Investor Spring Cleaning 2011

Retails investors are buying up options as never before after being burned too many times in volatile markets. But these instruments can be complex and investors can easily be led astray.

It's looking like an especially dynamic year for the currency market, so you might want to check out a new generation of low-cost, online foreign exchange trading platforms.

The volatility switch has flipped in the energy sector, creating opportunities for investors ready to buy at increasingly attractive entry points in what may be a repeat of the 2008 mega-rally.

This year is likely to bring another record number of exchange traded funds, with a good number of them built around booming sectors and exotic niches.

In our annual special report, you'll find a bucket of investment-advice stories, as well as soothsaying analysis from our coterie of market watchers, stock charts, polls, slideshows and a quiz.

Measuring the benefits of dividend payments is a balancing act. For tech companies, it’s a matter of whether the valuation support that dividends provide justifies the implicit admission that their organic growth opportunities are limited.

Investment flows turned against Asia-Pacific in the first quarter of this year, but the most promising markets look  poised for another wave of hot money in the second half of 2011.

Stocks are off their recent lows but still shy of their February highs. Some say it's just a correction or pause in the advance, while skeptics say the two-year rally is over. Tell  us what you think?

There are recent signs that retail investors are moving back into the market. What about you?

In the past three years, stocks, bonds and commodities have all posted big gains at one time or another, while those favoring the safety of cash have seen minimal return on their investments.

YCMNET Investment Committee Chairman Michael A. Yoshikami sees disappointing U.S. economic growth but strength in emerging markets and commodities for the rest of the year.

The list of trip wires for the markets is getting longer. We decided to do a little trouble shooting to see if there are others lurking out there for 2011.

Stephen Schork of "The Schork Report" says the impact of the Middle East turmoil is far from over and expects a a "scorched earth" approach from departing rulers.

A selloff may be likely ahead of the end to the Fed's QE2, growth outside the U.S. will lead and technological in health care will attract investors.

March 2011 will be one of those months to remember for investors. And despite a rough start, it managed to contribute to the market's best quarterly performnace in almost 15 years. Here are the best and worst performing stocks in the ten sectors of the S&P 500 during Q1.

The central bank's exit from QE2 will be tricky, energy prices could spook investors and consumers, and housing and jobs need help from each other.

Watch for the Middle East and Japan to hit corporate profits, China to keep the brakes on growth and governments to struggle with rising inflation.

From Libya to Larry Page, markets have absorbed an above-average amount of headlines so far in 2011. Let's take a quick look at some of the headlines beyond geo-politics and then put on the table what might happen next.