Senate Passes Landmark Financial Reform Bill
Caitlin Huey-Burns

The Senate gave final approval to a 2,300 page financial reform bill after over a year of craftsmanship, concessions, and marathon debates. President Obama is expected to sign the bill, putting into law unprecedented regulations on Wall Street and protection for consumers

Republicans' Aversion to Financial Reform Misguided
Robyn Blumner

You would think financial reform -- after what bankers just put us through -- would be the one thing that Republicans would join in doing. However, GOP party leadership ducked its responsibility by fabricating a different narrative as to what caused the financial crisis. It's time to take on those myths and spell out the real reasons they did not support financial reform

Did Goldman Sachs Get Off Easy?
Rob Silverblatt

In the wake of the Securities and Exchange Commission's announcement that it has settled its case against Goldman Sachs, experts are divided about who exactly comes out ahead in the proposed deal. For its part, the SEC s touting the settlement as a landmark victory. Still, other observers have been lining up to say that Goldman got off easy.

Why the Economy Isn't Quite as Bad as It Seems
Rob Silverblatt and Ben Baden

Some have sounded the alarm that a double-dip recession could be approaching. But even as the possibility looms that the economy could slide back into recession territory, economists are still by and large betting against it. Lifted by a handful of bright spots in otherwise bleak economic data, the prevailing sentiment appears to be that the ongoing slump is just a bump in the road

Managing Debt Remains Key in Face of An Uncertain Economy
Andrew Leckey

Easing out of recession amid the economic and market ambiguity of 2010 is the uneasy position that average consumers find themselves in these days. Piling up home-related debt and betting on immense financial-market gains -- the popular game plan of a few years ago -- is no longer in step with the times

Should Investors Sit This One Out?
Rob Silverblatt

Perhaps the most daunting aspect of the recent market turmoil is the simple fact that whenever stocks shoot up, a whole army of rally-killing scenarios seems poised to swoop in and drag prices back down. As this confluence of factors injects a sense of unpredictability into the stock market, it's no surprise that many jittery investors have opted to sell some holdings and hang onto the cash

There's No 'Perfect Time' to Dive Into Investing
Andrew Leckey

Investors shouldn't hold their breath. In 2008, stock prices were low but prospects dim as our financial system teetered. Gains in 2009 were a rebound from that low point but came as a surprise. In 2010, Europe's financial weakness has shocked the world. What's a novice investor to do? Stop waiting for a sign, say the experts

Keep Bond Portfolio Broadly Diversified
Humberto Cruz

With uncertainty about the economy and the government deficit, inflation expectations and the direction of interest rates, bond investors are in a pickle. So what to do? Should investors abandon bonds and bond funds or keep their money only in the shortest-term instruments to minimize risk of principal loss if interest rates rise?

Financial Reform Legislation Gives Shareholders More Say
Kathy Kristof

Financial reform seems certain to usher in rules that shareholder advocates have been trying to win for decades as a way to rein in runaway executive pay and make corporate boards more responsive to shareholders.

7 Valuable Lessons For Investors
Katy Marquardt

In this stomach-churning market of dramatic highs and lows, it's easy for investors to lose their way. It may be time to reevaluate your strategy and refresh your investing know-how. With that in mind, a group of professional money managers provide their best investing advice

Who Got Hit Worst in the Market Crash
Mark Miller

Media coverage of the 2008 market crash often focuses on investors close to retirement age. The story line is that pre-retirement investors took some of the worst hits and compounded their difficulties when they panicked and sold at market bottom. All true. But, the overall record of these close-to-retirement investors actually is considerably better than those of other age groups

Wall Street Probes: Collateralized Debt Obligations
Rob Silverblatt

Collateralized debt obligations, once hailed as the ingenious brainchildren of a Wall Street that knew no bounds, are now at the center of a widening government probe into the nation's most prominent banks. And as the focus gradually shifts from Goldman Sachs to all of Wall Street, CDOs have become the rallying cry for those who see the need for regulators to erect walls between banks' divisions

European Debt Crisis Affects Investments
Rob Silverblatt and Ben Baden

Despite the initial confidence boost, a number of questions remain unanswered. Chief among them is what European Union countries will do to keep the problem from spiraling out of control after this temporary stopgap expires. Here you'll find explanations as to what has already happened and tips for what's on the horizon

Many 'Wide Moat' Companies Losing Competitive Advantage
Andrew Leckey

Every company is looking over its shoulder these days. The number of firms with a 'wide moat' that presents an almost insurmountable obstacle to potential competitors has been declining. Rapid-fire innovation, technology and globalization mean challengers can arise from almost anywhere. Competitive advantage these days is difficult to obtain

Your Guide to the Goldman Sachs Lawsuit
Rob Silverblatt

As the Securities and Exchange Commission thrusts the Goldman Sachs case onto the national stage, Americans are once again getting acquainted with the most controversial members of the recession-era cast of characters: the subprime mortgage, the 'too big to fail' doctrine, the Wall Street bailout, and the housing bubble, just to name a few.

Time to Break up the Big Banks
Jesse Jackson

Amid a flood of revelations about Wall Street fraud and corruption -- from mortgage brokers peddling loans they knew couldn't be paid back, to rating agencies dressing up junk with AAA ratings, to Goldman Sachs creating and selling a security designed to fail. The major question is whether the Senate will step up and vote to break up the big banks

Can SEC Beat Goldman Sachs?
Rob Silverblatt

News that the Securities and Exchange Commission filed a civil suit against Goldman Sachs has sent the investment bank's stocks reeling. But are investors overreacting? To be sure, the case is bad news for Goldman, which has come under fire recently for its handling of mortgage-backed securities during the downturn

Contrarian Investors Target Promising Out-of-Favor Stocks
Andrew Leckey

Running with the herd is the most popular way to invest because everyone will commend you for heading in the right direction. Taking a contrarian view, on the other hand, opens you to ridicule from your peers. You may seem out of step, as if you missed getting the proper message or aren't smart enough to grasp the obvious.

Small-Cap Stocks Poised For Big Comeback
Andrew Leckey

Consider the upbeat scenario: An improved economy reinvigorates consumers, who run out to buy pairs of new shoes. While that is an oversimplified example of cause and effect, it depicts the basic logic behind some of the good prospects for small-cap stocks. They were hammered in 2008, regained momentum in 2009 and show promise for 2010 based on hopes of a better economy

SEC Enforcement Chief Wants to Catch Investment Scammers in the Act
Kathy Kristof

The SEC has never caught as many crooks, ordered as much money returned to investors or slammed as many bank accounts shut as it did in 2009. What's not so positive is that the numbers also reflect that millions of investors lost billions of dollars before the crooks were caught. That has Robert Khuzami -- the SEC's director of enforcement -- pursuing a new tack. Last month Robert Khuzami kicked off an SEC whistle-blower initiative intended to catch the crooks red-handed

Growth Vs. Value Investing: 2010 Promises to be An Exciting Year
Andrew Leckey

The battle of growth versus value investing rages on in 2010. These distinct investment personalities move in cycles, one dominating for a period before being overtaken by the other. And then it starts all over again. Here's a look at potential growth and value investments.

