Helpful information for New Investors!
Have past crises taught us anything?
A scholar who has studied the relationship between political and financial fortunes suggests that we take a good, hard look at the aftermath of the Great Depression -- and learn.
A scholar who has studied the relationship between political and financial fortunes suggests that we take a good, hard look at the aftermath of the Great Depression -- and learn.
Your tax breaks in the bailout bill
The $700 billion measure to rescue the nation's financial system includes a little help for average Americans, too. Take a look at where you might get a mini-bailout of your own.
The $700 billion measure to rescue the nation's financial system includes a little help for average Americans, too. Take a look at where you might get a mini-bailout of your own.
How to thrive when this bear dies
You can't know when the market blues will end, but you should start preparing now for an upturn. Here is a 3-part strategy for the recovery, whether the long-term outlook is poor or not.
You can't know when the market blues will end, but you should start preparing now for an upturn. Here is a 3-part strategy for the recovery, whether the long-term outlook is poor or not.
The bailout is turning into a fiasco
All my indicators show this market is getting more bearish, and the government's 'plan' to save us from this mess is not helping. Here are some simple ideas that might work better.
All my indicators show this market is getting more bearish, and the government's 'plan' to save us from this mess is not helping. Here are some simple ideas that might work better.
Banks may prove a drag on the economy
After Thursday's market sell-off, we may get a bounce-back rally. But we won't get a sustained rally unless banks can sell portions of their loans to investors. That business is largely dried up.
After Thursday's market sell-off, we may get a bounce-back rally. But we won't get a sustained rally unless banks can sell portions of their loans to investors. That business is largely dried up.
Cash really is king these days
To stay in the black, our top player has turned his whole portfolio into greenbacks. Our other players are finding promising picks in this difficult market, but all remain in the red.
To stay in the black, our top player has turned his whole portfolio into greenbacks. Our other players are finding promising picks in this difficult market, but all remain in the red.
Dow off 445; S&P hits 11-year low
Stocks have now fallen 50% from their 2007 peaks. Citigroup falls below $5, and officials may sell assets or seek a merger partner. Crude drops below $50, slamming energy shares. Congress defers a decision on aid to automakers until December.
Stocks have now fallen 50% from their 2007 peaks. Citigroup falls below $5, and officials may sell assets or seek a merger partner. Crude drops below $50, slamming energy shares. Congress defers a decision on aid to automakers until December.
'Boring' stocks that suddenly look hot
A bleak market has turned some safe, staid investments into cash cows for battered investors. One example: Preferred stocks, usually just solid dividend plays, can win big right now.
A bleak market has turned some safe, staid investments into cash cows for battered investors. One example: Preferred stocks, usually just solid dividend plays, can win big right now.
Stock bargains: 5 blue chips under $10
The market's sharp sell-off has some of the world's biggest and best-known companies trading at bargain basement prices. Does that mean you should buy?
The market's sharp sell-off has some of the world's biggest and best-known companies trading at bargain basement prices. Does that mean you should buy?
Your guide to holiday tipping
A little holiday green can spread cheer for the rest of the year. Here are the keys to tipping the right people the right amounts.
A little holiday green can spread cheer for the rest of the year. Here are the keys to tipping the right people the right amounts.
Dow falls 427 as stocks hit 5-year lows
Stocks hit levels last seen in early 2003, with financial stocks slammed. Citigroup falls 23%. Worries grow that Congress won't offer help to automakers. The Fed cuts its economic projections. Tech stocks sag; Yahoo falls 21% after Microsoft says it doesn't want the company.
Stocks hit levels last seen in early 2003, with financial stocks slammed. Citigroup falls 23%. Worries grow that Congress won't offer help to automakers. The Fed cuts its economic projections. Tech stocks sag; Yahoo falls 21% after Microsoft says it doesn't want the company.
What if GM goes broke?
Neither a bailout nor bankruptcy may save General Motors or the other Detroit automakers. So imagine the cost of losing GM, starting with millions of jobs.
Neither a bailout nor bankruptcy may save General Motors or the other Detroit automakers. So imagine the cost of losing GM, starting with millions of jobs.
A mortgage that pays you? Think twice
Reverse mortgages are complex loans that may seem like the answer to a tight retirement budget. For some, they are financial salvation, but the devil can be in the details.
Reverse mortgages are complex loans that may seem like the answer to a tight retirement budget. For some, they are financial salvation, but the devil can be in the details.
Dow up 151 in late-day rally
But major indexes are at levels last seen in 2003, and futures trading suggests a weak Wednesday open. Hewlett-Packard earnings cheer. Automakers plead for help from Congress; Chrysler says it's almost out of cash. Home Depot earnings are better than expected.
But major indexes are at levels last seen in 2003, and futures trading suggests a weak Wednesday open. Hewlett-Packard earnings cheer. Automakers plead for help from Congress; Chrysler says it's almost out of cash. Home Depot earnings are better than expected.
Target to slash prices as sales slide
After a 24% plunge in its third-quarter profit, the jumbo retailer promises to remain 'keenly focused' on offering low prices -- going toe to toe with rival Wal-Mart.
After a 24% plunge in its third-quarter profit, the jumbo retailer promises to remain 'keenly focused' on offering low prices -- going toe to toe with rival Wal-Mart.
5 money mistakes in a bad economy
Making a blunder with your finances can make a downturn even worse. Here are tips for sidestepping the pitfalls in credit cards, investing, college costs and other areas.
Making a blunder with your finances can make a downturn even worse. Here are tips for sidestepping the pitfalls in credit cards, investing, college costs and other areas.
