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Rebound of the losers

High-yield on the high wire

ETF may ease pain at the pump

Lazy Portfolios win -- again

Being a star mutual-fund manager doesn't part the red rope the way it once did, so it's almost nostalgic to see some of the old boldface names in the limelight again. The stock market's rally has burnished -- at least for now -- the reputations of managers whose funds suffered more than most in the market meltdown.

In truth, the fall and rise of these managers isn't so surprising. Most are independent, iconoclastic investors who take pride in going against the grain. They tend to buy the cheap and unloved, and the market's decline last year seemed tailor-made for their style -- that is, until the bottom became the bottomless.

The snapback rally that started in March was also tailored to these bargain buyers. Portfolio holdings that had seemed on the verge of bankruptcy earlier this year dodged a bullet, and shares had nowhere to go but up. Funds whose managers had paid a price for their convictions now benefited from higher prices. The losers got lucky this time -- and so did their shareholders.

INVESTMENT NEWS & STRATEGIES Losing stock funds are now leaders

As comebacks go, it may not be as dramatic as the Boston Red Sox in the 2004 playoffs or Harry Truman in the 1948 presidential campaign, but many mutual-fund managers who ended last year in the dumps now find themselves at the head of the pack. See Life Savings.

European managers see bumps for U.S. stocks

Weak consumer demand is just one reason why many European money managers are pessimistic about prospects for U.S. stocks as the second half of the year gets underway. But others paint a better, though still bumpy, picture. See Global Investor.

Investors jump into high-yield -- but maybe too late

High-yield bond funds are enjoying a bumper year, with returns above 20%. But while investors are pouring billions in of dollars, it's likely they've missed the best returns fast online cash advance. See full story.

Wellington Fund looking spry at 80

The first balanced mutual-fund celebrates its 80th birthday this month, and eight decades after its launch is reaping the benefits of one of the longest and steadiest strategies in the business. See full story.

Lower profits, more mergers seen for mutual-fund firms

Asset managers may believe that the worst of the market crash is behind them, but that doesn't mean the good times are coming back anytime soon. See FundWatch.

Leveraged financial ETFs prepare for reverse split

Controversial and highly traded exchange-traded funds tracking the financial sector that give investors access to leverage and short-selling strategies are preparing for a reverse share split that should make them cheaper to trade. See ETF Focus.

Exchange-traded fund geared to hedge higher fuel prices

Gasoline prices are down by more than a third from last summer. But when it comes to fueling your investment portfolio, a specialized exchange-traded fund may hedge against unwelcome oil-price spikes. See ETF Investing.

COMMENTARY Lazy Portfolios seven-year winning streak

Guess what? Actively managed mutual funds are bad news, filching your hard-earned money. See Paul B. Farrell.

Target-date retirement funds need better aim

Target-date investing is under the government's microscope because dismal 2008 fund returns blindsided enough investors that politicians and therefore bureaucrats feel obliged to pay attention. See John Prestbo's Indexed Investor.

T. Rowe Price fund is one to watch -- but not necessarily buy

Mutual-fund firms come up with new ideas all the time. But every now and again, a firm comes out with an old idea, creating a product that overlaps its current line-up.

Mutual Funds: Even losing fund managers get lucky sometimes

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