Economic Risk in 7 Countries Spooking Investors
Matthew Bandyk

Despite federal spending consuming 27.2 percent of GDP, the United States maintains a Aaa rating. But you can't say the same about many countries in both the developed and developing world where continued fallout from the economic crisis is hurting their credit ratings. As a result, investors have viewed the economic situations in these countries as increasingly risky bets.

Who to Blame for the Financial Crisis
Mortimer B. Zuckerman

Class warfare, American style, is being waged between Main Street and Wall Street. With President Obama and Democrats in Congress turning up the populist heat against Wall Street, the financial community is losing. Its back is up against the wall. But the administration is also getting its share of the public's rage. So, Who's really to blame?

The Future of the U.S. Economy: 2050
Matthew Bandyk

Think back to 1967. The job you have today may not even have existed. The Internet, and all the jobs that have come with it, were decades away. The Detroit automakers were dominant. Quality of life was different, too. The lifestyle of the average American may change just as much from 2010 to 2050 as it did from 1967 to 2006. The economy will especially undergo change.

 

Wall Street CEOs
(c) Walt Handelsman

Wall Street CEOs: The Mea Culpa That Wasn't
Robyn Blumner

Here is the testimony I would have liked to have heard from the CEOs of Wall Street's largest banks -- institutions whose irresponsibility and greed nearly brought down the economy

 

New Economic, Market Trends Merit New Approach to Once Shunned Investments
Andrew Leckey

Investors seeking industries they can count on in 2010 will have to think outside the box. New economic and market trends require a reexamination of previously-avoided groups, such as regional banks, insurers, shipping companies, utilities, consumer staples firms and auto component companies. All could take a turn for the better in the coming year.

The New Energy Order
David G. Victor and Linda Yueh

The last decade has seen an extraordinary shift in expectations for the world energy system. After a long era of excess capacity prices for oil and most energy commodities have risen sharply and become more volatile. As such, a crisis is looming which will be difficult to resolve.

How to Fix the Financial System: Let Federal Reserve oversee new regulations for finance giants
Mortimer B. Zuckerman

In the grip of our Great Recession, with more job losses to come, we have yet to fix the broken financial system that is an underlying cause of this whole mess. How can we do it?

Mid-Cap Stocks Have Reigned in 2009
Andrew Leckey

Mid-cap stocks have been anything but middling in 2009. They've been the sweet spot for investors still leery of the large-cap stocks that burned them in the recent past. Too many big-name companies also seem to be offering only downsizing as a strategy these days.

Know Target-Date Fund's Strategy Before Investing
Andrew Leckey

Forget about resting easy. Target-date funds, billed as confidence-building vehicles that gradually shift your holdings into more conservative fixed-rate instruments as their date nears, have caused some sleepless nights. Investors stashed money in these one-stop retirement plans so they didn't have to worry about making their own allocation decisions. But it has become clear they need to better understand the basic

Festive Times for International real estate Funds
Andrew Leckey

Let's get the party started: An overseas run-up in real estate funds is rocking. International real estate funds are up 38 percent in 2009, or about 100 percent above their market bottom in March, according to Lipper Inc. Global real estate funds that also include U.S. companies are up 28 percent this year.

Oil Investments Are Predictably Unpredictable
Andrew Leckey

Oil companies are the elephant in the room. The wide trading range and erratic movement of oil prices has been perplexing to pundits, investors and motorists alike. You're not hearing bold prognostications or definitive explanations about either oil prices or oil-company stocks. Better to simply wait quietly for everything to play out, most rational people reason. When that will occur, however, no one knows for sure.

Mergers and Acquisitions Perking Up Again
Andrew Leckey

Whether or not you're personally convinced that the recession is just about over, those in the big-buck mergers-and-acquisitions game are believers. 'It's all a sign you can't keep a good capitalist down and eventually greed will overcome fear,' said James Paulsen, chief investment officer for Wells Capital Management, Minneapolis. People are saying, 'Gee, not only are we not going to have a depression, but it looks like we're actually going to have a recovery.'

Working Together, Brazil, Russia, China and India Increase Leverage
Ian Bremmer

In 2003, a report authored by Goldman Sachs economists popularized the term BRICs -- Brazil, Russia, India and China -- to describe a whole new category of emerging-market powerhouse. The report argued that with sound political leadership and relative international stability, the BRIC economies would together outpace the original G6 industrialized nations in dollar terms by 2040 -- a fundamental shift in the global balance of power. Since then, these four countries have assumed ever-greater importance in the international investment community's collective imagination.

What Enron & WorldCom Can Teach Us About Goldman & AIG
Arianna Huffington

Newsweek's latest cover story declares that The Great Recession is over. A Merrill Lynch report concurs, saying, 'The recession is over... We are bullish on global equities.' Goldman Sachs is placing riskier bets on the market than it did before the financial meltdown (and setting aside huge amounts of money to pay its executives). The problem is ...

Smoke Billowing Out of Our Economic Mount Vesuvius
Arianna Huffington

There is currently plenty of alarming smoke pouring out of our economic Vesuvius, but it is being dismissed. Don't worry about economic tremors, we're told, our financial system is back on track, the bailout worked and we'll start our slow but steady climb to recovery. But warning signs are all around us ...

New Era For Stocks: Could be the end of a long, good run
Kirk Shinkle

With a little luck, the economy and the stock market should hit bottom sometime this year. In fact, there's a chance that both already have, although it certainly doesn't feel like it. It will be a pleasant moment when we begin to bid farewell to the housing and credit busts, the banking meltdown, and frightened consumers -- all sources of fear that kept Wall Street stomping on the "sell" button. What emerges next, however, is anything but certain.

Stock Market Roller Coaster Ride
M. Ryder)

Best Mutual Fund Families
By Katy Marquardt

In a recent survey, more than 3,000 financial advisers weighed in with their picks of the top fund families. Criteria included consistency, ethics, trustworthiness, sophistication, and social consciousness. The survey was commissioned by Horsesmouth, an online adviser community and kasina, a financial services consulting firm. But since straight rankings reveal only so much, We asked a handful of financial advisers which fund families they favor and why.

Separating Deals From Duds: Blindly buying stocks can be hazardous to portfolio

Despite the market's roaring rally over the past three months, some stocks--including those of well-known companies--still look cheap. So how do you separate the deals from the duds? Understand why the stock is cheap.

Basic Materials May Be Unexciting, Except As an Investment

Basic materials stocks sound about as exciting as freshly laid asphalt, but they've become a steaming-hot investment in 2009. This group was devastated last fall as hedge funds abandoned the then-dominant thesis that the world -- especially Asia -- needs to keep building, and summarily dumped the stocks. However, ambitious economic stimulus packages in the U.S. and abroad have revived the need for basic materials.

Emerging Markets Soar but Remain Risky

Emerging markets are like those giant slices of double-mud chocolate-brownie cake offered to you by restaurant servers at the end of your meal. You run the risk of a severe stomachache later, but they sound so good it's hard to resist.

The Case Against (Some) ETFs
By Kirk Shinkle

Touted as a revolution in transparency, cost, and access to exotic investments, ETFs are now being slammed for inefficiencies, hidden fees, and opaque structures. Some experts argue that ETFs are just the latest means for investment advisers to hoist flawed products on unsuspecting customers. ...

