Stocks Zigzag as the Dollar Rises

Investors backed off the recent rally as a slight rebound in the dollar provoked caution on Wall Street. The Dow Jones Industrial average was the only major index that finished the day off in positive territory. Three stocks fell for every one that rose on the New York Stock Exchange. Volume totaled 1.1 billion compared with 1.2 billion Monday. Trading was mostly quiet today, but stocks still zigzagged in a tight band during most of the session. This type of pattern is expected to continue until the Federal Reserve policy-setting meeting, which is scheduled for December 16. Positive news about the housing market didn't shift the direction of stocks. Global markets were mixed. Asian shares finished the session in positive territory, and European stocks ended slightly lower. Bond prices rose, sending yields down, after an auction of 10-year notes drew solid demand. Crude oil fell 72 cents to $78.71 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, while gold rose.

Sparking Headlines

Sen. Chris Dodd introduced a wide-ranging financial-regulatory-overhaul measure that seeks to create a single US bank regulator thus stripping supervision from the Federal Reserve and Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

Reading the Dodd Proposals

Video -- Dodd's Financial Reform, Q&A

Not surprisingly, the European Commission issued objections to the proposed acquisition of Sun Microsystems (JAVA) by Oracle (ORCL). Following the rejection, Fitch Ratings lowered its outlook for Sun Microsystems Inc. to evolving from positive. In addition to this news, Sun announced that it would eliminate 128 jobs in January from its Broomfield, CO campus as part of its national layoffs.

The Case for Why Oracle Will Win in Europe

Would Oracle Ever Abandon Its Bid for Sun ?

It's always nice to hear that a company is hiring, especially with the current state of the jobs market. JP Morgan Chase (JPM) is planning to hire 1,200 mortgage officers as it aggressively expands its mortgage business. The company has also decided to remove a salary freeze for employees earning more than $60,000 year.

US home sales increased 11 percent to a two-year high in the third quarter as an $8,000 tax credit for first-time buyers boosted demand. According to the National Association of Realtors' quarterly report, most U.S. cities saw gains in the median price of single-family homes sold during the third-quarter.

Video -- Q3 Metro Home Prices

In other housing news, a recent report showed that 20 percent of eligible borrowers have gotten trial modifications under the Obama administration's $75 billion mortgage relief plan.

The former chief financial officer and chief trader for hedge fund firm Boston Provident was arrested on charges he defrauded the fund of about $1.3 million. Meanwhile, two former Bear Stearns Cos hedge fund managers were acquitted of fraud charges related to the subprime mortgage crisis.

Other Juicy Tidbits

Are Shrinking Money Funds a Bullish Sign? -- As one parking place for cash clears out, more dollars are being sent back on the road. Guess who's hitting the gas.

Here's The Verdict on AIG: Dump The Stock

Three Things the US Can Do To Stop the Dollar's Decline

Organic IT -- Why companies should let workers create their own apps and business processes.

Video -- Madoff Penthouse Asking Price Cut

10 secrets of off-season homebuying -- With the housing market in its sluggish months, savvy buyers can squeeze out some nice deals. But first you'll need to do your homework.

State of the Stimulus -- One reason unemployment continues to rise may be that stimulus funds did not target high-unemployment states.

Stocks Zigzag as the Dollar Rises

Investors backed off the recent rally as a slight rebound in the dollar provoked caution on Wall Street. The Dow Jones Industrial average was the only major index that finished the day off in positive territory. Three stocks fell for every one that rose on the New York Stock Exchange. Volume totaled 1.1 billion compared with 1.2 billion Monday. Trading was mostly quiet today, but stocks still zigzagged in a tight band during most of the session. This type of pattern is expected to continue until the Federal Reserve policy-setting meeting, which is scheduled for December 16. Positive news about the housing market didn't shift the direction of stocks. Global markets were mixed. Asian shares finished the session in positive territory, and European stocks ended slightly lower. Bond prices rose, sending yields down, after an auction of 10-year notes drew solid demand. Crude oil fell 72 cents to $78.71 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, while gold rose.

