Portfolio Allocation

A small number of stocks drive most of the market’s long-term return.

Plus, a definitive core stock pick for the buy-and-manage strategy.

It’s not the worst place to start, but it might end up being overly conservative.

Dividend-paying stocks with economic moats have enduring advantages.

As model portfolio assets approach $1 trillion and ETFs overtake mutual funds, here’s what investors need to know.

How SpaceX, Anthropic, and OpenAI will affect the public market.

New model portfolios turn Vanguard’s target-maturity ETFs into plug-and-play bond ladders at a lower cost than competitors’.

Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities can hedge inflation, manage risk, and protect retirement income.

A recent study suggests active managers have been better than meets the eye. But it’s not persuasive.

Plus, one of the biggest challenges to portfolio diversification today.

The role of bonds in a portfolio isn’t returns—it’s stability.

The payoff hinges on two hard-to-predict variables, the size of each portfolio’s SpaceX stake and how much it appreciates, while also courting hefty risk.

Reinvesting dividends can help build wealth over time, but it isn’t always the best move for retirees, concentrated portfolios, or tax planning.

A financial advisor’s view on negative or flat market returns and when to claim Social Security.

The portfolio case for investing in international stocks extends beyond their recent outperformance.

A flat-fee financial advisor and columnist discusses why less complicated portfolios are usually best, how he addresses inflation risk in client portfolios, and his biggest worry for new retirees.

The inventor of the 4% rule offers advice on how retirees can preserve their capital.

Investing in gold has risks, but it can be a solid diversifier and a refuge in volatile or inflationary times.

Make low-cost index funds and managed products your engine and only then layer in individual stock picks.

These options are solid starting points.