Financial Tunes

What do you think would be the best and the worse investment in the stock market for 2008?

Best Investment for 2008? What sectors of the stock market do you think will outperform and underperform the broader market in 2008?

What to do in this economy? 2008-2009? I purchased a House in 2005, against my better judgment! feared that prices will keep rising and dream of owning a house for me will be just that, a dream. After three years of beating myself up for my decision, I decided to suck it up and invest in stocks. Trying to recover some loses. I purchased what I thought were solid stocks, starting in july of 2008, just to find out that every day the stock market is hit with a bad news and prices are never going to be higher than what I purchased it at (I even purchased some more to lower my average price). In summary, what I am trying to say is that I have made MAJOR investment decisions and they have both turned out SOOO wrong! I am 27 and trying to make the best of it in this economy. Don't have anything fancy, live below my means (since my house mortgage is almost $3000, and have parents to support) I need some professional advice! Based on the answers I received, I feel a little more detail might help me get better answers. I have a Masters degree, and work full time in my field. I don't bring home 12K a month, as someone implied. I make about 3rd of that. I was planning on buying a condo, but ended up buying a house instead, due to market pressure and my corrupt Agent constantly influencing my decision!! Before I know it, the market crashed (5 months after I bought the house). Today the house value is 48% less that what I paid for. With this inflation, and growing life expenses, higher prices, etc...I have less cash in my pocket than ever. My stocks have gone done (as everyone else's) almost everyday since I bought them. Holding on is fine, lowering my average price by purchasing stocks at a cheaper price however is no longer an option! I worked really hard to get to where I am at this age, and was hoping to enjoy my life, not stress over every minute of it, until I am 37 or 47!! :(

My stock analysis for school club application.? Apple, Inc. – AAPL Rating:BUY After investigating the financial data and news articles for Apple, Inc. at Yahoo! Finance and Google Finance, it is in my best judgment that the Golden Griffin Fund invest in Apple if they are seeking a long-term and safe stock. I have based my decision on positive-growth trends, innovation of Apple products, an ROE of 26% as of September 2009, and the fact that Apple has no long-term debt or capital lease obligations listed on its balance sheet. Apple has seen positive stock price growth for the past five years. The trend line for Apples stock in monthly intervals from March 2005 to February 2010 is y = 2.3367x + 39.108. In each one-year period, Apple has had positive-growth except for 2008-2009, which is the period the market crashed. Since then, Apple has recovered to where it was before, and then gained. Apple is a large cap stock, and should be relatively stable during market fluctuations. Apple sold 3.36M Macintosh computers during the most recent quarter, which is up 33% from the same quarter last year. The iPhone also has seen a massive 100% increase in sales from the same quarter last year. Apples deal with AT&T is hurting iPhone sales because of AT&Ts poor network performance, and if Apple decides not to renew the contract, iPhone sales should skyrocket to levels unseen thus far. As with any investment, there are risks. It is important to note that Nokia named Apple in a lawsuit for copyright infringement. Nokia claims that Apple has illegally used their patented technology in Apples mobile devices. It is also important to note that the departure of Steve Jobs could potentially ruin Apple. These items, in addition to Apples competitors Microsoft, Google, Nokia, Dell, HP, etc, should be monitored closely. Looking for your opinion on how I did. Ah, I should have mentioned I have to keep it condensed to one page haha. If I was going to write a full blown prospectus I would have far more information.

15 Year Old Looking to Invest With Small Capital. Looking for the best (ROI). Can I make any money? I'm a 15 year old that currently holds a blogging position that pays around $9-10 an hour. Over the last year the stock market has interested me greatly and I would like to join it. I had wanted to do something similar back in September of 2008. I got cold feet however and didn't do anything. My dad is willing to help support my ambition with more capital. I have around $100 myself with the possibility of making $50 or so a week and my dad would contribute $100-200. In short I'd most likely have around $250 to start. Goals: 1 Year Goal- $1,200 Net Worth by June of 2010. 4 Year Goal- $5,000 Net Worth by Graduation in 2013. 8 Year Goal-$15,000 Net Worth by Graduation of College. These figures are just goals that I hope to make. I would love much more to make hundreds of thousands, but I know that isn't possible without luck and a lot of work. I've studied the market, read books, gotten reviews on online brokers, and learned what I could about the market. I think I still have more learning to do, but I understand the basics of rolling stocks, stocks, and call/put options. I want to know if options are even a plausible investment for me or if I should invest in a Mutual Fund or Stocks? (I have studied options quite a bit and I understand they are very very risky. Probably not for a beginning investor? I know a good chunk on calls/puts and covered calls. Should I even consider this?) (Rolling Stocks or the old "Buy Low, Sell High" Is it still working these days and possible for a new investor?) Can I make a profit at all with a $250-500 Capital Base? What Online Broker is the best for cheap commissions, but can execute quickly and has Customer Service and a nice interface? If anyone can help me out it'd be greatly appreciated! I know so many questions, but I really need some final guidance.

How do Capital Gains and Losses and Income Taxes work? Stock Market Lossage and Other Income? Brokerage Fees? Alright well there are several questions that I have here. First off let's say in 2008 I ended up with a loss of $1,780.xx. Also this is my first time filing taxes. A) Can I round this up to a $1,800 loss? Will they care about exact amounts? B) Let's say I make $600 from a part time job as my entire income for 2008. Do I then subtract the $600 from the $1,800 loss and file for a $600 tax return? If so which form do I fill out? C) Seeing as how there is $1,200 left over in lossage, will that be carried over into 2009 and can I start the year with that loss meaning I can make $1200 before I have to pay taxes on any gains? D) Are brokerage fees deductible? If so what is my best option to maximize what I can do with it. I have $850 in commission(trading) fees. Is there a way that I can deduct the $600 separate income from the fees, get my tax return and add the remaining $250 to the $1800 and have an available $2050 tax free loss to start 2009? E) What tax form do I fill out? Do I file two different forms for Capital Gains and regular income, or is there one for both? Where do I get one? F) My mom is currently claiming me as a dependent on her taxes to get deductions for me attending college, does this interfere with anything? Tax bracket? What is my tax bracket? Is the percentage the same for income and investments? Thank you all for your help and support with this.

can anyone help me on my new investment plan? Investing in 2008 Something to think about... If you had purchased $1,000 of Delta Air Lines stock one year ago, you would have $49 left. With Fannie Mae, you would have $2.50 left of the original $1,000. With AIG, you would have less than $15 left. But, if you had purchased $1,000 worth of beer one year ago, drunk all of the beer, then turned in the cans for the aluminum recycling REFUND, you would have $214 cash. Based on the above, the best current investment advice is to drink heavily and recycle. It's called the 401-Keg momma g...u can email me anytime, lol

Wrong time to begin investing in 401(k)? I am 23 years old. Given the recent stock market downturn, I have recently turned my attention to saving for my retirement. I know the correct 401(k) investment allocation for my age is supposed to be heavy in stocks, light in bonds and less risky investments. However, would it be unwise to allocate more in bonds and less risky less rewarding investments, at least until the stock market finds somewhat of a bottom? I know I'm young, and can tolerate the risk long term, but it seems like a good idea to stick with stable funds, bond funds, anS&P 500 equity index fund, and other vehicles of low market risk. On the other hand, is it a good idea to invest heavily in stocks, knowing that there are 40-50 years ahead of me during which the storm can easily be weathered? If I just put my first dollar into a 401(k) today, Oct. 27 2008, generally what allocation approach would best suit me given my age (23) and the volatile market? Thank you!

How should I invest my money in my TD Ameritrade account? I only have $600 in the account right now. I don't want to trade any stocks. I would like to invest in something that will earn me more than the 2.78% I'm getting on the money market account. I also don't want my money held up in any investment past December 2008. What is my best option for investing that money using my TD Ameritrade account, in your opinion? Can I invest in any bonds with only $600? What CDs have good rates right now? Should I transfer more money so that I have at least

What are your opinion on Ford and AIG Stocks? Hi What are your opinion on Ford and AIG stocks? _________________________________ I realize that everyone thinks the BIG THREE is gonna die!!! But the reality is that they are not!!! Especially FORD! The new president is gonna keep on funneling money into the auto industry and rise tariffs on imports plus the fact of the TOYOTA RECALL! Ford is actually ranked the 1st by the JD POWER & ASSOCIATES in quality! Their vehicles are more fuel effiencient than honda and Toyora! Their CEO Alan Mullaly used to work for BOEING and has brough substantial change to FORD! Ford actually made a 1st quarter profit in 2008 and currently has the best fuel efficient vehicle the new 2009 FORD FUSION HYBRID! ______________________________________... I recently bought around 2200 shares of FORD because I know it will be a great long term investment despite the fact that I paid about $1 more at around $3! Please don't critize me for my point of view but I think FORD has a great chance of surviving this recession and can compete with TOYOTA and HONDA in the next 8 to 15 years! and it will be a great long term investment! S&P gives FORD the same ranking as Toyota and Honda! Thanks Please don't critize if you think FORD WILL FAIL! Just give me your opinion please!! ____________________________________________________________________ As for AIG I think Insurance Companies are very profitable in a long term!!! They are trading so low because of the "FRAUD"! Even Warren Buffet bought a ton when it sank to $8! Right now it's trading at about $1.59! I don't know why so many investors think AIG won't do great in the future! _ Buffet bought millions of shares of GEICO in the early 70's when their stock prices sank from $61 to $2! Right now! AIG is doing the exact same thing so what is your opinion. Thanks again! Thanks again!

Why aren't Republicans jubilant about the recession being over? Why do they hate America? Could our long national nightmare be over? The economic contraction, this Great Recession, began in December 2007, and there's no apparent end in sight. As the unemployment rate has spiked, analysts have thrown cold water on Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's March sighting of "green shoots." The stock market's spring rally has fizzled. But in this season of doubt, I'm prepared to declare that the recession is really, most probably over. Why? Well, it's not because the economists surveyed by the Wall Street Journal believe it'll end in this quarter. (These guys wouldn't know an economic inflection point if it hit them upside the head. All through 2008, when the economy was contracting, they projected growth for the year.) No, two of the best and most objective forecasters, who are not connected to investment banks or to the CNBC noise machine, have recently called the upturn. Macroeconomic Advisers, the St. Louis-based consulting firm that compiles a monthly GDP index, reported to its clients Monday that while second-quarter GDP was tracking at negative 0.1 percent (recession), the third quarter was tracking at 2.4 percent growth. The folks at the Economic Cycles Research Institute agree enthusiastically. It's not because they've detected green pea shoots in Central Park. Rather, it's because we've seen the three P's, says Lakshman Achuthan, managing director at ECRI, which has been studying business cycles for decades and was one of the few outfits to call the last two recessions with any degree of accuracy. The economic data that get the most play in the news—unemployment, retail sales—are coincident or lagging indicators and historically have not revealed much about directional changes in the economy. ECRI's proprietary methodology breaks down indicators into a long-leading index, a weekly leading index, and a short-leading index. "We watch for turning points in the leading indexes to anticipate turning points in the business cycle and the overall economy," says Achuthan. It's tough to recognize transitions objectively "because so often our hopes and fears can get in the way." To prevent exuberance and despair from clouding vision, ECRI looks for the three P's: a pronounced rise in the leading indicators; one that persists for at least three months; and one that's pervasive, meaning a majority of indicators are moving in the same direction. The long-leading index—which goes back to the 1920s and doesn't include stock prices but does include measures related to credit, housing, productivity, and profits—hits bottom and starts to climb about six months before a recession ends. The weekly leading index calls directional shifts about three to four months in advance. And the short-leading index, which includes stock prices and jobless claims, is typically the last to turn up. All three are now flashing green. According to Achuthan, the long-leading index growth rate has been recovering since November 2008, the weekly leading index has been recovering since last December, and the short-leading index growth rate bottomed in February 2009. In sequence, each turned up, "and by April the three Ps had all been satisfied." Sure, corporate profits continue to disappoint, and the unemployment rate is climbing. But for ECRI, which navigates by relying exclusively on its instruments, that's only a part of their picture. They're the Spocks of the economic forecasting crowd—unemotional, uninvested in anything but the logic of what history and their dashboard tell them. "From our vantage point, every week and every month our call is getting stronger, not weaker, including over the last few weeks," says Achuthan. "The recession is ending somewhere this summer." In fact, it may already be over. There's plenty of ground for skepticism, in part because the news flow is still quite negative, especially when it comes to corporate profits. ECRI's response? "Indicators are typically judged by their freshness, not their prescience. Since most market-moving numbers are coincident to short leaning, while corporate guidance is often lagging, it is no surprise that analysts do not discern any convincing evidence of an economic upturn." Still, Achuthan warns that one of the most important indicators—employment—isn't showing recovery yet. The reason: The combination of deleveraging and the long-term decline of manufacturing is hindering job creation and destroying existing jobs. After the last recession ended in 2001, the service sector created jobs, but payroll employment continued to fall through 2003 because millions of jobs were lost in the manufacturing sector during the expansion. "We may see some echo of that in this recovery." But while employment is vital, payroll jobs growth alone doesn't make the difference between recession and expansion. "We've always felt that employment is very important, but it's a roughly coincident indicator," said Achuthan. "We would not expect the employment indicators to be http://www.newsweek.com/id/206631

