ETFs (exchange-traded funds) are popular lower-cost investments. They tend to be passively managed, Dave Sandstrom explains in a Money Talk Video, which raises questions about investors’ downside risks. Joel Dresang: Dave, exchange-traded funds are all the rage. They have about $2 trillion dollars of assets – 70% of that coming in the last 10 years. […]

They’re marketed as “smart” beta funds, but Kyle Tetting warns investors to clearly understand what they’re buying into with popular new index-like investments. Kyle spoke with Joel Dresang in a Money Talk Video. Joel Dresang: Kyle, we’ve talked in the past about passive, low-cost index funds. We’ve also talked about value-added actively managed funds. There’s […]

Index funds can provide low-cost exposure to market segments, but they also lock investors into those segments, as Kyle Tetting explains in a Money Talk Video. Joel Dresang: Kyle, in 2014, two-thirds of investor funds flowed to indexes. Let’s talk about that. And first of all, what’s an index? Kyle Tetting: An index is a […]

For diversified investors with enough time and risk tolerance, emerging markets can offer access to growing middle class populations. Marc Amateis explains more in a Money Talk Video interview with Joel Dresang. Joel Dresang: Marc, in a global economy, it makes sense to have at least part of your investment portfolio in international markets. Let’s […]

Investors know to not put all their eggs in one basket. But where you put them makes a big difference in what eventually happens, as Kyle Tetting explains in a Money Talk Video interview with Joel Dresang. Joel Dresang: Kyle, if diversifying our investments is a matter of putting all of our eggs in more […]

Consider your pension payout options carefully. As Isabelle Wiemero points out, substantial retirement income could be at stake and you cannot change your mind. Isabelle spoke with Joel Dresang in a Money Talk Video.  Joel Dresang: Isabelle, from time to time, you have retirees ask you to help them figure out their pension payouts. But that […]

In considering active management vs. passive indexing, investors should take a look at how risk comes into play, Kyle Tetting suggests in a Money Talk Video. Joel Dresang: Kyle, there’s a debate over whether investors should invest through active management or whether they should do it through passive index funds. One of the things that […]

Municipal bonds offer possible income tax exemptions in the fixed-income side of a diversified investment portfolio, Dave Sandstrom explains in a Money Talk Video interview with Joel Dresang. Joel Dresang: Dave, when we talk about diversifying an investment portfolio, we talk about diversifying within the different portions as well. Today, let’s talk about the bond portion and […]

The U.S. dollar has strengthened lately against other major currencies. In a MONEY TALK VIDEO, Marc Amateis explains, what the fluctuation could mean to investors. […]

Fixed-income investors can get a picture of the long and short on interest rates from the yield curve. As Kyle Tetting explains in a MONEY TALK VIDEO, the yield curve also can suggest investment strategies as its shape shifts over time. […]

Over the long run, it’s hard to advance far if you don’t have balance. Kyle Tetting explains in a MONEY TALK VIDEO that correlation helps provide balance in an investment portfolio by measuring how assets offset one another’s tendencies in various conditions. […]

This MONEY TALK VIDEO, with Kyle Tetting, introduces some of the statistical tools used to help measure risk and return. […]