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The article discusses a trend in the U.S. in which shopping malls were being converted into other uses by landlords as a result of a combination of increased electronic commerce (e-commerce), overbuilding of malls, and retailer bankruptcies such as RadioShack Corp., American Apparel Inc., and Wet Seal Inc. The article cites statistics from the real-estate data firm CoStar Group Inc. to state that by the end of 2015 there will be over a square foot less of retail space per person in the U.S. than in 2009.

The article states that the real-estate investment trust (REIT) index the MSCI US REIT index was on track for its worst year since 2008 as of September 4, 2015. According to the article, concerns among investors about the sluggish Chinese economy and the possibility that the U.S. central bank the Federal Reserve would raise interest rates contributed to the decline of REITs. The article presents comments from financial services firm CBRE Clarion Securities chief executive Ritson Ferguson.

The article discusses what U.S. retailer Macy's Inc. would do with its New York City property at Herald Square should it spin off its real-estate assets into a separate company. It states that any decisions Macy's makes in that regard would likely influence other retailers such as Nordstrom Inc. and Neiman Marcus Group Inc. The article presents comments from the firm Real Capital Analytics senior vice president Jim Costello.

The article discusses the advantages of target-date mutual funds as a tool for retirement savers.

The article examines the biases that influence most investors' decision-making, including the types of stocks that investors are most likely to sell and the types of mutual funds that investors put the least money into.

The article offers guidelines on choosing an active fund manager. Topics discussed include some common factors to consider when choosing actively managed funds are lower fees and the long-term performance of the fund, the advantages of buying an actively managed fund, retiree Clayton Eley explains why he invests in active funds s well as index funds and the importance of low-cost in choosing an active fund.

The article talks about the share holdings by chief executive officers (CEO) of major companies.

The author presents investment advice on how to prepare for reversals in the stock market. He recommends diversifying investments, ideally with a broad index fund. He suggests anticipating price swings, commenting that markets overreact and oil prices could continue to decline or remain volatile. He warns investors to be careful about investment fraud and expect the value of risky investments to go up and down at times.

The article presents information from economists and business leaders concerning the best and worse investments they had made. Investment manager William Bernstein commented on his efforts to trade platinum and how he applied the lessons from losses for speculation in general. Former chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve Paul Volcker suggested spending so much time in government was the worse financial investment he made. Economist William Sharpe talked about low-cost diversified index funds.

The article reports on TD Ameritrade Holding and ETrade Financial's claim of an increase in trading activity, with customers borrowing more money to acquire securities.

The article provides insights on the disadvantages of buying popular stocks in the U.S. as of November 2014, including Tesla Motors, social media company Twitter and Internet radio provider Pandora Media.

The article discusses the risk of being too cautious when trying to make sure retirement is both solvent and satisfying. He presents the financial planning dilemma facing Peter Nelson, a 61-year-old man diagnosed with blood cancer, the impact of premature death and terminal illness on financial planning, comments from financial planner Dan Goldie, and maneuvers that could allow individuals to spend more in the near future while preserving a certain standard of living in the long run.

The article discusses the benefits of international diversification of stock portfolios as of July 26, 2014 and offers tips for investing in foreign stocks. Topics include the preference of investors for stocks in their home countries, known as home bias, the cost and risk of investing in emerging or frontier markets, and forecasts from chief investment officer Joachim Klement that inexpensive foreign stocks will generate higher returns than domestic stocks in the near future.

The article discusses a policy change announced on June 18, 2014 by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) with respect to taxpayers with offshore accounts. The IRS will reduce or eliminate penalties for those whose failure to pay taxes on overseas accounts is deemed unintentional, and increase penalties for deliberate tax evaders. IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said unduly harsh penalties were counterproductive.

The article discusses the growing number of U.S. citizens who are renouncing their citizenship in response to efforts by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to collect taxes and penalties from those living abroad. Many renunciations are from those who have inadvertently violated U.S. tax laws, and fear future taxes and penalties for their children. Details are presented about the circumstances of Patricia Moon, who gave up her citizenship in 2012.

The article discusses lessons that can be learned by investors after the confidence-boosting overall gain in the stock market for 2013. Topics include a common trend for stocks to fall after peaking and doing well for periods of time as automaker Tesla Motors did in 2013, changes in worldwide interests which affect stocks and can cause them to fall, and the possibility of a decrease in share prices for companies after their initial public offerings.

The article discusses the divergent views on investing of John "Jack" Bogle and his son, John Bogle Jr. Jack Bogle is the founder of the Vanguard Group investment company and has long urged investors to shun actively-managed mutual funds in favor of index funds. John Bogle Jr. is a successful fund manager for Bogle Investment Management LP, a firm he founded in 1999.