15 Year Old Looking to Invest with Small Capital. Can I make any money and how? I'm a 15 year old that currently holds a blogging position that pays around $9-10 an hour. Over the last year the stock market has interested me greatly and I would like to join it. I had wanted to do something similar back in September of 2008. I got cold feet however and didn't do anything. My dad is willing to help support my ambition with more capital. I have around $100 myself with the possibility of making $50 or so a week and my dad would contribute $100-200. In short I'd most likely have around $250 to start. Goals: 1 Year Goal- $1,200 Net Worth by June of 2010. 4 Year Goal- $5,000 Net Worth by Graduation in 2013. 8 Year Goal-$15,000 Net Worth by Graduation of College. These figures are just goals that I hope to make. I would love much more to make hundreds of thousands, but I know that isn't possible without luck and a lot of work. I've studied the market, read books, gotten reviews on online brokers, and learned what I could about the market. I think I still have more learning to do, but I understand the basics of rolling stocks, stocks, and call/put options. I want to know if options are even a plausible investment for me or if I should invest in a Mutual Fund or Stocks? (I have studied options quite a bit and I understand they are very very risky. Probably not for a beginning investor? I know a good chunk on calls/puts and covered calls. Should I even consider this?) (Rolling Stocks or the old "Buy Low, Sell High" Is it still working these days and possible for a new investor?) Can I make a profit at all with a $250-500 Capital Base? What Online Broker is the best for cheap commissions, but can execute quickly and has Customer Service and a nice interface? If anyone can help me out it'd be greatly appreciated! I know so many questions, but I really need some final guidance.

can you teach me how to write a summary paragraph? please tell me how to write a summary paragraph I am really confused this task. My teacher just told me write your words do not copy newspaper. Just write main ideas ? if you can, please write a paragraph for me. please Thank you very much. this event discussed Queensland hospital beds fail to keep pace with population http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26417871-5003426,00.html Between 1995 and 2008, Queensland grew by 1.03 million people. During the same period, the number of overnight beds in the state public hospital system stagnated. There were 10,115 beds in 1995 and 10,191 in 2008 – a 13-year net increase of 76 beds. Australasian College for Emergency Medicine Queensland chairman David Rosengren said funds had been siphoned from in-patient care to hospital bureaucracy as part of a "close a bed, open an office" syndrome. He said the number of hospital administrators rose sharply in the first half of this decade. "There are buildings and buildings . . . floors and floors and floors of administrators in Queensland Health," Dr Rosengren said. Statistics from Queensland Health show the State Government began tearing at the heart of acute-care hospitals with the rise to power in 1998 of Premier Anna Bligh's predecessor Peter Beattie. Bed numbers tumbled each year under the false assumption that new medical techniques and efficiencies would reduce gross occupancy. New and redeveloped hospitals were built with less, culminating in a low-point of 9262 beds in 2002. The Government has bolstered bed stock in the past three years, and embarked on a new $6 billion hospital infrastructure makeover. Health Minister Paul Lucas says the building and refurbishment agenda will deliver more than 1800 beds over the next seven years. The Gold and Sunshine coasts, Cairns, Townsville and Mackay are among the beneficiaries. "On any examination of the statistics of health care in Australia, we have (one of the) best if not the best systems in the world," Mr Lucas said. But research by QUT public health academic Gerry Fitzgerald indicates otherwise. In a 2008 report, Professor Fitzgerald, a former Queensland chief health officer, calculated that the state was around 3000 beds in arrears. From 1997 to 2007, the effective bed reduction – taking in population growth – was double the national rate. Since then, Auditor-General Glenn Poole has issued a rebuke over the disarray of the hospitals' infrastructure program. Following that report in June, Queensland Health director-general Mick Reid confessed that some future services may have been wrongly placed. He also said hospital buildings had been announced without recurrent funding to operate them. Meantime, the pressure on hospital beds is destined to accelerate with the most recent 12-month population increase a record 112,666. QUT School of Public Health head MaryLou Fleming said the focus needed to turn from more hospital beds to greater investment in health maintenance. "Currently, 2 per cent of the money that is spent in health federally goes to promotion and prevention strategies," Professor Fleming said. "Unless we turn that around, we are headed for a catastrophe." this is not homework. it just for practice

What are your opinion on Ford stocks? Hi What are your opinion on Ford Stocks? _________________________________ I realize that everyone thinks the BIG THREE is gonna die!!! But the reality is that they are not!!! Especially FORD! The new president is gonna keep on funneling money into the auto industry and rise tariffs on imports plus the fact of the TOYOTA RECALL! Ford is actually ranked the 1st by the JD POWER & ASSOCIATES in quality! Their vehicles are more fuel effiencient than honda and Toyora! Their CEO Alan Mullaly used to work for BOEING and has brough substantial change to FORD! Ford actually made a 1st quarter profit in 2008 and currently has the best fuel efficient vehicle the new 2009 FORD FUSION HYBRID! ___________________________________________________ I recently bought around 2200 shares of FORD because I know it will be a great long term investment despite the fact that I paid about $1 more at around $3! Please don't critize me for my point of view but I think FORD has a great chance of surviving this recession and can compete with TOYOTA and HONDA in the next 8 to 15 years! and it will be a great long term investment! S&P gives FORD the same ranking as Toyota and Honda! Thanks Please don't critize if you think FORD WILL FAIL! Just give me your opinion please!!! Thanks again!

How do Capital Gains and Losses and Income Taxes work? Stock Market Lossage and Other Income? Brokerage Fees? Alright well there are several questions that I have here. First off let's say in 2008 I ended up with a loss of $1,780.xx. Also this is my first time filing taxes. A) Can I round this up to a $1,800 loss? Will they care about exact amounts? B) Let's say I make $600 from a part time job as my entire income for 2008. Do I then subtract the $600 from the $1,800 loss and file for a $600 tax return? If so which form do I fill out? C) Seeing as how there is $1,200 left over in lossage, will that be carried over into 2009 and can I start the year with that loss meaning I can make $1200 before I have to pay taxes on any gains? D) Are brokerage fees deductible? If so what is my best option to maximize what I can do with it. I have $850 in commission(trading) fees. Is there a way that I can deduct the $600 separate income from the fees, get my tax return and add the remaining $250 to the $1800 and have an available $2050 tax free loss to start 2009? E) What tax form do I fill out? Do I file two different forms for Capital Gains and regular income, or is there one for both? Where do I get one? F) My mom is currently claiming me as a dependent on her taxes to get deductions for me attending college, does this interfere with anything? Tax bracket? What is my tax bracket? Is the percentage the same for income and investments? Thank you all for your help and support with this.

Help figuring out my tax bracket for my stock investments.? Ok... I first bought shares of a company over a year ago on 4/8/2008... I continued to buy shares in an attempt to averaging down my cost per share. I want to know whether my tax bracket will be long term or short term if i am forced to sell all my shares of that company. Some of which i have owned for over a year and others of which for less then a year. What would be my tax bracket if i sold all my shares?

What are your oppions on AAPL stock? how low will it fall in 2008? How high will it go this year??? What are your ideas about this stock. Many people are telling me that its a great investment. Do you think its allitle overrated? How much lower do you think the price is going to drop. 150? How high for the end of 2008? Just your ideas and projections.

How to treat investment gains in 2008 tax retun if reinvested before year-end? I have made investment gains by trading in stocks during year 2008 and reinvested in less than a month (again before year-end 2008), for tax purposes do I need to declare the investment gains or can I defer it until I sell the stocks I reinvested in? FYI- I am married and filing joint return. Pl advise from US 2008 Tax perspective. Appreciate your feedback

What is the "ONE Investment You Must Make for 2008" that Motley Fool stock email is talking about?

What is my tax obligation on stock investments? Let's say I bought 100 shares of stock A on Jan. 3rd of 2007 for $10. And I bought another 100 shares of stock A on Jan. 4th of 2008 for $20. And lastly, I sold 100 shares of stock A on July 10th of 2008 for $25 each. On my 2008 tax return, do I report a gain of $15 each or $5 each? And if it was a loss? How does one determine whether the stock you sold now was from 7 months ago or 1 year ago? Thanks!

How much stock loss can I claim on my taxes? I sold some stock in 2008, and lost about $12,000 of my investment. How much will I be able to deduct from my taxes?

Losses on Investments - Maximm How much and Have to sale stocks for that? I would like to know maximum to what amount I can claim losses on my short-term investments in 2008 US tax return? Secondly, Do I necessarily have to sale the stocks in order to claim losses or I can claim losses by calculating difference between purchase costs and closing market value as of 31st December without selling the investments? FYI- I am married and filing joint return. Appreciate your help

question about tax on stock investment? Hi Guys I am new with stocks. If i suppose invest $1000 on some stocks in 2008 and didnt take out any amount out of my brokerage account thruout the year. In that case will I have to pay any kind of tax? Please let me know. thanks.

question about stock investment gains and taxes? I read that as of 2008, if your taxable income is 30,000 or less, your income received from your investments would be taxed by 5%. Is that true? So long term gains are taxed by 5%, and short term gains, or sold shares within a year, are taxed by 35% ? Thank you.

semiannual interest after selling stock and debt investments on balance sheet? . Davison Carecenters Inc. provides financing and capital to the health-care industry, with a particular focus on nursing homes for the elderly. The following selected transactions relate to bonds acquired as an investment by Davison, whose fiscal year ends on December 31. 2008 Jan. 1 Purchased at par $2,095,000 of Hannon Nursing Centers, Inc., 10-year, 8% bonds dated January 1, 2008, directly from Hannon. July 1 Received the semiannual interest on the Hannon bonds. Dec. 31 Accrual of interest at year-end on the Hannon bonds. (Assume that all intervening transactions and adjustments have been properly recorded and that the number of bonds owned has not changed from December 31, 2008, to December 31, 2010.) 2011 Jan. 1 Received the semiannual interest on the Hannon bonds. Jan. 1 Sold $1,286,000 Hannon bonds at 106. The broker deducted $5,480 for commissions and fees on the sale. July 1 Received the semiannual interest on the Hannon bonds. Dec. 31 Accrual of interest at year-end on the Hannon bonds. Date Account / Description Debit Credit 2008 Jan.1 Debt investments $ 2095000 Cash $ 2095000 July1 Cash $ 83800 Interest revenue $ 83800 Dec. 31 Interest receivable $ 83800 Interest revenue $ 83800 2011 Jan. 1 Cash $ 83800 Interest receivable $ 83800 Jan. 1 Cash $ 1357680 Debt investments $ 1286000 Gain on sale of debt investments $ 71680 July 1 Cash $ ????? Interest revenue $ ????? Dec. 31 Interest receivable $ ????? Interest revenue $ ????? what would the entries be for july 1 and december 31 for receiving semiannual interest and accrueing interest in 2011. also Assume that the fair value of the bonds at December 31, 2008, was $2,280,000. These bonds are classified as available-for-sale securities. Prepare the adjusting entry to record these bonds at fair value. Date Account / Description Debit Credit Dec. 31 Market adjustment-Available-for-sale $ 185000 Unrealized gain or loss-Equity $ 185000 also given this, what would debt investments at fair value equal. i am stuck on these two things on my assignment but was able to get everything else. Investments Debt investments, at fair value $ ??????

Good Investments for 2009? I had a terrible year investing in the stock market during 2008. I have heard from people that this year maybe better, hopefully. I am turning to the Yahoo Answers! community for some good stock investments for 2009 in American companies. Thanks in advance to all those whom answer and serious answers only please!

2008 investments? I'm looking for a stock I could buy for $20 or less that will forsure make atleast 2 dollars or more. Also If you know of any companys that are going public or great buys or anything please let me know. Thanx.

how do you determine the return(% wise) on a stock investment over time? If I bought oracle at $3.00 a share in 1995, and sold it in 2008, for $17. I want to know what me annual return is on the investment.