5 Funds That Are Off to a Fast Start in 2009
By Katy Marquardt

Categorywise, large growth, midsized growth, and small growth funds have fared the best so far this year (although small companies have led the rally over the past three months). But not all of the top performing funds fall into one of those categories. Here's a look at some of the front-runners among diversified U.S. stock funds ... But beware ...

Government Intervention & Economic Risk
by Ian Bremmer and Sean West

It's no secret that politics affects economic markets. But in response to a financial crisis or economic downturn, political risk impacts markets much more broadly than just isolated policies and individual stocks.

SEC Boss Mary L. Schapiro Discusses Executive Pay
Kathy Kristof

Mary L. Schapiro has been in the job just a few months, but the Obama administration's new top securities regulator already is pursuing an aggressive agenda that blends souped-up enforcement with new rules designed to give investors more power and...

 

Not Going to Be Economic Depression
Global Economic Viewpoint

Last week at the Milken Global Conference, three Noble Laureates in Economics sat down to discuss the global recession -- Gary Becker (Nobel Prize, 1992), Roger Myerson (Nobel Prize, 2007) and Myron Scholes (Nobel Prize 1997).

All three agreed that this is not going to be a depression and that the free-market economy is fundamentally healthy.

The Global Economy: Worse & Worser

Today's global economic debacle shares a disturbing number of similarities with the early stages of Japan's "lost decade" of the 1990s.

 

 

Despite Risks, Some See Opportunities in Speculative Areas of the Market

At a time when so many "sure" investments have let everyone down, speculative investing sounds like simply throwing money down the drain. Shell-shocked investors, wishing no medals for bravery, have contented themselves with safer, low-yield choices.

A Strategy for Stocks? Look Inward First
Kathy Kristof

Uncomfortable putting your hard-earned money in stocks -- even after the recent run-up that has helped recover a portion of the last year's losses?

Strength of Technology Stocks Surprises

Technology is the surprise investment leader this year.

Science and technology stock funds are up 13 percent this year, versus the 2 percent decline of the average diversified stock fund, according to Lipper Inc. Among the tech-firm royalty, Apple Inc. (AAPL) stock is up 40 percent this year, IBM Corp. (IBM) up 22 percent and Google Inc. (GOOG) up 21 percent.

US economic growth slows to 2.4%
US economic growth slowed between April and June, with GDP growing by an annualised rate of 2.4%, the US Commerce Department says.

Immigrant worker limit criticised
Government plans to limit the number of skilled foreign workers allowed into the UK are criticised by the Lord Mayor of London.

California in 'fiscal emergency'
California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declares a fiscal state of emergency, putting pressure on lawmakers to pass a budget.

Scottish review warns of job cuts
Up to 60,000 people working in the public sector in Scotland could lose their jobs, according to an independent review commissioned by ministers.

China allows IMF report release
China allows the publication of an International Monetary Fund staff report on its economy for the first time since 2006.

Greek police clash with hauliers
Greek police fire tear gas to disperse hundreds of lorry drivers protesting in Athens against a government order to end their strike.

Cameron launches India trade push
David Cameron begins a two-day visit to India with the aim of strengthening relations and creating jobs back in Britain.

House prices 'now at 2006 levels'
House prices in England and Wales are now at similar levels as seen in the summer of 2006, says the Land Registry.

Bank head hints rates to stay low
The governor of the Bank of England says he is more worried about slow growth than inflation, suggesting rates will stay low.

July retail sales see sharp rise
High Street sales in July grew at the fastest pace since April 2007 and are set to keep growing, a CBI survey suggests.

Bangladesh increases minimum wage
Bangladesh is nearly doubling the minimum wage for its millions of garment workers, a wage board official says, after months of violent protests over pay.

Russian GDP growth 'accelerates'
Russia's economic growth accelerated in the three months to June, mainly due to rising consumer demand, an offical says.

Indian interest rates rise again
The Reserve Bank of India has increased interest rates for the second time in a month to try to hold back inflation.

US new home sales still sluggish
New US home sales rose sharply in June compared with the previous month, but the pace of sales remains slow, figures show.

Hit by sanctions
Black market boom as Dubai curbs trade with Iran

Pensions timebomb
Russians fear the benefits system will cease to exist

Filling the gap
Why British businesses still need immigrant workers

Wealth in China
But many rich people still pay to move to the West

Dusty desert
Worthless land becomes valuable as solar panels move in

Stress head
What are the EU bank stress tests all about?

Africa's mixed blessing?
Why Africa's rich resources are proving to be a burden

BBC News - Economy
The latest stories from the Economy section of the BBC News web site.

 

Cities, Websites And Hotels At Odds Over Taxes
Online travel companies such as Orbitz and Expedia don't believe they need to collect taxes on the full amount they charge for hotel rooms. This has led to a big lobbying fight in Congress and dozens of lawsuits nationwide.

Health Care Fight Heats Up Over New Tax Report Repeal Effort
A battle is being waged by small businesses, accountants, and members of Congress to repeal a new tax reporting requirement in the health law. But it could raise $16 billion for the government.

SEC Cites Brothers In $550 Million Insider Scheme
Sam and Charles Wyly, Dallas billionaire investors known for their support of conservative candidates and causes, made $550 million in undisclosed profits through 13 years of insider trading, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission lawsuit. The SEC said the Wylys traded shares in companies on whose boards they served and "defrauded the investing public."

Pace Of Economic Recovery Slows
U.S. growth slowed to a 2.4 percent rate in the second quarter, the weakest pace in nearly a year. That compares with the upwardly revised 3.7 percent increase in the first quarter of this year.

Why Same Hotel Rooms Generate Different Tax Bills
Depending on how you make your reservation could determine how much a city is able to collect.

Disney Sells Miramax For $660M
The New York Times and Los Angeles Times report that Disney signed the agreement late Thursday with Filmyard Holding. The investor group is led by construction magnate Ronald Tutor.

Optimism Revs Up At GM, Chrysler Plants
President Obama visits GM and Chrysler auto plants in Detroit on Friday to call attention to the successes -- so far -- of the bailed-out companies. A White House report says the industry has added 55,000 jobs, GM will stay open during its usual two-week summer shutdown and Chrysler added another production shift.

Is Auto Recovery Here To Stay?
President Obama on Friday wants to call attention to the successes of the bailed-out companies by visiting automakers in Michigan. Micheline Maynard, who has covered the industry for more than two decades, discusses whether or not the good news in Detroit will last.

Disney Sells Miramax
Miramax will no longer be part of Disney's entertainment empire. The Walt Disney Co. said it has sold the film studio -- famous for offbeat hits like Pulp Fiction -- to an investment company partly run by a construction magnate.

Microsoft Bing Cashback Program Ends
Microsoft is pulling the plug Friday on a program that paid people to use its Bing search engine. The company said it did not see the broad adoption of the search engine that it had hoped for.

Pricing The Non-Human Cost Of BP Spill
BP has spent more than $4 billion cleaning up the oil spill. But what about the non-human cost. How much should BP pay for dead and injured animals?

