Managing Your Retirement Portfolio (December 01, 2006)
If you're retired, or close to retirement, crafting a portfolio that meets your dual needs for income and growth can be a balancing act. Lean too far in one direction, and you risk running out of money; lean too far the other way, and you take on too much risk, period.

Micro-cap Funds Wild at Heart (August 01, 2006)
If there's an area of the U.S. stock market where mainstream investors most likely fear to tread, it's micro-cap stocks. Micro-caps -- the smallest publicly traded companies -- aren't followed by many stock analysts, are extremely volatile and are tainted by association with infamous penny stocks that spammers and boilerroom brokers peddle to the unwary.

The Lure of Small-Cap Funds (July 01, 2006)
Take the expression "know what you own" too literally and you'll end up investing only in what's familiar. For many investors, this results in a portfolio chock-full of well-known stocks and mutual funds.

It's Your Goals That Truly Count (October 01, 2004)
Having a plan and sticking to it is the key to successful investing, says Ken Janke.

We Have Met the Enemy, and Its Us (August 01, 2004)
When my wife points out certain of my aggravating,stereotypically male behaviors -- failing to notice the speck of dirt she can spot from five yards away, for example -- I sometimes excuse myself by blaming the cavemen in my ancestry.

A Hard Decision With No Shortcut (August 01, 2004)
The decision to sell a stock remains a most vexing issue. Those who disparage long-term investing say that buy-and-hold means buy-and-hold-forever. Nonsense. Periodically question the prospects for each of your stocks and how each one fits into your portfolio.

The Relationship Between Inflation and P/E Ratios (June 01, 2004)
What's the reason for all the angst over inflation and rising interest rates? It's that inflation is the common stock investor's worst enemy.

Getting the Most Out of IR (June 01, 2004)
Know the Contact Person, Do Your Homework

Rattle a Few Cages (May 01, 2004)
Corporate governance is one of those headaches that just won't go away.

Wendell's Three Questions (May 01, 2004)
Ken Janke discusses the impact the increasing world population has on the economy and long-term investing in the stock market.

Champions of Long-Term Investing (May 01, 2004)
Many figures through the years have had philosophies similar to NAIC principles. Here are a few who have inspired long-term investors.

Understanding Corporate Annual Reports, a User's Guide (April 01, 2004)

The Top 100 Survey (February 29, 2004)
A Free-Market Ballot Box

Look Before You Tender (December 31, 2003)
Ken Janke cautions stockholders to investigate before tendering their shares of stock -- the price they receive may be less than the current market.

Who is the American Shareowner? (December 01, 2003)
Adam Ritt examines the characteristics of individual investors delivered by the NAIC/Harris Interactive Voice of the American Shareholder poll.

Docking at TD Waterhouse (November 01, 2002)
In the first of a series on the most popular online brokerage firms, Bonnie Biafore takes a look at TD Waterhouse.

What's Your 'Honey Pot'? (November 01, 2002)
Ken Janke passes on the wisdom of George Nicholson -- When following NAIC's first principle, you can always sweeten the Honey Pot.

Hallowing November With Churchill and Twain (November 01, 2002)
"Some regard enterprise as if it were a predatory tiger to be shot. Others look on it as a cow that they can milk. Only a handful see it for what it really is -- the strong horse that pulls the whole cart." -- Winston Churchill

The Gift of Investing (November 01, 2002)
Even in bear markets, investing can be a gift to educated investors. Here's a glimpse at some of the education that took place at the Portland Congress.

Resolutions for 2003 (October 31, 2002)
Amy Crane uses NAIC principles to suggest New Year's resolutions for 2003.

The Gift Goes On (October 31, 2002)
Editorial

Portfolio Rebalancing and Year-End Tax Planning (October 30, 2002)
Is your portfolio properly balanced? Matt Willms explains how better record keeping may help.

Advantages of Long-Term Investing (October 27, 2002)
Dennis Shepherd explains both the challenges and the advantages of long-term investing, particularly in the midst of bear markets.

When Right Is Wrong (October 01, 2002)
The Fortune 20, an investment club in Midland, Texas, appreciates the presence of a few men in its otherwise all-woman group.

Chairman Janke Reports on the State of NAIC (October 01, 2002)
Excerpts from remarks prepared for delivery at the Portland Congress by Kenneth S. Janke, chairman of NAIC's Board of Trustees

Deliberating Over Data (October 01, 2002)
The quest to obtain reliable data is frustrating to many investors. BI editors review some of the differences.