Best Investments with Little Money to Start? With a volatile and nervous stock market, as of January 26th, 2008 ; where can I find excellent returns over the long term ? I have done some research into the alternative energy fields and I am very interested in investing into solar, wind power, nuclear, thermal energy fields. What companies are the in the alternative energy fields that would be a good investment in small caps, emerging alternative energy companies with strong earning potential on your investments ? I have only about $ 1500.00 to start with. Should I look at penny stocks in the alternative energy fields ? I am close to retirement with about 3 more years to retirement at 65 and would be very interested in earning a steady retirement income that I can build in the next few years from investments in the alternative energy fields. Some investment experts say that the alternative energy markets will explode to 10 times larger than the Internet in the comming years with great investment returns IF you get in now. By the way...I do not want to fully retire at age 65. I will most likely work part time as I want to keep busy. I am not poor. I am not rich. I will have plenty of money to retire with as I plan to retire in Mexico. When I say I have $ 1500.00 to invest , that is only what I want to to invest into the alternative energy field at this time. Please recommend specific compaines that I can research. Please provide web sites and good information not " good luck " to the old guy notes.

Can I use my stock loss to off set my real estate capital gain ? I lost 36,000 in 2008 and around 45,000 in 2009. Can I use those loss to off set my future gain in real estate investment ? I have a 401k and wanted to convert to Roth IRA, can I use my stock loss to off set the tax liability from converting from 401K to Roth IRA ?

On January 2, 2008, Blunt Compafny acquired 10 percent of the outstanding common stock of Martin Corporation? On January 2, 2008, Blunt Company acquired 10 percent of the outstanding common stock of Martin Corporation for $600,000. Blunt appropriately uses the cost method to account for its investment in Martin. Martin reported net income and paid dividends for the years ended 2008, 2009, and 2010, as follows: Net income Dividends Payments 2008 160,000 100,000 2009 90,000 100,000 2010 (30,000) 100,000 Based on the above information, the amount of Martin's dividend that is considered to be a return of capital (liquidating dividend) to Blunt in 2010 is: a. $0. b. $3,000. c. $8,000. d. $10,000.

Griffin Corporation has decided to make two (2) investments in equity securities of other corporations.? . The following transactions pertaining to these stock investments are listed below: 01/01/08 - Purchased 100,000 shares of Xylox Corporation common stock for $15 per share. Xylox Corporation has a total of 800,000 shares of common stock outstanding. Griffin intends to keep the stock for an indefinite period of time but would consider selling it if the right circumstances were to develop. 01/01/08 – Purchased 200,000 shares of Zencor Corporation common stock for $20 per share. Zencor has a total of 1,000,000 shares of common stock outstanding. Griffin management believes that it will be able to exert significant influence over the operations of Zencor as a result of owning these shares. 12/31/08 – For the year 2008, Xylox reported net income of $800,000. 12/31/08 – For the year 2008, Zencor reported net income of $2,000,000. 12/31/08 – Xylox Corporation stock has a fair market value of $18 per share. 12/31/08 – Zencor Corporation stock has a fair market value of $24 per share 02/15/09 – Received a cash dividend from Xylox Corporation in the amount of $2 per share. 03/15/09 - Received a cash dividend from Zencor Corporation in the amount of $1 per share. 12/31/09 – For the year 2009, Xylox reported net income of $750,000. 12/31/09 - For the year 2009, Zencor reported net (loss) of $500,000. 12/31/09 - Xylox Corporation stock has a fair market value of $16 per share 12/31/09 - Zencor Corporation stock has a fair market value of $18 per share. REQUIRED: Prepare, in good form, all general journal entries required by Griffin Corporation in both 2008 and 2009 as a result of the above transactions.

do i have to file federal income taxes? Do I have to file federal income taxes? I filed for an extension, so I have a few days left. I have filed every year for the last 20 years, but this year I am struggling, and thus cannot afford the $90 turbotax software, so I'm trying to find out if I even have to file. I don't want to file just for continuity's sake anymore, as I have done in prior years. I am single, no income, & minus (70,000) in short-term capital losses from stock investments in 2008, & minus (33,000) in short-term capital losses from years past I continue to carry forward. Usually I deduct $3000 every year for my capital loss carryover, with that negative $103,000 remaining, but this year, if I don't have to pay taxes this year because I have no income, maybe I can carry forward all of my capital losses, instead of wasting the $3000 deduction every year when i don't even have income to speak of. I also notice that TurboTax Premier desktop edition ($90), the version I'd have to use because I have more than 500 stock transactions, does not ask me to add up any prior years' carryovers. It only asks for last year's losses so it can carry that over. Anyway, I am just wondering if I can skip taxes this year and do them next year and claim my remaining capital losses at that time, when I have much more income than I have now, or do I have to do taxes now in order to continue carrying over my capital losses.

Capital Loss Carryovers, required to deduct $3,000? Fairly simple: I am single, no income, filed for an extension of Oct 15th, and have minus (70,000) in short-term capital losses from stock investments in 2008, along with another minus (33,000) in short-term and long-term capital losses from years past, which I continue to carry forward. 1) Is deducting $3000 for my capital loss carryover a requirement, or can I use it in future years at my discretion (since I'll probably have gains in future years)? 2) Unless I missed something in the software, TurboTax Premier did not ask me to add up any prior years' carryovers. It only asks for last year's losses so it can carry 2008 over. And certainly I'd rather carryover 103k instead of just 70k. 3) Lastly, someone had suggested going to my local professional H&R rep to "get things done right"; however, why would I bother doing that, what's wrong with Turbo Tax? I've used it for years and had no issues. (And I wouldn't qualify question 2 as any significant issue, as it's probably something I missed anyway). Thanks!

can you please help with the equity method accounting? On January 1, 2008, Jonsey Corporation purchased 30% of the common stock outstanding of Karsen Corporation for $200 000. During 2008, Karsen Corporation reported net income of $80 000 and paid cash dividends of $40 000. The Balance of the Stock Investments - Karsen account on the books of Jonsey Corporation at December 31, 2008 is . . .

some alternative investment options available for investor that are safe other than stock market ? sensex has severly impacted in 2008 by various factors,wiping out coroes of house hold wealth.it happen to india becz indian economy has intregrated more than ever with global economy.

Should I sell my entire stock portfolio to fund a home purchase? I would like to buy a home in the beginning of 2008 and currently have most of my money in a brokerage account in ETF holdings, which is about $15,000. My question is whether I should liquidate my entire portfolio to pay for the down payment. Would trading the portfolio for a down payment be a good investment? It would be hard to come up with the cash for a 20% down payment without selling off a good chunk of it. Also, is it wise to keep the ETF's right now or should I look for lower-risk investments if I plan on using the cash within a year? It is pretty well diversified and the returns have been decent these past few years. By the time I plan on buying, I should have about 18-20k in cash savings in addition to the portfolio. I am 21 years old so have some time to regenerate the portfolio, but just wanted to get your opinions. Any advice would help...thanks! Thanks for the responses everyone! They are very helpful. The "home" that I'm referring to will most likely be a condo....and yes I am maxing out my contributions (and will continue to do so) in my retirement accounts. Thanks!

Will Royal Bank of Canada Mutual funds be affected by stock market crash? A friend invested into Mutual Funds several months ago, wondering if September 15, 2008's crash will have an affect on those investments.

does a stock (PVX) count as a "foreign trust" for tax purposes? Reply Quote Delete Edit Exact question is: In? Exact question is: In 2008 , did you have authority over a foreign financial account or participate in a transaction with a foreign trust? Investment in a company based in canada through regular company stock. Does it count as a "yes" answer to this question?

what actions can a person take to minimize the volatiltiy in the stock market? the sensex in india has been severly impacted in 2008 wiping out thousands of crores in household and corporate wealth,can reglulators minimize the volatilty,what actions do you recommend?give details of some alternate investment options available that are safe,lquis and provide decent returns??

Capital Gains tax question (MI): I am at a stock loss of 2 grand, need to pay 2 grand, do they cancel out?.... I am in a situation somewhat similar to this: Lets assume I earn "X" amount on a real estate investment in 2008 and need to pay approximately $1500 in taxes in April of '09. Suppose I am down $4000 in stocks that I sold for a loss in 2008. Do I still need to pay the $1500 in capital gains taxes or can I deduct some of my losses? (I imagine the answer is that I still need to pay the $1500 in capital gains taxes on the real estate investment because, if people could deduct stock losses, then people would invest whatever money they owed to the government in taxes and put it in a very risky stock, if they won they would be happy and if they lost they wouldn't have to pay taxes). Thanks for answering my question. Let me get this straight: I earn $10,000 in a real estate investment and need to pay 15% or approximately $1500 in taxes........However, I lost $5000 in stocks. In this example do I..... (a) Subtract the 5K from stock losses from the 10K in real estate profits and only pay taxes on the difference? So only pay taxes on $5000 for 2009?

Should I cash out my stock for tax in 2009? HI Please some one tells me. ,I transferred some cash out stocks and 1000 shares of GM stocks from 2008 to 2009 and declared them as a lost.And in 2009 I deposited more money into stock market, and so far, I'm very behind my investment from beginning of the 2009. Almost I lost 80% of total investment in 2009. So! do I have to cash out my stocks this year again to declare a lost? or it is not necessary to cash out my stocks to show lost and i can transfer into 2010 if I want to keep them for long term minimum 1 year? I bought and sold altos of them and always lost more money. Now! if i have plan to keep them for long term can I transfer all of them which bought today again 11/133/09 and transfer into 2010 without pay tax next year on my own money if make that lost back and wants to sell it. Also, is that corect of you want to trasfer your stock into next year you can have the same stock you sold in 30 days? Edi_kh2000@yahoo.com Thanks! A looser (:(

Accounting Question...? Presented below are two independent situations. 1. Heath Cosmetics acquired 15% of the 200,000 shares of common stock of Van Fashion at a total cost of $13 per share on March 18, 2008. On June 30, Van declared and paid a $60,000 dividend. On December 31, Van reported net income of $122,000 for the year. At December 31, the market price of Van Fashion was $15 per share. The stock is classified as available-for-sale. 2.Yoder, Inc. obtained significant influence over Parks Corporation by buying 30% of Parks 30,000 outstanding shares of common stock at a total cost of $9 per share on January 1, 2008. On June 15, Parks declared and paid a cash dividend of $30,000. On December 31, Parks reported a net income of $80,000 for the year. Instructions Prepare all the necessary journal entries for 2008 for (a) Heath Cosmetics and (b) Yoder, Inc. My answers... (a) 2008 Mar. 18 Stock investments(Dr)$39,000 Cash(Cr) $39,000 June 30 Cash(Dr)9000 Stock investments(Cr) 9000 Dec. 31 Stock investments(Dr)18300 Investment revenue(Cr) 18300 I don't understand how to do the journal entry at the last part. " December 31, the market price of Van Fashion was $15 per share. The stock is classified as available-for-sale." (b) 2008 Jan. 1 Stock investments(Dr)$81,000 Cash(Cr) $81,000 June 15 Cash(Dr)$9,000 Stock investments(Cr) $9,000 Dec. 31 Stock investments(Dr)$24,000 Investment revenue(Cr) $24,000 Am I correct? I'm an international student and I'm trying to understnd Acconting as much as I can. Please let me know if there is any mistake. Thank you.

If you move to Nevada from Oregon in May 6,2008. Do you need to file state tax for Oregon? There is no state tax for Nevada so do I need to file for Oregon for the 5 months you live there? How do one do that for 5 months of stay? Kind of hard and illogical to do so. The money is from a CD and money market account from a bank. That is the only taxable income. And also maybe some gain in stock investment of about $4000 during those 5 months in Oregon. Interest income of about $2,000. How do one file a partial tax return when Oregon requires a copy of your federal returns? The full year earnings is more than the 5 months of income in Oregon. It is going to be tough.

The portfolio having different entities like mutual funds,stocks,PMS?then how to calculate the annual return? The problem I am facing is that the investment date is also different for the investments. then how make them on same level.also the amount for investment also varies accordingly. for example,Rs 10000 is invested on 15 november 2007 in mutual fund,Rs 50000 invested on 1 jan 2008 in stocks and 1000 invested in PMS. then how to calculate the annualized return?