U.S. Is A Spicier Nation (Literally) Since 1970s
Americans' spice consumption has grown almost three times as fast as the population in recent decades. Much of that growth is due to the country's changing demographics. Now, flavors that were once exotic and rare are found on the shelves in many groceries.

New York Launches Probe Of Life Insurance Industry
The attorney general's office is investigating whether insurers are profiting off of grieving families by placing funds from life insurance policies into potentially risky accounts that they control. Andrew Cuomo said his office had served subpoenas on Prudential Financial Inc. and MetLife Inc. as part of the probe.

Citigroup Paying $75M To Settle Civil Charges
The bank settles charges that it misled investors about its potential losses from subprime mortgages as the housing bust hit in 2007.

Senators Call On FDA To Rule On Alcoholic Energy Drinks
Eight months ago, the Food and Drug Administration asked makers of beverages containing alcohol and caffeine to prove the drinks are safe. So far, nothing's been made public.

NPR Topics: Business
Find the latest business news with reports on Wall Street, interest rates, banking, companies, and U.S. and world financial markets. Subscribe to the Business Story of the Day podcast.

 

GDP Report Bad News for Job Seekers

Second-quarter GDP numbers show the economy is not growing fast enough to create jobs and bring down unemployment.

Consumer Sentiment Sags to Lowest Since November
Consumer Sentiment Sags to Lowest Since November

Chicago Factory Activity Strengthens In July
Chicago Factory Activity Strengthens In July

Geron Rallies On FDA Move; Indices Slip
Geron Rallies On FDA Move; Indices Slip

Facebook May Hold Off IPO To 2012
Facebook May Hold Off IPO To 2012

Early-Market Movers: Coinstar,  Power One Inc
Early-Market Movers: Coinstar,  Power One Inc

UPDATE 2-Simon Property quarterly results beat Street
UPDATE 2-Simon Property quarterly results beat Street

Geron Rallies As FDA Green Lights Stem Cell Study
Geron Rallies As FDA Green Lights Stem Cell Study

Dollar falls to session low versus yen
Dollar falls to session low versus yen

UPDATE 1-Chevron earnings triple, top Wall St view
UPDATE 1-Chevron earnings triple, top Wall St view

ANALYSIS-Wall St eyes breather from Washington's regulation
ANALYSIS-Wall St eyes breather from Washington's regulation

UPDATE 1-Canada economic growth ticks higher in May
UPDATE 1-Canada economic growth ticks higher in May

GDP Slows In Second Quarter To 2.4% Annual Rate
GDP Slows In Second Quarter To 2.4% Annual Rate

Chevron Net Income Triples To $5.4 Billion
Chevron Net Income Triples To $5.4 Billion

TREASURIES-Bonds add to gains after Q2 GDP
TREASURIES-Bonds add to gains after Q2 GDP

ANALYSIS-Stress-tested banks reassure, some strains show
ANALYSIS-Stress-tested banks reassure, some strains show

Dollar extends losses vs yen, pares gains vs euro on GDP
Dollar extends losses vs yen, pares gains vs euro on GDP

US STOCKS SNAPSHOT-Futures add to losses after GDP data
US STOCKS SNAPSHOT-Futures add to losses after GDP data

Data Show U.S. Recession Was Deeper Than Thought

Restrained by a tiring consumer, the U.S. economy grew at a slower pace than was expected last quarter.

UPDATE 1-Arch Coal posts Q2 profit, beats estimates
UPDATE 1-Arch Coal posts Q2 profit, beats estimates

FOXBusiness.com
FOX Business

 

As Economy Slows, Fed May Be Shifting Monetary Policy
Whether the Fed should take additional measures to support the economy is certain to be the top item when the Federal Open Market Committee, meets on Aug. 10, reports the New York Times.

Consumer Sentiment Sags to Lowest Since November

GDP Up 2.4% as Economy Still Growing, But Slowly

Morici: What Today’s GDP Report Really Says

Marc Faber Questions if Dow Could Hit 1,000

Wall Street Sees Better Times After Mid-Term Elections

Letting Bush Tax Cuts Die 'Not a Good Plan': Fed's Bullard

Should Bush Tax Cuts Be Allowed to Expire?

House Begins Debating Oil Spill Reform Bill

US Banks in Rush for Cheap Finance

Busch: Government Creates Even More Uncertainty

China Becomes Second Biggest World Economy

Internet Illuminati: 7 Hold Keys to Digital Universe

Behind Greek Confidence, Still Fears of Collapse

Greenberg: Warnings Abound on Chip Inventory Glut

Simon Property Quarterly Results Beat Street

SEC Accuses Wyly Brothers of Insider Trading

Arizona Sheriff Not Relenting After Court Ruling

Rich IPO Brings Controversy to SKS Microfinance

Walt Disney Sells Miramax to Filmyard Holdings

Attorneys Prepare for Anna Nicole Smith Trial

CNBC Top News and Analysis
Stock Market News, Financial, Earnings, World Market News and Info

 

Investors drop risk after US GDP data
Global Markets Overview: The FTSE All-World index is down 0.2% following a lower-than-forecast GDP growth report for the US. Futures markets are pricing in lower opening prices for the S&P 500 index

Wall Street lower on economic data
US stocks fell in early trading after gross domestic product data showed the rate of economic growth slowed slightly more than expected in the second quarter

US data helps keep yen at 8-month high
Worries about fresh signs of a faltering US recovery ahead of upcoming economic data set off a strong rally for the yen, re-stoking talk of potential intervention from the Bank of Japan

Mining losses erode London’s July rally
London’s strong June rally unravels further as traders absorb US economic data

Coffee hits 12-year high on Colombia shortage
Coffee prices jump on the back of low availability of premium Arabica from key producer Colombia after a string of disappointing crops

Faltering technology stocks take Asian indices lower
Glum outlooks from US technology companies and downbeat comments from a Fed official amid concerns on second-quarter economic growth prompt investors to book profits

Industrial stocks lead Europe lower
Equities indices set course for their third consecutive session of losses as a cautious outlook statement from Lafarge casts a shadow over construction stocks

Signs of slowdown in Japanese recovery
Fresh data reveal an unexpected rise in the unemployment rate and a drop in industrial production amid the country’s ongoing battle with deflation

BIS gold swaps mystery is unravelled
Deals that sparked fall were ‘mutually beneficial’

Swap rates fall below Treasury yields
The relationship between government bonds and swaps has dislocated this week for only the second time, largely as a result of the burst of bond issuance from banks

Financial Times - Financial markets news
The latest markets news from the Financial Times, with stock data, financial commentary and investor analysis

 

Overview

The British economy expanded by 1.1% during the three months to the end of June, after growing by a sluggish 0.3% in the previous quarter.

Brazil’s unemployment rate fell to 7% in June, its lowest in six months. ...

