Every year has its ups and downs, but 2011 seemed to have more than most, creating unusual volatility in the financial markets, with wild swings that had many investors gasping for breath. In a two-week period from July 25 through August 8, the S&P 500 lost almost 17% of its value. Late in the fall, [...]

It’s good to understand Europe’s debt crisis and why it’s affecting U.S. markets. Here’s an overview of how the European Union operates, why the euro is in danger, and what the crisis could mean to American investors.  Unless you regularly read the Financial Times or otherwise keep up with world financial news, you may be [...]