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MSN Money Investing Ideas (326 unread)
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8 stocks for the market's next rally
Posted: September 9th, 2010, 3:00pm MDT
Take a look at which stocks made big moves in the market's Sept. 1 bounce. That's your guide for where you'll want to be invested when the real turnaround comes. -
Is the smart money buying now?
Posted: September 8th, 2010, 5:45pm MDT
When even self-help guru Tony Robbins is warning of a crash, it's tempting for contrarians to start investing. But are today's stock prices actually good bargains? -
No inflation means no recovery
Posted: September 8th, 2010, 5:00pm MDT
Companies, consumers, investors and banks are tucking away their cash, making it harder for the US economy to pull out of the doldrums. Rising prices could fix all of that. -
Investors head for the bunker
Posted: September 8th, 2010, 4:00pm MDT
Shares soar at companies that make fallout-shelter staples such as Spam, jams, gas masks and power generators. -
CEOs: Cut more jobs, make more money
Posted: September 7th, 2010, 4:00pm MDT
A study reveals an unsettling trend from the Great Recession: Not only did many CEOs get raises while laying off workers, those who cut more got bigger pay packages. -
Inflation, stagflation and you
Posted: September 3rd, 2010, 4:00pm MDT
How can you navigate the threat of the 'flations'? One option is to follow the yellow brick road and buy gold. -
Getting a yen for Japanese stocks
Posted: September 2nd, 2010, 5:00pm MDT
Japan's currency keeps rising, making it a haven from US economic woes and creating bargains for investors. Here are 3 stocks to consider buying in the fall. -
The No. 1 key to a fund's success
Posted: August 31st, 2010, 4:00pm MDT
A study by Morningstar says the company's star rating system isn't the most vital factor in predicting a mutual fund's performance. -
How the stock market is killing jobs
Posted: August 31st, 2010, 4:00pm MDT
Today's rapid-fire, anyone-can-play market makes it tougher for small companies to raise money to grow and hire. Do we need a new market to save the economy? -
Dell-HP bidding war: The real story
Posted: August 30th, 2010, 5:30pm MDT
Why are the tech giants willing to pay nearly $2 billion for a data storage company that isn't turning a profit? -
Fund manager touts the good side of vice
Posted: August 27th, 2010, 5:00pm MDT
So much for righteousness in tough economic times. Overall, stocks of companies peddling products that many of us associate with bad habits are beating the market. -
The next bubble is in punditry
Posted: August 27th, 2010, 4:00pm MDT
If a well-known economist couldn't spot the biggest equity bubble ever, I wouldn't put much faith in his prediction of a bursting bond bubble. -
3 takeover targets to take aim at
Posted: August 26th, 2010, 5:30pm MDT
Deals are driving prices higher, so making money should be easy -- theoretically. Here are stocks (and target prices) that are worth watching. -
Should you buy gold coins?
Posted: August 25th, 2010, 6:00pm MDT
Many analysts shy away from the metal. But if you want to own gold you can touch, here's what to watch out for. -
Is America the next Japan?
Posted: August 25th, 2010, 5:40pm MDT
As if someone flipped a switch, Japan fell from economic powerhouse to long-term basket case. Is America doomed to suffer the same fate? -
The Glenn Beck school of investing
Posted: August 25th, 2010, 5:00pm MDT
Conservative talk-show host Glenn Beck doesn't claim to be a money expert, but he does dispense a lot of financial advice. Are gold and seeds good places to put your cash? -
Time is on investors' side
Posted: August 23rd, 2010, 4:00pm MDT
The stock market is in short-term disarray, but big buying opportunities are emerging for long-term investors. -
Is another market crash coming?
Posted: August 20th, 2010, 5:00pm MDT
From jobs to housing to the "September effect," several economic and market indicators are warning investors to be cautious. -
Cost of this time down: Stagflation
Posted: August 20th, 2010, 2:30pm MDT
Bubbles burst, and no amount of clever labels can change that fact. Recovery is going to take a while, and we can expect low growth and inflation while we wait. -
5 places to invest before you retire
Posted: August 19th, 2010, 5:00pm MDT
Companies in these countries will be in your portfolio a decade from now. So why not buy today, before they're big, and participate in their growth? -
10 great funds it pays to own
Posted: August 18th, 2010, 5:00pm MDT
Put more cash in your pocket and protect your portfolio with funds that pay dividends and interest. It's probably better than stuffing your money under a mattress (or in Treasurys). -
Is investing (in companies) dead?
