Briefly Noted

Asset Allocation
"For Long-Term Investors, the Focus Should Be on Risk"
When determining the optimal allocation for your own portfolio, it's best to focus first on how much you are able and willing to lose.

Mutual Funds
Does Your Portfolio Need an Addition? Think Real Estate Funds
Real estate funds have had quite a run over the last five years, and the bull market may or may not be over. But these funds hold charm for investors beyond just the potential for high raw returns.

Investment Newsletters
Should You Seek or Shun the Most Popular Stocks?
Contrary to the contrarians, a short study shows you shouldn't automatically shun the most popular stocks.

Tax Strategies
Tracking Basis in Mergers, Splits and Other Corporate Actions
Properly tracking a stock's basis can save you a bundle at tax time, but corporate actions can complicate matters. A look at some of the rules.

Portfolio Strategies
For Long-Term Investors, the Focus Should Be on Risk
When determining the optimal allocation for your own portfolio, it's best to focus first on how much you are able and willing to lose.

Stock Strategies
Low-Cost Investing: A Guide to Dividend Reinvestment Plans
Buying stock with little or no commission is the major attraction of dividend reinvestment plans. This year's annual guide lists over 300 companies that will sell their initial shares directly to the public.

Stock Screens
A Conservative Approach to Screening for High Dividend Yields
Dividend-paying stocks provide a bit of a safe harbor during market tempests. Our high-yield screen offers a conservative approach to investing in dividend-paying stocks.

Departments
Briefly Noted
Current news items of interest to individual investors.

Departments
Letters to the Editor
Member questions and comments on recent AAII Journal articles.