http://moneycentral.msn.comInvesting & Personal Finance Articles by MSN ExpertsCopyright 2006 Microsoften-ushttp://sc.msn.com/global/c/lgpos/MSFT_pos.gifhttp://moneycentral.msn.comCommentaryVad Yazvinski is leading the race with 10% returns in his hedged portfolios that mix long and short positions. The Amateur looks like he needs a new nickname.Fri, 09 May 2008 04:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/StrategyLab/Rnd17/StratLabSummary.aspxInvesting/StrategyLab/Rnd17/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/StrategyLab/Rnd17/StratLabSummary.aspxRon PrichardIt's possible to snag a bargain, but you could get also stuck with a defective item you can't return. And if you have a gift card from a bankrupt store, move quickly.Fri, 09 May 2008 04:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SmartSpending/ConsumerActionGuide/PitfallsOfOutOfBusinessSales.aspxSmartSpending/ConsumerActionGuide/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SmartSpending/ConsumerActionGuide/PitfallsOfOutOfBusinessSales.aspxSmartMoneyIf your insurer must get pre-approval before raising your auto rates, state regulations may be saving you a bundle, a consumer group says. Fri, 09 May 2008 04:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/InsureYourCar/StatesThatKeepALidOnCarInsurance.aspxInsurance/InsureYourCar/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/InsureYourCar/StatesThatKeepALidOnCarInsurance.aspxMarketWatchThe petroleum giant is shying from risky exploration and spending money on buying back stock. Over the long haul, those moves could lead the company to go private or disappear.Fri, 09 May 2008 04:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/JubaksJournal/IsExxonMobilsFutureRunningDry.aspxInvesting/JubaksJournal/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/JubaksJournal/IsExxonMobilsFutureRunningDry.aspxJim JubakStocks end higher, with gains in energy, metals and technology shares. Financial stocks, however, swoon. Wal-Mart benefits from consumers' penny-pinching. Reporting a huge loss, American International Group plans to raise $12.5 billion in new capital.Fri, 09 May 2008 02:00:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Dispatch/080508markets.aspxInvesting/Dispatch/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Dispatch/080508markets.aspxCharley Blaine and Elizabeth StrottThe cost of sending a letter goes up Monday, but Americans are saving now by snapping up millions and millions of Forever stamps. The stamps will remain good for full postage.Thu, 08 May 2008 04:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/Advice/StampSalesSurgeAheadOfRateIncrease.aspxSavingandDebt/Advice/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/Advice/StampSalesSurgeAheadOfRateIncrease.aspxThe Associated PressCars that run on compressed natural gas are taking advantage of the lowest prices in the nation, and that's driving up demand for both the fuel and the vehicles that run on it.Thu, 08 May 2008 04:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/SaveonaCar/FillUpFor5DollarsYouCanInUtah.aspxSavingandDebt/SaveonaCar/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/SaveonaCar/FillUpFor5DollarsYouCanInUtah.aspxThe Associated PressWith an eye on soaring health care costs, companies are getting becoming more proactive about what their employees eat.Thu, 08 May 2008 04:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/Advice/HideTheDoritosHereComesHR.aspxInsurance/Advice/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/Advice/HideTheDoritosHereComesHR.aspxBusinessWeekThe US financial engine is sputtering, but all the recent tinkering just may keep it running. Maybe we can turn off the warning signals, at least for now. Thu, 08 May 2008 04:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/SuperModels/AnEndToTheEconomicFreeFall.aspxInvesting/SuperModels/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/SuperModels/AnEndToTheEconomicFreeFall.aspxJon MarkmanThe collective wisdom of an online community combined with some canny data-mining can lead investors to companies ready for their moment in the sun.Thu, 08 May 2008 04:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Extra/FiveStocksThatBlossomInMay.aspxInvesting/Extra/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Extra/FiveStocksThatBlossomInMay.aspxThe Motley FoolWhile crude oil hits new highs, weakness in financial stocks drags just about all stocks lower. Weak pending home sales hit home-building shares. International tourists help Disney work its magic. Cisco's caution pushes shares lower.Thu, 08 May 2008 00:15:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Dispatch/080507markets.aspxInvesting/Dispatch/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Dispatch/080507markets.aspxCharley Blaine and Elizabeth StrottThe goal is to develop new lines of affordable, slimmed-down PCs for the next billion users, primarily in the developing world. Wed, 07 May 2008 