Jeff Sommer

After years of horrendous returns, core bonds were beginning to look like attractive, ho-hum investments. Then the debate happened.

With one big caveat, our columnist says most people are likely to be better off if they forget about politics when it comes to investing for the long haul.

The S&P 500 has been buoyant mainly because of A.I. fever, while bonds are having another mediocre year. But as an investor, our columnist is staying the course.

With new executive pay disclosures, the big picture is still riches at the top and lagging wages for most of the rank-and-file, our columnist says.

A small tax increase would make the essential national retirement program secure for decades, our columnist says, but lawmakers would have to take action.

The prospects for future commerce, and peace, are intertwined, our columnist writes.

U.S. residents can still gamble on the presidential race — but regulators are trying to stop the practice.

Using index funds to make bets on these key categories is hazardous, our columnist says.

The Federal Reserve is shedding assets at a glacial pace, exposing the financial system to continuing risks, our columnist says.

Strong reactions to rising prices and misunderstandings about the value of money are rampant, our columnist says.

Euphoria has been replaced by a much more somber mood, changing the value calculations in a host of markets, our columnist says.

Prediction markets say former President Donald J. Trump has a good chance of winning. So far, the stock market is fine with that.

Robert Shiller, the Nobel laureate, says valuations adjusted for high inflation suggest stock returns for the next decade are likely to be modest.

The latest enticing lottery prizes are the product of misleading advertising and high interest rates, our columnist says.

On Wall Street, excitement about A.I. outweighs concern about interest rates. But rocketing stocks could make it tough for the Federal Reserve to cut rates.

A.I. fervor has rocketed the chip company’s share price upward. Our columnist asked A.I. chatbots how big Nvidia would become if it kept growing as fast as it had over the past year.

Underlying economic and market factors mattered in previous presidential rematches. They may help President Biden, even if polls aren’t showing that so far.

Important regulations expire at the end of next year, thwarting tax planning and creating a monumental fiscal challenge for Congress.

BlackRock, State Street and Vanguard have opened up voting on environmental, social and management issues. It’s not true shareholder democracy, but it’s progress.

Most active fund managers beat the market at the start of the year. But history suggests that they’re not likely to keep doing so for long.

The company has stopped making contributions to 401(k) accounts, and instead gives workers cash credits in a new version of its old pension plan.

Vague comments about possible future rate cuts were all that central bankers gave the markets. Patience will be difficult at this tricky moment, our columnist says.

Compound returns that grow as stocks rise over the decades are far more important than the latest high, our columnist says.

Fear of missing out isn’t a great reason for investing in the new Bitcoin funds, our columnist says. Plus, Bitcoin may already be hidden in your portfolio.

The stock market’s long-term path has been persistently upward, our columnist says, but there have been plenty of setbacks and it’s wise to prepare for more.

So-called stock forecasts don’t deserve the name, our columnist says. Wall Street’s track record is horrendous.

Stock and bond markets have been rallying in anticipation of Federal Reserve rate cuts. But don’t get swept away just yet, our columnist says.

Investors who want to lock in safe income may be hurt over the long haul if they don’t also hold stocks, our columnist says.

The storm over the so-called 60/40 investment portfolio misses the point, our columnist says. The key issue is diversifying your portfolio, and that is as important as ever.

There’s new evidence that market timing doesn’t work. Your odds of success are better if you just hang on and aim for average returns, our columnist says.

The state of the economy will affect voting next November, and the Federal Reserve may find itself in a delicate position, our columnist says.

While two leading prediction markets are fighting regulatory restrictions in court, wagers on politics and economics are still being made.

The market is focused on making money now and isn’t heeding urgent warnings about climate change, our columnist says.

Soaring interest rates have the power to alter the direction of the economy and command the attention of Washington, our columnist says.

Back in 1994, bonds with fabulous yields were there for the taking. Our columnist doesn’t see treasures like that now, but there are solid buys.

As interest rates rose over the past few years, bond prices plummeted, making high-quality bonds more attractive, our columnist says.