Please help with accounting questions! :)? Rebel Inc. issued 2,000 share of no-par common stock with a stated value of $3 per share. The market price of the stock on the date of issuance was $12 per share. The entry to record this transaction includes a debit to cash for $6,000 a credit to common stock for $24,000 a credit to common stock for $6,000 a debit to Paid in Capital in Excess of Par for $24,000 Blackstone Company uses the equity method to account for its 30% investment in Merliton Enterprises. During 2008, Merliton earned net income of $45,000 and paid dividends of $13,000. In accounting for the investment during 2008, Blackstone will credit Dividend Revenue, $3,900. debit stock investment $9600. credit Revenue from Investment, $9,600. debit Cash, $9,600. Two thousand shares of treasury stock of Meyer, Inc., previously acquired at $12 per share, are sold at $18 per share. The entry to record this transaction will include a credit to Treasury Stock for $36,000. debit to Paid-In Capital from Treasury Stock for $12,000. debit to Treasury Stock for $24,000. credit to Paid-In Capital from Treasury Stock for $12,000.

can you give me an example of a wealth creator stock in indian stock market? for instance i just read a person who invested Rs. 10,000.00 in Wipro in 1980 is worth more than Rs. 200 crore today An investment of Rs. 1 lakh in unitech in 2004 was worth Rs. 40 crore in jan 2008..

What a great stock Quantas Services (PWR) is? Can Quanta Services(PWR - Cramer's Take - Stockpickr) add some oomph to your portfolio? The Houston-based company helps electric and gas utilities maintain network infrastructure, which accounts for about two-thirds of its revenue. Quanta Services also helps cable television and telephone providers build and maintain their networks. Fidelity Investments, formerly the company's largest shareholder, said last month that it cut its Quanta position from 13.8% to 5.5% of the shares outstanding (without giving a reason). That news, coupled with fears that energy transmission growth could slow along with the broader economy, has sent the stock down 2.2% for the year, closing Wednesday at $20.48. Amid these misfortunes, on Jan. 29, JPMorgan upgraded Quanta from neutral to overweight. The analyst cited the potential for the company to generate 15% to 20% annual earnings growth over the next three years, as utilities face increased public pressure to upgrade their aging networks. This is an interesting stock story, one that's right up my alley. My prime role here at TheStreet.com is to run the Value Investor service, where I routinely analyze stocks like these. (Click here for a free trial to TheStreet.com Value Investor.) Quanta Services may be a tempting stock play, but you should buy shares now? It's not just New York's home energy utility Consolidated Edison(ED - Cramer's Take - Stockpickr) -- which has seen massive outages and fatal steampipe explosions make national news -- that sees the need to spend $2.7 billion in 2008 for capital investments. The nation's utility infrastructure is aging, and Quanta is one of the companies that will be called upon to make the repairs. In December, the company signed a $750 million contract with Northeast Utilities(NU - Cramer's Take - Stockpickr) to help the New England utility expand its transmission infrastructure over the next six years. Quanta's electric orders grew 10% year over year in the third quarter, and including this deal, management is expected to announce $1.5 billion of new bookings to its $4.35 billion backlog when the company posts fourth-quarter results later this month. In the meantime, Quanta has a solid balance sheet with $371 million of cash and a manageable 19% total debt-to-equity ratio. The company's convertible debt has a low average fixed coupon of 4.25%, and none of the principal is due until 2023. With Quanta's shares nearly 40% off their October highs, I believe they already are pricing in the risk that new energy transmission capacity could slow down along with the broader economy. The company has nearly two years' worth of revenue in its backlog, which should continue to grow as the nation's utilities are forced to constantly upgrade their aging infrastructure. Given these developments, I believe Quanta shares could trade back up toward the mid-$20s over the coming quarters.

Is there really only one good investment left? Here's the deal: Europe, Japan and the US are getting old, with Baby Boomers starting to retire in 2008 and cashing out their stocks - which, along with huge debt, will drag down all investments. What's left? Emerging Markets!

My 401(k) has lost 44%. Please assist in re-balancing my fund allocations, or confirming my current choices.? My work sponsored 401 (k) has lost approx. 44 percent YTD this year, and while I know that I am by far not alone in this regard, I was reviewing my asset allocation to determine if I need to re-allocate my dollars. If any of you are savy in this regard, and would care to help and offer your suggestion and reasoning, I would appreciate it. I am 27, and would consider myself a risk taker, so don't mind high risk tolerance investments...and obviously (and unfortunatle) have a while until retirement...but I also don't want to throw good money after bad. Here are the options my work offers for my 401(k) plan, with their cummulative 3 month and YTD returns in the following format (Investment, 3 Month cumm return, YTD return, As of Date) Stock Investments Large Cap * DODGE & COX STOCK -12.10, -26.05, 09/30/2008 FID BLUE CHIP GROWTH -9.22, -18.41, 09/30/2008 FID FIDELITY -14.14, -22.87, 09/30/2008 FID GROWTH & INCOME -14.30, -30.95, 09/30/2008 * FID GROWTH COMPANY -18.31, -22.78, 09/30/2008 FIDELITY MAGELLAN -21.27, -30.61, 09/30/2008 * SPTN US EQ IND ADVAN -8.36, -19.29, 09/30/2008 VANG PRIMECAP CORE -8.65, -13.23, 09/30/2008 Mid-Cap FIDELITY LOW PR STK -12.17, -19.48, 09/30/2008 * VANG CAP OPPS ADM -13.87, -20.06, 09/30/2008 Small Cap TRP NEW HORIZONS -7.31, -17.31, 09/30/2008 VANG SM VAL IDX INV 1.51, -8.72, 09/30/2008 International * AF EUROPAC GROWTH R5 -17.99, -26.16, 09/30/2008 AF NEW PERSPECT R5 -14.72, -22.36, 09/30/2008 * FID DIVERSIFIED INTL -20.84, -28.50, 09/30/2008 Specialty VANG REIT IDX INST 5.34, 1.92, 09/30/2008 Blended Fund Investments: FID ASSET MGR 50% -9.15, -15.32, 09/30/2008 FID BALANCED -12.63, -18.34, 09/30/2008 VANG TARGET RET 2005 -5.26, -8.57, 09/30/2008 VANG TARGET RET 2010 -6.32, -11.23, 09/30/2008 VANG TARGET RET 2015 -7.13, -13.17, 09/30/2008 VANG TARGET RET 2020 -7.87, -14.66, 09/30/2008 VANG TARGET RET 2025 -8.66, -16.25, 09/30/2008 VANG TARGET RET 2030 -9.46, -17.73, 09/30/2008 VANG TARGET RET 2035 -9.92, -18.60, 09/30/2008 VANG TARGET RET 2040 -9.87, -18.55, 09/30/2008 VANG TARGET RET 2045 -9.90, -18.56, 09/30/2008 VANG TARGET RET 2050 -9.88, -18.57, 09/30/2008 VANG TARGET RET INC -4.21, -5.77, 09/30/2008 Bond/Managed Income Stable Value FIDELITY MIP II CL 3 7 day yield as of 09/30/2008 3.69% 0.94 3.10 Income MGRS FREMONT BOND 7 day yield as of 09/30/2008 N/A% -3.45 -2.40 MY CURRENT ASSET ALLOCATION ARE ALL IN THE FOLOWING STOCK FUNDS: LARGE CAP DODGE & COX STOCK 30% LARGE CAP SPTN US EQ IND ADVAN 20% MID-CAP VANG CAP OPPS ADM 20% INTERNATIONAL AF EUROPAC GROWTH R5 10% INTERNATIONAL FID DIVERSIFIED INTL 20% Total: 100% Any help with new or better allocation would be helpful, or if it is worth it to take the losses now for future reward, I am not opposed to keeping as is. Also, if you would suggest a change, would you suggest leaving my current holdings as is...and only changing where I invest future contributions, or taking the money out of my holdings in the above funds and putting the dollars into new places? Thanks! - To clarify, I did not put this post on here in search of the one person who can predict the future and tell me what my 100% certain returns would be under each choice. I do however freely admit that there are others out there more experienced in 401k decisions than I am who might be able to offer an opinion to a young guy, not close to retirement, and willing to take the risk of investing in stock funds. I thank those of you who can offer such advice.

What stocks should I buy for 2008? Everyone is saying there could be a recession coming up soon, so with that in mind, what stocks look like good investments right now? I have heard that healthcare stocks are good "defensive" investments during times like this, but what else? How about Wachovia Bank, now that it has already dropped a lot, and has a low P/E? How about Lowe's? Target? Any brewers, wineries, or distillers? Or maybe a foreign company, that is not tied to the US economy (China?). Any ideas or recommendations are welcome. Richard Jackel: I'm a serious investor. I didn't go into much detail in my question because, after all, I'm the one asking a question, not answering one. I just want to hear different people's opinions about which types of stocks (and which specific stocks) are going to perform well in this very unpredictable period. I believe that individuals who come up with their own ideas generally outperform the financial "experts". I gave your response a thumbs down because it was very patronizing, and because you linked to a basic, cookie-cutter website about mutual funds, which are not what I'm interested in.

Estimating annual rate of return for a stock? Hi! I'm writing a school assignment where I have to pick two stocks and estimate the annual rate of return that they will provide. The first one I picked is KCI. I used analysts' projects from BusinessWeek (http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/earnings/earnings.asp?symbol=KCI) to estimate this figure. Can you tell me if this sounds right? "Analyst projections for the remaining two quarters of 2008 show an estimated increase of $1.84 per share, and the total annual earnings for 2009 are estimated at $4.08 (6). The total earnings for the investment over the period June 2008 – June 2009 can therefore be estimated at $3.88 per share (1.84+4.08/2). On June 24, 2008, the price per share for KCI stock closed at $38.52. This yields a rate of return of 10.07%." Does that make sense? Or is there a better way to estimate the annual rate of return for a stock? Thank you!

What does this mean for a stock? Stock has just began to gain DOT contracts. Reverse Split. MTNA.OB? Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement, Creation of a Direct F Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Agreement Debt Restructuring and Settlement Agreement On October 27, 2006, we entered into a series of agreements with our existing debenture holders, namely Palisades Capital, LLC, Hyde Investments, Ltd., and Livingston Investments, Ltd., whereby we extended the due date on over $2,100,000 in debentures for two years from December 31, 2006 to December 31, 2008. Pursuant to the terms of a Settlement Agreement and General Release, we agreed to: (i) release each of the debenture holders from all liability arising prior to the date thereof; (ii) effectuate a 1-for-300 reverse split of our Class A common stock; (iii) issue warrants to purchase an aggregate of 35 million post-split shares of Class A common stock at an exercise price of $0.001; (iv) issue up to 30 million post-split shares of Class A common stock to our President and director, Robert M. Bernstein, as consideration for

Democratic Stock Market crash coming? My theory is that the Democrats will purposely stir up problems for business by holding hearings and threatening new costs and liabilities for business. This will cause business to react to the uncertainty by pulling back (less investment hiring fewer employees). This will stall profits, cutting government tax income spurring Dems to call for yet more taxes in the name of balancing the budget. Layoffs will increase. The Stock Market will crash. The voters will blame it all on Bush and elect a Dem in 2008. Money can't rotate out of real estate very well. As more real estate goes on sale the prices drop and real estate items (paint, furiture, repairs) drop which causes stocks to also go down. I agree that a housing decline will increase foreclosures, but the lenders are mostly Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac securities holders. They may see a decline in their income.

What has killed the Stockmarket as the King of investment? In the late 90s early 00s there was talk of the FTSE 100 breaking the 10000 point barrier. However in 2008 the champagne corks pop when it breaks 6000points what went wrong. I know the bursting of the Dotcom bubble played a part. To what extent has property as an investment effected the popularity of stocks and shares. Is it low inflation. Or is the FTSE still the King

Did Nancy Pelosi not vote on offshore drilling because of personal investments Because if she let Congress vote on offshore drilling her stock in the below linked company would drop, its in her financial interest to keep gas prices high, Can we impeach this greedy woman? http://swampie.wordpress.com/2008/08/12/nancy-pelosi-invests-in-t-boone-pickens-water-and-land-grab-scheme/

Capital Gain with no equity sale? Some coworkers and I participate in an investment club (as a general partnership) but we haven't bothered to buy any accounting software. I thought this was fine because we have our own spreadsheet sheet that tracks ownership correctly and has plenty of versatility while we save a couple bucks each year. It assigns dividend income and gains properly, or so I thought. Example: There are 10 members for the entire 2008 tax year, except one member decides to leave at the beginning of December. The Investment Club buys stock during 2008 but does not sell any and we have positive unrealized gains. There is enough cash sitting around that when the one Partner leaves in December 2008 the club still does not need to sell any stock and we cash the Partner out. Now the Investment Club sells every stock they own sometime in 2009. The Partner that left in December now has more money than they invested but there are no gains to report on f1065 or their schedule k1. Are all the tax forms filled out showing no capital gains (but showing that the one Partner cashed out and "gained" money)? If so, does the partner that left in December 2008 that is no longer a member in 2009 receive tax forms from the Partnership for 2009 that will now show the capital gains? I guess these questions might be a good reason to invest in some software...