16:30:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Extra/ComputerMakersChaseHundredDollarLaptop.aspxInvesting/Extra/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Extra/ComputerMakersChaseHundredDollarLaptop.aspxChristian Science MonitorAgriculture stocks have risen like growth stocks over the past year. But one star, Archer-Daniels-Midland, is in a lull that could be a buying opportunity.Wed, 07 May 2008 04:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/StrategyLab/Rnd17/StratLabOpen.aspxInvesting/StrategyLab/Rnd17/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/StrategyLab/Rnd17/StratLabOpen.aspxJamie DlugoschIt's not the prospect of a Microsoft-Yahoo deal. The Web giant's bigger worry is the mobile phone in your pocket or purse. Here's why.Wed, 07 May 2008 04:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Extra/TheRealThreatToGoogle.aspxInvesting/Extra/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Extra/TheRealThreatToGoogle.aspxBusinessWeekShort-term rallies and wishful thinking have buyers ready to pounce, but the end of the credit mess isn't yet here. In the meantime, here's some speculation on bank stocks.Wed, 07 May 2008 04:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/SuperModels/CreditCrisisOverNotLikely.aspxInvesting/SuperModels/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/SuperModels/CreditCrisisOverNotLikely.aspxJon MarkmanA peek at the numbers exposes some trends that may surprise you. One example: In 2005, the rich paid a bigger share of the total tax bill than they did in 2000, before Bush's tax cuts.Wed, 07 May 2008 04:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/Advice/TheNakedTruthAboutIncomeTaxes.aspxSavingandDebt/Advice/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/Advice/TheNakedTruthAboutIncomeTaxes.aspxScott BurnsHow did the nation's biggest banks stumble into the subprime crisis? Consider this: Lax boards dangled huge rewards for short-term performance with little incentive to limit risk.Wed, 07 May 2008 04:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/CompanyFocus/FatCEOPayFedTheMortgageMess.aspxInvesting/CompanyFocus/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/CompanyFocus/FatCEOPayFedTheMortgageMess.aspxMichael BrushIt's not easy to build a low-risk fund that delivers with reasonable risks. Here are the ones I think do it best -- and how we do it at Marketocracy. Wed, 07 May 2008 04:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/StrategyLab/Rnd17/P3/AllStarTeam20080507.aspxInvesting/StrategyLab/Rnd17/P3/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/StrategyLab/Rnd17/P3/AllStarTeam20080507.aspxKen KamOne analyst sees oil hitting $150 to $200 a barrel. Energy stocks jump, and the major indexes are higher. Fannie Mae reports a loss and cuts its dividend. Strong earnings help Cisco Systems and Walt Disney shares move higher in after-hours trading.Tue, 06 May 2008 22:45:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Dispatch/080506markets.aspxInvesting/Dispatch/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Dispatch/080506markets.aspxCharley Blaine and Elizabeth StrottThe world’s biggest contract driller for onshore oil and gas appears on an MSN Money list of stocks poised for gains. Here are StockScouter’s best investment ideas.Tue, 06 May 2008 22:00:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Extra/StockScouterTop10.aspxInvesting/Extra/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Extra/StockScouterTop10.aspxMSN Money staffDesperate for cash, strapped sellers are using online auctions and flea markets to unload household goods, including possessions of great sentimental value. Tue, 06 May 2008 16:21:42 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/Advice/EmptyingTheAtticToPayTheBills.aspxSavingandDebt/Advice/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/Advice/EmptyingTheAtticToPayTheBills.aspxThe Associated PressWhen interest rates are lower than inflation, we're bailing out Wall Street at the expense of retirees and working people trying to save money. That's not sustainable.Tue, 06 May 2008 04:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/StrategyLab/Rnd17/P2/TheAmateur20080506.aspxInvesting/StrategyLab/Rnd17/P2/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/StrategyLab/Rnd17/P2/TheAmateur20080506.aspxVad YazvinskiWhen the market turns down, investors too easily settle for weak returns. Here's one mutual fund that shows you can make money even when others aren't.Tue, 06 May 2008 04:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/MutualFunds/AFundThatsNotAtMarketsMercy.aspxInvesting/MutualFunds/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/MutualFunds/AFundThatsNotAtMarketsMercy.aspxTim MiddletonGo ahead and read those apocalyptic books on the economy if you like a good scare. But be sure you recognize fiction when you see it.Tue, 06 May 2008 04:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/JubaksJournal/FinancialFearsAndFairyTales.aspxInvesting/JubaksJournal/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/JubaksJournal/FinancialFearsAndFairyTales.aspxJim