Brace yourself for meager U.S. stock returns

MARKETWATCH FRONT PAGE

It may not be easy to dance in and out of stocks, but there�s a good way of assessing the market�s valuation and setting expectations for likely returns over the next decade. Investment manager John Coumarianos writes about the Shiller P/E and why it now predicts meager U.S. market returns. See full story.

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In a minority of U.S. metropolitan areas, violent crime has been on the rise. See full story.

Five stocks that may win from Obamacare

As major provisions of Obamacare start to take effect, here are some stocks worth watching. See full story.

U.S. stocks gain on budget hopes

U.S. stocks rise, supported by optimism that Republicans and Democrats will eventually reach a deal to avoid the fiscal cliff of tax and spending measures that could tip the economy back into recession. See full story.

5 blind spots for index investors

They may be cheap and easy to use, but they also have their downsides. See full story.

MARKETWATCH COMMENTARY

The fiscal cliff is a misleading metaphor, writes Rex Nutting. The tax and spending laws will change on that day, it�s true, but the impact will be spread out over many, many months. We�re already feeling the pain. See full story.

MARKETWATCH PERSONAL FINANCE

The ad-revenue bonanza up for grabs in the map war. See full story.