NewsWatch: You may be surprised which stock-market sector has been the hottest in the past year

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MARKETWATCH FRONT PAGE

Utility stocks have not only soared during the past 12 months, they have also measured up well over the long haul. See full story.

The downside to Charles Schwab and TD Ameritrade eliminating trading fees (yes, really)

Financial advisers discuss the real cost of free stock trades. See full story.

Meet the millennial who’s sworn off her smartphone for 12 months for $100,000 — and why she won’t go back to one

Author Elana Mugdan is four months away from claiming the prize. See full story.

Fed has the tools to combat next recession, Bernanke says

The Federal Reserve has more ammunition than thought to counter the next recession, said former Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke on Thursday. See full story.

This widening crack in the mortgage market could sink U.S. home prices

Re-defaults on already modified mortgages are a threat to homeowners, writes Keith Jurow. See full story.

MARKETWATCH PERSONAL FINANCE

Some 300 men and women, ages 21 to 70, with no history of heart problems were given portable blood pressure cuffs for two consecutive days. See full story.