sector SPDR, and Energy Select Sector SPDR.

The author claims that the proliferation of narrowly-focused funds that invest in niche areas such as water utilities and nanotechnology makes it easy to get side-tracked into fad investing. He suggests that it is better to buy a broad-based exchange-traded fund (ETF) for exposure to health stocks. He examines several non-mainstream ETFs, including HealthShares Dermatology and Wound Care, IShares MSCI Mexico Index and PowerSharee Dynamic Market. INSET: ETFs that push the envelope.

Presents information on the scandal behind investments in the Cash Link System cashless automated teller machines (ATM) in the U.S. in 2003. Advantages of cashless ATM over conventional ATM; Problems encountered with the system; Efforts of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to terminate the operations of Cash Link.

The article provides suggestions about protecting corporate profits. Firms are advised to raise cash to make portfolio less vulnerable to a market collapse. Rebalancing portfolio is suggested to companies to make them sell high and buy low, a way to preserve investment gains and keep the portfolio successful. Also explained is the importance of buying low-beta stocks and funds and inverse exchange-traded fund (ETF).

The article considers investing in U.S. real estate investment trusts (REITs) in 2009. REITs are good stocks for income-oriented investors since they pay out 90% of their taxable income as dividends. REITs have lost over three-fourths of their value on average from their February 2007 peak to their March 2009 trough. During the first quarter, almost half of all publicly traded REITs have reduced or suspended their dividends. Jay Leupp of Grubb & Ellis Alesco Global Advisors says REITs have been a source of confidence rather than a source of complaint.

The article provides guidelines on how to position one's portfolio in the year 2007. The popularity of sector-oriented exchange-traded funds makes it tempting to try to time these cycles to increase your overall returns. A list of suggested stocks to buy is presented. As the economy continues to expand, this is a good environment for commercial lenders and investment banks. It's also a good time to own makers of industrial machinery and heavy equipment.

Explains that Canada is a good place for investment. Average annual increase in Canadian stocks over the past three years; Factors that drive the growth of Canada's economy; Information on the natural resources of Canada; Investment strategies for those who want to profit from Canada's economic growth; Industries in Canada that are good for investment.

Presents an update on real estate investment trusts (REIT) market as of November 2004. Types of investments included in REIT; Surge of REIT prices in 2003; Information on Vanguard REIT Index.

Offers advice to U.S. investors on investing in shares of small overseas companies. Impact of foreign small-company stocks on risks facing U.S. investors; Advantages of using mutual funds as way to invest in small overseas companies; Stock performance of Artisan International Small Cap.

The article discusses the future of the oil and gas industries. It expects the world to depend on fossil fuels over the next decade and beyond while looking for new sources of oil and gas remains costly. Solar, wind, and nuclear energies are cited as alternative fuels that may attract investors. Also anticipated are improvements in hybrid cars and batteries.

The article offers advice on how to lessen risk in a portfolio aimed at growing over ten years or more. It is recommended to have half a portfolio composed of stocks. It is asserted that diversification can be obtained by acquiring stocks from developing countries such as China and India. It is also suggested to invest in alternative vehicles such as real estate investment trusts (REITs).

The article focuses on the attempt of Cleveland Indians baseball player Randy Newsom to sell shares in his future major league earnings to investors. Newsom failed to register the offer with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, so he had to withdraw it. He tried to raise $50,000 by selling 4 percent of his future after-tax earnings, which he offered at $1.25 million.

The article assesses investment in tax-free municipal bonds in the U.S. Municipal bonds are not cheap by historical standards, but they are reasonable compared with today's elevated Treasury prices. Christopher Burdick of the Schwab Center for Financial Research says that they are a place to hide in today's environment because of their high-quality nature. Municipal bonds may look even better if the Democrats sweep the 2008 elections. If that happens, higher federal income-tax rates are likely.

This article looks at the financial aspect of student-loan provider Sallie Mae in 2006. Now officially called SLM Corp., Sallie is the dominant player in the lucrative, federally guaranteed student-loan market. For in stance, revenues from its debt-collection unit soared 55% in 2003. Sallie looks like a good investment at today's price when one consider expected long-term earnings growth of 15% a year, a steadily growing dividend and its ability to boost profits even in a sagging economy.

The article discusses the reasons why one should not abandon foreign stocks despite losses in foreign markets. By holding some foreign stocks and funds, one trims the risk that all of the stock investments will tank at once. Moreover, foreign investments can potentially improve one's portfolio's returns while reducing its overall risk. In addition to this, economic growth is on the rise in Europe and Japan. Invest in a diversified foreign-stock fund and let its manager make the call.

The article provides information on closed-end fund SunAmerica Focused Alpha Growth. It is disclosed that the closed-end investment company holds ten large company issues, which account for a large percentage of its assets. It is noted that unlike open-end funds, the company issue a fixed number of shares.

Presents an update on the performance of U.S. energy stocks recommended in the periodical "Kiplinger's Personal Finance" in 2004. Average increase in the price of the stocks; Percentage of increase in Peabody Energy stocks; Warning on investing and the stability of energy stocks' prices.

Offers ideas for investing in fast-growing countries through iShares MSCI Emerging Markets, an exchange-traded fund. Market penetration of MSCI Emerging Markets; Factors to consider in investing in the countries.

Offers advice on investing in stocks and bonds, in light of the 2003 Iraqi War. Overview of U.S. business conditions and stock market performance; Outlook for the market; Question of whether a successful campaign in Iraq will energize the economy; View that businesses are the key to a strong economic rebound; Portfolio advice; Speculation on different sectors of the stock market; Treasury bonds; Advice to sell gold; Investments to avoid.