High quality international government bonds have historically provided similar levels of returns to those of U.S. Treasury bonds. Importantly, their safety shines when investors need it most—during times of extreme stock market distress. Unfortunately, no suitable mutual fund existed to allow investors low cost and diversified exposure to this important asset class. Until now.

With the this year’s batch of “Where to Invest” market guides now hitting stores, a review of the leading financial publications’ 2011 predictions might serve as a necessary warning for investors bent on following that advice.

A lawsuit brought against Ameriprise Financial by its own employees underscores the importance of minimizing investment costs. But we think there’s another story here that has gone unreported.

Our thoughts on Congress’s well-publicized standoff and the U.S.’s imminent collision with the debt ceiling.

Conventional wisdom suggests investors should favor high-growth economies like China and India in their investment portfolios. But is GDP growth really a precursor to stock market returns?

Q: With the recent news that one of the world’s highest-profile bond managers eliminated his fund’s exposure to U.S. Treasury bonds, should we be selling our Treasuries, too? Do other types of bonds now offer better return opportunities?