How are sold Puts calculated for the tax year? For example: I sold puts for two differetn stocks 2007 and received the premiums. My investment firm sent the premium received as income received to the IRS for 07. However, it was not until 2008 that I closed out one position for a small gain (I bought the put back) - while my other position I was assigned the options which are now at a loss.

Who is Henry Paulson, Treasury Secretary wants$700 billion+,GoldmanSachs CEO sold $500 mill stock & NOT TAXED!? Please post your comments here. Perhaps we need to learn about the billionnaire Henry Paulson, Sect of the Treasury leading this demand for our money. The information can be found on google and wikepedia.org. Henry Paulson, Secretary of the US Treasury made $37 million as CEO of Goldman Sachs in 2005, $16.5 million FOR 1/2 YEAR WORKING IN 2006 from Goldman Sachs and in 2006 he received a salary as US Treasury Secretary after he used his political influence to get a job from The Bush Admin. Henry Paulson for years was a big contributor to the Republican campaigns. Henry Paulson in 2006 gave $100 million of his Goldman Sachs since he was the primary stockholder, to his family. Henry Paulson asked the US govt. for permission to sell $500 million of Goldman Sachs stock because it was illegal for him to have a conflict of interest by having this stock. This meant that in 2006 Henry Paulson sold $500 million of Goldman Sachs stock and did not pay the $200 million of IRS income taxes. This means that for 2006 Henry Paulson received $16.5 million salary from Goldman Sachs, 1/2 year of US Secty. Treasury salary, and a bonus of $200 million by having a $500 million tax free sale of his Goldman Sachs transactions by going to work for the Bush Administration. Perhaps this answers the question "WHY WOULD A BILLIONNAIRE GO TO WORK FOR THE US GOVERNMENT for ABOUT $191,300 PER YEAR, or for $96,000 for the 1/2 year of 2006 ". Did Henry Paulson plan to evade US income taxes on the sale of his Goldman Sachs stock of $500 million by going to work for the government and using the IRS loophole to his advantage? Did Henry Paulson have knowledge in 2006 that Goldman Sachs and the markets were having financial trouble and that it was a good time to sell, and thereby having insider trader knowledge since he was the CEO of Goldman Sachs and the majority stockholder for years? Did he have a conflict of interest by giving $100 million in stock to his family in 2006? Is Henry Paulson's pension still tied to Goldman Sachs, and so the conflict of interest still exists, even if he did not collect it yet? Or, did Henry Paulson give up his pension at Goldman Sachs which I believe is about $1 million per year when he decides to collect, since he was the CEO and majority stockholder for years? Any person can put their investments in a blind trust instead of selling their stock when they go to work for the government. Why in 2006 did Henry Paulson decide to get rid of $600 million worth of stock instead of setting up a blind trust as the IRS law allows, and did he have CEO insider knowledge that the MARKETS were in trouble? My suggestion as an MBA, CPA-retired: We need to LEND these corporations the money at the US Treasury rate in 2008. If they don't pay the money back in a timely fashion determined by our lawmakers, then we foreclose on them Don't forget to put a star if you ever think a question is good. I define good as confronting an issue, not confirming what you already know. Confront vs confirm - even though confirm is more comfortable. I like this forum because it makes us think! The star is where it says "interesting" on each yahoo question.

Prepare a statement of cash flows for the Crosby Corporation? CROSBY CORPORATION Income Statement For the Year Ended December 31, 2008 Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,200,000 Cost of goods sold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,300,000 Gross profits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 900,000 Selling and administrative expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 420,000 Depreciation expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150,000 Operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330,000 Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90,000 Earnings before taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240,000 Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80,000 Additional Details CROSBY CORPORATION Income Statement For the Year Ended December 31, 2008 Earnings after taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160,000 Preferred stock dividends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,000 Earnings available to common stockholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 150,000 Common shares outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120,000 Earnings per share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1.25 Statement of Retained Earnings For the Year Ended December 31, 2008 Retained earnings, balance, January 1, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $500,000 Add: Earnings available to common stockholders, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . 150,000 Deduct: Cash dividends declared and paid in 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50,000 Retained earnings, balance, December 31, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $600,000 Comparative Balance Sheets For 2007 and 2008 Year-End 2007 Year-End 2008 Assets Current assets: Cash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 70,000 $ 100,000 Accounts receivable (net) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300,000 350,000 Inventory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 410,000 430,000 Prepaid expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50,000 30,000 Total current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 830,000 910,000 Investments (long-term securities) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80,000 70,000 Plant and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,000,000 2,400,000 Less: Accumulated depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,000,000 1,150,000 Net plant and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,000,000 1,250,000 Total assets . . Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 250,000 $ 440,000 Notes payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400,000 400,000 Accrued expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70,000 50,000 Total current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 720,000 890,000 Long-term liabilities: Bonds payable, 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70,000 120,000 Total liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 790,000 1,010,000

I don't know how to prepare this cash flow statement? Please HELP?!? I don't know how to prepare this cash flow statement. Please help, I've been working on this for nearly 2 hours, with no luck. Can someone show me how to do it? Thanks! =] Talbert Corp.'s balance sheet accounts as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 and information relating to 2008 activities are presented below. December 31, 2008 2007 (The numbers are listed respectively for 2008 (left side) 2007 (right) and the (--) dashes represent no amount for that year. ) 2008 2007 Cash $ 440,000 $ 200,000 Short-term investments 600,000 -- Accounts receivable (net) 1,020,000 1,020,000 Inventory 1,380,000 1,200,000 Long-term investments 400,000 600,000 Plant assets 3,400,000 2,000,000 Accumulated depreciation (900,000) (900,000) Patent 180,000 200,000 Total assets $6,520,000 $4,320,000 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $1,660,000 $1,440,000 Notes payable (nontrade) 580,000 — Common stock, $10 par 1,600,000 1,400,000 Additional paid-in capital 800,000 500,000 Retained earnings 1,880,000 980,000 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $6,520,000 $4,320,000 Information relating to 2008 activities: • Net income for 2008 was $1,500,000. • Cash dividends of $600,000 were declared and paid in 2008. • Equipment costing $1,000,000 and having a carrying amount of $320,000 was sold in 2008 for $360,000. • A long-term investment was sold in 2008 for $320,000. There were no other transactions affecting long-term investments in 2008. • 20,000 shares of common stock were issued in 2008 for $25 a share. • Short-term investments consist of treasury bills maturing on 6/30/09. I have to prepare a cash flow statement using the indirect method.

I was a First Time Investor during 2008. I have a question.? So Im using TaxCut and I have a problem. I sold V at 45.92. 1 share on 11/21/08. However I bought around 100 shares before this transaction and my average share price was 71.98. My question is that am I suppose to report my loss at 71.98 MINUS 45.92 EQUALS my loss amount? Taxcut thinks that I bought 100 shares at 71.98 so about 7,198 and it thinks that all I Have left is 45.92 giving me a big tax break. Obviously thats wrong. I dont know how to get around that. My other stock investments are a bit more easier since I sold the WHOLE thing when I sold so the program knows how to calculate that. Thanks in Advance!

Has the buildup in plant and equipment been financed in a satisfactory manner? CROSBY CORPORATION Income Statement For the Year Ended December 31, 2008 Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,200,000 Cost of goods sold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,300,000 Gross profits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 900,000 Selling and administrative expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 420,000 Depreciation expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150,000 Operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330,000 Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90,000 Earnings before taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240,000 Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80,000 Block−Hirt−Danielsen: Foundations of Financial Management, 13th Edition II. Financial Analysis and Planning 2. Review of Accounting © The McGraw−Hill Companies, 2009 52 Part 2 Financial Analysis and Planning www.mhhe.com/bhd13e Statement of Retained Earnings For the Year Ended December 31, 2008 Retained earnings, balance, January 1, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $500,000 Add: Earnings available to common stockholders, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . 150,000 Deduct: Cash dividends declared and paid in 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50,000 Retained earnings, balance, December 31, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $600,000 CROSBY CORPORATION Income Statement For the Year Ended December 31, 2008 Earnings after taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160,000 Preferred stock dividends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,000 Earnings available to common stockholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 150,000 Common shares outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120,000 Earnings per share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1.25 Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 250,000 $ 440,000 Notes payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400,000 400,000 Accrued expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70,000 50,000 Total current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 720,000 890,000 Long-term liabilities: Bonds payable, 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70,000 120,000 Total liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 790,000 1,010,000 Comparative Balance Sheets For 2007 and 2008 Year-End 2007 Year-End 2008 Assets Current assets: Cash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 70,000 $ 100,000 Accounts receivable (net) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300,000 350,000 Inventory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 410,000 430,000 Prepaid expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50,000 30,000 Total current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 830,000 910,000 Investments (long-term securities) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80,000 70,000 Plant and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,000,000 2,400,000 Less: Accumulated depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,000,000 1,150,000 Net plant and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,000,000 1,250,000 Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,910,000 $2,230,000 Stockholders’ equity: Preferred stock, $100 per value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90,000 90,000 Common stock, $1 par value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120,000 120,000 Capital paid in excess of par . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 410,000 410,000 Retained earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 500,000 600,000 Total stockholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,120,000 1,220,000 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,910,000 $2,230,000

Should I HOLD or SELL my Fannie Mae(FNM) shares do to the Reverse Stock Split? I currently own 1000 shares of Fannie Mae (FNM) with a total investment of around $1000. Fannie just announced it is considering a Reverse Stock Split by May 2009 to increase it's share value above the $1.00 price to avoid delisted off the NYSE. Shares have been on the rise for the last 4 days going from a 52-week low of .30 to .71 closing on Wed. Nov. 26, 2008. My problem is, I know reverse stock splits usually is not a good sign for a companies future. But do you think Fannie is an exception and should I hold these shares and ride it out or should I sell? Or possibly with only owning 1000 shares, will I be cashed out?

Stuck on Accounting Question? On January 1, 2008, Jonsey Corporation purchased 30% of the common stock outstanding of Karsen Corporation for $200,000. During 2008, Karsen Corporation reported net income of $80,000 and paid cash dividends of $40,000. The balance of the Stock Investments—Karsen account on the books of Jonsey Corporation at December 31, 2008 is A.$200,000 B.$240,000 C.$280,000 D.$212,000