Due Diligence for Brokers (October 01, 2002)
Bonnie Biafore discusses the National Association of Securities Dealers Web site, which can help in tracking down information on brokerage firms and individual brokers. The site can also help to resolve disputes between investors and their brokers.

Stick to the Fundamentals (October 01, 2002)
Earnings, not past prices, drive future prices, warns Ken Janke. Stick to the fundamentals.

When Bears Temporarily 'Adjust' Bulls (October 01, 2002)
Mark Robertson shares words of wisdom from Jim Agee and Benjamin Graham.

Building Castles of Sand in The Great Valley (September 01, 2002)
One of our biggest challenges is to prevent emotions from clouding long-term horizons.

The Daily Planet of Financial Sites (September 01, 2002)
Bonnie Biafore takes a look at DailyStocks.com. Its value is in the many links to other investment Web sites. "The site can be distracting," she notes, "but you can hone in on valuable data if you know where to look."

When Fear and Greed Rule, Recognize Your Emotions (September 01, 2002)
Editorial

One Way To Look at Diversification (August 01, 2002)
Diversification is a bit like motherhood and apple pie -- not too many people are against it.

A Closer Look at MSN Money (August 01, 2002)
Bonnie Biafore takes a closer look at MSN Money's Web site, which offers some great tools for all sorts of common investment tasks, such as getting historical prices, researching news for companies in your portfolio and looking for industry news. There are some additional features as well that you might enjoy.

Using the Bear To Build for Tomorrow (August 01, 2002)
Editorial

Always Read the Fine Print (August 01, 2002)
Make sure you always read the fine print and question everything, warns Ken Janke.

Selling an Overvalued Company (July 01, 2002)
Nancy Isaacs focuses on the difficult decision faced when a stock becomes overvalued.

Helping To Restore Trust in the Market (July 01, 2002)
Invite a friend to a club meeting and help to restore trust in the market. Share the guidance of your stock studies.

Words of Warning (July 01, 2002)
Investors need to keep a few warnings in mind, says Selena Maranjian.

How Much Is Too Much? (July 01, 2002)
Ken Janke asks "How Much Is Too Much" when it comes to the size of a single holding in an investor's portfolio.

Building Bridges (July 01, 2002)
Can Leonardo da Vinci inspire some insights on portfolio design? Mark Robertson says yes.

Reading an Annual Report (June 01, 2002)
First, Read the Ending

Those Seven Little Words (June 01, 2002)
Investing doesn't have to be complicated to be successful. We say that every month in seven words on the contents page of this magazine: Wealth comes from investing in growing companies

Who's on First? (June 01, 2002)
Which group is more important -- employees, customers or shareholders, asks Selena Maranjian. It's a question that can lead to an interesting discussion about companies and how they are managed.

There Ought To Be a Law (June 01, 2002)
Ken Janke discusses the potential conflict of interest between investment research analysts and investment bankers.

No Computer? No Problem (June 01, 2002)
Bonnie Biafore offers suggestions to those without computers on how to take advantage of what the Internet offers. Libraries, community centers, even cruise ships are mentioned in this month's "Web Watch" column.

When Rear-View Mirrors Smoke (May 01, 2002)
Can you imagine driving your car with nothing other than what you see in your rear-view mirror to guide you? Relative value is a rear-view mirror.

Stay the Course (May 01, 2002)
The stock market has taken a beating over the past year and a half, and since the beginning of this year, has generally been flat. Investors who have seen huge gains in their growth equities disappear might be getting restless and looking harder at dividend stocks, junk bonds or other alternative investments.

Leveling the Playing Field (March 30, 2002)
Learn the Rules So That You Can Play Your Best

Be Careful With Instant Information (March 30, 2002)
Be sure to pay attention to long-term trends and avoid getting carried away with instant information, says Ken Janke.

Building Quality Investment Relationships (March 29, 2002)
Editorial

Moments of Truth (March 04, 2002)
The Power of Information

Our Friend, The IRS (January 31, 2002)
The tax world's issues, rules and opportunities are actually mildly interesting, once you wrap your head around them, says Selena Maranjian.

Protecting Your Computer from Online Contagions (January 30, 2002)
Viruses, Horses and Worms, Oh My!

A Pathway to Better Investing Decisions (December 29, 2001)
Matt Willms reinforces the importance of effective record keeping.

Dealing with Dividends (December 29, 2001)
Adhering to a Basic Investment Principle