Dunkin' Donuts' war on Starbucks

With the latte giant reeling from overexpansion and a softening economy, the doughnut maker took aim at its upscale rival. Now McDonald's has joined the coffee fray as well. Can Starbucks pull through?

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

At Davos, an upside-down world

At last year's gathering of the world's elite at this Alpine ski resort, the tone was one of unbridled optimism. CEOs, government leaders and heads of NGOs had the luxury to discuss the rapid growth in new technologies, innovation in the financial industry (oops), and ways to combat hunger, disease and global warming. This year's World Economic Forum conjures a radically different zeitgeist.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

First-quarter layoffs

The following chart is a selection of some announcements of job cuts since the beginning of the year. Some numbers are estimates.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Homebuyers get a bonus in the stimulus bill

If you're thinking of buying a home, there could be a big bonus for you in the economic stimulus bill that's now before Congress.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

The Misery Index

Who's feeling the hurt of the recession? Here's a look at the toll that 2008 took on households across the country.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Thursday job cuts could exceed 13,000

The onslaught of job losses continued Thursday as employers announced a toll that could exceed 13,000.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Snag a great deal on a short sale

When Brian Gavitt, a physician, and his wife Gayleen, a stay-at-home mom, started to eye homes in Sacramento last winter, they knew they were looking in the hardest-hit areas of the housing bust. So the couple, who were relocating from Lansing, figured they could land a fantastic bargain in no time at all.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Uncle Sam wants you to buy a car

With auto sales at crisis levels, Washington is trying to figure out how to get Americans buying cars again.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Turn stock losses into tax savings

Losses on your investments are painful, but they can cut your taxes -- provided they're not in a retirement account.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Dow up 201; Fed to keep low rates

The central bank will keep interest rates low to help the economy. Financial stocks soar on reports of an administration plan to buy bad assets from banks. Boeing cuts 10,000 jobs after a fourth-quarter loss. Starbucks will lay off 6,700 and close more stores.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Geithner's redemption

Tim Geithner's tax problems have made for an interesting sideshow. But the real question about our new Treasury secretary isn't his foolishness (or sloppiness) in failing to pay some of his taxes until after President Obama's folks knocked on his door. It's whether he'll have the juice - and moral standing - to fill his most important role: reassuring the public and the financial markets that someone in charge in Washington knows what he's doing.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

How to win the credit-score game

As lenders tighten credit requirements, getting a good interest rate -- or a loan at all -- requires that you understand how the scoring system works.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Jobless? Can you get insurance?

If you're laid off, you'll qualify for health coverage through your old employer, thanks to federal legislation. But affording the coverage is another matter.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Jim Collins: How great companies turn crisis into opportunity

As the author of such business classics as "Built to Last" and "Good to Great," management guru Jim Collins has made a career out of understanding why companies succeed. Yet for the past several years he's been deep at work with partner Morten Hansen on how companies manage to negotiate through turbulent times. It was a prescient choice, deeply relevant to today's environment, and a likely topic of a future book. Collins recently sat down with Fortune senior writer Jennifer Reingold to share some of what he's learned to far. Excerpts:

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

As round winds up, questions linger

As a bruising session draws to a close, there is still no clear end to the market's woes, and no one knows what will happen next. Yet our players see reasons for hope.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Ford reports $5.9 billion loss

Ford Motor reported that its ongoing losses soared in the fourth quarter, but the company reiterated it still does not need the federal bailout already received by its two U.S. rivals.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Saving a city - one house at a time

Suffering from one of the highest foreclosure rates in the nation, Rhode Island is getting nearly $20 million from Washington to rehabilitate neighborhoods most affected by the mortgage meltdown.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Why the bank bailouts are doomed

It's tempting to believe that more money will fix the messes of our financial institutions. But simple math tells us the system is insolvent, and the solutions are unpalatable.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

The Fed hangs on to its last bullet

Should the Federal Reserve start buying up long-term Treasury bonds?