Sparking Headlines

Sen. Chris Dodd introduced a wide-ranging financial-regulatory-overhaul measure that seeks to create a single US bank regulator thus stripping supervision from the Federal Reserve and Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

Reading the Dodd Proposals

Video -- Dodd's Financial Reform, Q&A

Not surprisingly, the European Commission issued objections to the proposed acquisition of Sun Microsystems (JAVA) by Oracle (ORCL). Following the rejection, Fitch Ratings lowered its outlook for Sun Microsystems Inc. to evolving from positive. In addition to this news, Sun announced that it would eliminate 128 jobs in January from its Broomfield, CO campus as part of its national layoffs.

The Case for Why Oracle Will Win in Europe

Would Oracle Ever Abandon Its Bid for Sun ?

It's always nice to hear that a company is hiring, especially with the current state of the jobs market. JP Morgan Chase (JPM) is planning to hire 1,200 mortgage officers as it aggressively expands its mortgage business. The company has also decided to remove a salary freeze for employees earning more than $60,000 year.

US home sales increased 11 percent to a two-year high in the third quarter as an $8,000 tax credit for first-time buyers boosted demand. According to the National Association of Realtors' quarterly report, most U.S. cities saw gains in the median price of single-family homes sold during the third-quarter.

Video -- Q3 Metro Home Prices

In other housing news, a recent report showed that 20 percent of eligible borrowers have gotten trial modifications under the Obama administration's $75 billion mortgage relief plan.

The former chief financial officer and chief trader for hedge fund firm Boston Provident was arrested on charges he defrauded the fund of about $1.3 million. Meanwhile, two former Bear Stearns Cos hedge fund managers were acquitted of fraud charges related to the subprime mortgage crisis.

Other Juicy Tidbits

Are Shrinking Money Funds a Bullish Sign? -- As one parking place for cash clears out, more dollars are being sent back on the road. Guess who's hitting the gas.

Here's The Verdict on AIG: Dump The Stock

Three Things the US Can Do To Stop the Dollar's Decline

Organic IT -- Why companies should let workers create their own apps and business processes.

Video -- Madoff Penthouse Asking Price Cut

10 secrets of off-season homebuying -- With the housing market in its sluggish months, savvy buyers can squeeze out some nice deals. But first you'll need to do your homework.

State of the Stimulus -- One reason unemployment continues to rise may be that stimulus funds did not target high-unemployment states.

Stocks Begin the Week with a Rally

Investors started the week off with a bang and pushed the Dow Jones Industrial Average to a new 2009 high. All but 1 of the 30 components of the blue-chip index closed higher. The Dow's only decliner was Kraft Foods (KFT), which fell 0.9% after candy-maker Cadbury (CBY) rejected a $16.3 billion hostile bid from the food giant. Financial and commodity-related shares led the advance. A broad U.S. stocks rally started early in the session after the G20 decided to keep stimulus in place and flowing to the world economy. Corporate mergers and acquisitions also helped the market. With no significant economic indicators on Monday's docket, investors didn't find any news to put the brakes on earlier advances. U.S. oil for December delivery rose $2 to settle at $79.43 a barrel, after sinking almost 3% on Friday. Gold rose to a new record and the dollar fell against other major currencies. The 30-Year Treasury bond turned negative as government debt prices gave up some of the boost that followed a strong 3-Year note auction.

Word on the Street

Kraft (KFT) is still craving some of Cadbury's (CBY) chocolate. The North American food group launched a $16.4 hostile bid for the British confectionery firm. Cadbury quickly rejected the offer , but one of the company's top shareholders said investors would find it hard to turn down an offer of more than 8 pounds a share from the US suitor.

