Kate Stalter

3 weeks ago | money.usnews.com | Kate Stalter |Tracy Stewart |Katy Marquardt

Question: I've always had a traditional retirement portfolio that I split between stocks and bonds. But as market volatility continues to be a concern, I notice alternative investments such as gold, crypto ETFs and commodities perform much better than the S&P 500. Should I include alternative assets like these in my retirement portfolio to hedge against downturns? Answer: Stocks and bonds aren’t the only assets that deserve a role in investment portfolios, but there are caveats.

4 weeks ago | aaii.com | Kate Stalter

After a stock runs up, it usually pauses as it consolidates its price gains. That consolidation happens as some professional investors sell to take profits, while others hold on, waiting for the next upward move. In research into the best stock winners going back more than a century, Investor’s Business Daily has found that a few patterns commonly take shape as stocks digest their gains.

4 weeks ago | money.usnews.com | Kate Stalter |Rachel McVearry

Getty Images|MaskotIf you are smart with your investments, you can find ways to live off them later in life. Advisor's Corner is a collection of columns written by certified financial planners, financial advisors and experts for everyday investors like you. See MoreYou'll find plenty of YouTube videos with self-proclaimed personal finance experts, without any professional credentials, telling you it's possible to live off dividends in retirement.

1 month ago | money.usnews.com | Kate Stalter |Rachel McVearry

Getty ImagesCharles Schwab is growing its fixed-income lineup with new bond ETFs like SCCR and SCUS, alongside several lower-cost fund options. Key Takeaways Schwab now offers 12 bond exchange-traded funds and six bond mutual funds, covering both taxable and tax-free categories. Low expense ratios across the board make these funds appealing to cost-conscious income investors. Schwab's bond lineup includes core, short-term, Treasury, TIPS and high-yield options, among others.

1 month ago | money.usnews.com | Kate Stalter |Rachel McVearry

Getty ImagesCash is an asset class, like stocks or bonds, that adds diversification during market volatility. Key Takeaways Cash cushions portfolios against volatility and unexpected financial needs. One drawback is that excess cash risks falling behind inflation over the long term. Rebalancing preserves your asset allocation without abandoning market exposure. Market timing increases the risk of selling low and buying high.