Posted: August 18th, 2010, 4:00pm MDT
The phenomenon of index investing driven by high-tech trading machines has turned finding great companies -- or even great funds -- into a near-impossible game. -
Why your bookstore is going out of business
Posted: August 17th, 2010, 3:00pm MDT
As e-book readers continue to improve in quality and come down in price, it's inevitable that Amazon.com will dominate the book market. -
The real key to investing? Luck
Posted: August 16th, 2010, 4:10pm MDT
There's no 'normal return.' So your best bet is to start early, save regularly and hope the market doesn't trip you up. -
The 5 biggest corporate flops
Posted: August 13th, 2010, 4:00pm MDT
Investors are working up an appetite for initial public offerings once again. But be warned: For some IPOs, dreams turn to dust quickly. -
A patently obvious way to add jobs
Posted: August 13th, 2010, 4:00pm MDT
Help on the employment front? All it should take is a little invention, and that help is waiting for us at the underfunded patent office. -
China feels global-market pain
Posted: August 12th, 2010, 6:00pm MDT
The worldwide network of getting goods made and sold is becoming even more complex. But here's how investors can benefit. -
MasterCard or Visa: Which is a buy?
Posted: August 11th, 2010, 5:00pm MDT
While new regulations have challenged both credit card issuers and beaten down their stock prices, a close look reveals which is better positioned for a rebound. -
Is corporate America rusting away?
Posted: August 11th, 2010, 9:37am MDT
Businesses, like US consumers, have held on to their cash and avoided debt. It was a good short-term game plan, but it won't work forever (and won't create much-needed jobs). -
8 CEOs' total windfall: $250 million
Posted: August 10th, 2010, 6:00pm MDT
As stock prices tumbled in 2008-09, companies made huge options grants to their top execs, who then scored millions when the market recovered. See who's up $75 million. -
Are China's banks in trouble?
Posted: August 9th, 2010, 5:00pm MDT
Plans for a stricter test of the country's banking system look good on the surface, but they could really be a sign of problems ahead. -
Chipotle vs. Panera: Fast-casual clash
Posted: August 9th, 2010, 4:00pm MDT
Nutritionally and socially conscious eaters have boosted the fortunes of these 2 chain restaurants. But which of them is better positioned to boost investors' fortunes? -
Would automatic IRAs save retirement?
Posted: August 6th, 2010, 6:00pm MDT
Experts at think tanks on both ends of the political spectrum embrace the idea (which Democrats will soon propose), but businesses are balking. -
Stocks on the road to nowhere
Posted: August 6th, 2010, 4:00pm MDT
A tour through earnings season shows why the outlook for stocks is not compelling. Case in point: Microsoft's solid earnings and the market's ho-hum reaction. -
2 tests for Chinese giants
Posted: August 5th, 2010, 5:00pm MDT
In diverse fields -- trains and telecommunications -- we'll soon learn whether some of China's leading companies can win business on the global stage. -
What if the jobs don't come back?
Posted: August 4th, 2010, 6:00pm MDT
A lot of jobs fed by the housing bubble are gone, and it's not clear what will replace them or how long it will take. -
Why are the rich still whining?
Posted: August 3rd, 2010, 5:00pm MDT
While most Americans continue coping with diminished expectations, the wealthiest have seen their net worth bounce back sharply. Yet they keep complaining. -
3-D IPO and other hot new stocks
Posted: August 3rd, 2010, 2:00pm MDT
There's a boom under way among intriguing companies new to the market -- including the one that makes those glasses we couldn't see 'Avatar' in 3-D without. -
Fannie and Freddie must die
Posted: August 2nd, 2010, 6:00pm MDT
The taxpayer wards have gotten billions in bailouts in the name of preventing a mortgage meltdown and housing collapse. And now Congress is looking for a solution. Watch out. -
A sure way to invest and lose
Posted: August 2nd, 2010, 5:00pm MDT
Most investors do a good job of picking mutual funds but cancel that advantage with ill-timed buying and selling, a study indicates. Here are ways around the problem. -
Game on: Number nonsense continues
Posted: July 30th, 2010, 5:00pm MDT
Wall Street has failed to grasp that consensus earnings estimates have no bearing on a company's financial health. Plus: Why mining stocks (wrongly) get the shaft. -
Is this America's worst investment?