Video -- Kraft, Cadbury Deal Gets Hostile

In other acquisition news, Electronic Arts Inc (ERTS) has acquired privately held Playfish for $275 million in cash. The company is looking to strengthen its position in the growing Internet and wireless gaming segment. Google (GOOG) has agreed to acquire AdMob , a fast-growing start-up that developed technology to place ads on mobile phones, for $750 million in stock.

Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO) extended its $3 billion tender offer for Tandberg ASA by nine days after some shareholders of the Norwegian videoconferencing company demanded a higher price.

The steep declines in the auto industry pushed some companies over the edge and forced them into bankruptcy court. General Motors emerged from bankruptcy earlier this year and now Lear. Corp has emerged from bankruptcy protection with a third-quarter profit.

Six new directors to join Lear board

Advanta Corp. (ADVN.B), once one of the largest credit card lenders to small businesses, filed to reorganize under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection . The company's bankruptcy filing is a blow to small businesses .

Comcast (CCT) is inching closer to a deal with NBC Universal. Now that a price tag has been hashed out, a deal between the two companies is expected to be completed within the next few days. Demonstrators have already started to flock to Washington, D.C. to protest against the deal.

The Federal Reserve said fewer banks tightened lending standards for companies and consumers in the third quarter than in the prior period as the US economy grew for the first time in more than a year.

A Positive Trend in Small Bank Lending?

Other Juicy Tidbits

Winners & Losers of 2009 -- More than most years, 2009 has been about winners and losers.

8 stars speak out on Steve Jobs -- Eight people who rarely speak publicly about Jobs explain what makes him one of the best business minds of our time.

Did Modern Portfolio Theory Survive Crisis?

Think Like a Child -- Learn to think like a kid again and unlock your hidden potential.

3 ways to save money on health insurance.

Ten Ways To Audit Proof Your Tax Return -- There are steps you can take to reduce your chances of IRS pain.

Stocks Begin the Week with a Rally

Investors started the week off with a bang and pushed the Dow Jones Industrial Average to a new 2009 high. All but 1 of the 30 components of the blue-chip index closed higher. The Dow's only decliner was Kraft Foods (KFT), which fell 0.9% after candy-maker Cadbury (CBY) rejected a $16.3 billion hostile bid from the food giant. Financial and commodity-related shares led the advance. A broad U.S. stocks rally started early in the session after the G20 decided to keep stimulus in place and flowing to the world economy. Corporate mergers and acquisitions also helped the market. With no significant economic indicators on Monday's docket, investors didn't find any news to put the brakes on earlier advances. U.S. oil for December delivery rose $2 to settle at $79.43 a barrel, after sinking almost 3% on Friday. Gold rose to a new record and the dollar fell against other major currencies. The 30-Year Treasury bond turned negative as government debt prices gave up some of the boost that followed a strong 3-Year note auction.

Word on the Street

Kraft (KFT) is still craving some of Cadbury's (CBY) chocolate. The North American food group launched a $16.4 hostile bid for the British confectionery firm. Cadbury quickly rejected the offer , but one of the company's top shareholders said investors would find it hard to turn down an offer of more than 8 pounds a share from the US suitor.

Video -- Kraft, Cadbury Deal Gets Hostile

In other acquisition news, Electronic Arts Inc (ERTS) has acquired privately held Playfish for $275 million in cash. The company is looking to strengthen its position in the growing Internet and wireless gaming segment. Google (GOOG) has agreed to acquire AdMob , a fast-growing start-up that developed technology to place ads on mobile phones, for $750 million in stock.

Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO) extended its $3 billion tender offer for Tandberg ASA by nine days after some shareholders of the Norwegian videoconferencing company demanded a higher price.

The steep declines in the auto industry pushed some companies over the edge and forced them into bankruptcy court. General Motors emerged from bankruptcy earlier this year and now Lear. Corp has emerged from bankruptcy protection with a third-quarter profit.

Six new directors to join Lear board

Advanta Corp. (ADVN.B), once one of the largest credit card lenders to small businesses, filed to reorganize under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection . The company's bankruptcy filing is a blow to small businesses .

