When you go check your mailbox or glance at the newsstand, do you expect it to impact your investment decisions? Many of today’s most popular magazines publish regular cover stories about what’s happening in the market. While most covers and their accompanying stories may provide good information, it’s unrealistic to think you should act on the advice and change your financial plan. At the New York Times, we review the risks of relying on magazine covers to direct investment behavior.

Magazine Covers are Lousy Investment Signals (New York Times)