In less than two weeks, Italians will vote in a referendum on whether to change the nation’s constitution. Polls consistently suggest the government will lose the vote; even former Prime Minister Mario Monti told Bloomberg Television he’s voting “no.” And the bond market is signaling that there may be more at stake than just Prime Minister Matteo Renzi’s job. …

  If you’re not good at something, the smart thing to do is go find a professional. If you’re sick and don’t know what you have, you go to a doctor. If the wiring in your house has a short circuit, you call an electrician. But does this approach work in investing? Probably not. Doctors and electricians have to prove …

    Justin Fox The vast majority of Americans will be sitting down to a gigantic, mostly home-cooked meal this Thursday. So this seems like as good a time as any to point out that such meals have become an anomaly. Basic ingredients — such as, you know, turkeys, cranberries and sweet potatoes —now account for only 5 percent of …