Comcast (CCT) is inching closer to a deal with NBC Universal. Now that a price tag has been hashed out, a deal between the two companies is expected to be completed within the next few days. Demonstrators have already started to flock to Washington, D.C. to protest against the deal.

The Federal Reserve said fewer banks tightened lending standards for companies and consumers in the third quarter than in the prior period as the US economy grew for the first time in more than a year.

A Positive Trend in Small Bank Lending?

Other Juicy Tidbits

Winners & Losers of 2009 -- More than most years, 2009 has been about winners and losers.

8 stars speak out on Steve Jobs -- Eight people who rarely speak publicly about Jobs explain what makes him one of the best business minds of our time.

Did Modern Portfolio Theory Survive Crisis?

Think Like a Child -- Learn to think like a kid again and unlock your hidden potential.

3 ways to save money on health insurance.

Ten Ways To Audit Proof Your Tax Return -- There are steps you can take to reduce your chances of IRS pain.

Stocks Make Slim Gains

Stocks were able to eliminate earlier losses and edge into positive territory on Friday. The market fell at the open after a weaker-than-expected October jobs report . Employers cut 190,000 jobs from their payrolls last month. The unemployment rate, generated by a separate survey, rose to a 26-year high of 10.2%. Earnings were all over the place today. Starbucks (SBUX) posted weaker quarterly results that beat expectations. AIG (AIG) reported its second straight quarterly profit after seven quarters of losses. A number of upgrades from analysts boosted stocks during afternoon trading. Bernstein Research and Oppenheimer upgraded their ratings on GE (GE) to "outperform". Goldman Sachs upgraded Travelers Cos Inc. (TRV) to "buy" from "neutral" and JPMorgan Chase raised Macy's Inc (M) to "overweight" from "neutral". U.S. light crude oil for December delivery fell $2.61 to $77.01 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Treasury prices rose, lowering the yield on the 10-year note to 3.51% from 3.52%. The dollar gained versus the euro and fell versus the yen.

Word on the Street

The jobs market came back into focus today after the unemployment rate hit its grimmest milestone yet. The US jobless rate jumped up 0.4 percentage point to 10.2% in October, the highest level since April 1983. The bad news is that the rate will likely stay this high for months to come .

Double-Digit Unemployment… Just How Lagging Is It ?

Video -- Unemployment's Stock Market Impact

First it was a war between Wal-Mart (WMT) and Amazon (AMZN), but now Target (TGT) has jumped into the ring. The three companies are currently in a discount price battle to lure customers in during the holiday season. $10 DVDs is quite appealing to cash-strapped consumers.

The last two quarters have played out much better for American International Group Inc. (AIG). The insurer posted its second straight profit as its core insurance operations continue to stabilize after the company's bailout last year by the government.

Shares of General Electric (GE) climbed higher after two analysts raised their ratings on the largest US conglomerate to “outperform”. The company definitely felt the love on Wall Street following the news of the upgrade.

You Get a Tax Credit! You Get a Tax Credit! Congress has extended homebuyer tax credits to incent more first-time home buyers to take a chance in the distressed market.

Was Extending the Homebuyer Credit a Good Idea?

A Bad Way to Spend Money

Reports surfaced months ago that eBay (EBAY) was looking to unload its Skype business. Details about the deal were released today. The group of investors purchasing the majority stake in the telecommunications service has also agreed to settle a legal squabble with the founder of Skype.

Fannie Mae (FNM) is looking for money in more than one area. The mortgage finance company filed $15.8 billion in claims against bankrupt securities firm Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. Good luck recouping that money. The company is also planning to tap emergency US capital for a fourth time this year.

Blackstone Group (BX) is still on the road to recovery. The hedge fund and private equity firm posted a narrower third-quarter loss . Fees from selling assets and finding acquisition targets helped the company beat estimates by 10 cents.

