Morningstar

• Bond investors: Heed warnings about rise in rates

  By Mark Jewell, Associated Press  |  January 11, 2013

  Bill Gross's advice: "You should avoid (long-term bonds), and confine your maturities and bond durations to short/intermediate targets supported by Fed policies."

• Vanguard cutting more ETF expenses

  By Janet Levaux, AdvisorOne  |  January 4, 2013

  BlackRock also clarifies its expense policy after filings created confusion, and will not be changing iShares' fees.

• Top mutual funds of 2012 rebound

  By Mark Jewell  |  January 3, 2013

  The stock market posted impressive returns last year, even with the presidential election and the resulting political gridlock. It was a welcome change from 2011, when the market rose only slightly.

• Health insurer stocks slump on cliff deal

  By The Associated Press  |  January 2, 2013

  Major health insurance stocks largely lagged behind a broader market advance Wednesday after Congress reached a last-minute deal to keep the U.S. economy from hitting a so-called "fiscal cliff" of tax hikes and deep spending cuts.

• Fidelity drops fees, minimums on Spartan index mutual funds

  By Janet Levaux, AdvisorOne  |  December 13, 2012

  To keep up with rivals in both the traditional fund and ETF sectors, Fidelity is lowering the investment minimums and the expenses on many Spartan index funds on Jan. 1.

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  Why 'one portfolio' is the top choice for 401(k) investors

  By Chris Carosa  |  December 5, 2012

  It's good more and more 401(k) investors are deciding to go back to the future and stick with simpler investment options.

• Fixed annuity sales continue growth in retirement space

  By Andy Stonehouse  |  December 3, 2012

  VA sales are on the rise, with more pre-retirees turning to the products as they search for more reliable sources of lifetime income.

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  Money - maybe too much - pours into junk bonds

  By Matthew Craft  |  December 3, 2012

  The money manager's job is supposed to be straightforward: Take people's cash and put it to work. The more money that comes in, the bigger the manager's paycheck.

• T. Rowe: Low rates are market's 'biggest anomaly'

  By Steve Rothwell  |  November 29, 2012

  People have been pouring money into bond funds, which have been boosted by low borrowing rates; when rates rise, there will be losses.

• Should Hartford VA owners accept the buyout offer?

  By Maria Wood  |  November 7, 2012

  Hartford joins Transamerica and AXA Equitable in reacting to ongoing low interest rates by offering annuity owners an early out. But should they take it?