Outlook

Freedom to think outside the box won't guarantee impressive returns, but it may be a prerequisite to them.

Performance counts. But here are the factors that may be even more important to you long-term investing success.

Howard Lindzon on social finance, StockTwits and becoming a smarter investor by immersing yourself in the discussion.

Wealthy customers are fleeing the big, traditional brokers. Maybe they're not happy with being considered Muppets after all.

One measure of the rally's strength -- the number of new highs -- is petering out.

Wall Street analysts are bracing for a decline in record corporate profits, backing investor John Hussman's view that what goes up must come down.

Former SEC enforcer Pat Huddleston says investment scams are rampant, and it may be a matter of time until we see one of Bernie Madoff magnitude.

Successful "follow the leader" investing may depend on choosing a platform that lets you closely mimic your chosen manager's actions in the market.

With a key retail ETF near a multi-year breakout, Covestor manager Keshav Agrawal turns bearish on the U.S. consumer.

Fears of a China economic slowdown are weighing on metals and mining stocks, although a past pattern may provide some long-term insight.

With the offering now seemingly set for May, here's a fresh look at past IPO performance, new thoughts on valuation and potential scams and fees to avoid.

Buying by central banks could have an impact on the 2012 gold rally, says Christopher Henwood, former VP at Goldman affiliate J.Aron, in an exclusive interview.