Other Juicy Tidbits

30 Entrepreneurs Who Are Saving the World

10 Tips to Save on Holiday Gifts -- Here are ways to give presents without giving up lots of green.

We need to kill Wall St. jobs to create Main St. jobs.

9 Questions Wall Street Must Answer

How to Dodge Higher Medicare Premiums -- Income-based premiums are set to jump, but seniors have some options.

Stocks Make Slim Gains

Stocks were able to eliminate earlier losses and edge into positive territory on Friday. The market fell at the open after a weaker-than-expected October jobs report . Employers cut 190,000 jobs from their payrolls last month. The unemployment rate, generated by a separate survey, rose to a 26-year high of 10.2%. Earnings were all over the place today. Starbucks (SBUX) posted weaker quarterly results that beat expectations. AIG (AIG) reported its second straight quarterly profit after seven quarters of losses. A number of upgrades from analysts boosted stocks during afternoon trading. Bernstein Research and Oppenheimer upgraded their ratings on GE (GE) to "outperform". Goldman Sachs upgraded Travelers Cos Inc. (TRV) to "buy" from "neutral" and JPMorgan Chase raised Macy's Inc (M) to "overweight" from "neutral". U.S. light crude oil for December delivery fell $2.61 to $77.01 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Treasury prices rose, lowering the yield on the 10-year note to 3.51% from 3.52%. The dollar gained versus the euro and fell versus the yen.

Word on the Street

The jobs market came back into focus today after the unemployment rate hit its grimmest milestone yet. The US jobless rate jumped up 0.4 percentage point to 10.2% in October, the highest level since April 1983. The bad news is that the rate will likely stay this high for months to come .

Double-Digit Unemployment… Just How Lagging Is It ?

Video -- Unemployment's Stock Market Impact

First it was a war between Wal-Mart (WMT) and Amazon (AMZN), but now Target (TGT) has jumped into the ring. The three companies are currently in a discount price battle to lure customers in during the holiday season. $10 DVDs is quite appealing to cash-strapped consumers.

The last two quarters have played out much better for American International Group Inc. (AIG). The insurer posted its second straight profit as its core insurance operations continue to stabilize after the company's bailout last year by the government.

Shares of General Electric (GE) climbed higher after two analysts raised their ratings on the largest US conglomerate to “outperform”. The company definitely felt the love on Wall Street following the news of the upgrade.

You Get a Tax Credit! You Get a Tax Credit! Congress has extended homebuyer tax credits to incent more first-time home buyers to take a chance in the distressed market.

Was Extending the Homebuyer Credit a Good Idea?

A Bad Way to Spend Money

Reports surfaced months ago that eBay (EBAY) was looking to unload its Skype business. Details about the deal were released today. The group of investors purchasing the majority stake in the telecommunications service has also agreed to settle a legal squabble with the founder of Skype.

Fannie Mae (FNM) is looking for money in more than one area. The mortgage finance company filed $15.8 billion in claims against bankrupt securities firm Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. Good luck recouping that money. The company is also planning to tap emergency US capital for a fourth time this year.

Blackstone Group (BX) is still on the road to recovery. The hedge fund and private equity firm posted a narrower third-quarter loss . Fees from selling assets and finding acquisition targets helped the company beat estimates by 10 cents.

Other Juicy Tidbits

30 Entrepreneurs Who Are Saving the World

10 Tips to Save on Holiday Gifts -- Here are ways to give presents without giving up lots of green.

We need to kill Wall St. jobs to create Main St. jobs.

9 Questions Wall Street Must Answer

How to Dodge Higher Medicare Premiums -- Income-based premiums are set to jump, but seniors have some options.