Is Great INFLATION coming ?? 2008/2009? The so-called "credit crisis" is gaining momentum. Investors increasingly question the solidity of the banking system, as evidenced by banks' tumbling stock prices and rising funding costs. With bank credit supply expected to tighten, the profit outlook for the corporate sector, which has benefited greatly from "easy credit" conditions, deteriorates, pushing firms' market valuations lower. In fact, peoples' optimism has given way to fears of job losses and recession on a global scale. Free market advocates, however, should not get carried away by the price action in the market place. In a free market, there is nothing wrong with individuals reassessing hitherto held expectations, entailing changes in relative prices. A free market is a discovery process, based on trial and error. Usually the effects of errors made by some are compensated for by the gains of successful decisions taken by others, and the economy expands. Sometimes, however, the effects of errors dominate, and the economy experiences what people call a crisis: income growth is (feared to be) lower than what people think it should, and could, be. In that sense a crisis is a correction of bad decisions. It is an indispensable part of the free market. It pushes those producers out of business who do not satisfy the needs of their clients, and it rewards those who serve their customers well. A crisis must be feared, however, if it has been caused by government action, and if the obvious signs of the crisis provoke ever greater doses of government intervention. In this case, the market would be prevented from doing its job properly. Bad decisions would be perpetuated, and the ultimate crisis may become nasty. Diagnosing the Causes of the Crisis It is against this background that one may wish to review the US central bank's series of rate cuts, the latest being a big 75-basis-points rate slash on January 22, 2008, which brought the official Fed Funds Target Rate to 3.5%.[1] While the Fed's moves were mostly hailed in public as appropriate measures to help the economy avoid recession, Austrian economists hold a completely different view. According to the Austrian Monetary Theory of the Trade Cycle it is the government-run money-supply monopoly that has not only caused the crisis; the theory also diagnoses that rate cuts will not solve the crisis, but will make it even worse. Central banks, the government agents holding the power over the printing press, pursue a monetary policy of "interest rate steering" or, in other words, pushing the interest rate down as much as possible by relentlessly increasing credit and money supply. It is this inflationary monetary policy that causes trouble. Ludwig von Mises pointed out that today credit expansion is exclusively a government practice. As far as private banks and bankers are instrumental in issuing fiduciary media, their role is merely ancillary and concerns only technicalities. The governments alone direct the course of affairs. They have attained full supremacy in all matters concerning the size of circulation credit. While the size of the credit expansion that private banks and bankers are able to engineer on an unhampered market is strictly limited, the governments aim at the greatest possible amount of credit expansion.[2] Initially, the artificial lowering of the interest rate creates an illusion of richness and affluence. The increase in the money stock via bank credit expansion erroneously suggests that the supply of savings increases. Investment picks up, and the economy expands. The illusion of plentiful resources leads to malinvestment, and sooner or later the boom turns into a bust. While the money-fueled expansion is a manifestation of the crisis, it is actually the slump — the correction of malinvestment — that people complain about. The alleged fight against the crisis Once a crisis unfolds, central banks are called upon to lower interest rates — in ignorance of the fact that a monetary policy of pushing down the interest rate has caused the misery in the first place. Cheaper borrowing costs, it is believed, would revive the economy by stimulating investment and consumption, thereby adding to output and employment. Lower interest rates would raise the prices of stocks, bonds, and housing, translating into "wealth effects" which in turn strengthen demand. The obsession with a policy of lowering the interest rate is rooted in a deep-seated ideological aversion against the interest rate. It is a destructive ideology, in particular if the government is in charge of the money supply. Because then the government central bank will lower the interest rate to whatever is deemed appropriate from the viewpoint of the government, pressure groups, and vested interest. However, the interest rate is a reflection of peoples' "time preference": because of scarcity, people value goods and services available today ("present goods") more highly than goods and services available at a later point in time ("future goods").[3] This is why present goods trade at a premium over future goods. That premium is the interest rate, or the "time preference rate." The interest rate is a free-market phenomenon. A policy of suppressing the market interest rate through a government-sponsored credit expansion, Mises noted, is a policy against the free market: Credit expansion is the governments' foremost tool in their struggle against the market economy. In their hands it is the magic wand designed to conjure away the scarcity of capital goods, to lower the rate of interest or to abolish it altogether, to finance lavish government spending, to expropriate the capitalists, to contrive everlasting booms, and to make everybody prosperous.[4] Causing Inflation A monetary policy of lowering the interest rate via expanding credit and money corresponds to the widely held view that "some inflation" is a requisite for economic expansion. In fact, the "inflation bias" has become so widespread that nowadays inflation (the rise in the money supply) is much less feared than deflation (the decline in the money supply). Mises was aware of what happens once the inevitable crisis caused by a manipulation of the interest rate unfolds: "In the opinion of the public, more inflation and more credit expansion are the only remedy against the evils inflation and credit expansion have brought about."[5] The current credit crisis is a sad case in point: with monetary policy having caused inflation and malinvestment, it is now called upon to pursue a policy that leads to even more inflation and malinvestment. Could monetary policy become "ineffective," that is, could it fail to create inflation? For instance, the Bank of Japan's rate cuts around the beginning of the 1990s — as a reaction to falling asset prices and a growing volume of bad loans in banks' portfolio — did not succeed in bringing credit and money growth rates back to precrisis levels. Even with official rates at virtually zero, the economy remained in stagnation and the Japanese stock market continued to decline. Against the backdrop of the Japanese experience it should be noted that there is no limit to central-bank money printing. Central banks can, at any one time, buy any assets from banks and nonbanks such as bonds, real estate, foreign currencies, etc. If a central bank buys, say, debt from the corporate sector, it increases the money stock in the hands of nonbanks directly; the commercial banking sector is not needed for increasing the money supply. Central banks' unlimited power over the money supply has been made pretty clear by the chairman of the US Federal Reserve, Ben S. Bernanke, in November 2002: [T]he U.S. government has a technology, called a printing press (or, today, its electronic equivalent), that allows it to produce as many U.S. dollars as it wishes at essentially no cost. By increasing the number of U.S. dollars in circulation, or even by credibly threatening to do so, the U.S. government can also reduce the value of a dollar in terms of goods and services, which is equivalent to raising the prices in dollars of those goods and services. We conclude that, under a paper-money system, a determined government can always generate higher spending and hence positive inflation.[6] So if the government is determined to create inflation, there should be hardly any doubt that there will be inflation. The Fed's series of rate cuts suggests that the bank tries to create additional credit and money via lowering the interest rate on base money. But if such action fails to yield inflation, it does not take much to expect that the central bank may take recourse to less "regular" operations, if and when such an inflation policy is deemed necessary to solve the credit crisis. So far, at least, US bank credit and money supply growth has remained at a very high level. In December 2007, banks' commercial and industrial loans grew at 10.9% y/y, and total bank loans and leases were up 10.8% y/y. Real estate loans — most likely as a consequence of the defaults in the subprime markets — slowed down somewhat, but were still running at 6.3% y/y. Against this background the Fed rate cuts should actually accelerate the erosion of the exchange value of money further. Threatening Freedom Inflation is a societal evil. It redistributes real wealth from creditors to debtors. It impairs the role of money as a means of exchange. The efficiency of the market's price mechanism is greatly reduced, encouraging bad decisions, which in turn harm peoples' economic well-being. At the end of the day, inflation is a serious threat to freedom. The majority of the people, suffering badly from inflation, would most likely blame the free market for their plight, rather than blame the central bank for the debasing of the currency. Print $17 Audio $25 Mises noted: Nothing harmed the cause of liberalism more than the almost regular return of feverish booms and of the dramatic breakdown of bull markets followed by lingering slumps. Public opinion has become convinced that such happenings are inevitable in the unhampered market economy. People did not conceive that what they lamented was the necessary outcome of policies directed toward a lowering of the rate of interest by means of credit expansion. They stubbornly kept to these policies and tried in vain to fight their undesired consequences by more and more government interference.[7] From the Austrian viewpoint, the current credit crisis appears to be a precursor of great inflation. If a deliberate policy of great inflation is chosen in the United States, a monetary policy of debasing the currency would most likely also take hold in other currency areas of the world. The credit crisis has become a threat to the free societal order: as people become dispirited with the free market order, the door would be pushed open for anti–free market policies. --------------------------------------... Thorsten Polleit is Honorary Professor at the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management. Send him mail. See his archive. Comment on the blog. Notes [1] The FOMC rate cut was made "in view of a weakening of the economic outlook and increasing downside risks to growth. While strains in short-term funding markets have eased somewhat, broader financial market conditions have continued to deteriorate and credit has tightened further for some businesses and households." US Federal Reserve, Press Release, 22 January 2008. [2] Mises, L. v. (1996), Human Action, p. 794. [3] For the explanation of the Austrian theory of the interest rate, see Rothbard, M.N. (1993), Man, Economy, and State: A Treatise on Economic Principles, pp. 31 1 day ago - 2 days left to answer.

How does a US stock market crash makes Asian stock markets also to Crash? I am totally confused. I just read on CNN that Asian stock markets are falling due to slump of major US stocks. This is due to CNN says: in the wake of investment bank Lehman Brothers' bankruptcy, Merrill Lynch's sale to Bank of America, and the U.S. government announcing an $85 billion plan to bail out insurance giant American International Group (AIG). http://edition.cnn.com/2008/BUSINESS/09/18/world.markets/index.html My question is HOW ON EARTH IS THIS POSSIBLE? What is the connection between the US stock market and Asian stock markets?

Adler should report what amount in 2008 related to Boxworth Co.? On January 2, 2008, Adler Co. acquired 2,000 shares of Boxworth Co. common stock for $8,000 and classified these shares as available for sale securities. During 2008, Adler received $6,000 of cash dividends. Adler's share of Boxworth's 2008 earnings (per share), was $7 per share. Adler should report what amount in 2008 related to Boxworth Co.? a) Revenue of $6,000 b) Revenue of $12,000 c) A $1,000 decrease in the investment account d) A $1,000 increase in the investment account

Unrealized capital loss - can you deduct? I have lost a looot of money on my stock market investments, but I haven't sold them before year end to "realize" the losses. So, all my losses are "unrealized". Is there a way (or maybe something new in the 2008/9 tax code) that would allow me to deduct this loss from my taxes? Maybe through adjusting the value of the investments on my books or something? Banks can "write off" their loses, even those that are yet expected, so how can I do that? Tx.

Bank of America Questions!? What's Bank of America's (BAC): 1) Subsidiaries? 2)Parent COmpany? 3)Highest stock$ in 2008? 4)Lowest? 5) Price of stock on Jan. 1, 2008? 6) Price of stock on Dec. 31, 2008? 7) Any new investments? Please give a source. Thx. (:

The Economical Crisis of 2008? Hi everyone, I know alot of kids get on here and expect people to help with them with their homework, but i need some general help. I am in a college economics(investments) class and i need to do a current event paper on the recent stock market and financial turmoil of this year(but more recently). I could easily google all of my sources but i need the most recent research. My paper needs to detail; The causes of the meltdown, solutions being offered, and ways to invest right now. All advice would be helpful. Thanks!!!

What in the he** is happening to all these investment banks on Wall Street?(Please read details)? What in the he** is happening to all these investment banks on Wall Street? I know this didn't just happen overnight, but it sure seems that way. I know a lot of it was caused by greed and/or short selling but why are things so bad in 2008. We haven't faced such hard times since "The Crash of the Stock Market back in 1929" I feel like we going into another depression.

Did McCain show himself to be completely out of touch with reality today? http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/09/biden-rips-mcca.html I was left dumbfounded by McCain's comments, as I watched my 401K and all of my investments get wiped out of existence, along with my employer's stock. How do ordinary Americans feel about McCain's assessment?

Buy a house now, or wait - unusual circumstances!? I have $40,000 down, can afford $3000 per month and have good credit. The thing is, I won't be living in the USA until 2017! Should I buy now and rent the house out, or wait? By 2017, I won't need a loan to buy a house (I'll have saved $800K), and I will be retiring - to live in New England (NH or Vermont). Should I pay 2007 prices with a loan at 6% (or 2008 by the time I locate what I want) or pay cash in 2017, at those prices, whatever they may be? Another option is wait 2 years for prices to bottom, then buy and rent it out. If I buy in 2009-10, I may be able to swing 50% down. The longer I hold it, however, the longer I have to pay property taxes and all other fees/expenses. My details: 41yo, married, zero kids (CF) ~$100K tax-free pay, total monthly expenses <$1000, $145K equity in foreign condo (we own it - paid off), other investments (Stocks/bonds, etc) = ~$80K. Zero debt; zero expensive habits. I really want to retire/move home to the USA in 10 years. Thanks in advance!

All serious stock-exchange speculators in India, especially concerning BSE(SENSEX), please read this.? The announcement of India's 2008 budget no the 29th of February seems to have had crippling effects on the SENSEX. Factors such as the increase of Capital Gains Tax from 10% to 15% have adversely affected the nations stocks, as the SENSEX tumbled nearly 900 points on the 3rd of March, being the first working day for BSE after the budget. Im a major stake-holder,but not one with any technical knowledge about stocks, with holdings such as EXIDE, RELIANCE INDUSTRIES,BRITANNIA,REL COMMUNICATIONS,etc. I was planning to liquidate my investment before this downfall of the SENSEX, but now am helpless due to the rock bottom prices that my share holdings would fetch me. What does the future hold for stocks, especially concerning the SENSEX? How long may i have to wait till it regains its original highs? Your help and concern are appreciated most gratefully. Thank You.

Call or Put? Today, Hewlett-Packard’s common stock price (HPQ) is $50. You want to invest in the stock, but you also want to protect your stock investment using a put option with exercise price of $45 and expiration date of May, 2008. Currently put options with $45 strike, which expire in May, 2008 are priced at $2. So, you decided to buy the stock and purchase a put option on the stock (therefore, you are investing $52 today). a) What is the maximum amount you can lose from the portfolio (stock and the put option)? b)What stock price makes you breakeven? c) What would the rate of return of your portfolio be if the stock price was $40, $45, $50, $55, or $60 at the expiration date? d)Depending on your previous answers, do you think it is worth buying the put option together with the H-P stock or just invest in the H-P stock?

