Letters to the Editor

Features
Nine Timeless Rules for Investing in Mutual Funds (and ETFs)
Articles that propose some arbitrary number of rules for doing something can be surprisingly seductive. This article focuses on the arbitrary number of 9--but the underlying rules themselves are critical if you invest in mutual funds or exchange-traded funds, or are contemplating investing in them.

Portfolio Strategies
Retirement Plans: Evaluating the New Roth IRA Conversion Opportunity
Starting in 2010, investors have the option of converting all or part of their traditional IRA into a Roth IRA regardless of how much they earn. Whether you are years away or approaching retirement, you may find it worthwhile to consider a conversion--either for yourself or to potentially leave tax-free assets to heirs.

The First Cut
Attractively Priced Share Buyback Stocks
A starting point for investors. This issue's focus is on finding stocks that have recently repurchased their shares, and have below-average price-to-book-value ratios.

The Best of the AAII Journal
How to Create Your Own Pension: A Closer Look at Immediate Annuities
How would you like to have lifelong income even after you retire? That's what it's like to receive a pension. What if you don't have one? One option is to buy a product that will create one for you--an "immediate annuity," which is the oldest product of its kind in the marketplace.

Offbeat Offerings
Inverse and Leveraged ETFs
An investor reference for products that are not your typical offering. This issue looks at exchange-traded funds that use inverse and leveraged strategies.

Stock Screens
Using Triggers to Beat the Market: The Charles Kirkpatrick "Relative" Approach
Despite the stock market’s recent wild ride, many still believe that stocks are the best investment vehicle available--including Charles Kirkpatrick, president of Kirkpatrick & Co., a technical research firm, and publisher of the Kirkpatrick Market Strategist. A focus on Kirkpatrick’s "relative" investment philosophy.

Stock Screens
Building Stock Screens Using the Kirkpatrick "Relative" Approach
How can individual investors implement the Kirkpatrick approach? A look at AAII's stock screens based on Charles Kirkpatrick's stock selection processes.

AAII Model Portfolios
Model ETF Portfolio: Beats Benchmark, But Total Recovery Not Yet Complete
The AAII Model ETF Portfolio is benefiting handsomely from the positive movement in the stock market this year, with a year-to-date return of 38.2%, compared to a return of 22.7% for its ETF benchmark.