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

New home sales plunge to lowest on record

Sales of newly constructed homes plunged in December to the lowest level on record, going back to 1963, according to a government report released Thursday.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Oil falls as housing market totters

Oil prices sank Thursday as a sour housing market signaled that demand would continue to remain low as the economic crisis rolls on.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Government debt prices slide

Treasury prices fell Thursday as the government continues to auction record amounts of debt and as investors consider whether or not the Fed will eventually buy longer dated securities.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Fed to modify troubled mortgages

As required by the federal bailout law, the Federal Reserve will look to prevent foreclosures by modifying the terms on certain delinquent loans, lawmakers said Tuesday.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

At Davos, blaming unregulated markets

This year's World Economic Forum meeting at Davos is supposed to discuss how to lift the world out of its economic and financial crisis, but not everyone is satisfied just talking about the problems. Aditya Mittal, for one, is trying to take matters into his own hands.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Netbooks could be the next hit cell phones

Glenn Lurie knows Silicon Valley better than most telecom industry types. As AT&T's point man on the iPhone, he was the guy who camped out in Cupertino and hashed out the blockbuster iPhone launch with Apple. The next big game in his sights? The netbook.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Dow rises 59; Yahoo earnings cheer Street

Yahoo shares rise after hours as earnings beat Street estimates. GE falls on a possible downgrade from Moody's. American Express shares jump more than 9% and lead financial stocks higher. Consumer confidence hits a record low.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Obama: 'We don't have a moment to spare'

In a final push before the House votes on an economic stimulus package, President Obama said Wednesday that the country needs immediate action to solve rampant job loss.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Stocks rally on banks, Obama

Optimism about the Obama administration's stimulus plan and Wells Fargo's better-than-expected quarterly results were among the factors propelling stocks Wednesday morning.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

What investors can learn from Obama's optimism

Keep this in mind as we work through hard times: America, and the market, will prosper in the long run.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

AT&T profit falls on iPhone costs

Read full story for latest details.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Tough times for porn, booze

Even sin isn't secure anymore. Gambling, sex, cigarettes and alcohol are among the supposedly recession-proof businesses hit hard by the economic downturn.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Stocks rise on hopes for new bank plan

The Obama administration is close to a plan to buy bad assets from financial companies. The House votes today on the president's stimulus plan. Yahoo posts a loss but beats Wall Street's estimate. Target cuts jobs.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Why I'm saving up $15,000 this year

I don't know what the future will bring. But I know that I want my family to be secure. Here's what we're going to do about it -- and an invitation to join us.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

State Farm to stop insuring Florida

Florida's largest private insurer is pulling the plug on homeowners' policies in the state, citing the losses suffered since the brutal 2004 hurricane season.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Mortgage applications plunge

Read full story for latest details.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

The Fed: Life after zero

The Federal Reserve wraps up its two-day meeting about what to do with interest rates Wednesday afternoon. But that's probably two more days than the central bank needed.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Semi-smart money stays at home

In his inaugural address President Obama took just a few sentences to make the simplest and most compelling possible argument for buying stocks now:

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Health care: The hidden business killer

Rich Gallo says he can't afford to provide health insurance for his nine employees. For a long time he put off buying insurance for himself, figuring he needed time to shop carefully. Gallo's desk was piled high with policy proposals when he suffered a heart attack. Lacking insurance, he delayed going to the hospital for several hours.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Engineers: U.S. infrastructure a 'D'

The nation's roads, bridges, power grid, water supply, schools and transit systems are all in a state of disrepair due to under-funding - and the proposed stimulus plan will not go far enough to solve the problem, according to a report released Wednesday.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

How Netflix got started

The genesis of Netflix came in 1997 when I got this late fee, about $40, for Apollo 13. I remember the fee because I was embarrassed about it. That was back in the VHS days, and it got me thinking that there's a big market out there.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Global economy: 2009 just like World War II

With overall global economic growth slowing to a near standstill this year, 2009 will be the most challenging year for economies across the globe since World War II, according to an International Monetary Fund report released Wednesday.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Dogs of the Dow for 2009

If you invested in the Dogs of the Dow last year, you had one dog of a time. The stocks failed to outpace the S&P 500 or the Dow 30 (both of which had a miserable year), but that doesn't mean you should give up on them, says the man who popularized the investing strategy.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

The market will turn before the economy

We're off to a tough start in 2009, but stocks will turn even as economic bad news rolls in. That's why now is not the time to run away.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Dow falls 105; Google beats Street estimates

Google profits look strong, but the company sees tough business conditions ahead. Microsoft blames the recession for 5,000 job cuts and lower earnings. Intel will cut 6,000 jobs and close its last Silicon Valley plant. John Thain is ousted at Bank of America.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Home prices fall at record pace