Posted: July 30th, 2010, 3:00pm MDT
Investors have poured billions into exchange-traded funds that attempt to track the prices of raw materials. But when commodities go up, commodity ETFs often don't. -
Did Exxon misplay its bet on China?
Posted: July 29th, 2010, 4:00pm MDT
If new estimates are right, China won't import as much liquefied natural gas as once thought, leaving big energy companies -- particularly Exxon Mobil -- in the lurch. -
Safe plays for shellshocked investors
Posted: July 28th, 2010, 5:00pm MDT
Fear can make settling for low returns seem almost prudent. But seeking safety doesn't have to mean accepting sorry returns, especially at this point in the market cycle. -
Is your smart phone spying on you?
Posted: July 27th, 2010, 5:00pm MDT
The same device that puts the world at your fingertips can be a snoop's best friend. Here's how consumers -- and investors -- can respond to the risks. -
The best banks to invest in
Posted: July 26th, 2010, 5:00pm MDT
The post-crisis financial landscape may be confusing, but it offers more banking models to choose from -- including one that seems poised for long-term growth. -
Congress overhauls your portfolio
Posted: July 23rd, 2010, 5:00pm MDT
Newly enacted financial reforms are significant for ordinary investors, who should prepare for changes in their mutual funds, brokerage accounts and stock holdings. -
Deflation 'crisis' doesn't exist
Posted: July 23rd, 2010, 4:30pm MDT
The growing fear of falling prices is exactly why we need to protect ourselves from rising ones -- and the money printing that produces them. -
Why to buy stocks and houses now
Posted: July 14th, 2010, 6:30pm MDT
These investments may not look so great today. But prices suggest the time to commit long term is now. -
Could the Dow fall to 1,000?
Posted: July 14th, 2010, 6:30pm MDT
A recent dive in the market and some pessimistic predictions have investors running scared again. Here's a look at some worst-case scenarios -- and how to prepare. -
Sex, drugs and rockin' profits
Posted: July 13th, 2010, 3:00pm MDT
Viagra and its clones created a multibillion-dollar industry that the recession hasn't touched. And the next generation of sex drugs, including 'female Viagra,' is on the way. -
Stocks that stand the test of time
Posted: July 12th, 2010, 6:45pm MDT
Fund manager Robert Zagunis looks for 3 indicators of quality growth -- and buys only stocks that have at least a decade of solid profitability behind them. -
Can China keep its economy afloat?
Posted: July 12th, 2010, 6:30pm MDT
With the ability to pile on the stimulus and ignore bad news, the country's system is inefficient but productive. Long-term prospects, however, may be harrowing. -
Market too mean for small investors?
Posted: July 12th, 2010, 4:00pm MDT
Just when people were starting to think it was safe to return to stocks, a 2-month slide and renewed volatility has small investors running scared again. -
The market's best bet right now
Posted: July 9th, 2010, 6:00pm MDT
If there's a sizable rally, big technology stocks seem most likely to outperform. But take care: The era of high valuations is over, and the future still looks rough. -
3 big myths about the economy
Posted: July 9th, 2010, 3:00pm MDT
The problem with what passes for debate about American capitalism these days is that it's underpinned by lies and spin. Do you believe any of these tall tales? -
Once-booming Curves is slimming down
Posted: July 9th, 2010, 8:30am MDT
The women's fitness-club franchise is losing stamina, closing more locations than it is opening. -
Are stocks cheap? (And which ones?)
Posted: July 8th, 2010, 6:30pm MDT
Every investor knows to buy low, but how do you make an educated guess about whether a stock is near the bottom or has further to fall? Plus: 5 stocks that look like bargains. -
Wait! Was that the recovery?
