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THE SHORT ANSWER
Is Your Fund Loaning Out Its Shares?
Securities lending to short sellers and others can help mutual funds lower expenses, but it's not without risk.
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PORTFOLIO MAKEOVER WEEK
A 'Sandwich Generation' Couple Checks Their Retirement Readiness
With retirement 10 years away, streamlining and adding to bonds are key priorities.
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FIVE-STAR INVESTOR
Are Your Core Holdings Really 'Core'?
Sometimes funds in traditional core areas are better used as supporting players.
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Morningstar Article Library

Portfolio-Planning Archives
The Short Answer
Christine Benz Columns
Christine Benz Videos

Asset Allocation

Need Bonds Now? 4 Tips to Keep from Getting Pinched
Top Alternatives for a Well-Rounded Portfolio
How Global Is Your Portfolio?
Avoiding Bond-Market Woes Doesn't Come Without Trade-offs
These Socially Responsible Funds Strike the Right Balance
Basics of Asset Allocation
These Top-Rated Funds Are Hidden Gems
Top International Funds Betting on Hard-Hit Emerging Markets
A Happy Surprise for I-Bond Buyers
Bank Loans Appealing but Far From a Cash Alternative
Rebalancing? Don't Overlook Sector, Style Exposure
How Safe Is Your Cash?
These Funds Are Better Than They Look
A Short List of Allocation Funds That Have Earned Their Keep
Bond Investors, Too, Are Vulnerable to the Star Manager Trap
Where Should No-Load Investors Go for Global Bond Exposure?
Beware of Adding These Investments to Your Retirement Toolkit
Income vs.Total Return: Who Says You Need to Take Sides?
The Error-Proof Portfolio: Don't Let Small Numbers Distract You From the Big Picture
A Common-Sense Approach to Asset Allocation
Getting Real About Retirement Planning
The Error-Proof Portfolio: Are Bonds Adding to Your Equity Exposure?
What's Cash Doing for You?
The Right Investments for Short-Term Goals
The Error-Proof Portfolio: Viva la Humble All-in-One Fund
Changes to Your Fixed-Income Portfolio? Users Share
Does a Commodity Investment Belong in Your Toolkit?
The Error-Proof Portfolio: Beware the Star-Manager Trap
How Patriotic Is Your Portfolio? (And Should You Even Care?)
TIPS Versus I-Bonds: How to Choose
Core All-In-One Funds That Have Earned Their Keep
More Core Fixed-Income Funds for Multitaskers
Take Diversification to the Next Level
Avoiding Portfolio Sprawl
Do Bank Loans Belong in Your Bond Toolkit?
Currency Speculators Beware
Should Your Asset Allocation Be More Tactical?

Risk Management

Don't Like Your Investing Style? Blame Your Parents
Investors Still Living in 2008
Playing It Safe as a Long-Term Strategy
Dividend Payers Hold Appeal, but Be Mindful of Risks
A Look at Some of 2011's Biggest Losers
Year-End Portfolio Checkup in Five Steps
Big Investment Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
The Error-Proof Portfolio: True 'Lies' That Yield Can Tell
Risk, Not Volatility, Is the Real Enemy
Is Quality on Sale?
The Error-Proof Portfolio: Nervous Bond Investors--Don't Make These Mistakes
Our Picks for Inflation Protection
The Error-Proof Portfolio: Don't Overdo Dividend Payers for Your Taxable Account
Know the Rules on Inherited IRAs
Seven Tips for Nervous Bond Investors
Tips and Traps for Short-Term Income-Oriented Investors
How to Get Back Into Stocks Without Getting Burned
The Error-Proof Portfolio: Sell Stocks for the Right Reasons
How to Widow-Proof (or Widower-Proof) Your Portfolio
How to Invest in a Deflationary Environment
Plugging a Potential Gusher in Your Portfolio
Inflation: 'Financial Death by a Thousand Cuts'
Five Moves for Downside Protection

Performance & Monitoring

Challenge Your Advisor's Biases--and Your Own
Watch Your Weightings When Investing in Index Funds
Take Care When Seeking 'Free' Advice
A Quarter-End Portfolio Checkup in 5 Steps
How to Invest Like a Contrarian
Three Years After the Bottom: Biggest Fund Winners and Losers
6 Lessons From the Three-Year Market Rally
These Big Funds Had Happy Shareholders in 2011
These Top Funds Are Beating a Tough Benchmark This Year
Buy and Hold Works--If You Let It
Do Your Advisor's Recommendations Add Up?
The Error-Proof Portfolio: Don't Let Hidden Costs Gobble Up Your Return
The Error-Proof Portfolio: A 5-Step Quarterly Checkup
Choosing Between Online Discount Brokerage Firms
Which of These Investments Is the Better Bet?
The Error-Proof Portfolio: Don’t Give Thanks for Faux Income
What Premiums and Discounts Mean for ETFs
An Aggressive Model Portfolio for Pre-Retirees
The Error-Proof Portfolio: What the Election Means (or Doesn’t) for Your Portfolio
Five Hard Truths About Portfolio Planning
The Error-Proof Portfolio: Beware of Performance Envy
Five Ways to Supercharge Your Retirement Plan
What to Look for in a Dividend-Focused Fund
Top Tips for Active-Fund Pickers
Don't Let Hidden Costs Gobble Up Your Return
What Not to Put in Your IRA
The Error-Proof Portfolio: Don't Get Cute With Your Cash
Midyear Portfolio Checkup in Five Easy Steps
Sell Stocks for the Right Reasons
Three Things Every Investor Needs to Know

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Portfolio Planning Videos
Made an IRA Mistake? Consider a Do-OverMade an IRA Mistake? Consider a Do-OverSlott: Most Better Off With a Roth IRAWhat You Need to Know Before Funding a Backdoor RothSpring Clean Your PortfolioWhat to Put in Your IRAMore Videos…

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