Stocks Recharge and Rally

Stocks rallied Thursday after a drop in unemployment claims and an upbeat forecast from Cisco Systems Inc. gave investors a new reason to be optimistic about the economy. The Dow Jones Industrial average was able to reclaim the highly-coveted 10,000 spot following the rally. Gains were broad based, with all 30 Dow issues rising, led by Boeing (BA), JPMorgan Chase (JPM), Wal-Mart (WMT), and Procter & Gamble (PG) to name a few. The biggest jump in productivity in six years also contributed to the positive optimism on Wall Street. Meanwhile, retailers posted sales gains for the second straight month in October after more than a year of sliding sales. Cisco (CSCO) pulled tech stocks higher after it said late Wednesday that it expects revenue to grow for the first time in a year. U.S. light crude oil for December delivery fell 62 cents to settle at $79.78 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Treasury prices fell and the dollar ended mixed versus other major currencies.

Word on the Street

The skeletons are falling out the closet over at Galleon's Group. Federal prosecutors charged 14 hedge fund employees, lawyers and other investors with trading on insider information today. As more details come out about this case, the more it sounds like something out of a movie .

A day after two separate reports suggested that jobs cuts are slowing; the Labor Department announced that unemployment filings last week fell to its lowest level since January. Despite the positive news, unemployment within a fraction of 10 percent will continue to be a challenge for any economy coming out of a recession.

The holiday shopping season is quickly approaching and soon it will be all about retails sales numbers. Unfortunately, recent data has been all over the place, so analysts can't really determine how holiday sales will stack up.

With the amount of foreclosures rising every month, Fannie Mae (FNM) has decided to approach this growing problem with another solution. The company has decided to implement a deed-for-lease program that allows troubled borrowers who don't qualify for loan modifications to stay in their homes.

Move from Tenant to Owner -- Why pay rent to a landlord when that equity could be yours?

In acquisition news, health care data company IMS Health Inc. (RX) said it is being bought by investment funds TPG Capital and CPP Investment Board for $4 billion.

What Does IMS Health Do, Anyway ?

The recession has spurred a lot of innovation at Ford Motor Company (F). The automaker has already introduced a number of fuel-efficient vehicles and now the company is looking to debut inflatable seat belts by 2011.

How Good Is the New Taurus?

Thomson Reuters Corp.'s (TRI) third-quarter earnings fell 59% on write-downs and charges as it saw revenue slide, but the CEO is confident that the worst is over. We've all heard this type of statement before. This will be true until the next time the company experiences a large drop in earnings.

CVS Caremark (CVS) has had its hand in a lot of different business for a while now. Sometimes that turns into a problem. The company's unit for managing pharmacy benefits lost $3.7 billion in contracts in the third quarter. In response, investors sent shares of the company to eight year lows.

Other Juicy Tidbits

Could the IRS be trying to send you money?

Make an Online Capital Connection -- Sometimes finding the right investor is all about chemistry.

Google Declares War on Facebook

Now that most cell phones provide navigation services, are GPS systems becoming something of the past ?

Health-Care Reform's Hidden Taxes -- Why a lot of health reform's costs could be borne by the middle class, despite Obama's pledges.

Channeling Your Inner Warren Buffett

Stocks Recharge and Rally

Stocks rallied Thursday after a drop in unemployment claims and an upbeat forecast from Cisco Systems Inc. gave investors a new reason to be optimistic about the economy. The Dow Jones Industrial average was able to reclaim the highly-coveted 10,000 spot following the rally. Gains were broad based, with all 30 Dow issues rising, led by Boeing (BA), JPMorgan Chase (JPM), Wal-Mart (WMT), and Procter & Gamble (PG) to name a few. The biggest jump in productivity in six years also contributed to the positive optimism on Wall Street. Meanwhile, retailers posted sales gains for the second straight month in October after more than a year of sliding sales. Cisco (CSCO) pulled tech stocks higher after it said late Wednesday that it expects revenue to grow for the first time in a year. U.S. light crude oil for December delivery fell 62 cents to settle at $79.78 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Treasury prices fell and the dollar ended mixed versus other major currencies.

Word on the Street

The skeletons are falling out the closet over at Galleon's Group. Federal prosecutors charged 14 hedge fund employees, lawyers and other investors with trading on insider information today. As more details come out about this case, the more it sounds like something out of a movie .

