ETFs Run Into Market's Wall

Andrew Leckey writes in the Chicago Tribune that although more than three times as many exchange-traded funds are now on the market compared to three years ago, total ETF assets were down in 2008 from the previous year. 

He then takes that factoid to provide a link between declining markets and a slowdown in new ETF launches in 2008. Leckey talks to some analysts who provide a variety of their favorite choices in the field. 

You can read the story here. 

Top-Performing Vanguard Funds

The analysts at TheStreet.com review performances of Vanguard mutual funds, both indexed and non-indexed, in December. 

Real estate, emerging markets and bonds did very well last month. 

You can read the story here.

Bill Gross Likes TIPS, Munis And Government Debt

Pimco's bond guru Bill Gross has started telling investors to dip into Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities, munis and debt to be swooped up by the government, according to Bloomberg News.

The article takes an interesting look at the record of Gross over the most recent market turmoils. 

You can read it here.