Posted: July 7th, 2010, 6:00pm MDT
A grim twist in the market's road to health has heightened investors' sense of doom and gloom. We've seen this before; take a look at what happened then. -
7 things to ask your financial adviser
Posted: July 7th, 2010, 4:30pm MDT
You want an adviser who knows something about you and your goals. It's also important to understand your adviser's motives, expertise and methods. -
The case for extending jobless benefits
Posted: July 7th, 2010, 2:00pm MDT
Unemployment checks provide Americans with income when the private sector can't -- and people who receive benefits spend the money right away, stimulating the economy. -
Kicking the tires on GM's IPO
Posted: July 6th, 2010, 4:00pm MDT
It's still at least a few months away, but selling shares again will be a major step in the automaker's remarkable recovery. Should you buy General Motors' stock? -
7 funds for 2010's second half
Posted: July 6th, 2010, 3:30pm MDT
The recent pullback has many investors seeking safety, but bailing out of stocks is probably not the answer. Here's a portfolio that aims for both growth and security. -
Dividend stocks are hot again
Posted: July 2nd, 2010, 4:30pm MDT
Dividend investing has rarely looked better for those seeking steady income. As the economy regains its footing, corporate balance sheets are brimming with cash. -
The housing bubble hangover, part 2
Posted: July 2nd, 2010, 3:00pm MDT
A booming 'shadow inventory' in the housing market is almost certain to bring another wave of falling prices and another round of Federal Reserve stimulus. -
Which way(s) will world markets go?
Posted: July 1st, 2010, 5:00pm MDT
They probably won't move in step over the next few months. Emerging economies may be on the upswing, while developed nations may not be so lucky. What's an investor to do? -
10 ways financial reform falls short
Posted: July 1st, 2010, 4:00pm MDT
Good things survived the weakened legislation providing oversight and regulation of the US financial system. But the measure needs to be stronger. -
How the downturn is remaking retirement
Posted: June 30th, 2010, 5:00pm MDT
Many Americans are no longer looking to maximize returns on their assets. The new emphasis is on protecting investments from sharp declines in value. -
Will falling prices sink the economy?
Posted: June 30th, 2010, 4:00pm MDT
Deflation has gotten more attention, and there's an undeniable appeal in seeing prices drop. But if you're an investor, now might be a good time to bet on inflation's return. -
Tough choice: BP or nuclear power
Posted: June 29th, 2010, 5:30pm MDT
The oil disaster in the Gulf and concerns over global warming could spur greater interest in building nuke plants. That means new options for investors to explore. -
For investors, the future is on hold
Posted: June 21st, 2010, 9:30pm MDT
What happened to the dire predictions of higher interest rates and inflation? Those may still happen, but here's how to adjust your investment strategy in the meantime. -
2010's most loved (and hated) funds
Posted: June 21st, 2010, 6:01pm MDT
As the year's first half nears its end, investors are fleeing big stock funds for bond funds. Are you going with the flow? Inflow and outflow figures can tell you. -
5 funds to ease you back into the market
Posted: June 18th, 2010, 7:00pm MDT
Conservative-allocation funds typically invest in a mix of stocks, bonds and cash. Their diversification can help investors manage risk and preserve capital. -
Time bombs put portfolios in peril
Posted: June 17th, 2010, 7:00pm MDT
In the next several months, any or all of these could detonate, and each has the potential to inflict serious damage on your investments. -
Pop goes the bond fund balloon?
