Fools were out and about this week in an investing world jampacked with actions and ideas. Here are three articles you might find useful as you decide how to invest your money.
This ETF Sector Is Getting Pricey
If you invest using exchange-traded funds, you don't want to miss this advice on what to buy and what to sell. Amanda Kish, the Fool's resident fund advisor for the Rule Your Retirement investment newsletter service, says investors should check their ETFs to make sure they don't have too much invested in small-cap stocks.
"Given that small-cap stocks are so historically expensive in comparison to larger names, odds are good that they will underperform in the next stage of the market cycle," Amanda wrote. "[G]iven current valuations, higher-quality large-cap stocks likely have the most room to run."
Read the article for all of Amanda's advice on how investors can "better align their ETF portfolio to reflect today's valuations and tomorrow's opportunities." She also offers recommendations, including SPDR S&P 500 ETF
Stop Being a Wimp and Start Investing Like a Lady
As part of The Motley Fool's celebration of the winning ways of female investors, Dayana Yochim took a look at Paradigm Capital Management, which was formed in 1972 by Candace King Weir and which she now runs with daughter Amelia Weir. Paradigm serves high-net-worth and institutional investors.
Here's one tidbit from Dayana:
Even after more than three decades of investing, Candace admits that it still takes great discipline to stay focused and not be swayed by fears and factors around you: 'You have to be able to take a longer view at times,' she says. 'And you have to keep showing up every day, so to speak ... because if you don't show up, you don't get to play the game and eventually you are just out of the game.'
Read the whole article for more on what makes the fairer sex better at picking stocks. You can also download, for free, the first chapter of Warren Buffett Invests Like a Girl, the new book from LouAnn Lofton and The Motley Fool.
Avoid Sure Losses With These Investments
Fool editor and writer Dan Caplinger offers two strategies to protect the purchasing power of your money against inflation: (1) hold cash, and (2) buy cheap stocks with good dividends.
Holding cash isn't about socking your money away in low-interest savings accounts or CDs. The rationale behind holding cash is about "having dry powder ready to capitalize on future opportunities," Dan wrote.
The second strategy involves picking dividend-paying companies that will hold up even if the stock market drops. Dan recommends considering stalwarts such as Procter & Gamble
Check out the article for more on how to give yourself a fighting chance to make real money in the long run.
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