U.S. job growth seen tapering off slightly

MARKETWATCH FRONT PAGE

U.S. employment report for March should help clarify the economic picture after an unusually warm winter helped boost growth early in 2012. See full story.

Stock funds star in blockbuster 2012 opener

U.S. stock investors came out of 2011�s �hunger games� secure that both the U.S. and Europe had survived a treacherous year, and they gave 2012 a powerful, profitable opening to rival any Hollywood blockbuster. But we�ve seen this movie before. See full story.

Fund, ETF investors could see global gains fade

Stock-fund and ETF investors venturing outside of the U.S. waded into calmer waters in the first quarter, but rough currents lie ahead. Positioning portfolios against such uncertainties will dominate investors� attention. See full story.

Bond fund investors ride out market�s bumps

If the first quarter is any indicator, bond market behavior may finally reflect the �new normal� that Pimco�s Bill Gross and others first started talking about a few years back. See full story.

How to boost your investing stamina

Research indicates that for most investors, doing nothing may be their best path to portfolio success, writes Steve Beck of MarketRiders. See full story.

MARKETWATCH COMMENTARY

Instead of acknowledging that banks have become a part of government, we keep pretending they are private institutions, writes David Weidner. See full story.

MARKETWATCH PERSONAL FINANCE

Is the state that you have designs on retiring to tax friendly or not? And the basic questions to answer are these: How does the state tax your income? How does it tax your property and your consumption? And what�s the overall tax burden? See full story.