An index of home prices in 20 major metropolitan areas fell at a record annual pace in November, to levels not seen since 2004, according to a report released Tuesday.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Geithner gooses stocks

Stocks gained Tuesday morning as the Senate's confirmation of Timothy Geithner as the new Treasury secretary countered another rash of weak earnings reports and a gloomy reading on home prices.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Bloody Monday: Over 71,400 jobs lost

The final week of January began with a bloodbath for the job market, as over 71,400 more cuts were announced on Monday alone.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

The man who outfoxed the market

These are brutally difficult times for automakers worldwide, but as crises go, this one could be a lot worse for Wendelin Wiedeking, Porsche's chief executive for the past 16 years.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Starbucks pulls peanut butter products

Read full story for latest details.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

10 tax goofs many of us keep making

Year after year, the IRS sees Americans committing the same sorts of mistakes on their returns. Many of these errors are easy to avoid; some are more complicated.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

DuPont reports loss, trims 2009 forecast

Read full story for latest details.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Where to stash your cash now

You're not going to find eye-popping interest rates, but there are lots of ways to earn modest returns -- with the priceless assurance that your balance won't drop.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

6 stocks to watch now, buy later

A recession can make it clear which companies are financially sound and are carefully assessing risks. But even top stocks' prices could get clobbered in the short term.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Why I hate income-tax refunds

That big, fat income-tax refund really means you've given the government an interest-free loan. It's far better to keep the money you earned in the first place.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

6 steps to dumping 'toxic debt'

Don't treat debt that can bite you suddenly and without warning as if it were a harmless house pet. Here's how to get it out of your life.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Dow up 38 despite economic woes

Layoffs and grim forecasts knock down a strong open for stocks. Caterpillar will chop 20,000 jobs and lowers its 2009 forecast. McDonald's beats Street estimates. Standard & Poor's reaffirms GE's AAA rating.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Don't get bitten by this Awfully Mean Tax

The Alternative Minimum Tax -- the tax that taxes you for having too many tax breaks -- is affecting a growing number of families. Here's how to minimize the bite.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

A bailout that works -- for lenders

Private mortgage insurance is paying off big for the lenders who had insisted on it -- and it's the about only way a buyer with a small down payment can find a loan today.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

No relief in sight for merchants in '09

If 2008 was brutal for retailers' sales, 2009 will be just as turbulent, or even worse, according to an industry forecast Tuesday.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

What's Fido worth? Almost nothing

In the courts, our pets are usually valued like a piece of property. But there is a movement under way to legally recognize that special something they bring to our lives.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Gas prices creeping back up

Despite a slump in demand for crude oil, Americans have seen costs at the pump rise over the past 5 weeks.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Stimulus 101: What's in the bills

You've probably noticed: The Obama administration and Congress are talking about spending an unprecedented sum of money to try to revive the economy.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Why you need global stocks now

A strengthening US dollar recently crushed investment in foreign equities, but signs point to an end to the rally -- and a beginning of better times for investing overseas.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Going back to school to get a job

Landing a new job in this withering economy may require a stop in school first.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Under Armour reboots

The Baltimore headquarters of sports apparel maker Under Armour don't look much like the offices of a technology company. The walls are covered with posters of professional athletes such as the New York Giants' Brandon Jacobs and the Baltimore Ravens' Ray Lewis, wearing tough, menacing expressions. There's a treadmill in the hallway. In one workspace, in front of the cubicles, a football-throwing machine spits out short passes on a ribbon of AstroTurf.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Fed looks like one more shaky bank

After gobbling up the questionable collateral of the financial giants, the central bank's vaults are filled with paper assets that likely aren't worth what they once were.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Corning slashes 3,500 jobs

High-tech glass and ceramics maker Corning Inc. announced Tuesday it will cut 3,500 jobs, or 13% of the company's workforce, by the end of 2009.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Flood of foreclosures: It's worse than you think

Housing might be in worse shape than we think.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Older workers escaping the ax

Many companies faced with making layoffs are trying to spare workers 55 and older -- for legal reasons and to retain their expertise.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Give and grow rich with charitable deductions

Remember, it's always better to give than receive. The glory of charitable donations is that you give and receive at the same time.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Should you do your own taxes?