How do I claim the loss in my Roth IRA on my taxes? I deposited a total of 16k over 4 years in my Roth IRA, I just closed it at the end of Jan 2009 when it was worth under $200 total (penny stock investment gone bad)...so I lost over $15,800 and my AGI in 2008 was 90k. Is it a problem that I waited until the beginning of 2009 to close my Roth IRA? It is the only Roth IRA I had. Can I claim this loss in doing my 2008 taxes?

Now that the stock market is a mess, won't the USA's economy likely fall below Europe and China? Do you agree with my timeline of USA progress? 1945-2000: The USA leads the global economy by overwhelming proportions (backed by international support( 2000: Rightwing spokepeople in Bush's cabinet endorse a policy of "Throw the UN building into the Atlantic, Destroy it!" ("UN ambassadors worldwide respond "We can't conceive of a UN without the United States!") 2000-2007: The USA still has been a top leader but with other countries catching up in Asian markets and European Union booming. 2003: The US defies NATO and the UN, and spends half a trillion on a War that seems unwinnable. 2004: (forget the real estate bubble, that's just funny money). 2007: US Fiscal policy can no longer save US economy, even with record low interest rates. 2008: The USA market plunges in Financial Crisis and global markets go down with the USA (While the globe's last thread of trust in the US collapsing.) Oil prices the first sign that the US is going down on its OWN. 2009 Prediction: Europe, Asia, even Canada, will reassess its foreign investments in an unrepairable US economy and increase investments in Asian markets, Japan, China, Germany, UAE 2010: US Economy plateaus. Sustained Depression. Rest of the world: Slow recovery 2011: EU GDP surpasses the United States and unifies in celebration of this achievement. 2012: The effects really begin to take shape. Consumer demands in Asia surpass the US consumer demands. Supply markets leave the United States. 2017: Social Security and Medicare Trustfunds begin to shrink as babyboomers collect benefits and fewer and fewer workers replace them. 2030: Crude oil prices reach $5,000 per barrel, but telework is the way of the future. A New urban economy comes back to life (but short-lived euphoria). 2040: Social Security and Medicare trust funds reach $0.00. By 2075: Global Warming reduces US agricultural produce by more than 80%. World's military spending potential exceeds US maximum budget. US Federal Debt borrowings reach maximum limits on World Bank. 2085: The United States declares bankruptcy, but uses military to avoid physical takeover of land. 2090: The US collapses and becomes subsidiary of China, the most modern of all superpowers, under a policy of national socialism forged as communism, with an elite market-driven upper class in control. 2100: The US in exile surrenders. Could this happen? but some things will not go down till 2090. One thing the USA has for a long time is 1) Diversity of Land and Climate 2) Plenty of harbors 3) Fundamental education and literacy 4) A competitive edge on e-business 5) A superior military (This will hold for 50+ years but eventually not hold out at the very end) One irony I also forgot to mention, nuclear weapons will actually NOT be the weapon that destroys the USA in the end. The nature of a nuke in all cases now that nukes are in the hands of more than 1 country, is simply a self-defeating weapon. Using it means it will be used against you. Hence, it doesn't achieve the PURPOSE of any single entity. Nutcases who manage to get 1 can't easily replicate it without a factory, and no nation will settle for destruction of itself. In a worst case scenario, I predict between 0 and 2 nukes will be used in the entire 21st century. In an event such as this: 1) Terrorist inadvertently gets hands on Warhead 2) Fires at USA 3) 50% chance US nukes back at country responsible 4) International community intervenes quickly, dispute resorts back to conventional arms.

I Want To Invest? For christmas, I asked for some cash to put toward investments in stocks. I have money in bonds and mutual funds, and I really want to get in the market. Now, I know it's volatile, but I want to know what I should look for in a stock. I dont want to hear any individual stocks, please. I want to hear: 1. Should I go for secular or cyclical? 2. Which sector is expected to be strong in 2008? 3. What type of stock can weather through the storm that could be a 2008 recession?

What to do with cash and loans? I'm 30 years old and have the following in loans and cash. I have a very good paying job and no mortgage. I'm trying to determine what to do, save more cash or begin paying down debt. Obviously I need to maintain some cash base for issues that may come up. Cash: $6,000 in savings yield 4.25% $12,000 in stock market investments (up from $8,000 in Jan.) Loans: $10,000 left on undergraduate at 3.25% $41,000 left on graduate at 5.25% $14,000 left on car loan (3 yrs. to go) at 7% $5,000 in credit card debt 0% until September of 2008 I contribute to 401K, IRA, GE direct stock, kids college, and I have a universal variable life insurance. The life insurance policy is worth around $4,500. I have approximately $2,700 a month in expenses; this number includes the kids college fund, GE direct investment, and life insurance policy. To your point, I do have 6 months of expenses in cash. Thank you very much for your responses, it is appreciated. The credit card has a $10,000 limit.

Prediction For 2008 Markets....? 1. Real Estate will continue to decline with more and more foriegn investors shying away from realestate investment vehicles. 2. Financials will follow the path of Homebuilders did in 2007 (30-50% declines in current stock prices) 3. XLF (financial spider) will hit $10-$15 range 4. Global markets will suffer...China will have to do something about its inflation (floating yen), and the issues will continue to snowball to other countries. 5. Global slowdown will impact energy and basic materials consumption....Oil will be back at $60-$70/barrel levels, metal stocks will cut in half, however precious metals will continue to climb as investors seek protection. 6. Short credit cards....as people run out of money they will charge up their credit cards to the max to afford their lifestyle figuring they can pay it off as soon as the economy turns around. It wont turn around that quickly and credit card defaults will sky rocket. What do you think? that's Yuan (china) not Yen (Japan)....sorry, typing too fast I'm predicting all of these occur in 2008....what do you think?

Question about stock options? Im a noobie...Please tell me if I am understanding this correctly..Thanks in advance. Say I have 1000 shares of XYZ at $2.00 per share, and I purchased 10 put option ($7.50 OCT 2008) at $3.90 per share (which would equal to $3900). The total excluding commissions, fees, etc. would amount to $5900. What would be the worst outcome from this investment? (Profit of $1600 ???) No wayyy right? I must be missing something... Thanks for the advice !! Since i'll be excersing that put option..the bid price is irrelevant right?? Hey..thanks again for the advice..Ive been reading about options trading and so far..it looks very very complicated..anyways...GL with your trading !

How does McCain cutting the capital gains tax on stock profits to 7.5% make middle class happy? Households earning less than $50,000 a year collected a mere 2.5 percent of capital gains in 2005, according to the Tax Policy Center. Families earning more than $1 million a year collected 59 percent of capital gains. Moreover, most middle-class families with capital gains hold their investments in retirement accounts shielded against capital gains taxes. http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/2008/05/07/mccain-brain-capital-gain/ Trillions of dollars lost in the stock market hitting people’s stock portfolios, 401ks and retirement funds. Billions of dollars in losses in the value of homes across the country. So where are the capital gains here? McCain’s plan to reduce capital gains only works if you have a capital gain. Impossible today for most Americans. But this works really well for the really rich people (top 5%).

How to make good profit in share business in Dse? I have started share business in Dhaka Stock exchange, Bangladesh with $1000. Although I have good amount of money, I like to invest them wisely. So I am waiting & seeing. I can see that after book closing & AGM the price of all blue chip share come down & it increases 50~60% after 7~8 months. I think it is safe investment to make profit. But I want to invest my amount wisely to gain maximum profit. I don't know the way. Could you please show me a authentic way for my positive investment? Waiting for your reply. Shuhan 23 July, 2008

Accounting II: PLEASE HELP!!? Preferred stock was sold at $80 par and was composed of $10,000 shares of 4%,and 100,000 shares of common stock, $10 par was sold at par at the beginning of the six year period, calculate the average return on initial shareholders' investment based on the average annual dividend per share (a) for preferred stock and (b) for common stock. 2003 - $21,000 2004 - $50,000 2005 - $15,000 2006 - $80,000 2007 - $90,000 2008 - $140,000 The average annual dividend for preferred stock is $2.73. If someone can help me answer the preferred stock, I can figure out the common stock.

What income is used to determine capital gains and dividend tax rates for 2008-2010? What income is used to determine what bracket you are in for capital gains tax rate. Would like to know what line on 1040 so can compare to last year to see if I qualify for 0% gain on a long term investment I have that will net 3000 capital gains. What I would like to do is sell off the stock take the 0% tax on capital gains then buy the stock back right away. What is the income bracket for 0% for a joint account. Is it before itemized or after. Is the taxable income after deductions? to qualify for 0% capital gains. What line on 1040 would it be. Reading some examples it looks like it was after itimized

Few QUESTION about GDP.? These are the True/False Question 1. Stock, Bond, and other financial instruments are counted as a part of Investment in the calculation of GDP. 2. GDP includes new house in the category "Consumer Durable Goods". 3. If you sold your 2004 Honda accord to someone today for 5000, the 5000 transaction would be calculated as a part of "Consumer Durable Goods" in the GDP of 2008. 4. The "National Income" Component which is calculated by subtracting capital consumption (depreciation) From GNP is known as: A) Net Investment ; B) Net Domestic Product C)Gross Investment ; D) Net National Product THX

Prediction For 2008 Markets....? 1. Real Estate will continue to decline with more and more foriegn investors shying away from realestate investment vehicles. 2. Financials will follow the path of Homebuilders did in 2007 (30-50% declines in current stock prices) 3. XLF (financial spider) will hit $10-$15 range 4. Global markets will suffer...China will have to do something about its inflation (floating yen), and the issues will continue to snowball to other countries. 5. Global slowdown will impact energy and basic materials consumption....Oil will be back at $60-$70/barrel levels, metal stocks will cut in half, however precious metals will continue to climb as investors seek protection. 6. Short credit cards....as people run out of money they will charge up their credit cards to the max to afford their lifestyle figuring they can pay it off as soon as the economy turns around. It wont turn around that quickly and credit card defaults will sky rocket. What do you think? that's Yuan (china) not Yen (Japan)....sorry, typing too fast I predict all of these will occure during the course of 2008....what do you think?

People, we need 2 wake up !? US Lawmakers Invested in Iraq, Afghanistan Wars Abid Aslam / Inter-Press Service | April 8, 2008 WASHINGTON - U.S. lawmakers have a financial interest in military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, a review of their accounts has revealed. Members of Congress invested nearly 196 million dollars of their own money in companies that receive hundreds of millions of dollars a day from Pentagon contracts to provide goods and services to U.S. armed forces, say nonpartisan watchdog groups. David Petraeus, the top U.S. general in Iraq, is to brief the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services committees on Tuesday and Wednesday. The latest findings are unlikely to have a significant impact on this week’s proceedings but could stoke anti-incumbent sentiment in this year of presidential and legislative elections. Lawmakers charged with overseeing Pentagon contractors hold stock in those very firms, as do vocal critics of the war in Iraq, says the Centre for Responsive Politics (CRP). Senator John Kerry, the Democrat from Massachusetts who staked his 2004 presidential bid in part on his opposition to the war, tops the list of investors. His holdings in firms with Pentagon contracts of at least five million dollars stood at between 28.9 million dollars and 38.2 million dollars as of Dec. 31, 2006. Kerry sits on the Senate foreign relations panel. Members of Congress are required to report their personal finances every year but only need to state their assets in broad ranges. Other top investors include Representative Rodney Frelinghuysen, a New Jersey Republican with holdings of 12.1 million - 49.1 million dollars; Rep. Robin Hayes, a North Carolina Republican (9.2 million - 37.1 million dollars); Republican Rep. James Sensenbrenner Jr. of Wisconsin (5.2 million - 7.6 million dollars); and Rep. Jane Harman, a California Democrat (2.7 million - 6.3 million dollars). Sen. Jay Rockefeller, the Democrat and former governor of West Virginia who chairs the Senate Select Intelligence Committee, invested some 2.0 million dollars in Pentagon contractors, CRP says. Other panel chiefs who invested in defence firms include Sen. Joseph Lieberman, the Connecticut Independent who presides over the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Rep. Howard Berman, the California Democrat who heads the House Foreign Affairs Committee. In all, 151 current members of Congress — more than one-fourth of the total — have invested between 78.7 million dollars and 195.5 million dollars in companies that received defence contracts of at least 5.0 million dollars, according to CRP. These companies received more than 275.6 billion dollars from the government in 2006, or 755 million dollars per day, says budget watchdog group OMB Watch. The investments yielded lawmakers 15.8 million - 62 million dollars in dividend income, capital gains, royalties, and interest from 2004 through 2006, says CRP. Not all the firms deal in arms or military equipment. Some make soft drinks or medical supplies and military contracts represent a small fraction of their revenues. Many are leaders in their industries and, as such, feature in the investment portfolios of millions of ordinary people who invest at least a portion of their savings in mutual funds, which in turn hold stocks in up to hundreds of companies. “Giant corporations outside of the defence sector, such as Pepsico, IBM, Microsoft and Johnson & Johnson, have received defence contracts and are all popular investments for both members of Congress and the general public,” says CRP. “So common are these companies, both as personal investments and as defence contractors, it would appear difficult to build a diverse blue-chip stock portfolio without at least some of them,” the group acknowledges. If some of the stocks appear innocent, aides say legislators also are. Some did not buy the stocks in question but inherited them. Many hold them in blind trusts, so called because the investments are handled by independent entities, at least theoretically without the politicians’ knowledge of how their assets are being managed. Even so, according to CRP, owning stock in companies under contract with the Pentagon could prove “problematic for members of Congress who sit on committees that oversee defence policy and budgeting.” Members of the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services committees held 3.0 million - 5.1 million dollars in companies specialising in weapons and other exclusively military goods and services, it added. Critics have assailed President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard Cheney for their ties to companies seen as benefiting from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Bush was characterised as pushing conflict in the interest of the oil fraternity whence he hailed. Before becoming vice president, Cheney headed Halliburton, a major player in the oil services industry and the object of controversies involving political connections, government contracts, and business ethics. Halliburton’s subsidiary, Kellogg Brown & Root, was given multi-billion-dollar contracts to provide construction, hospitality, and other services to the U.S. military following the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The contracts drew fire because of Cheney’s history and then-ongoing financial relationship with the firm, and because the company did not have to compete for the Pentagon’s business. The firm was renamed KBR Inc. after Halliburton spun it off last year.