The Economist commodity-price index

Output, prices and jobs

Markets

Biggest transnational companies

According to the latest World Investment Report from the UN Conference on Trade and Development, General Electric holds foreign assets worth $401 billion, more than any non-financial firm. The American conglomerate has half of its assets abroad. For Vodafone, a British telecoms company, and ArcelorMittal, a steelmaker with its headquarters in Luxembourg, the share is more than 90%. Six of the ten biggest transnational corporations by foreign assets are from the oil or power industries. Toyota, the world’s biggest carmaker, is the only Asian firm among the top 12. Exxon Mobil had the largest foreign sales, of $322 billion. Wal-Mart, ranked only 30th by foreign assets, had the most employees abroad: 650,000.

...

Online job vacancies

Recruiting in both America and Europe continued to climb in June, according to the Monster Employment Index, which measures the strength of companies’ hiring intentions by counting online advertisements. Europe saw the fifth monthly rise in a row, with more openings in production and manufacturing. Opportunities in the automotive industry, however, declined. In America managerial openings were at their highest level since November 2008, while manufacturing and transport continued to grow. Overall, the American index rose by more than 20% from a year earlier. In Europe recruitment was almost 12% higher than a year ago. The Swedish market (not shown) was the strongest performer.

...

Trade, exchange rates, budget balances and interest rates

Foreign direct investment

All components of foreign direct investment (FDI) declined in 2009 and are now recovering slowly. According to figures for 35 mainly rich countries compiled by the UN Conference on Trade and Development, most of the fall can be attributed to a decline in foreign acquisitions, which contracted by 34%, compared with a 15% fall in the number of greenfield FDI projects. Reinvested earnings started to rise in mid-2009, driven by improved corporate profits. The disruption in FDI flows has not stopped the trend of globalised production. The share of GDP attributed to foreign companies reached an historic high of 11% last year, when 80m people worked for multinational companies.

...

Long term unemployment

The duration of the global recession, as well as the fact that employment usually fails to pick up in the early stages of an economic recovery, mean that many people have now been jobless for a long time. The OECD reckons that in 2009, 45.5% of jobless Germans had been out of work for at least a year, the highest such proportion among the think-tank’s mostly rich member countries. In contrast, those who had been unemployed for at least a year made up only 16.3% of jobless Americans (although America’s unemployment rate was higher than Germany’s). Long-term joblessness causes people’s skills to become rusty, which makes it harder for them to find work even when the labour market recovers.

...

Stockmarkets

According to figures compiled by Standard & Poor’s, a ratings agency, America’s stockmarkets—with a total market capitalisation of $15.1 trillion at the end of last year—were the world’s largest. They were also the world’s most active, with shares worth nearly $47 trillion, thrice the market capitalisation, changing hands during the year. Among emerging markets, only China’s make the top ten by either market capitalisation or value traded. The number of domestic companies listed on Indian exchanges is the largest in the world. But the small size of the average publicly listed Indian company means that Chinese markets list only a third as many firms, but are four times as large by market capitalisation.

...

Foreign-born labour

As economies across the developed world fell into recession in 2008, legal permanent immigration to the mostly rich members of the OECD declined by 6%, after five years during which growth averaged 11%. Despite the slowdown in the arrival of new migrants, the number of foreign-born workers in most OECD countries rose in 2008 from a year earlier. In 2007 one in every four workers in Australia was born abroad; in 2008 that share rose further, to 26.5%. Among the 18 OECD countries for which 2008 data are available, the share of the foreign-born in the labour force fell only in Luxembourg (not shown), Austria, Belgium and France. The number of foreign-born workers in America rose by 308,000 in 2008, to 25.1m.

...

The Economist: Indicators
Indicators

 

Justification Mode
Earlier this month I shared a quote in the email newsletter that seems to have struck a strong cord with a few of you... "The ego is not your friend as a trader. The ego wants to be right, it...

Happy Birthday Mom!
I'm spending the week with Mom here in Utah to celebrate her 70th birthday! If you've never been to Zion, it is a wonderful place to go during your summer travels!

Everything Evens Out
Good breaks. Bad breaks. We all have them, don't we? Thinking back to the past six months, this has been an unusual year for me both in the markets and on the golf course. So far in 2010, for whatever...

Independent Trading: Pros & Cons
Sunday was "Independence Day" in the United States where we celebrate the birth of our country and declaring independence from Britain. It also got me to thinking, as I usually do on market holidays, how fortunate I am to be...

Happy 4th!
I hope you and your family have a Happy 4th of July! As a quick update, I'm still working on several summer projects (trading, strategy development, mentoring, website upgrade), but regular posting (and an entirely new website) will return by...

Summer Fun
A quick update for non-members... While I continue update the members' only website frequently (premarket report, after-hours report, weekend links, screens, etc.) I've been slacking here at the free site for awhile. Sorry about that! While not an excuse, my...

Learn To Love Uncertainty
It is often said that markets hate uncertainty and it is true. We do live and trade in uncertain times. But, as traders and investors, we must all learn to love and appreciate uncertainty. With uncertainty, also brings opportunity. Understanding...

Memorial Day
In memory of my late father who served honorably in Vietnam... I would like to send a thank you to all those who gave their lives in service of our country.

Darren Miller
Darren Miller from Attitrade and Psychtrader will be here at 12:PM ET to take our questions. To attend the session live (or read it later) please visit the following link: Strategy Session: Darren Miller Many of you already know Darren,...

A Quick Clip
Every morning I prepare a premarket report that thousands of traders find useful at the members' only website. Here's a quick clip of this morning's report: If you think information like this would be helpful to you to navigate days...

Stubborn Determination & Confidence
Q: Between your friends in the business which I know are many and through your mentoring have you discovered one personality trait common among the most successful? A: I think Dr. Brett's post on personality and trading success confirm what...

Eddy Elfenbein
Eddy Elfenbein from Crossing Wall Street will be here at 12:PM ET to take our questions. To attend the session live (or read it later) please visit the following link: Strategy Session: Eddy Elfenbein Eddy has become one of the...

Focus On What Matters
Q: Like countless traders, I saw many of my positions stopped out last week, only to see them rebound to at or near where they were before the "flash crash" (e.g. AAPL). As you reflected in your recent comments, traders...

Everything You Know Is Wrong
I had a beloved professor in law school who would say that it is important to have a good forgettory. In other words, he thought it was an distinct advantage to have forgotten what you have already learned so that...

Passion, Above All Else
Someone recently asked me what I specifically look for in those who apply for my mentorship program. While there are many factors, the one I'm looking for beyond everything else is a true and sustaining passion for the markets. As...

The Kirk Report
One pro's view of the stock market. Stock screens, market analysis, trading tools, stock research, investment ideas, portfolio analysis, trading lessons, investment commentary, trading tips, and more are provided by Charles E. Kirk.

 

Stocks slump as economic growth slows
Stocks opened sharply lower Friday after government data showed U.S. economic growth was weaker than expected in the second quarter, adding to concerns that the recovery is waning.

Stocks edge lower
Stocks slid Thursday, although they finished off their session lows, as investors weighed cautious comments from a regional Federal Reserve president about the health of the economy and a mix of quarterly profit reports.

The SEC still needs to escape regulatory capture. Here's how.
It's a natural human tendency to rely on the opinions of friends. We all do it, but, given the right circumstances, that impulse can endanger anything from interpersonal relationships to world economies.

