There are good reasons to like how the economy is looking. Earnings in the week ahead may confirm the optimism.
Things really are getting betterBelieve it or not, someone has to come out and say it: The economy is improving.
Something's very wrong with economyDon't believe the drop in the unemployment rate. The job market still stinks
MARKET UPDATE
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TOP NEWS
- Apple's staggering success carries a human price
New reports document how the consumer electronics giant's reliance on Asian suppliers -- particularly those in China -- has had devastating effects on factory workers there. Plus: More big customers.
- StockScouter: 50 hot picks for February
- CEO gets 50% pay cut -- to $43 million | VIAB
- Soft-drink giants' new target | KO | PEP
- Jim Beam's profitable strategy: Liquor and women
- Will this be a big month for crude oil?
- How to buy Facebook -- if you must | Video
- Will Twitter be going public, too?
- 10 best stocks during the Obama administration
- E*Trade baby: More than a Super Bowl ad
- Jubak: 3 stocks for the dividend craze
- 5 great almost-there business ideas
FEATURED STORIES
Don't pay taxes on these types of protected income. Here are the categories to watch, including 5 types of raises that won't add a cent to your taxable income.
Investing for the cheap-money eraJim Jubak: The Federal Reserve recently vowed to keep interest rates near zero for 3 more years. You know that hurts savers, but how might it affect your portfolio?
LATEST NEWS
- Euro zone insists no Greek rescue without reforms9:15 AM ET | Reuters
- ET, the new alien scaring global markets10:27 AM ET | Reuters
- Most Germans want Greece to quit euro: poll6:35 AM ET | Reuters
- Olympus to hold shareholder meeting on April 203:05 AM ET | Reuters
- France says Greek PSI talks going "relatively well"6:06 AM ET | Reuters
COLUMNS AND BLOGS
Click the link above to find columns by Liz Weston, the Web's most-read personal-finance writer. She is the author of several books, most recently 'The 10 Commandments of Money: Survive and Thrive in the New Economy.'
TAXES
Don't pay taxes on these types of protected income. Here are the categories to watch, including 5 types of raises that won't add a cent to your taxable income.
TOOLS
Your credit scores can affect where you live and the car you drive, and even determine whether you get the job that you want.
Calculator: How much car can you afford?You shouldn't allocate more than 20% of your take-home pay toward monthly auto payments, experts say. Use this calculator to decide what's right for you.
VIDEO ON MSN MONEY
AUTOS
New rides that will satisfy your every need and want.
- The car guy's wish list
Want to get your gearhead something he'll enjoy but can't find the perfect gift? Fear not!
- Nissan Leaf named Japan's car of the year
- Inexpensive cars for winter
- Road Raves: Top ski cars
CAREERS
Bravo's hit TV show "Top Chef" can teach job seekers lessons on how to be successful in their job search.
REAL ESTATE
Lowball appraisals can kill deals. Here are the top ways to keep your home's look, feel and condition as updated and cared-for as possible.
The hidden costs of refinancingMortgage rates are at record lows. But are you ready for the fees that come with a refi?
- Find the cheapest mortgage rates near you
- 12 mortgage tips for 2012 homebuyers
- Not much hope for Obama's refinancing plan
- Find new homes for sale
YOUR SPENDING
Yes, of course couples with children spend more than those without. The surprise is that they don't spend a whole lot more, this Bundle study finds.
BUSINESS ON MAIN
A social radar-detection app, a high-tech razor for a better shave on the go and other goodies from the Consumer Electronics Show.
TOP STOCKS
With unemployment falling, the retailer is poised to gain market share.
SMART TAXES
With a salary of only $1, founder Mark Zuckerberg may not owe Uncle Sam anything. And there are strategies that could keep him from ever paying income tax again.
SMART SPENDING
- 4 alternatives to watching the Super Bowl
Restaurants, movie theaters and stores may seem like ghost towns on Sunday, so head on out. You might find special deals.
- Offbeat Super Bowl predictions
- The top complaints about mortgages
- How to stop buying on impulse
- Why whirlpool tubs are for suckers
- Why more men should join Pinterest
POLL
DATA PROVIDERS
Copyright © 2012 Microsoft. All rights reserved.
Quotes are real-time for NASDAQ, NYSE and AMEX. See delay times for other exchanges.
Fundamental company data and historical chart data provided by Thomson Reuters (click for restrictions). Real-time quotes provided by BATS Exchange. Real-time index quotes and delayed quotes supplied by Interactive Data Real-Time Services. Fund summary, fund performance and dividend data provided by Morningstar Inc. Analyst recommendations provided by Zacks Investment Research. StockScouter data provided by Verus Analytics. IPO data provided by Hoover's Inc. Index membership data provided by SIX Telekurs.
Japanese stock price data provided by Nomura Research Institute Ltd.; quotes delayed 20 minutes. Canadian fund data provided by CANNEX Financial Exchanges Ltd.
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[BRIEFING.COM] A couple of pleasing economic reports brought about a barrage of broad-based buying today. That drove both the Dow and S&P 500 to multi-month highs, while the Nasdaq notched its best level in more than a decade. ... More
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