The volatility index is near historic lows as complacency runs high. Here are some long and short plays based on its future direction.
Business development companies offer high-dividend yields and funds that focus on them offer investors the broadest possible exposure.
You can diversify your portfolio with funds focused on emerging companies and markets.
This fund seeks to balance high quality and high yield, but with the market at these heights, it's not without risk.
These picks can weather any potential pullback.
It's a good time to remember Buffett's golden rule.
A comparative look at global stock markets shows which ones are outperforming the US, with some interesting results.
With markets overbought and fundamental indicators pointing to a slowdown, now could be a good time to consider protecting current positions or making a directional bet.
VIDEO ON MSN MONEY
DATA PROVIDERS
Copyright © 2013 Microsoft. All rights reserved.
Quotes are real-time for NASDAQ, NYSE and AMEX. See delay times for other exchanges.
Fundamental company data and historical chart data provided by Thomson Reuters (click for restrictions). Real-time quotes provided by BATS Exchange. Real-time index quotes and delayed quotes supplied by Interactive Data Real-Time Services. Fund summary, fund performance and dividend data provided by Morningstar Inc. Analyst recommendations provided by Zacks Investment Research. StockScouter data provided by Verus Analytics. IPO data provided by Hoover's Inc. Index membership data provided by SIX Financial Information.
Japanese stock price data provided by Nomura Research Institute Ltd.; quotes delayed 20 minutes. Canadian fund data provided by CANNEX Financial Exchanges Ltd.
TOP STOCKS
Try as the bears might, they couldn't break U.S. stocks. But investors still face frothy prices and considerable headwinds.
MARKET DISPATCHES
The Market Dispatches column has been discontinued. Here's where to find the latest stock and business news on MSN Money, and the latest from market writer Charley Blaine.
FRUGAL COOL
Starting Monday, this site is joining forces with MSN Money Smart Spending. Here's why.
MONEY & POLITICS
Breaking up big banks is an untested solution to the too big to fail problem that attempts to isolate and dismantle large, troubled institutions while protecting the rest of the economy.
SMART SPENDING
A new federal safety report shows toddlers and minority children make up a disproportionate number of drowning victims.
SMART TAXES
The IRS is struggling to combat identify thieves who file fraudulent tax returns in the names of older residents who don't need to file.