Stocks fall on economic fears
Stocks fell Wednesday as a worse-than-expected report on durable goods orders and weaker quarterly results from Boeing and others added to concerns about the pace of the economic recovery.

Dollar sinks on recovery doubts
The dollar continued to slide this week, hovering near monthly lows versus major currencies as worries about an economic slowdown weighed on investors.

Oil drifts off 11-week high
Oil prices drifted lower this week, edging off last week's 11-week high above $79 a barrel. But trading remained rangebound as investors balanced strong corporate earnings against ongoing jitters over the economic recovery.

Stocks: Earnings help, economy hurts
Stocks churned Tuesday, losing steam after a three-session run, after a big drop in consumer confidence offset better-than-expected profit growth from DuPont, UBS and others.

Stocks rally on housing, FedEx
Stocks rallied Monday after FedEx's improved forecast and a better-than-expected housing market report tempered worries about the economic outlook.

Treasurys flat ahead of auctions
Treasury prices stayed flat Monday as the government prepared to auction $104 billion in bonds this week.

Market will 'drift for the rest of summer'
As a strong July draws to a close, the earnings reporting period is just heating up, with 157 of the biggest companies in the country due to open their books in the week ahead.

Stocks rally on day, week
Stocks rallied Friday, with the Dow briefly turning positive for the year after a report showed that most of Europe's big banks passed their stress tests, easing investor worries about the strength of the global economy.

Dow's 200-point rebound
Stocks rallied Thursday after better-than-expected earnings and forecasts from 3M, Caterpillar, AT&T and UPS helped reassure investors about the pace of the economic recovery.

Stocks slump on Bernanke comments
Stocks tumbled Wednesday after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress that the outlook for the economy is "unusually uncertain," adding to worries about the pace of the recovery.

Treasurys fall on strong earnings, economic data
Prices for U.S. Treasurys fell Thursday as investors flocked to more risky assets following upbeat reports on corporate earnings and a smaller-than-expected drop in home sales.

Dollar recovers after EU stress tests
Investors are considering European stress test results, as stocks remain volatile, worries about a sluggish U.S. economic recovery persist and confidence in the euro zone and nations abroad increases.

Treasurys struggle after European bank tests
Treasury prices dipped Friday after regulators said most of Europe's major banks passed stress tests, easing worries about the euro zone economy.

Ford shares: Buy or sell?
Ford is back. The automaker recently reported its first annual profit in four years; sales are improving; and investors have pushed up its stock 550% in the past year.

Citigroup shares: No longer toxic?
Yes, Citigroup lost billions in the financial crisis. And yes, it's still swimming in toxic assets. But Bruce Berkowitz argues the worst is over.

Bulls are back. Send in the bears?
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq are up for the year after a rough stretch from mid-January to early February. The Dow had joined them earlier Wednesday before pulling back.

The price you pay for frothy assets
As the 10th anniversary of the bursting of the tech bubble is upon us, you've probably read a slew of stories about what an awful decade this has been for stocks.

Latest stock market news from Wall Street - CNNMoney.com
From CNN and Money magazine, CNNMoney.com combines business news and in-depth market analysis with practical advice and answers to personal finance questions.

 

Merck's No Buy After Earnings Fall
One-time costs weighed down drugmaker's results.

GDP Shows Recovery Continues, But Consumer Spending Drags
Then U.S. econonmy grew 2.4% in the second quarter, just shy of expectations as consumer spending continued to struggle.

Coinstar Comes Up Short
Second-quarter earnings disappoint the Street.

Don't Bet The Farm On Fortune Brands
Stay on the sidelines, even after solid earnings.

U.S. Economy Still Growing, Just Slower Than Hoped
GDP grew by 2.4% in the second quarter, disappointing the market.

Alphabet Soup Goes Cold As GSI, LSI, PMI Stumble
Disappointing earnings send trio's shares sharply lower.

Paper Makers Put Together A Rally
China-based Orient Paper and Washington state's own Clearwater ride second-quarter profits to gains.

Earnings Season: Gold Miners Sparkle
At the height of reporting season the market remains mixed as strong corporate profits meet resistance from economic worries.

Expedia Profits Speed As Travel Comes Back
Increased bookings and advertizing helps online reservation company beat expectations.

Avis, Hertz Play Bumper Cars For Dollar Thrifty
The pair look set for a bidding war over fellow rental car company.

Forbes.com: Market News
Market news and reports from Forbes.com

 

Option players certainly think so
Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) unveiled on Thursday its four-point plan to maintain its position in the business software market...(Read More)

The drug company lowered its 2010 revenue forecast, citing weakness in the euro
Today's column includes the latest quarterly results from Amgen, Inc. (AMGN), a wave of post-earnings price-target adjustments on Potash Corp...(Read More)

U.S. stock futures point toward a negative open as key economic data looms large
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) attempted to bounce back from a triple-digit loss yesterday, but the pressure proved to be too much...(Read More)

A see-saw session ended with modest losses for the major market indexes
It was a roller-coaster day for the equities market, as traders considered a fresh onslaught of corporate earnings, economic data, and Fedspeak...(Read More)

Options trader initiates a bearish strategy on this technology concern
Shares of Akamai Technologies Inc. (AKAM) have plunged more than 11% so far today, as traders reacted to the company's second-quarter earnings report...(Read More)

Put selling is the name of the game today
Despite the "recession-proof" nature of the grocery business, The Kroger Co. (KR) has been struggling lately...(Read More)

Outlining the bearish case for the alternative energy issue
Our Uncle Ben once told us that "with great power comes great responsibility," and we try to consider this nugget of wisdom when we approach our column each week...(Read More)

The computer hardware sector is crashing despite a solid start to 2010
The computer hardware sector started 2010 off with a bang, but the group has since fallen on hard times...(Read More)

Recalls, revenue-misses, and economic woes cripple K
Second-quarter earnings weren't so "grrrreat" for Kellogg Company (K) today, as the cereal king reported a profit of 79 cents per share, falling far short of the consensus estimate for earnings of 94 cents per share...(Read More)

The smartphone stock is drawing substantial call volume ahead of a new product launch
Options traders set their sights on Research In Motion Limited (RIMM) and General Electric Company (GE) yesterday...(Read More)

Option players are somewhat skeptical of these insurance issues
Insurance issues Genworth Financial, Inc. (GNW) and MetLife, Inc. (MET) will each take to the earnings stage after the close today...(Read More)

The oil major fell short of second-quarter revenue expectations
Today's column includes a mixed second-quarter report from Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM), increased M&A speculation for Genzyme Corporation (GENZ), post-earnings price-target cuts for Visa Inc...(Read More)

U.S. stock futures turn higher ahead of employment data
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) ended its winning streak at four sessions in a row on Wednesday, with disappointing durable goods orders applying pressure early in yesterday's trading...(Read More)

A gloomy round of economic reports halted the Dow's minor winning streak
Bulls stomped on the brakes today as a wave of disappointing data washed over Wall Street...(Read More)

Option players are optimistic about CVS
CVS Caremark Corporation (CVS) reported its second-quarter results ahead of the open this morning...(Read More)