A day after two separate reports suggested that jobs cuts are slowing; the Labor Department announced that unemployment filings last week fell to its lowest level since January. Despite the positive news, unemployment within a fraction of 10 percent will continue to be a challenge for any economy coming out of a recession.

The holiday shopping season is quickly approaching and soon it will be all about retails sales numbers. Unfortunately, recent data has been all over the place, so analysts can't really determine how holiday sales will stack up.

With the amount of foreclosures rising every month, Fannie Mae (FNM) has decided to approach this growing problem with another solution. The company has decided to implement a deed-for-lease program that allows troubled borrowers who don't qualify for loan modifications to stay in their homes.

Move from Tenant to Owner -- Why pay rent to a landlord when that equity could be yours?

In acquisition news, health care data company IMS Health Inc. (RX) said it is being bought by investment funds TPG Capital and CPP Investment Board for $4 billion.

What Does IMS Health Do, Anyway ?

The recession has spurred a lot of innovation at Ford Motor Company (F). The automaker has already introduced a number of fuel-efficient vehicles and now the company is looking to debut inflatable seat belts by 2011.

How Good Is the New Taurus?

Thomson Reuters Corp.'s (TRI) third-quarter earnings fell 59% on write-downs and charges as it saw revenue slide, but the CEO is confident that the worst is over. We've all heard this type of statement before. This will be true until the next time the company experiences a large drop in earnings.

CVS Caremark (CVS) has had its hand in a lot of different business for a while now. Sometimes that turns into a problem. The company's unit for managing pharmacy benefits lost $3.7 billion in contracts in the third quarter. In response, investors sent shares of the company to eight year lows.

Other Juicy Tidbits

Could the IRS be trying to send you money?

Make an Online Capital Connection -- Sometimes finding the right investor is all about chemistry.

Google Declares War on Facebook

Now that most cell phones provide navigation services, are GPS systems becoming something of the past ?

Health-Care Reform's Hidden Taxes -- Why a lot of health reform's costs could be borne by the middle class, despite Obama's pledges.

Channeling Your Inner Warren Buffett

Stocks Extend Gains

Stocks made small advances on Wednesday following the Federal Reserve's decision to hold interest rates at a record low. The Dow Jones Industrial average finished the day off with a gain of 30.23 points. The Standard and Poor's 500 index and Nasdaq ended closer to the flat line, but on different sides. Stocks rose early in the session as investors welcomed a pair of labor market reports that signaled the pace of layoffs is slowing. Comments from the Fed contributed to the positive momentum during afternoon trading. The central bank also reiterated that it will continue to employ a wide range of tools to promote economic recovery. This statement helped calm some jitters on Wall Street. In earnings news, Kraft Foods (KFT) reported weaker quarterly earnings that topped estimates on weaker revenue that missed estimates. Comcast (CCT) reported higher quarterly earnings that topped forecasts . The dollar fell against other major currencies, helping to send commodities prices higher. U.S. light crude oil for December delivery rose cents 80 cents to settle at $80.40 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Word on the Street

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is at it again. He has filed an antitrust lawsuit against the computer chip manufacturing giant Intel (INTC), accusing the company of engaging in a "systematic worldwide campaign of illegal, exclusionary conduct to maintain its monopoly power," in the market for computer chips starting in 2001.

Making Sense of the Cuomo's Big Antitrust Suit Against Intel

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.A) may be on its way to being stripped of its AAA rating by Standard & Poor's. This possibility surfaced a day after the company agreed to purchase Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. (BNI) for $44 billion in a cash and stock deal.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse are on their way to China . The Chinese central government has approved Walt Disney Co.'s (DIS) planned theme park in Shanghai. Negotiations about opening the theme park in China have been going on for nearly 10 years.

Video -- Disney Comes to China

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) agreed to a $722 million settlement with the US Securities and Exchange Commission to end a probe into sales of derivatives that pushed a highly-populated county in Alabama to the brink of bankruptcy.