There are many reasons you might want to hire a professional preparer. But don't pay a pro just to fill in the blanks on your tax forms.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

American Express earnings plunge 79%

American Express reported a steep decline in earnings in the latest quarter, the company said Monday, citing slower consumer spending and rising delinquencies.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Global meltdown snares China

China's economy is being battered by falling global demand for its goods. That's bad news for the broader Asian economy -- and perhaps the world.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Why we can't let sputtering GM die

US automakers have repeatedly failed to innovate, wasted time and money, and agreed to rich union contracts. And yet the case for rescuing this gasping industry is persuasive.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Google, energy shares lead market higher

Weakness in General Electric weighs on the Dow, but techs and gains in energy and gold stocks give the market a boost. Eleven Dow stocks report next week, and the Federal Reserve will meet on interest rates. Exxon Mobil is 5% of the S&P 500.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Just got laid off? Get better severance

Sure, you read the papers, so you know the ax is falling left and right these days: Home Depot is slashing 7,000 jobs, Caterpillar is laying off 20,000 workers, Microsoft is cutting as many as 5,000 positions, and Pfizer is letting go 10% of its staff of 81,900. Still, you didn't expect it to happen to you. But if you've just left your boss's office with the dire news that your position is being eliminated, what do you do?

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

$825B question: How fast will it work?

President Obama on Tuesday will turn up the heat on his push for an $825 billion economic recovery package when he goes to Capitol Hill to meet with Republicans critical of his plan.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

To cut next year's taxes, start now

If you knew you could deduct more of your expenses and keep more of your income, you would, right? For 2009, you can -- if you begin ASAP. And it's not too late to reduce your '08 taxes.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Market woes just won't go away

Banks are still in big trouble, the job market is worsening and Wall Street is a minefield for investors. Yet one of our players has managed a double-digit gain since August.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

A beginner's guide to selling short

When the market stumbles, betting that stocks will keep falling is tempting. But it's also risky, and finding the right stocks can be hard. Here's what you need to know, along with 10 potential plays.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Tax mistake? You can make amends

Although an amended return will make the IRS sit up and take notice, if you do it right, your chances of being audited may actually decrease.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Bank bailout could cost $4 trillion

The cost of the bank bailout is likely to be much higher than $700 billion.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Bank CEOs buy own stock

Read full story for latest details.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Don't bet on bank nationalization

Nothing seems to scare bankers, or their shareholders for that matter, more than the word "nationalization."

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Microsoft, economy hurt stocks

U.S. stocks opened lower Thursday after Microsoft's surprise announcement that it was cutting up to 5,000 jobs over 18 months and missed earnings estimates.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Parsons takes over as Citi chairman

Citigroup, the struggling financial titan that recently announced plans to split in two, is shaking up its board again.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Microsoft slashes up to 5,000 jobs

Software maker Microsoft announced Thursday it will cut up to 5,000 jobs in the next year and a half, or 5.5% of its global workforce, citing further deterioration of global economic conditions.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]

Will the recession make you fat?

Nutrition experts say the answer could be yes, if you're not careful. Here's how to shop smarter -- and eat healthfully -- when you're watching every penny.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Is this the year to change your life?

2009 may be a great time to take a financial risk and make a big step forward -- such as launching a business, buying a home, changing careers or starting a family.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Recession doesn't bite Apple

Steve Jobs' company holds out in the recession but faces regulatory scrutiny. Bank of New York Mellon profit falls 88%. Obama's banking rescue plan pleases investors.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Dow jumps 279; Apple earnings cheer Street

Apple shares jump on a decent outlook. The Dow rises after IBM says 2009 earnings will be better than expected. Bank stocks rebound as the new administration works on a new rescue package. Toyota overtakes GM as the world's top automaker by sales.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Why Apple really needs Steve Jobs

Companies that lose a star CEO with Jobs' stature -- such as GE, Dell and Starbucks -- often struggle. Here's why and what shareholders should watch for.

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[Source: MSN Money Latest Articles]

Intel cuts to affect up to 6,000 workers

Chipmaker Intel Corp. announced Wednesday that it will be cutting production at two U.S. silicon wafer facilities and closing three facilities in Asia, affecting between 5,000 and 6,000 workers.

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[Source: Financial news of the day - CNNMoney.com]