Options trader sets stock profit/loss targets, or enters a very bearish credit spread
Shares of oil and gas exploration firm Range Resources Corp. (RRC) have plunged more than 25% so far this year, but the stock's latest downleg may have spooked a few traders into finally jumping ship...(Read More)

Shorts might be hedging their bets on the Internet search titan
Traders are showing a distinct preference for calls on Baidu, Inc. (BIDU) and YRC Worldwide Inc...(Read More)

How emotions factor into option trading
Let's face it: unless you're a complete trading nerd (like those of us here at Schaeffer's), you've probably heard the term "option" thrown around, and feigned knowledge of this elusive concept, for fear of being the only one who wasn't with the game...(Read More)

Can the fertilizer firm tackle looming resistance at the century level?
Earnings season rolls on, and there are plenty of heavy hitters yet to report this week...(Read More)

Call activity on both casinos ramped up on Tuesday
Option players upped the stakes on casino kings MGM Resorts International (MGM) and Las Vegas Sands Corp...(Read More)

Soaring put open interest on REIT Ventas Inc. proves that it's time to get real on real estate
As you may, or may not, know, SchaeffersResearch.com has a put/call ratio filter tucked away under the Quotes & Tools section, one which I have found particularly useful during expiration weeks...(Read More)

Sallie Mae is reportedly considering some strategic alternatives
Today's column includes a quarterly earnings disappointment from Century Aluminum Company (CENX), speculation on a potential strategic shift for SLM Corporation (SLM), a price-target boost for First Solar, Inc...(Read More)

U.S. stock futures point toward a flat open as economic data looms
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) limped over the finish line on Tuesday to log its fourth consecutive win in a row...(Read More)

Crude and gold futures suffered their steepest single-session drops since July 1
Stocks didn't stray too far from breakeven today, as the latest round of earnings and economic reports launched a session-long battle between the bulls and the bears...(Read More)

Merger-and-acquisition news pushes GENZ to new highs
The buzz around the option-trading water cooler is all about French-based Sanofi-Aventis' possible bid on biotech titan Genzyme Corporation (GENZ)...(Read More)

SchaeffersResearch.com Market Observations
Timely market observations from Bernie Schaeffer and the traders at Schaeffer's Investment Research. Discussions on stock and option trading; technical, fundamental and sentiment analysis; finance and investing.

 

British Airways loss widens after strike action
The U.K. carrier's loss widens to $190.5 million after the airline is hit by strike action and the volcanic-ash cloud over Europe.

Earnings Watch: Updates, advisories and surprises
A roundup of the latest corporate earnings reports and what companies are saying about future quarters.

Fortune Brands profit soars
Brisk volumes across all business units, along with cost controls and a tax gain, helped propel Fortune Brands to sharply higher profit, the spirits, home products and sporting goods company said Friday.

Consumer sentiment falls in July
Concerns about personal financial prospects and the overall economy weigh down consumer sentiment, according to the final sentiment survey for July released by Reuters and the University of Michigan.

Europe Markets: European shares on track for monthly gain
European shares lose ground after data show a slowing U.S. economy in the second quarter, offsetting earnings-related gains from Alcatel-Lucent and EADS.

Economic Report: U.S. GDP slows in second quarter to 2.4% rate
The U.S. economy lost momentum in the second quarter of the year, according to the government's latest figures, and this may raise concerns of an extended soft patch if not an outright contraction.

MarketWatch First Take: Disney swaps Hollywood for social media
You’ve got to hand it to Walt Disney Chief Executive Robert Iger. He is not afraid to shake up a corporate culture when he spies an opportunity to achieve a higher rate of return for his stockholders.

Biotech Stocks: Geron rallies on FDA move; Merck slides
Geron Corp. shares rallied early Friday on news that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is allowing the company to proceed with the world's first clinical study to test an embryonic-stem-cell therapy on humans.

Currencies: Dollar higher after U.S. GDP, confidence data
The U.S. dollar held onto gains as investors wariness of riskier assets fuels demand for the relative safety of the U.S. dollar.

Tech Stocks: Tech stocks take hits as GDP data weigh on market
A weaker-than-expected gross-domestic-product report hit stocks across the board Friday, and the tech sector wasn’t exempt from the decline as most tech leaders looked toward closing July out on a negative note.

MarketWatch.com - Top Stories
MarketWatch, a leading publisher of business and financial news, offers users up-to-the minute news, investment tools, and subscription products.

 

Economy Grew at Rate of 2.4% in Quarter
The government on Friday also revised growth in the first quarter to 3.7 percent, higher than the previous estimate.

S.E.C. Charges Billionaire Dallas Brothers With Securities Fraud
The two Dallas billionaires, large donors to conservative causes, were charged with an extensive securities fraud.

Added to the Recall List: Millions of Frozen Mice
Salmonella outbreaks that sickened more than 400 in the U.S. and Britain have been traced to mice sold as food for exotic pets.

Wall Street Slips After U.S. Data on Growth
Investors were particularly fretful about the G.D.P. report because it comes at the end of a run of worse than expected economic data and a warning from the Fed.

Rich I.P.O. Brings Controversy to Microlender, SKS Microfinance
The founder and early investors in the microlender will reap millions from the share deal, but it was unclear how donors would benefit.

Disney Sells Miramax for $660 Million
The deal ends a laborious bidding process that saw the label’s co-founders, Harvey and Bob Weinstein, fall short in their attempt to regain control.

F.D.A. Clears Way for Embryonic Stem Cell Trial Using Patients
Using human embryonic stem cells, the trial will be tested in patients with new spinal cord injuries.

Citigroup Pays $75 Million to Settle Subprime Claims
Besides the bank, two executives were singled out for not disclosing information about mortgage investments.

Cloned Livestock Gain a Foothold in Europe
The Continent has generally resisted genetically modified food, but small amounts of meat and dairy from cloned animals are already being consumed.

Obama to Promote Auto Bailout as a Success
The White House has decided to argue more forcefully that investing in the auto industry helped keep workers employed and laid the groundwork for a rebound.

Nuclear Woes Hurt Bottom Line at EDF
The French energy giant cited costs related to its U.S. nuclear ventures and the construction of its latest generation nuclear power plant in France, which will be delayed until 2014.

New Rules Move to Restrict Debt Settlement Industry
Companies that promise to settle debt problems for consumers will no longer be allowed to charge an upfront fee.

Britain Plans to Scrap Mandatory Retirement Age in 2011
The government says it wants to give people the chance to work beyond 65. But business leaders warned that a sudden change would create serious problems.

DeGeneres Steps Down From ‘American Idol’
Fox said the talk show host was leaving immediately, despite having four years remaining on her contract.

Two Internet Gambling Operators, PartyGaming and Bwin, to Merge
As governments in Europe and the United States relax the rules on online gambling, the companies anticipate the opening up of new markets.

Justice Joins Suit Accusing Oracle of Fraud
In a civil suit, the department said Oracle failed its contractual duty to give the government the same discounts it gave commercial customers.

Small-Business Bill Falters on Senate Partisanship
The procedural blockade underscored how determined Republicans are to deny Democrats any further victories.

Motorola’s Profit Beats Estimates
Strong demand for a line of smartphones using Google’s Android operating system helped sales.

