Money: April 2008

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

6 funds that let you sleep at night

If the stock markets' wild swings have been making you nervous, it might be time to consider an asset-allocation fund. These hybrids mix stocks, bonds, and cash in parachute portfolios designed to catch wind in boom times and to cushion against sharp drops.

Your kid's in college! So... how will you pay?

Patrick and Laura Matheny began saving early for their children's college education. After stashing some $50,000 in college savings accounts for their son Daniel, now 20, and their daughter Natalie, 18, they began paying down their mortgage in earnest with the intention of tapping their home equity once the bills began rolling in.

Fed could burst oil's bubble

Crude oil prices and the value of the dollar have been marching in different directions for months. But that may shift if the Federal Reserve signals on Wednesday that its rate-cutting campaign has come to a close.

Whose hand is in your till?

When a local accountant offered to do the books for Lake Architectural in Marcellus, N.Y., Peter Sorber, co-founder of the three-year-old firm, was overwhelmed by managing his growing business and was happy to accept the offer.

Yahoo maintains silence

No news isn't always good news. Three days have passed since the expiration of Microsoft's deadline for Yahoo to accept its buyout offer or face a hostile takeover.

A revolution for small investors

Soon all companies will report financials in a programming language called XBRL that will allow you and me to slice and dice numbers like never before.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Mixed day on Wall Street

Stocks ended mixed Tuesday for the second day in a row, after declining most of the session, following a troubling report on consumer confidence and some trepidation about what the Federal Reserve will decide at the conclusion of its two-day meeting that began this morning.

Tax cut could push gas prices higher

Two presidential contenders are calling for a temporary suspension of the federal gas tax, a move that experts say will do little to help motorists and could actually push prices higher.

Would you eat 2,900-calorie cheese fries?

Driven by curiosity and customer demand, Marc Geman, CEO of the Spicy Pickle restaurant chain, sent 30 of his top-selling dishes to a testing lab for nutritional analysis. It cost him about $2,500, but he learned everything about each dish, from calories to sodium content, which he then posted on the Spicy Pickle website.

Corning's profit triples, tops $1B

Read full story for latest details.

12 top stocks to buy at the bottom

This rough market has taken a piece out of the stock price of many companies with great prospects. Buy them near the bottom -- which might be now -- and you could get a bargain.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Oil falls $3, gas continues to climb

Read full story for latest details.

Housing prices post record declines

Home prices have posted another record decline, as most of the nation's largest markets suffered double-digit drops over last year, a survey released Tuesday shows.

Bush calls out Congress on economy

President Bush addressed Americans' anxiety about the effects that the U.S. economic downturn has taken on their wallets Tuesday, calling on Congress to pass legislation that will help reduce energy and food costs, keep people in their homes, and make student loans more available.

Steady funds for unsteady times

Remember those slow-but-steady stock funds that frustrated you last year - the ones you thought about getting rid of because they were lagging when the market was up?

How $10 could save your retirement

When money is tight, it's tempting to put off any thought of saving. But don't give in. Even the change in your couch cushions can make a difference.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Techs, MasterCard rise ahead of Fed

A rising dollar helps tech shares but knocks crude oil, gold and copper lower. MasterCard offers blowout earnings. Wednesday's expected interest-rate cut may be the Fed's last for now. Merck shares tumble.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Recession-proof job: personal financial adviser

A lot of jobs are in trouble in today's tough climate, but doom and gloom are the bread and butter of a personal financial planner.

Fed's main job: fight inflation

Let the politicians promise and posture. The Federal Reserve needs to pay attention to its main job. That means an end to interest-rate cuts.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

It's a grim economy for new grads

Not only are choices fewer for this year's business grads, some studies suggest those launching careers during 2008's downturn may face years -- or a lifetime -- of lower earnings.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Why we're stuck with insane prices

Forget supply and demand. We're now seeing scarcity economics at work -- what happens when buyers fear they won't get what they need at any price.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Merck hits FDA roadblock

Read full story for latest details.

Nvidia priced right for a tech recovery

The tech sector seems to be rebounding, and Nvidia is one of the key stocks poised for nice gains.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Rebates might be too little, too late

Tax rebates are starting to arrive in bank accounts. But many economists doubt that they will keep the economy from recession.

Fed expected to cut rates this week

Read full story for latest details.

Despite Wrigley deal, stocks pull back

The Dow drops 20 as investors await the Fed's interest rate decision. Wm. Wrigley soars after Mars agrees to pay $23 billion for the chewing gum maker. Visa beats Street estimates; stock falls. Rebuffed by Continental, United Airlines looks to merge with US Airways.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Good credit can't protect borrowers from bad loans

A good credit score doesn't mean you can't end up in foreclosure.

GM eliminates a shift at four factories

Read full story for latest details.

Housing relief efforts slow as pace of foreclosures rise

The pace of housing rescue efforts slowed in the first quarter of the year, according to a new report, while the number of people losing their homes to foreclosure skyrocketed during the same period.

Visa profit jumps 28%

Read full story for latest details.

What if you retire in a bad economy?