Posted: June 16th, 2010, 7:45pm MDT
Shellshocked investors are pouring money into bonds for their perceived safety. But are they buying into a bubble? -
Tactics to bear-proof your portfolio
Posted: June 15th, 2010, 7:00pm MDT
Nontraditional mutual funds and ETFs designed to act as buffers in down markets can help investors manage risk and preserve capital. -
When to buy emerging-market stocks
Posted: June 14th, 2010, 9:30pm MDT
You probably know the big reasons developing economies are growing. Here's how to tell when to favor emerging-market stocks over their developed-world counterparts. -
Gold: Ultimate overdraft protection
Posted: June 11th, 2010, 6:30pm MDT
With uncertainty, volatility and money printing the orders of the day, one asset is the clear winner when it comes to protecting wealth. -
Pull your portfolio out of its rut
Posted: June 10th, 2010, 4:41pm MDT
You can't rely on old investing habits to guide you in this volatile market; instead, explore your discomfort zone. Here's how. Also: 3 finds from out-of-the-way places. -
How Wall Street stokes populist fury
Posted: June 9th, 2010, 7:00pm MDT
Record levels of income inequality contribute to the sour mood of the citizenry. Brushing off responsibility for the excesses of the bubble doesn't help. -
4 big companies built on the cheap
Posted: June 9th, 2010, 2:09pm MDT
Most entrepreneurs would prefer a well-capitalized launch, but these companies show it's possible to flourish despite meager beginnings. -
Time for investors to wait and watch
Posted: June 8th, 2010, 9:00pm MDT
Don't feel motivated to do any buying or selling? Join the club. But while conditions are less than tantalizing, focus on pruning your portfolio and forming a watch list. -
American investors: Predictably stupid
Posted: June 8th, 2010, 2:00pm MDT
Not only are our brains irrational, but our behavior is easily predicted by wolves on Wall Street, who are only too eager to lead us sheep to the slaughterhouse. -
3 ways to fend off a bad market
Posted: June 7th, 2010, 8:15pm MDT
When things get ugly, many investors turn away from stocks and stock funds. But you're likely to do better with funds like these that know how to weather a storm. -
Market spinning but going nowhere
Posted: June 4th, 2010, 7:00pm MDT
After their recent gyrations, there isn't a lot of motivation to either buy or short stocks. Plus: What's next for the tumbling euro? -
Big Oil's headache is getting worse
Posted: June 3rd, 2010, 7:00pm MDT
As the Gulf spill grows, public anger is starting to convince politicians that it could pay to vote against the oil industry and in favor of a new national energy policy. -
Can BP survive Gulf disaster?
Posted: June 3rd, 2010, 4:18pm MDT
The British oil giant is worth billions of dollars less on the open market than it was when the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded -- and it faces billions more in liabilities. -
10 best funds for the long haul
Posted: June 1st, 2010, 7:00pm MDT
U.S. News & World Report looked into 10-year records and kept digging to find the top-performing mutual funds for long-term investors. These are the best of the best. -
What the US can learn from GM
Posted: June 1st, 2010, 4:30pm MDT
A year ago, GM was on the verge of obsolescence for business practices that have much in common with the way the federal government operates. -
China's Ponzi-like banking policy
Posted: June 1st, 2010, 4:00pm MDT
Hoping to lure investors into a massive bank IPO and other financial stocks, China is pouring cash into its banks. That could mean big profits -- at first. -
Waking up to the golden rule
Posted: May 28th, 2010, 4:00pm MDT
There are signs that investors are realizing the real value of gold -- and that gold stocks are like owning a piece of the moneymaking machine. -
Easy pickings for dividend income
Posted: May 27th, 2010, 8:30pm MDT
The recent market decline has uncovered some surprising finds. If yield is the name of the game (isn't it always?), the Jubak dividend-income portfolio is ready for an update. -
Time to be bold -- and buy into Europe
Posted: May 26th, 2010, 9:00pm MDT
Don't let Greece's troubles or the falling euro scare you away. The fallout from this huge mess might be good for European stocks. -
10 best cities for the next decade
Posted: May 26th, 2010, 11:00am MDT
Though slowed by the recession, these US cities have flourished by fostering innovations that put Americans to work and keep the nation ahead of the competition. -
Spill creates buying opportunities
Posted: May 25th, 2010, 8:30pm MDT
The disaster in the Gulf has sent stocks of companies involved in offshore oil spinning down. But unless you think drilling is going to stop, it may be time to buy them. -
Euro crisis is tip of the iceberg
Posted: May 24th, 2010, 8:00pm MDT
What we see is scary enough, but the hidden part is something virtually every nation will have to navigate around during the next couple of decades. -
What financial reform means for you
Posted: May 21st, 2010, 6:50pm MDT
The White House wants a final bill by July 4 that curbs some of most egregious lending tactics and requires homebuyers to prove they can afford their mortgage payments. -
Europe's dilemma: Print money or cut debt?
Posted: May 21st, 2010, 6:37pm MDT
The euro wasn't built for this continuing battle to establish financial rules, pitting more-prudent countries against those requiring bailouts. -
Skip the funds, buy the fund company?
Posted: May 20th, 2010, 7:00pm MDT
While you've fretted about which mutual funds to buy for your 401k, the companies managing those funds have made piles of money. Should you buy their stocks instead? -
Europe's pain could be your gain
Posted: May 20th, 2010, 6:00pm MDT
The euro crisis is rattling markets and economies around the world. But in the US, it means cheaper loans, lower gas prices and good news for investors.