Most automakers are having a good week. Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Co. (NSAN.Y) climbed back into the black last quarter thanks to an increase in China sales. The company also raised its global sales forecast to 3.3 million vehicles from 3.08 million.

Private sector employers axed 203,000 jobs in October, according to new numbers put out Wednesday by employment services firm ADP. There is some good news on the horizon according to Macroeconomic Advisers LLC. The company's chairman Joel Prakken is expecting the U.S. job market to start growing in early 2010 .

The Federal Reserve concluded its two day meeting today. The Feds kept its key interest rates near zero once again and said that they'll stay there for "extended period" despite recent signs of economic turnaround.

The Fed and its "Extended Period" Language

Could the Fed really drain $1 trillion in reserves by next March?

Video -- Fed Holds the Line

Other Juicy Tidbits

Warren Buffett Explains His Railroad 'All-In Bet' on America

6 Signs Your Home's Value Will Go Up

Why Obama (and Congress) Must Enact a Larger Stimulus

An Inside Look at Buffett's 20 Largest Deals

Stocks Extend Gains

Stocks made small advances on Wednesday following the Federal Reserve's decision to hold interest rates at a record low. The Dow Jones Industrial average finished the day off with a gain of 30.23 points. The Standard and Poor's 500 index and Nasdaq ended closer to the flat line, but on different sides. Stocks rose early in the session as investors welcomed a pair of labor market reports that signaled the pace of layoffs is slowing. Comments from the Fed contributed to the positive momentum during afternoon trading. The central bank also reiterated that it will continue to employ a wide range of tools to promote economic recovery. This statement helped calm some jitters on Wall Street. In earnings news, Kraft Foods (KFT) reported weaker quarterly earnings that topped estimates on weaker revenue that missed estimates. Comcast (CCT) reported higher quarterly earnings that topped forecasts . The dollar fell against other major currencies, helping to send commodities prices higher. U.S. light crude oil for December delivery rose cents 80 cents to settle at $80.40 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Word on the Street

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is at it again. He has filed an antitrust lawsuit against the computer chip manufacturing giant Intel (INTC), accusing the company of engaging in a "systematic worldwide campaign of illegal, exclusionary conduct to maintain its monopoly power," in the market for computer chips starting in 2001.

Making Sense of the Cuomo's Big Antitrust Suit Against Intel

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.A) may be on its way to being stripped of its AAA rating by Standard & Poor's. This possibility surfaced a day after the company agreed to purchase Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. (BNI) for $44 billion in a cash and stock deal.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse are on their way to China . The Chinese central government has approved Walt Disney Co.'s (DIS) planned theme park in Shanghai. Negotiations about opening the theme park in China have been going on for nearly 10 years.

Video -- Disney Comes to China

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) agreed to a $722 million settlement with the US Securities and Exchange Commission to end a probe into sales of derivatives that pushed a highly-populated county in Alabama to the brink of bankruptcy.

Most automakers are having a good week. Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Co. (NSAN.Y) climbed back into the black last quarter thanks to an increase in China sales. The company also raised its global sales forecast to 3.3 million vehicles from 3.08 million.

Private sector employers axed 203,000 jobs in October, according to new numbers put out Wednesday by employment services firm ADP. There is some good news on the horizon according to Macroeconomic Advisers LLC. The company's chairman Joel Prakken is expecting the U.S. job market to start growing in early 2010 .

The Federal Reserve concluded its two day meeting today. The Feds kept its key interest rates near zero once again and said that they'll stay there for "extended period" despite recent signs of economic turnaround.

The Fed and its "Extended Period" Language

Could the Fed really drain $1 trillion in reserves by next March?

Video -- Fed Holds the Line

Other Juicy Tidbits

Warren Buffett Explains His Railroad 'All-In Bet' on America

6 Signs Your Home's Value Will Go Up

Why Obama (and Congress) Must Enact a Larger Stimulus

An Inside Look at Buffett's 20 Largest Deals