JubakYahoo investors sell after Microsoft gives up on a $47.5 billion offer; Microsoft shares drop as well. Stocks fall as crude oil tops $120 for the first time and ends at a new closing high. Sprint may sell or spin off Nextel.Tue, 06 May 2008 01:00:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Dispatch/080505markets.aspxInvesting/Dispatch/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Dispatch/080505markets.aspxCharley Blaine and Elizabeth StrottA buyout was supposed to provide the software giant with the heft needed to block Google in Web search and online advertising. Now, it's back to the drawing board.Mon, 05 May 2008 15:06:42 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Extra/MicrosoftYahooToRethinkInternetOptions.aspxInvesting/Extra/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Extra/MicrosoftYahooToRethinkInternetOptions.aspxThe Wall Street JournalMany analysts look at the market's current upswing and conclude the US economy has escaped with merely a drive-by downturn. Common sense suggests they're wrong.Mon, 05 May 2008 04:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/ContrarianChronicles/WhyWeCantCruisePastARecession.aspxInvesting/ContrarianChronicles/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/ContrarianChronicles/WhyWeCantCruisePastARecession.aspxBill FleckensteinThe collective wisdom of an online community and a stock-screening tool help identify companies that pay a juicy portion of their profits in the form of regular dividends.Mon, 05 May 2008 04:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Extra/FiveStrongDividendPayingStocks.aspxInvesting/Extra/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Extra/FiveStrongDividendPayingStocks.aspxThe Motley FoolI'm playing it safe and selling off Goldman Sachs, although there's still room for gains. A buy on Kinross Gold will help hedge my portfolio.Mon, 05 May 2008 04:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/StrategyLab/Rnd17/P6/DogPoundJournal20080505.aspxInvesting/StrategyLab/Rnd17/P6/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/StrategyLab/Rnd17/P6/DogPoundJournal20080505.aspxRobert WalbergYou may be torn between saving every penny in case you get laid off . . . or giving to those who have it worse than you do. Here's how to make your budget reflect your priorities. Mon, 05 May 2008 04:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/SaveMoney/HowMuchShouldYouGive.aspxSavingandDebt/SaveMoney/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/SaveMoney/HowMuchShouldYouGive.aspxLiz Pulliam WestonThe recent economic downturn means investors have an opportunity to buy some top-notch, long-closed funds with great managers. But you might want to hurry.Mon, 05 May 2008 04:01:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Morningstar/ReopenedFundsBuyWhileYouCan.aspxInvesting/Morningstar/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Morningstar/ReopenedFundsBuyWhileYouCan.aspxMorningstarMicrosoft abandons its Yahoo offer after boosting its offer to $33 a share. The software giant says Yahoo's demands for $37 and growing ties to Google make a deal unworkable. Yahoo insists $33 undervalues the company. Shareholders get to weigh in next.Sat, 03 May 2008 23:00:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Dispatch/080503MicrosoftAbandonsYahooOffer.aspxInvesting/Dispatch/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Dispatch/080503MicrosoftAbandonsYahooOffer.aspxCharley Blaine and Elizabeth StrottReports say the tech giants may yet cut a friendly deal. Stocks end mostly higher despite higher commodity prices; crude oil tops $116 a barrel. April's jobs report is not nearly as bad as expected.Fri, 02 May 2008 23:55:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Dispatch/080502markets.aspxInvesting/Dispatch/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Dispatch/080502markets.aspxCharley Blaine and Elizabeth StrottFri, 02 May 2008 22:32:24 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/HomeMortgageSavings/SlashYourGroceryBill.aspxInvesting/HomeMortgageSavings/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/HomeMortgageSavings/SlashYourGroceryBill.aspxMP DunleaveyGovernment rebate checks have begun landing in bank accounts. So what will people do with the money, and how will it affect the stumbling economy?Fri, 02 May 2008 17:42:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Taxes/Advice/HowBigABounceFromTaxRebates.aspxTaxes/Advice/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Taxes/Advice/HowBigABounceFromTaxRebates.aspxThe Wall Street Journal3 federal agencies move to reverse years of increasingly aggressive penalty fees, demanding more time for cardholders to pay and fewer tricks and hidden fees.Fri, 02 May 2008 14:00:00 GMThttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/CreditCardSmarts/CrackdownOnUnfairCreditCardPractices.aspxBanking/CreditCardSmarts/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/CreditCardSmarts/CrackdownOnUnfairCreditCardPractices.aspxMSN Money staff and wire reports