The article looks at investing, as of 2013, focusing on a trend of investors setting aside a small portion of their assets to play the market, or pick individual stocks or other investments to put funds into, even as they invest primarily in index funds which parallel the entire market. It offers advice about playing the market without putting one's overall financial position at risk. Economist Burton Malkiel is discussed.

The article discusses the best company retirement plans. Topics include a 2013 study by retirement plan rating company BrightScope, using documents filed with the U.S. federal government to calculate how generous large plans offered by employers were, what impact the differences among plans has on when workers will be able to retire, and a chart listing the top seven companies with the most generous plans from 2008-2011.

The article discusses lessons learned about investing and personal finance as a result of the global financial crisis of 2008-2009. Consideration is given to assorted topics including the impact of falling markets on retirement income, the risks of fleeing stocks after they have suffered sharp declines, and the importance of annually reviewing investment goals and criteria with one's investment adviser.

The article discusses the value of corporate news related to spinoffs, stock buybacks, insider trading, and stock splitting in investor decision making, arguing that these activities indicate corporate board attitudes about share prices. Topics include the link between a 2013 share repurchase by Apple Inc. and an increase in its stock price, a successful 2912 spinoff of forklift manufacturer Hyster-Yale Halding by Nacco Industries, and legal insider purchasing as a predictor of share price.

The article looks at investment in Europe, as of August 2013. It says that the economic recovery occurring in several European countries, together with reassurance from European Central Bank (ECB) head Mario Draghi that the euro currency will be supported, is encouraging foreign investors to buy European company stocks individually or via mutual funds. It offers guidelines for investing in particular sectors, including consumer products, travel, and health care.

The article discusses a rise in the number of U.S. citizens with assets abroad who have renounced their U.S. citizenship, often for tax-related reasons, and presents advice to those contemplating the same. Topics addressed include how the U.S. tax code differs from that of other countries, the costs of expatriation, and an amnesty program from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service for those who may have underpaid taxes in error.

The article discusses the benefits and risks to using target-date funds in planning for retirement, with information on fees, asset allocation, and the lack of personalization.

The article discusses investors who shun bonds and commit their entire investment portfolios to stocks, and considers several issues that investors should give thought to before pursuing this approach. Factors to take into account include whether an investor owns other assets that behave like bonds, risk tolerance, and how soon funds will need to be withdrawn.

The article discusses target-date mutual funds as of April 2013 in the U.S., focusing on their susceptibility to interest rate increases. Topics include the use of target-date funds by companies offering 401(k) retirement plans, bond prices, and risks in retirement planning. Funds such as the Vanguard Target Retirement 2015 Fund and the Fidelity Freedom K 2015 fund are mentioned.

The article offers suggestions for investing in commodities and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). These tips for investors include investing in funds that hold futures or physical materials rather than stocks, avoiding wagers on iron ore, and remaining aware of changing commodity prices. Information is also provided on the financial conditions of the metals, energy, and agriculture industries. INSET: THE READERS WEIGH IN: INVESTING IN GOLD.

The article discusses the impact of Hurricane Sandy on the lumber market. On November 1, 2012 futures prices for lumber rose 5% to $319 per 1000 board feet amid expectations that reconstruction in areas affected by Sandy would boost demand for lumber. Bill Karr of lumber distributor Cook County Lumber thinks prices could rise above $400.

The article looks at trading in commodity futures carried out by banks as of 2012. It says many U.S. banks are reducing their activity in this area or considering selling off their commodities-trading divisions. It cites as a factor the fact that banks have less capital to trade with than in the past, due to higher borrowing rates and stronger reserve requirements they face. Planned regulations banning proprietary trading by banks, or trading with their own capital, are discussed.

The article reports that, despite a rise in U.S. domestic oil production in 2012, gasoline prices have continued to rise. It is said that refineries and their investors have financially benefited from higher production. International demand is keeping prices high, while the refinery firms HollyFrontier Corp., CVR Energy Inc., and Tesoro Corp. have made substantial profits.

The article reports on how a drought in the summer of 2012 affected corn and soybean crops in the U.S., discussing the possibility that similar weather patterns in the future could deplete the global wheat supply. Topics include why countries like Australia, India, and Russia will export less wheat in the summer of 2012, why hedge funds are investing in wheat sales in the U.S., and how U.S. production of wheat increased between 2011 and 2013, while it decreased in other countries.

