Check out this week’s top money and investing features:
“Don’t confuse me with the facts” is how too many investors approach money decisions. What we think we know is frequently enough for us to sink hard-earned cash into an investment just because it “feels right.” For example, we “know” that people far and wide can’t envision life without Amazon and Apple and Facebook, so obviously the shares of such companies are fabulous, money-making, no-brainer buys.
Gut feeling is an essential survival tool, but feelings are not facts. Intuition is no substitute for the verifiable information you need to make smart decisions, or to be confident in the professionals you entrust to give you financial advice or run your mutual funds. The rules of investing haven’t been revised: valuation matters; timing matters; the business cycle matters, cash in the bank and competent management matters — to name just a few.
Who are you going to believe, me or your own eyes?
How different our experiences would be if we made a point to do the homework before investing, and to listen to professionals with a skeptical ear. There’s a lot of noise in the world nowadays; multiple messengers with myriad agendas tell us, “Who are you going to believe, me or your own eyes?” When these attempts at manipulation concern our money, we literally can’t afford to slumber through and not question.
In an ocean of opinions, facts will keep you afloat.
INVESTING NEWS & TRENDS
Keep up with your money! Subscribe to MarketWatch’s free Mutual Funds Weekly newsletter. Sign up here .
15 ways to make more money in your 401(k)
Your future self will thank you.
15 ways to make more money in your 401(k)
Changes may be coming to your 401(k) plan — is this a good thing?
The retirement crisis is real and this could be promising — or not.
Changes may be coming to your 401(k) plan — is this a good thing?
Why is this market more troubled by rising U.S. interest rates than trade tariffs?
Investors are whistling past President Trump’s trade war graveyard, writes Ed Yardeni.
Why is this market more troubled by rising U.S. interest rates than trade tariffs?
This high-flying index is signaling that the stock market and the U.S. economy are just fine
Freight Transportation Services Index is booming — and that’s bullish for stocks, writes Mark Hulbert.
This high-flying index is signaling that the stock market and the U.S. economy are just fine
Stock investors confront the once unthinkable: a new world order
Trump has recently and repeatedly spoken against NATO, and called the EU a ‘foe’ of the U.S.
Stock investors confront the once unthinkable: a new world order
How often do bonds zig when stocks zag?
The stock-bond correlation doesn’t always behave as expected.
How often do bonds zig when stocks zag?
Gold is still dazzling market timers — and that’s bearish
Buying gold now would only weigh down your investment portfolio, writes Mark Hulbert.
Gold is still dazzling market timers — and that’s bearish
The idea of ‘investing in what you know’ is more dangerous than you think
It’s a common piece of financial advice — even Warren Buffett adheres to it. But we end up fooling ourselves.
The idea of ‘investing in what you know’ is more dangerous than you think
Why everyone should own a piece of an American baseball team
Legendary investor Mario Gabelli tells Barron's which stocks he likes for the rest of 2018
How fintech could save consumers $16 bn in money-transfer fees
TransferWise CEO Kristo Kaarman talks to MarketWatch about how fintech is disrupting cross-border money transfers, allowing consumers to send funds at a cost that’s up to 12 times cheaper than what banks would offer.
How fintech could save consumers $16 bn in money-transfer fees