Mutual Funds Weekly: These Do-gooder Mutual Funds Actually Do A Stock Portfolio Good

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Investing in socially responsible mutual funds, with their focus on the environment, social action, and corporate governance (ESG), is often seen as pursuing the right thing, but in the wrong place. In the stock market, the argument goes, you can do good or you can do well, but not both.

The fourth-quarter of 2018 showed otherwise. In that turbulent period for the U.S. stock market, two-thirds of ESG funds outperformed. Read our report, then check out why the average retirement account balance at Fidelity has dropped, why stock bulls want the New England Patriots to lose the Super Bowl, and why you should care about a bond-market gauge known as the yield curve.

— Jonathan Burton

INVESTING NEWS & TRENDS
When stock markets turned turbulent, ESG funds punched above their weight

Two-thirds of environmental, social, and governance funds finished in the top half of their broader peer groups for the fourth quarter.

When stock markets turned turbulent, ESG funds punched above their weight

Fidelity’s average retirement account balances dropped — the reason why may surprise you

There are fewer ‘401(k) millionaires,’ but investors aren’t panicking.

Fidelity’s average retirement account balances dropped — the reason why may surprise you

Hopes IPO market will reopen fast dampened by fears of another shutdown

Hopes that the U.S. IPO market will come straight back to life now that the government shutdown has ended and regulators are back at work have been dampened by worries about a possible second shutdown.

Hopes IPO market will reopen fast dampened by fears of another shutdown

Ray Dalio’s Bridgewater cements spot as top performing hedge fund of all time

Ray Dalio’s Bridgewater topped all other hedge funds in 2018, according to data provided by LCH Research, a fund of hedge funds run by Edmond de Rothschild.

Ray Dalio’s Bridgewater cements spot as top performing hedge fund of all time

5 ‘unloved’ assets that could give your portfolio a lift

Going against the crowd comes with risks, but might just improve your performance.

5 ‘unloved’ assets that could give your portfolio a lift

Stock-market bulls want Los Angeles Rams to beat the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl

Mark Hulbert looks at the accuracy of the Super Bowl Predictor in forecasting the stock market’s performance over the next 12 months.

Stock-market bulls want Los Angeles Rams to beat the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl

This popular investing strategy isn’t so great for retirees

There’s a better way of picking dividend stocks.

This popular investing strategy isn’t so great for retirees

Investors are interpreting the dramatic slowdown in corporate earnings all wrong

Faster earnings growth isn’t automatically better for the stock market.

Investors are interpreting the dramatic slowdown in corporate earnings all wrong

Dow needs to give back some gains before stocks see another big leg up

Respected Dow Theory timing system is far from a ‘buy’ signal, writes Mark Hulbert:

Dow needs to give back some gains before stocks see another big leg up

Stocks are overheated even with interest rates so low

Expect subpar market returns when P/E ratios are high — regardless of rates, writes Mark Hulbert.

Stocks are overheated even with interest rates so low

Why investors are obsessed with the inverted yield curve

Amid a shaky marketplace, investors are eyeing the yield curve for signs of economic stability. History shows that when the yield curve inverts, a recession may soon follow.

Why investors are obsessed with the inverted yield curve

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