Archive for February 15, 2008
Weak economic news weighs on stocks. Next week investors face big economic news and big earnings reports, led by Wal-Mart and Hewlett-Packard. Best Buy warns on 2008 earnings; Chipotle disappoints. Markets will be closed Monday for Presidents Day.
A trip inside the bonbon factory
When I first saw this old diner, I knew it would be integral to the business I would create with my husband, Pascal Siegler - and to our home. We'd seen many traditional commercial spaces, and none of them suited us. But this salmon-pink concrete building was perfect. With its original features, including diner stools and large steel sinks, the 39- by 19-foot main room was just the kind of space we needed.
Is a reformer helping stock crooks?
New York's attorney general wants to crack down on corporate crime. In the process, he may be giving some shady stock traders a helping hand.
Blasting sales to the stratosphere
If Gregory Nemitz tells you his beef jerky is out of this world, believe him. His jerky has traveled to space stations four times for astronauts who crave the stuff. If only he could get revenues for his Web-based company, Beefjerky.com, off the ground as well.
Stimulus: Tax breaks for small biz
The economic stimulus bill signed into law by President Bush today included one tax break for small businesses added by the Senate, but lost another as Congressional leaders bowed to White House pressure to move quickly without adding too many amendments.
Earnings may be strong, but I’m still a skeptic
Earnings tell you what happened. What investors want to know is what will happen. For now, I think the economy and stocks will continue to be weak. So I've made seven moves to take advantage of the softness.
Buffett’s an opportunist, not a hero
The stock market seemed to hail the Oracle of Omaha as a savior for his offer to reinsure bonds, but the billionaire's proposal wasn't based on altruism.
5 power plays for natural-gas stocks
Potential regulatory changes have producers wary of building coal-fired electric plants. That makes gas the key to meeting demand -- and makes gas stocks a good investment.