Archive for January 4, 2008
A surprisingly weak jobs report and a massive tech-stock sell-off causes many investors to sense that a recession is at hand. The pressure is building on the Fed to cut interest rates substantially. Crude oil, however, declines.
America’s health insurance crisis
It's not really the lack of coverage that has the middle class losing sleep. It's an insurance system that covers too little, costs too much and leaves everyone afraid of falling through the cracks.
Recession dead ahead?
With a government report showing the weakest job gains since 2003, some analysts are calling out a bleak forecast. But the negative news may just be enough to force the Fed into action.
Nomads unite in ‘coworking’ spaces
As a sole proprietor who works primarily online, every day I face a painful decision: work from home or go to a coffeehouse?
Traffic jam? Blame cell phone users
It's simply a matter of brain overload, says a University of Utah researcher, who found that distracted motorists are adding up to 10% to your commute time.
5 stocks that are on fire
Momentum is good, but you'll limit your portfolio's potential if that's all you consider. The MSN CAPS community helps investors identify quality companies with positive inertia.
Finding health care for your employees
Dear FSB: What is a good, affordable way to provide my employees with health insurance coverage? (My business is an insurance company, but we sell auto insurance.) I have a total of three employees.
A tale of Treo troubles
Questing for a new smartphone, FSB's Future Boy runs aground on the rocky shoals of big-company customer service from Palm and Verizon.
How patenting protects your inventions
Dear FSB: How does one with limited funds go about moving an idea into the mainstream without risking it being stolen by a large entity with staff counsel and other lawyers capable of litigating the matter ad infinitum?
5 amateurs who handily beat the market
Only one will move into our next Strategy Lab round, but all five finalists in the Strategy Lab Open topped the market by a mile.
Is ’70s-style stagflation returning?
Inflation is rising and the economy is decelerating, but those problems don't add up to that nasty combination of stagnant growth and out-of-control price increases. Yet.
Play today’s pain for tomorrow’s gain
Investing isn't much fun these days. Everyone seems worried about something -- high oil prices, the credit crunch, bank failures, the rising foreclosure rate, consumer spending, political uncertainty, earnings growth, the risk of recession . . . the list goes on and on and on.
10 market predictions for a glum ‘08
It'll be a year of stock upheavals, especially in banking, but with great bargains along the way. And if I'm wrong about prognostication No. 10, I'll eat this column on a live webcast.