Production Growth Lifts Profits at Exxon and Shell
Strong results raised hopes that the oil companies could offer investors meaningful growth again.

Siemens and VW Surge on Roaring Demand From China
The better-than-expected results, along with a drop in unemployment, underscored how Germany is benefitting from the weaker euro and surging exports to emerging markets.

High & Low Finance: In Basel, an Eternal Work in Progress
The Basel committee that was supposed to toughen banking regulations seems caught in a battle to do so.

Advertising: Barnes & Noble Plans Big Push for Nook E-Reader
In-house boutiques are Barnes & Noble’s latest front in the battle with Amazon over their competing e-reader devices.

Patient Money: For Most, Implants Beat Dentures, but at a Price
Prosthetic teeth attached to the jaw with titanium screws are preferred for replacing lost teeth, but they’re expensive, and insurance coverage is usually minimal.

How Many Teachers Are 'Standouts'?
Trying to add some clarity to the question of what it means to be a standout kindergarten teacher.

Waiting for a Facebook I.P.O.? Keep Waiting
For anyone chomping at the bit to get their hands on a piece of a public Facebook, the wait may have grown a little longer.

DIY Detroit: A Hands On Approach to Fixing the Auto Industry
TechShop, a chain of DIY clubs, plans to open a new shop in Detroit with Ford's help.

App Smart Extra: Augmented Travel Guides
WorkSnug Pro and MTrip are travel guide iPhone apps that use augmented reality to pull in more information.

The Owner Made a Promise: No Layoffs
Turning the recession into a growth opportunity.

Oil Spill Crime? Send In the BP Squad
White Collar Crime examines how federal investigators of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill are looking at a broad array of possible crimes, including false statements to the government, securities fraud and potential corruption of federal officials.

Avis Goes to War for Dollar Thrifty
The Deal Professor examines Avis's opening salvo in its takeover war with Hertz for Dollar Thrifty.

NYT > Business Day

 

Spain Jobless Rate up to 20.09 Percent
Spain's unemployment rate rose to a 13-year high of 20.09 percent in the second quarter, the government said Friday, as the job market lagged behind an economy that has barely managed to break out of recession.

Behind Greek Confidence, Still Fears of Collapse

Euro Zone Inflation Jumps to 1.7% in July

One in 5 Greek Workers Works for Government

British Airways Posts First Quarter Loss

Total's Profit Surges 43% in Second Quarter

Sweden Second Quarter GDP Growth Fastest in 3 Years

Fear Cheap Money, Not Double Dip: Morgan Stanley

Li Ka-Shing to Buy EDF's UK Power Assets for $9.1 Billion

Time for Growth but World Has Changed: SAP

Renault Swings Back to Profit in Second Quarter

Is Gold Pointing to Lehman Mark II?

EADS Net Profit Falls 61% in the Second Quarter

Alcatel-Lucent Posts Second Quarter Loss

Gartman Slams Europe's 'Untoward' Tax Decision

Another Recession Due Circa 2012: Jim Rogers

Scenes from the Farnborough Airshow

Special Report: Farnborough Airshow

Where Pre-Euro Currencies Would Trade Now

Special Report: Countdown to London 2012

CNBC Europe Top News and Analysis
Stock Market News, Financial, Earnings, World Market News and Info Covering the Europe Region

 

Li Ka-Shing to Buy EDF's UK Power Assets for $9.1 Billion
Billionaire Li Ka-shing has offered to buy UK power grids from France's EDF for 5.8 billion pounds ($9.1 billion), giving his companies a foothold in more lucrative overseas markets.

China Becomes Second Biggest World Economy

Japan Economy Sputters; Central Bank Under Pressure

Samsung Elec Warns of Weak Margins, Profit Growth

Honda Lifts Forecasts After Strong Quarterly Sales

Nomura, Macquarie Hit by Fewer Deals, Frail Markets

Google Says China Search Block May Be Tech Glitch

DBS Posts Quarterly Loss, But Outlook Healthy

Sony Shares Gain After Lifting Outlook

KT Quarterly Profit Rises on Smartphone Subscribers

Kia Motors' Profit Surges 61% in Second Quarter

Bomb Explodes in Bangkok, Seriously Wounding Man

Chinese Economy Strong? Depends Who You Ask

News Corp's Next Digital News Venture

Toyota Says to Recall 412,000 Cars in United States

Which Would You Rather Own: Stocks or Bonds?

20 Countries Where Home Prices are Rising

CNBC Asia Top News and Analysis
No Description Provided

 

Sector Timing Model Says...
According to our Sector Timing Model, the industrial, staples, materials, utilities, and telecom sectors are overbought. The utilities and telecom sectors are both within 2% of the most overbought level they have been in the past twelve months.

Technicals: Our View
Bloomberg published a story discussing our recent strategy piece entitled "Technicals: Our View," which went out to our research clients. The story, "Technical Analysis Fails as Money Making Strategy," can be viewed on the Bloomberg website. To view a sample...

Materials & Industrials Outperforming
Since the recent market bottom on July 2nd the S&P 500 has risen 8.9%. Materials, industrials and utilities have lead the way, outperforming by 4.5%, 3.4% and 1.8% respectively. The health care, staples, telecom and discretionary sectors have all underperformed...

DJIA Back in the Black
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 10,428 today, finally breaking back into positive territory for the year. At its low on 7/2, the market was down 7.1% but is now up 0.9% YTD. Since 1962, there have only been...

July 26th Blogger Sentiment Poll
The bulls took over this week, although many respondents were also neutral. Blogger Sentiment Poll Participants: 24/7 Wall St (-) Carl Futia (+) Dash of Insight (N) Elliot Wave Lives On (+) Fallond Stock Picks (+) In the Money Learning...

Key Pre-Market Events: July 22, 2010
Earnings are the focus. Most of the earnings reports have been better than expected.

Not Many Days Like Today
This morning at its low the market was down 1.3% and recovered to close up 1.1%. There have only been three other days since the beginning of the bull market that the S&P 500 has been down more than 1%...

July 19th Blogger Sentiment Poll
There are more bulls than bears in this week's poll. Blogger Sentiment Poll Participants: 24/7 Wall St (-) Carl Futia (+) Dash of Insight (N) Elliot Wave Lives On (+) Fallond Stock Picks (+) In the Money Learning Curve (-)...

Google's Earnings
Check out CNBC's Midday Report to get Birinyi's insight on GOOG's earnings after the close tonight. You can also visit our website at www.Birinyi.com

S&P 500 Back Above the 50-day
The S&P 500 closed above its 50-day moving average for the first time since May 4th. Another important level may be the S&P's 200-day moving average, which is currently 1,112 or 1.6% above today's close.

Financial Sector: 10% Rally
The S&P Financial Sector has entered a 10% rally. Since its bottom on 7/2 the sector has risen 10.2%. It is the first sector to recover from a 10% decline (the consumer staples sector has not entered a 10% decline...

Going For Six in a Row?
The S&P 500 has closed positive for five consecutive days. In six out of the seven other occurrences since the beginning of the bull market, the S&P 500 extended its streak to six positive days.

Ticker Sense