WONDERING WHICH FUNDS ARE BEST TO SMOOTH OUT MARKET VOLATILITY AND FIGHT rising inflation, or which stocks to buy in an aging bull market? Looking for the credit card with the most-lucrative rewards or the cell-phone plan that offers the most bang for your buck? We’ve got you covered. Our staff compiled their top picks for stocks, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds for times like these; credit cards, banks, tax software and cell-phone plans for all types of users; tech that will protect you from identity thieves; and websites that will save you money on everything from prescription drugs to hotels.
BEST PORTFOLIO MOVES TO: Dial down volatility. Stocks with low volatility should weather dips better than jiggier peers. INVESCO S&P 500 LOW VOLATILITY ETF (SYMBOL SPLV, $48) holds the 100 stocks in the blue-chip index with the lowest volatility; ISHARES EDGE MSCI MIN VOL USA ETF (USMV, $55) tracks low-vol stocks by sector.
Fight inflation. The principal value of Treasury inflation-protected securities adjusts according to changes in the consumer price index. Buy them from Uncle Sam at www .treasurydirect.gov or consider VANGUARD INFLATION-PROTECTED SECURITIES FUND INVESTOR SHARES (VIPSX).
Plump up your yield. SPDR S&P DIVIDEND ETF (SDY, $93) holds the highest-yielding stocks of large companies that have raised their payouts for the past 25 years. The fund yields 2.5%. FIRST TRUST NASDAQ TECHNOLOGY DIVIDEND INDEX ETF (TDIV, $36) buys tech’s biggest dividend payers and yields 2.5%.
Play rising rates. Higher rates mean lower bond prices, but they hurt short-term bonds least. Consider low-cost SCHWAB SHORT-TERM BOND INDEX (SWSBX). Or cash in on higher rates with FIDELITY FLOATING RATE HIGH INCOME (FFRHX).
Cut costs. FIDELITY ZERO index funds charge no fees and require no minimum investment. You must be a Fidelity brokerage customer.
This story is from the December 2018 edition of Kiplinger's Personal Finance.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 2018 edition of Kiplinger's Personal Finance.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
HOW INFLATION ADJUSTMENTS WILL AFFECT YOUR TAXES
We looked at IRS rules for 2025 on everything from tax brackets to how much you can save in retirement accounts.
GUARD AGAINST IDENTITY THEFT IN THE NEW YEAR
Scammers are getting better at impersonating legitimate businesses.
SHOULD YOU BUY PET HEALTH INSURANCE?
You can fend off big veterinary bills with a policy that covers your furry companion.
THE LOWDOWN ON BUYING A VACATION HOME
If you return to a beloved destination again and again, purchasing a home there may be a smart move-but don't overlook the costs and effort that go into it.
HOW COUPLES CAN MANAGE DIFFERING RETIREMENT TIME LINES
Staggered retirement is increasingly common, but it can create financial and emotional challenges.
AVOID THESE CREDIT MISSTEPS
KIPLINGER ADVISOR COLLECTIVE
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WORKING FOR YOURSELF
Whether you're looking for a side gig or planning to start your own business, it has never been easier to strike out on your own.
My Top 10 Stock Picks for 2025
SINCE 1993, I have offered an annual list of 10 stocks with the potential to beat the market in the 12 months ahead. My 2024 selections notched the highest return ever: an average of 48.9%. I beat the S&P 500 index by 10.8 percentage points, and every one of my stocks was up-six by more than 30%.
WHAT MAKES AN ETF SUCCESSFUL?
EXCHANGE-traded funds have exploded in popularity, with the industry now reaching the milestone of $10 trillion in assets.
TIPS FROM INSIDERS
When corporate insiders buy or sell, it can offer clues on whether you should do the same.
