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Feb 17, 2016

Suddenly, the future just ain’t what it used to be for Smart Beta funds. By now, you’ve probably heard of “smart beta” mutual funds and exchange-traded funds. Some academic studies using back-tests suggest that, yes, these new-age portfolios—in which stocks are weighted by rules or “factors” other than their market value, like dividends, value, high momentum, or low volatility—can outpace a straight index over extended periods—say, a full market cycle or two. But don’t expect outperformance every year. In fact, many Smart Beta funds that took off rather well, are falling harder than the market itself. That's what they were built to avoid. Steve and Sinclair examine why its happening. In the Q & A, we review a Kiplinger's quiz on money management for couples who want to stay together for the long haul.