LPL Financial has rolled out a new blockchain strategy separately managed account that LPL's advisers can offer their clients or use to build client portfolios. Blockchain is the driving force behind bitcoin and many other cryptocurrencies, but there are no cryptocurrencies in the strategy. Instead, the separately managed account invests in companies that use the distributed ledger system as a business strategy. BP, for example, is the separately managed account's top holding. The blockchain...

As we approach tax deadline day on April 17, your clients may have a number of questions for you. Some are easy. "Can I deduct the cost of 12 boxes of Girl Scout cookies I bought?" (No.) "Will you back my claim for 14 dependents?" (No). But here's one you should think about before answering: "Why are most of my stocks in tax-deferred accounts?" Because you should be advising your clients to stuff their retirement accounts with bonds — and gold, if they own any — and keep most of their stock...

Morningstar Inc. announced its U.S. fund managers of the year, an honor it has been giving active managers since 1988. Past winners include Peter Lynch, former manager of Fidelity Magellan, as well as his successor, Jeff Vinik; Dan Fuss, manager of Loomis Sayles Bond; and David Herro, manager of Oakmark International. Here’s a look at the winners – and then a few of the runners-up, too. Latest from InvestmentNews David Giroux T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation (PRWCX) Morningstar category:...

The mutual fund industry has a long history of rolling out new specialty funds at precisely the wrong time, and the latest round of blockchain funds isn't detracting from that reputation. Bitcoin, the most popular digital currency, saw its value peak above $19,000 in December. As of this writing, it's trading at $11,227 after dipping below $10,000 earlier this week. Among the possible worries for bitcoin investors: A plethora of rival cryptocurrencies, as well as threatened crackdowns on...

Advisers wary of the bitcoin craze were vindicated Monday after the digitical currency dropped 13%. After hitting a high of $3,000 on Sunday, bitcoins dropped nearly $400 and were selling for $2,610. The surge in bitcoin prices had been astonishing. A single bitcoin cost $968.23 on Dec. 31, according to coindesk.com. Even after Monday's drop, they were was still up about 150% on the year. Naturally, that attracted some attention from investors, and translated into calls to advisers. Advisers...