Most people have lost money in the markets over the last several months, but people who have held on have prospered, our columnist says.

Treasury rates and oil and gasoline prices have been increasing, putting the Fed in a difficult spot, our columnist says.

The U.S. currency has been on a tear, and the Fed’s decision to keep interest rates steady is likely to keep the dollar “higher for longer,” our columnist says.

Stocks are mired in a holding pattern. The big question, our columnist says, is when will the Federal Reserve start to cut interest rates?

After a fierce rally largely propelled by a handful of tech stocks, the market’s rapid climb stalled in August. That setback could ultimately be a good thing, our columnist says.

The prospects for a soft landing for the economy and the markets look better than they have in months. Our columnist is still worried.

Even after the latest U.S. debt downgrade, bonds remain the steadier counterpart to the flamboyant stock market, our columnist says.

Attracted by promises of high returns, many public pension funds have been loading up on private equity but may not fully appreciate the dangers, our columnist says.

Lowering inflation to 2 percent without causing a recession and throwing people out of work would be a rare achievement. The markets are acting as if it has already happened.

While stocks, bonds and money market funds have generated positive returns for the year, a quirk in the calendar is creating deceptively strong performances.

Devastated at the height of the pandemic, cruise lines have become top performers.

C.E.O. pay has risen again, reaching levels that were unthinkable a generation ago. Google, Hertz, Peloton and Live Nation lead the list.

At the moment, money market funds and many bonds are not only less risky, but at current interest rates, they are compelling.

Stocks still haven’t returned to their last peak, and our columnist is in the camp that says this isn’t a bull market yet. But he’s buying stock anyway.

The former Fed chairman shared his thoughts with our columnist.

Treasuries have been threatened by a possible U.S. debt default, yet they remain more attractive than just about everything else, our columnist says.

A host of issues face the markets, beyond the prospect of a possible default on U.S. debt. Hedge your bets and ride it out, our columnist says.

The odds of a U.S. default are low, but the consequences could be dire. Our columnist explains how financial markets are assessing the risks.

Short-term costs for insuring U.S. bonds are skyrocketing, and the long-term effects of repeated flirtations with debt default are already a burden, our columnist says.

Economic downturns are rough on stocks, but history shows that handsome returns can pile up anyway if you stick with it, our columnist says.

The funds are paying enticing interest rates right now. But the debt ceiling and signs of weakness in the banking system are worrisome, our columnist says.

In 2022, conditions were heavily in stock pickers’ favor, but most trailed the market. This year looks worse, our columnist says.

A hard landing? A banana? Euphemisms for recession have a long history in Washington. Whatever the Fed is stating, it seems to be expecting something ugly, our columnist says.

In its fight against inflation, the Federal Reserve has contributed to the bank failures and economic instability that it is now trying to fix, our columnist says.

After raising interest rates again, the Federal Reserve will soon have to consider how much pain it is willing to inflict in its fight against inflation, our columnist says.

By quietly shedding billions in assets, the Fed is making conditions tighter for banks, home buyers and investors, our columnist says.

The central bank’s success or failure will affect your wallet and, maybe, the next election, our columnist says.

Lawmakers are trying to restrict these investment choices in workplace retirement plans, but big fund managers are trying to give shareholders a voice.

You can still put money in an I.R.A. for 2022, and that’s better than not investing at all. But an early start would have given you a great advantage, our columnist says.

Exuberance in financial markets is likely to only strengthen the Federal Reserve’s resolve and shake up those very markets, our columnist says.

While markets are predicting that inflation will fall further, savings rates still aren’t keeping up with the prices we’re paying.

With the exception of Apple, eight tech giants are no longer “pure growth” stocks, while Exxon and Chevron are, a new study says. Our columnist says: Buyer, beware.

When you invest and where matters for taxes. But a few rules of thumb can stave off some nasty surprises, our columnist says.

The risk of a federal debt ceiling breach later this year has increased. Steel yourself for trouble, our columnist writes. But remember: This, too, shall pass.