The article reports on the rising prices of many food commodities, which it says are linked to low crop yields caused by poor weather conditions in many parts of the world, citing examples including the U.S. drought and flooding in Brazil. It says officials are concerned that countries may set limits on food exports if they fear shortages, which could exacerbate the associated problems.

The article focuses on the mining industry in light of the weak global economy which has depressed prices. Cost control strategies at Anglo American PLC and Vale SA are noted. Steelmaker ArcelorMittal's credit rating was lowered to junk because there is a low demand for metals. The possibility that the size of BHP Billiton's copper-uranium project will be reduced is mentioned. Downsizing at Rio Tinto company is also noted.

The article discusses efforts by food scientist Padu Krishnan of South Dakota State University to popularize dried distillers' grain (DDG) as a food ingredient. DDG is rich in protein and fiber, but is also a byproduct of the conversion of corn into fuel ethanol, which poses a perception problem for some. Krishnan says substituting DDG for a portion of flour used in recipes can be healthful.

The article discusses the potential impact on retail prices in the U.S. of droughts afflicting the Midwest region of the country that have killed crops and caused futures prices for corn, wheat, and soybeans to rise substantially. It is noted that price increases will depend in part on to what extent food producers believe they can pass higher costs on to consumers.

The article cites statistical data from the Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index, the New York Mercantile Exchange, and economic research firm Platts to state that the prices of raw goods were in decline as of July 2, 2012. According to the article, decreasing commodity prices were beneficial to consumers. The article states that U.S. consumer prices fell by 0.3 percent in May 2012.

The article discusses U.S. financial market results for June 21, 2012. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell over 250 points and the price of oil dropped nearly 4% amid several reports indicating weakening economic conditions in China, Europe, and the U.S. A decline in the price of gold put it at a level below where it started 2012.

The article discusses gold prices and investors as of May 29, 2012. According to the article, the price of gold settled at $1,548.60 per troy ounce at the end of trading on May 29, 2012, and that the price of gold was down 1.1 percent for 2012 to that point in the year. The article states that Greek economic difficulties and Spanish credit-market dips accounted for fewer gold investments. The article presents comments from financial firm HSBC gold analyst James Steel.

The article discusses the African cashew industry as of May 23, 2012. According to the article, a military revolt in Guinea-Bissau was negatively impacting the cashew nut market. It states that cashew farmers were unable to get their crops to market because of the military uprising, which began on April 13, 2012, with the kidnapping of Guinea-Bissau prime minister Carlos Gomes, Jr.

The article examines a discrepancy between U.S. prices of commodity futures for hogs in 2012 and the retail price of pork in which the price of the futures has declined by 26 percent in 2011-2012 while the price of pork has continued to increase. The discrepancy is attributed to factors including the unwillingness of grocery trade firms to offer discounts on pork, decreased demand due to the high retail prices and an increase in supply of so-called lean-hog due to mild winter weather.

The article reports that U.S. gasoline prices declined to $3.790 a gallon as of May 7, 2012, the fifth consecutive weekly decline and a 3.8 percent decline from the year's high price of $3.941 as of April 2, 2012. Revised forecasting of gasoline prices for the summer of 2012 due to the decline is discussed. Economic and political implications of lower gasoline prices are examined.

The article reports that major energy industries firms including Exxon Mobil Corp., Encana Corp. and ConcoPhillips announced they had reduced their production of natural gas in the first quarter of 2012. The impact of declining production on U.S. natural gas prices is considered. It is noted prices are at their lowest level in more than 10 years in 2012 due to glut of supplies.

The article considers prices of gasoline commodity futures. A decline in prices for gasoline futures of 6.3 percent since March 26, 2012 is discussed in terms of a corresponding decline in U.S. retail gasoline prices and the possibility retail prices could decline further. The impact of falling gasoline prices on U.S. economic conditions is discussed.

The article examines trading in and prices of commodity futures in gold. A seven percent decline in gold prices since February, 2012 and a reduction in investments in gold futures by hedge funds and institutional investors are discussed as possible indications that the bull market in gold which has existed since 2011 may be slowing or ending.

The article reports that Iran has significantly increased its purchases of imports of wheat from countries which include the U.S., Australia and possibly India. The wheat imports are discussed as an indication Iran is attempting to prevent expected increases in bread prices as a result of economic sanctions imposed by the U.S. and other countries over its nuclear program. It is noted that the U.S. sanctions do not apply to exports of food to Iran.

The article examines an increase in prices of commodity futures for crops including corn, wheat and soybeans in 2012. It is noted corn prices reached their highest level since October 2011 on March 12, 2012, and that soybean prices have increased 15 percent since January 2012. The increases are considered as an indication food crop commodity prices will be volatile in 2012.