Target to slash prices as sales slide
After a 24% plunge in its third-quarter profit, the jumbo retailer promises to remain 'keenly focused' on offering low prices -- going toe to toe with rival Wal-Mart.
After a 24% plunge in its third-quarter profit, the jumbo retailer promises to remain 'keenly focused' on offering low prices -- going toe to toe with rival Wal-Mart.
A more stimulating stimulus plan
We're hurting, and Washington isn't helping. Here's a five-point plan that will really get the economy moving again.
We're hurting, and Washington isn't helping. Here's a five-point plan that will really get the economy moving again.
10 donations food banks need most
It's holiday food-drive season, and needs this year are growing. Let these suggestions guide your giving.
It's holiday food-drive season, and needs this year are growing. Let these suggestions guide your giving.
Smart risks for cautious investors
Emerging markets can be even more valuable than they are volatile -- and they are plenty volatile. Here's where you should look (and where you should not).
Emerging markets can be even more valuable than they are volatile -- and they are plenty volatile. Here's where you should look (and where you should not).
Bonds that beat stocks, hands down
Struggling to find any promising place for your money in this market? Take a look at corporate bonds. They're likely to outperform stocks for at least a couple of years.
Struggling to find any promising place for your money in this market? Take a look at corporate bonds. They're likely to outperform stocks for at least a couple of years.
Dow off 224 as economic fear grows
Stocks fall back after Citigroup says it will cut more than 50,000 jobs. Yahoo shares jump after CEO Yang steps down. Disney is downgraded. Goldman Sachs' top brass give up their bonuses. Target's profit falls.
Stocks fall back after Citigroup says it will cut more than 50,000 jobs. Yahoo shares jump after CEO Yang steps down. Disney is downgraded. Goldman Sachs' top brass give up their bonuses. Target's profit falls.
Genentech and 9 other stocks for today
The first company to use recombinant DNA technology to produce a commercially available drug appears on an MSN Money list of recommended stocks. Here are StockScouter's top investment ideas.
The first company to use recombinant DNA technology to produce a commercially available drug appears on an MSN Money list of recommended stocks. Here are StockScouter's top investment ideas.
Why your property taxes are going up
As local governments scramble to cope with revenue shortfalls, homeowners are getting slapped with tax increases -- even as real-estate values tumble. Proposed rate increases run as high as 17%.
As local governments scramble to cope with revenue shortfalls, homeowners are getting slapped with tax increases -- even as real-estate values tumble. Proposed rate increases run as high as 17%.
Crisis means truckloads of car deals
With too many cars and not enough customers, auto dealers large and small are looking to sell -- which can put buyers with good credit in the driver's seat for getting the price they want.
With too many cars and not enough customers, auto dealers large and small are looking to sell -- which can put buyers with good credit in the driver's seat for getting the price they want.
GOP to Detroit: Drop dead
The Big 3 automakers are running short on time to persuade Republican skeptics that government loans represent a worthwhile bridge to a healthy industry.
The Big 3 automakers are running short on time to persuade Republican skeptics that government loans represent a worthwhile bridge to a healthy industry.
Why lenders might forgive your debt
There was a time when lenders didn't want to work with you if you couldn't pay. Now they want to avoid foreclosure, lawsuits or repossession almost as much as you do.
There was a time when lenders didn't want to work with you if you couldn't pay. Now they want to avoid foreclosure, lawsuits or repossession almost as much as you do.
Trillions down and still bailing
A hodgepodge collection of efforts has put us all on the hook for piles of money, and what do we have to show for it? A still-terrible market and a recession.
A hodgepodge collection of efforts has put us all on the hook for piles of money, and what do we have to show for it? A still-terrible market and a recession.
How much should you give?
You may be torn between saving every penny in case you get laid off . . . or giving to those who have it worse than you do. Here's how to make your budget reflect your priorities.
You may be torn between saving every penny in case you get laid off . . . or giving to those who have it worse than you do. Here's how to make your budget reflect your priorities.
A nervous market drives Dow down 338
Stocks sell off sharply in the last hour. The fear is how deep the recession will be after a report shows dismal October retail sales and major retailers cut guidance. Stocks may open higher on Monday, but more weak forecasts may come from Target, Lowe's and Home Depot.
Stocks sell off sharply in the last hour. The fear is how deep the recession will be after a report shows dismal October retail sales and major retailers cut guidance. Stocks may open higher on Monday, but more weak forecasts may come from Target, Lowe's and Home Depot.
Sirius trouble: Big losses, cloudy future
Just 4 months after the merger of XM and Sirius, the combined company is struggling to remain aloft. So why is the company's leader so bullish?
Just 4 months after the merger of XM and Sirius, the combined company is struggling to remain aloft. So why is the company's leader so bullish?
Right of Redemption
Helpful tips for foreclosure victims
States with a Right of Redemption have a period of time following the foreclosure auction known as the Redemption Period in which the former owner may buy back the property from the successful auction bidder. Not all states provide the former home owner with this right, and within the states that do, the length of the redemption period varies according to the individual state foreclosure procedures.
Foreclosure: Definition
The facts you NEED to know
Foreclosure is the legal process by which real estate purchased through a mortgage or deed of trust is sold in order to pay back debt on a defaulted home loan. When a house is bought, the homebuyer usually seeks a home loan in order to afford his purchase. The lender proceeds to protect his interest in the property through mortgages or deeds of trust (depending on the state). Though mortgages and deeds of trust have subtle differences in regards to foreclosure processes, they essentially serve the same purpose.
Each creates a lien on the property and assures the lender security on the home’s debt. When a homeowner fails to maintain his obligations to his home loan, the lender may sell the property in order to recover the owed debt — a process known as foreclosure. Foreclosed homes basically follow one of four patterns: