MARKET STRATEGIES
Waiting for the signal
Mark Hulbert tells MarketWatch's Laura Mandaro why fans of the Dow theory of market investing are getting excited by a potentially bullish signal.
• April strength makes for a great market exit
• Hulbert: Sell in April and go away?
• All-clear signal for stocks? (First Take)
• Callaway: Six second-quarter market threats
• Trading opportunities ahead (Minyanville)
• What's ahead for stocks in second quarter
Stocks finish the day and week higher, though tech and telecom apply
late-session pressure.
• Oil just pennies shy of $108 a barrel
U.S. ECONOMY
In charts: Jobless rate
Weekly indicators show the unemployment rate on the decline but muted growth in earnings. U.S. construction spending is the worst in 11 years.
• Payrolls climb to 216,000; jobless rate at 8.8%
• Spending cuts will cripple jobs recovery
• Jobs, yes, but wages are lagging (First Take)
• Financial services gain jobs (FINS)
CARS
Ford passes GM in sales
GM falls behind rival Ford for units sold last month.
EXCHANGES | Financial Stocks
Joint bid for NYSE
A counterbid from Nasdaq OMX and ICE comes in 19% higher than Deutsche Boerse's.
• Nasdaq makes the right move (First Take)
• Oil just pennies shy of $108 a barrel
U.S. ECONOMY
In charts: Jobless rate
Weekly indicators show the unemployment rate on the decline but muted growth in earnings. U.S. construction spending is the worst in 11 years.
• Payrolls climb to 216,000; jobless rate at 8.8%
• Spending cuts will cripple jobs recovery
• Jobs, yes, but wages are lagging (First Take)
• Financial services gain jobs (FINS)
CARS
Ford passes GM in sales
GM falls behind rival Ford for units sold last month.
EXCHANGES | Financial Stocks
Joint bid for NYSE
A counterbid from Nasdaq OMX and ICE comes in 19% higher than Deutsche Boerse's.
• Nasdaq makes the right move (First Take)
Latest News
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Mr. Market's wild ride
Investors rode a wave of volatility, and first quarter ends with the decade's best showing for stocks.
• Bond funds: Wintry grip of rate worries
• International funds: Thrills and spills
Investors rode a wave of volatility, and first quarter ends with the decade's best showing for stocks.
• Bond funds: Wintry grip of rate worries
• International funds: Thrills and spills
Commentary »
- Next: Thomas Kostigen's Ethics Monitor
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Next: Jennifer Waters' Consumer Confidential
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Next: Mark Hulbert
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Next: Myra Saefong's Commodities Corner
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Next: John Dvorak's Second Opinion
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Next: David Callaway
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Next: Howard Gold's No-Nonsense Investing
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Next: Rex Nutting
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Next: David Cottle
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Next: Therese Poletti's Tech Tales
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Next: Jeff Reeves
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Next: Chuck Jaffe
Inside MarketWatch »
Fake Bill Gates-Paul Allen feud
The dispute between Microsoft founders seems like a desperate publicity stunt, says John Dvorak.
• Allen memoir slams Gates
ENTERTAINMENT
Bidders for Blockbuster
Satellite broadcaster Dish Network and billionaire Carl Icahn are among the suitors for the bankrupt Blockbuster video chain, according to a report.
• Cablevision shifts focus to Rainbow spinoff
• ‘Mad Men’ on ice thanks to petty dispute
• Battle over live TV apps heats up
APRIL FOOLS' DAY | MarketWatch Topics: Holidays
Pranks abound in media
From a new “body controlled” email system to the purchase of Pluto to a royal-wedding-themed car, companies and media outlets have been busily pranking this April Fools’ Day.
• April Fools' headlines in tech
• Great stock-market hoaxes (24/7 Wall St.)
ENERGY
Nuclear’s big financial hurdle
While Fukushima raises safety concerns, raising money for new reactors may be the U.S. nuclear industry’s biggest roadblock.
• Japan debates Tepco control
EUROPE IN FOCUS
Irish reprieve for bondholders
Strains on the periphery of the euro-zone credit market ease as Ireland backs away from threats.
• Ireland to remake its banks
• Italy tries to keep French at bay
COMMODITIES
Oil surpasses $107
Gain coincides with reports that rebel forces are losing ground in the prolonged Libyan conflict.
• Investors in oil ETFs, beware
• Corn inventories presage price pressures
MEDICAL DEVICES
Heart-pump hopes boost Abiomed
Shares could get an additional lift this weekend, when researchers present more data on the company’s Impella 2.5 heart pump.
GLOBAL INVESTOR
Investors’ dizzying spin
International-stock-fund shareholders faced a thrilling, turbulent first quarter. Not least in Japan.
• Investors buckle up for Mr. Market’s wild ride
• Bond-fund investors gird for higher rates
• Mergers, corporate deals heat up in Australia
In Personal Finance »
TAXES
Tax credits could cost you
Because of a snag in the Making Work Pay Credit, millions of taxpayers, especially seniors, could end up with an unexpected tax bill.
• Tax breaks for health-care costs
HOUSING
Mortgages and rebuilding
Lew Sichelman helps one couple sort through their options for financing the cost of demolishing their old home and building a new one.
• Why new homes don't sell (SmartMoney)
• 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rises again
Video »
Dish, Icahn go after Blockbuster
Dish Network and Carl Icahn are among the bidders for Blockbuster ahead of a bankruptcy court auction set for next week.
Babies scanned in Japan
Concerned parents in Japan take their children to radiation screening centers.
• Government doubts Tepco's radiation analysis
• Japan buys concrete pumps for Fukushima
Tiger Woods's new golf game
Take a peek at the latest edition of the "Tiger Woods PGA Tour" videogame.
The $100 million mansion
Here's the scoop on the most expensive known purchase of a single-family home in the U.S.
Rex on Techs: Dell's paradox
Rex Crum looks at Dell, and questions just what kind of mission the PC company is on.
What a handshake reveals
Body language can expose many things, and the one's handshake is a key indicator.
Now who will succeed Buffett?
Find out who tops the list of candidates running to replace Warren Buffett now.
• Buffett’s straight-laced legacy on the line
• Why SEC may not bring charges against Sokol
• Sokol meeting with Lubrizol adviser in focus
• Lubrizol options trades suggest bet on deal
Mossberg: Mozilla strikes back
In the browser wars, Mozilla's Firefox has lost ground to Google's Chrome and Apple's Safari. Walt Mossberg tests the newly released Firefox 4.
MarketWatch Radio »
Despite retirement rumors, Ronald McDonald will reportedly launch a new digital campaign this month. John Wordock and Ann Cates talk about McDonald's pitchman.
Winter leaves fix-up work
Home-improvement retailers are looking for big spring sales of tools, after all the damage wreaked by the heavy winter weather.
Rethinking home-buying hopes
One expert says proposed rules could bring us closer to an earlier era of higher down payments and a lower percentage of home ownership.
The MarketWatch Radio Network has taken the National Headliner Awards' top prize for coverage of a single breaking-news event. See full list of winners.
The Future of Retirement »
How to turn $10,000 into $1 million
All it really takes is a little money and a lot of time. To start out small and reach age 65 with $1 million saved, you need to recognize the importance of starting early. | See the special report
• Nine reasons to be more optimistic about retirement
• A Roth 401(k) may be in your retirement future
• Turning retirement savings into retirement income
All it really takes is a little money and a lot of time. To start out small and reach age 65 with $1 million saved, you need to recognize the importance of starting early. | See the special report
• Nine reasons to be more optimistic about retirement
• A Roth 401(k) may be in your retirement future
• Turning retirement savings into retirement income
Taxes »
Tax credits you don't want to miss
Whether you itemize or not there are breaks that can lower your bill.
• Deductions with the biggest payouts
Whether you itemize or not there are breaks that can lower your bill.
• Deductions with the biggest payouts
• Tax bill blues? Try installment option
|
Tax on online games
• More taxpayers e-file from home | Tax breaks for health costs
• MarketWatch's 2011 Tax Guide | The latest tax news
|
Overlooked deductions
• More taxpayers e-file from home | Tax breaks for health costs
• MarketWatch's 2011 Tax Guide | The latest tax news
2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon
Beneath that benign, family-hauling facade sits a snarling beast whose 6.2 liter, 556-horsepower engine can push the speedo to 191mph. Ron Amadon says it's the best station wagon ever built.
Beneath that benign, family-hauling facade sits a snarling beast whose 6.2 liter, 556-horsepower engine can push the speedo to 191mph. Ron Amadon says it's the best station wagon ever built.
Health Care »
Nuclear radiation risk from Japan crisis
What have we learned since Chernobyl about long-term health risks following a nuclear disaster?
What have we learned since Chernobyl about long-term health risks following a nuclear disaster?
Dead Money »
Reclaim your lost billions
States hold a lot of misplaced assets, some of which may be yours.
• Who's who of dead money: Jobs, Jolie, Jagger
• Slideshow: Famous stars with misplaced cash
• How to claim cash waiting for you | California's $6 billion man
• Changing rules force business compliance
• CEOs, your 'dead' bailout is waiting for you (First Take)
• Read the full special report on MarketWatch
States hold a lot of misplaced assets, some of which may be yours.
• Who's who of dead money: Jobs, Jolie, Jagger
• Slideshow: Famous stars with misplaced cash
• How to claim cash waiting for you | California's $6 billion man
• Changing rules force business compliance
• CEOs, your 'dead' bailout is waiting for you (First Take)
• Read the full special report on MarketWatch
Personal Finance »
What AT&T buyout of T-Mobile means for you
For one thing, subscribers should brace for higher costs.
• How to save money on cell-phone costs
For one thing, subscribers should brace for higher costs.
• How to save money on cell-phone costs
That tax credit could cost you
Millions of taxpayers, especially seniors, could end up with an unexpected bill thanks to a snag in the making Work Pay Credit.
• Why you don't need to buy potassium iodide
• Turning retirement savings into income
• The best places to stash your cash now
• Looking for jobs? These industries are hiring
Millions of taxpayers, especially seniors, could end up with an unexpected bill thanks to a snag in the making Work Pay Credit.
• Why you don't need to buy potassium iodide
• Turning retirement savings into income
• The best places to stash your cash now
• Looking for jobs? These industries are hiring
How Japan's tsunami lowered mortgage rates
Conflict in Libya or disaster in Japan can move mortgage rates for U.S. home buyers. Here's why.
• Inflation fears trump world events as mortgage rates rise
• Home inspectors always find a problem | Charlie Sheen's house
Conflict in Libya or disaster in Japan can move mortgage rates for U.S. home buyers. Here's why.
• Inflation fears trump world events as mortgage rates rise
• Home inspectors always find a problem | Charlie Sheen's house
Organize small spaces with these new products
We're trying to stuff more things into smaller spaces, in smaller homes or in doubled-up households. But help is out there.
• Kitchen designs that make home cooking fun
• Dream kitchen on a budget
|
Home fix-up that pays
• Homes that help you take aging in stride
• Charlie Sheen buys a house
|
Say good-bye to McMansions
We're trying to stuff more things into smaller spaces, in smaller homes or in doubled-up households. But help is out there.
• Kitchen designs that make home cooking fun
• Dream kitchen on a budget
|
Home fix-up that pays
• Homes that help you take aging in stride
• Charlie Sheen buys a house
|
Say good-bye to McMansions
Jobs »
Top job-hunting tips for new grads
The competition is going to be fierce for those coming out of school this spring. Here's how to overcome the odds and win a job.
• Moving for a new job is risky no matter the lure
• Looking for a job? These industries are hiring now
• Companies are likely to increase merit raises this year
• Be flexible, get flexibility
|
Get a health-care job
The competition is going to be fierce for those coming out of school this spring. Here's how to overcome the odds and win a job.
• Moving for a new job is risky no matter the lure
• Looking for a job? These industries are hiring now
• Companies are likely to increase merit raises this year
• Be flexible, get flexibility
|
Get a health-care job
Thomas Kostigen
Ethics Monitor