For many who have just quit working or will soon, concerns over their nest eggs run deep. Planners say retirees must weigh their options, but it's not time to panic.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Vanguard's best bets for your 401(k)

The fund giant has many good options for building your nest egg. One hitch: Your company's plan may not allow you to invest in some of the experts' top choices.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

First stimulus checks arrive - What you need to know

The federal government on Monday started depositing checks into the bank accounts of 800,000 Americans in the first installment in a weeks-long effort to boost the economy.

Lousy 401(k)? Lousy economy? Get a Roth!

You might be listening to the symphony of financial experts extolling the virtues of a 401(k) plan, often touted as the best way to save for your golden years. But that's not necessarily the case.

Microsoft confronts tough choice on Yahoo

Yahoo lets the Saturday deadline for takeover offer pass. Microsoft may go directly to shareholders next.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Gas: Soothing spring price spikes

As sure as spring brings showers and flowers it also brings gasoline price spikes.

Oil roars to new high near $120

Read full story for latest details.

Tax rebates start landing today

The first wave of tax-stimulusmoney began arrivingfour days ahead of schedule. See when your rebatewill land.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Stock rally fizzles

Stocks ended mixed Monday, giving up gains sparked by Mars' $23 billion buyout of Wrigley, as investors pulled back ahead of the start of the two-day Fed policy meeting and key readings on economic growth and the labor market.

Monday, April 28, 2008

Continental Airlines says it will not pursue a merger

Read full story for latest details.

Eos Airlines to shut down

Read full story for latest details.

Porsche alleges suspected spy attempt on CEO

Read full story for latest details.

The high price of going 'organic'

While many companies are now rushing to "go green," recent surveys show American consumers are getting turned off by the organic hype for three reasons: price, skepticism and confusion.

Feds look at Wachovia in drug money probe

Wachovia Corp. is being investigated by Federal prosecutors as part of a probe into alleged drug money laundering by Mexican and Colombian money-transfer companies, according to a Wall Street Journal report Saturday morning.

Americans tightening their belts

Read full story for latest details.

Will expense ratios creep back up?

The bellwether measure for mutual funds' future returns had been in decline for years, but costs may be starting to climb again. And that could hurt the typical investor.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Goldman mortgage chief exits

Read full story for latest details.

The case for a mild recession

I'm staying neutral on the whole bear vs. bull debate. The U.S. economy is taking a beating, but there are many bright spots out there. I'm not letting my portfolio stagnate.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Goodbye SUV, hello small cars

Read full story for latest details.

Why student loan business turned bad

For years, financial firms made good money making government-guaranteed loans to college students.

Stimulus payments starting early

The federal government, eager to boost the flagging economy, will start distributing special stimulus payments Monday - four days earlier than expected.

Home for sale by any means

For nearly two years, Adriel and Lance Bush tried unsuccessfully to sell their 1925 home in West Palm Beach, Fla. First the couple went the traditional route: They hired a realtor (three of them, in fact) who gave them standard advice, like getting rid of all the clutter caused by their twin toddler boys. They also renovated their master bath and added granite counters to the kitchen. Still no takers, which wasn't surprising: Home sales in the West Palm Beach area have fallen by double digits.

New home sales at 16-year low

New home sales fell in March to the lowest level in more than 16 years, according to a key government report on the battered housing market released Wednesday.

Here's stimulus: What you need to know

Imagine your rich uncle calls up out of the blue and says, "I'm going to send you six hundred bucks - spend it however you want."

After Friday's gains, can the rally push on?

Stocks recover from reports of a clash between U.S. and Iranian ships in the Persian Gulf, and the S&P 500 has its best close since Feb. 1. Investors hope another Fed rate cut will help the rally. Yahoo faces a critical weekend. Airline merger talk heats up.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Dollar rally stymied by consumer data

Read full story for latest details.

Why the worst may be over

What a wild week.

Dow at nearly 4-month high

Blue chips gained Friday, with the Dow closing at a nearly 4-month high, as investors set aside worries about rising oil and gas prices and Microsoft's forecast, and scooped up a variety of financial shares.

Say no to tax-rebate gift cards

Hand over your check to a retailer and you'll get a 10% bonus to spend. It's tempting. But wouldn't you rather buy your freedom than power tools or a few extra groceries?

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Continental expands e-pass system

Read full story for latest details.

Tax rebates going out early

Ready for some good economic news? Americans will start getting their rebates Monday, four days ahead of schedule.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Friday, April 25, 2008

Gouging myth out of gas

If you think you're getting gouged at the pump - think again.

Rates on 30-year mortgages top 6%

Read full story for latest details.

American Express profit falls 6%

Read full story for latest details.

Tax rebates to start arriving Monday

The federal government, eager to boost the flagging economy, will start distributing special tax rebates on Monday - five days earlier than expected, the Treasury Department said Thursday.

Big advance on Wall Street

Stocks rallied and bonds slumped Thursday as investors welcomed a stronger dollar, weaker oil prices and upbeat earnings from Ford Motor and Apple.

Don't get steamed over stores' rice limits

Although warehouse retailers are limiting specialty rice sales, industry experts say U.S. consumers shouldn't worry that there's a shortage in the making.

Ford posts $100 million profit

Cost cuts in North America and sales in Europe push the automaker to a first-quarter gain. Ford said it remains on track to return North American and global automotive operations to profitability in 2009.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Monday, April 28, 2008

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Friday, April 25, 2008

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