Is Barack Obama a socialist? I was doing some reading on this issue and my findings, to say the least, have me feeling sick to my stomach. After doing some research, it became clear to me that Barack Obama has MASSIVE tax increase proposals for the rich. Read the articles i posted below for an explanation of his proposals, and hints in his quotes of communism. One of the articles i read states that Obama has virtually no experience in the stock market. The Clintons on the other hand, have significant investments. And Hillary has said she'd restore tax levels to that of her husband- but according to my research, Obama wants MUCH higher taxes- one of the sources states 3x as high as Clinton's proposals. Back to my question- do you think he is a socialist? http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120735854234491599.html?mod=djemEditorialPage http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/2008/03/12/obamas-reckless-tax-increase-to-save-social-security/ http://www.extremeink.com/awtk/2007/11/barack-obama-explains-socialism.htm I have to say too- why on Earth is he talking about this when the economy is doing poorly? There's no doubt that at least some wealthy Americans will decide to work less because of the potential huge taxes. I hope the man understands that this will be a huge issue to attack him on when he (Possibly) Faces McCain in the debates. Why do you think Hillary is worse? I do not think so. The Clinton family has released their tax records and they are very wealthy individuals. They understand the nature of the Economy. One of the articles i posted discusses how Bill Clinton agreed to cut the Cap Gains tax. She follows in his footsteps. And, She is against the 1 TRILLION Social Sec tax increase Obama wants

Should I invest in Citigroup (C)? I have been watching, researching and reading up on Citigroup for quite a while now. Some say it is going to continue dropping because they still have write downs they haven't performed in 2008. I know a lot of these financial/banks are suffering a lot right now and going through management changes. I personally see this as an opportunity to get in. Citigroup is the largest financial company, well diversified and historically well managed. It is trading at $28.11 where this time last year it was trading around $55 per. I am only 23 and ready to commit my saving into an investment (long term). Two questions: 1) Should I purchase Citigroup (C) stock? is now a good time or should I wait? 2) Is my money better put into a mutual fund or a CD? **I have $15K

Who is in the top 100 people in the world?

I overfunded my Roth IRA by $4000 and have already filed for 2007. How can I fix this now? I am under 50 and put $4000 into a Roth IRA and $4000 into a Traditional IRA account for 2007 without realizing that the max you could put into both was $4000 total to both in any year. I filed my taxes by April 15, 2008. If I have the $4000 in the Roth IRA reclassified for this year, do I still have to pay the 6% excise tax? If I reclassify the amount by October 15, 2008 (latest date for extensions), can I avoid the excise tax? The IRS notes that taxes may be due on the earnings. I purchased stock & mutual funds within 14 days of putting cash into the Roth in July 2007. The net earnings on those investments was $25 for the year (it was not a great year). The account as a whole has $15,000 in it and earned about $350 throughout the year. Do I pay taxes on the earnings of $25 when I make the reclassification, or the prorated share of $350 (350 * 4000/15000 * 0.5 years)? Do need to file an amended tax return to report these earnings? I am under 50 and put $4000 into a Roth IRA and $4000 into a Traditional IRA account for 2007 without realizing that the max you could put into both was $4000 total to both in any year. I filed my taxes by April 15, 2008. If I have the $4000 in the Roth IRA reclassified for this year, do I still have to pay the 6% excise tax? If I withdraw the amount by October 15, 2008 (latest date for extensions), can I avoid the excise tax? The IRS notes that taxes may be due on the earnings. I purchased stock & mutual funds within 14 days of putting cash into the Roth in July 2007. The net earnings on those investments was $25 for the year (it was not a great year). The account as a whole has $15,000 in it and earned about $350 throughout the year. Do I pay taxes on the earnings of $25, or the prorated share of $350 (350 * 4000/15000 * 0.5 years)? Do need to file an amended tax return to report these earnings? Is there any advantage to applying excess contributions to my 2008 Roth IRA? Can I apply the excess contribution to my 2008 Roth account before October 2008 and avoid the penalty of 6%, or do I have to pull if out of the account, then put it back in?

What is there safe to invest in now(within money market, bonds, stocks)? I just have lost @ 7% and am uneasy. I am 60. I have a stock fund leaning, and I want to make up for some lost time, but seeing money disappear like the 7% is awful. Have moderate pension promised, have deferred compensation fund plan with bad choices, have IRAs over the years. No financial advisor, don't own individual stocks, no home, no long term health insurance except with job which I plan to leave in six years. I ran all this through Morningstar portfolio snapshot and it is aggressive, but said to be balanced. Today I chose a total bond market index to balance off things in the IRA department. I am maxing out in the catch up provision at work, but there is no company match, and I read in Jim Cramer's writing to let up on that and go for investments to grow wealth rather than try to get a tax break within the limits of the plan fund choices. Puzzled and need to invest in IRA for 2008, but don't know what is reasonable.

How about Baring North America Fund? How about Baring North America Fund? Is North America stock market still worth investing? Additionally, many U.S. equity fund had constantly gained the investment of Biotechnology, is this a forward expectation of Biotechnology potential in 2007-2008 ?

do you know about flu shots?? LITTLE ANGEL2CF? Skip navigation MSN Home | Mail MoreHotmailMessengerMy MSNMSN DirectoryAir Tickets/TravelAutosCareers & JobsCity GuidesDating & PersonalsElection 2008GamesGreenHealth & FitnessHoroscopesLifestyleMaps & DirectionsMoneyMoviesMusicNewsReal Estate/RentalsShoppingSpacesSportsTech & GadgetsTVWeatherWhite PagesYellow PagesSign Inmsn.comfeaturing Today Show Nightly News Dateline Meet the Press MSNBC TV BREAKING NEWS: East Timor President and Nobel-winner Jose Ramos-Horta wounded in attack HealthCold and flusponsored by Categories U.S. news World news Politics Business Sports Entertainment Health Diet and nutrition Women's health Men's health Kids and parenting Sexual health Mental health Pet health Fitness Aging Cancer Heart health Skin and beauty Health library Tech & science Travel Weather Local news Browse Video Photos Community Disable Fly-outMarketplace Shopping via MSN Shopping Start a business Entrepreneur.com Dating via PerfectMatch.com Homes for Sale via JustListed.com Investments $7 online stock trades Online degrees from Kaplan University Career Center via Monster Autos via MSN Autos Flu vaccine may not provide enough protection Officials question influenza shot as number of U.S. flu cases increase Video Late-peaking flu season predicted Feb. 8: Despite a mild flu season January, the recent spate of flu cases has forced schools to shut down and put nursing homes in lockdown. NBC's Robert Bazelll reports. Nightly News INTERACTIVE Weekly influenza estimates Who’s got the flu state-by-state Related stories What’s this? Still time for your flu shot Flu Cases On The Increase Flu season in full swing Nationwide flu outbreak affecting Massachusetts State health department reporting lower number of flu cases so far Most popular • Most viewed • Top rated • Most e-mailed Bride dies during first dance with husband Clinton's campaign manager steps down Obama takes lead in Maine caucuses FAQ: How does the election system work? Obama wins big in Wash., Nebraska, La. Most viewed on msnbc.com Australia, Japan clash over dead whale photos In a hurry to get your refund? Beware Administration's mercury policy ruled illegal Harry Landis, one of last U.S. WWI vets, dies Key to fusion power may be found in space Most viewed on msnbc.com Bride dies during first dance with husband Clinton's campaign manager steps down 10 years for Army sniper for killing Iraqi civilian Cheers! Stupid beer laws falling off 5 smart sites to put $50 in your pocket — fast Most viewed on msnbc.com updated 6:34 p.m. CT, Fri., Feb. 8, 2008 WASHINGTON - The influenza vaccine given to Americans may not protect as well as expected, U.S. health officials said on Friday as the number of flu cases increased nationwide. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said slightly more than half of the influenza virus strains reported to its surveillance system are not good matches against the strains included in this flu season’s vaccine. The number of states reporting widespread flu activity jumped to 31 this week compared with 11 a week ago, the CDC said. But Dr. Joe Bresee of the CDC’s influenza division said there are no indications this flu season is worse than usual. Story continues below ↓ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- advertisement -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Seasonal flu activity was slow to start this year but has increased sharply in recent weeks,” Bresee told reporters. One measure officials use to gauge the severity of the season is the number of flu-related child deaths. Bresee said the CDC has heard of six U.S. children who have died from the flu, a relatively low number compared with recent years. Flu viruses mutate and change all the time, so every year a different vaccine is created as officials predict which particular strains will circulate. The vaccine is designed to protect against three influenza strains — two from Type A, an H1N1 and an H3N2 version, and one for Type B. Bresee said about 30 percent of the overall strains of influenza in the United States may be a Type A strain that emerged in Australia called H3N2 A/Brisbane. It emerged too late to be included in the flu vaccine offered in the United States beginning in September and October. The Type B strain chosen for this year’s vaccine also was not a good match for most of the B virus strains seen in the United States this flu season, Bresee said. “While a less-than-ideal virus match between the viruses in the vaccine and those circulating viruses can reduce vaccine effectiveness, we know from past influenza studies that the vaccine can still protect enough to make illness milder or prevent flu-related complications,” Bresee said. Click for related content Flu season in full swing Flu in U.S., Canada shows drug resistance Under-the-tongue vaccine could help lick the flu Bresee noted that decisions on the composition of the annual vaccine are made about nine months before it is made available to the public in the fall, and it is sometimes hard to know that far in advance which strains will circulate. Flu vaccines take months to make. Bresee also said some resistance is being reported to the antiviral drug Tamiflu, made by Switzerland’s Roche Holding AG and Gilead Sciences Inc of the United States. Of the viruses tested in CDC flu labs, 4.5 percent are resistant to the drug, Bresee said. Influenza kills an estimated 36,000 Americans in an average year, and puts 200,000 into the hospital, the CDC said. Copyright 2008 Reuters. Click for restrictions. Rate this story Low High Current rating: 4 by 159 users • View Top Rated stories Print this Email this Blog this IM this MORE FROM COLD AND FLU Flu season in full swing Flu vaccine may not provide enough protectionFlu season in full swingFlu in U.S., Canada shows drug resistanceDrug-resistant flu viruses detected in EuropeCold drugs send 7,000 U.S. children to ERsUnder-the-tongue vaccine could help lick the fluSome ordinary flu strains resist TamifluScientists discover new key to bird flu's spread6 easy ways to sick-proof your winterRegular flu vaccine may help against bird fluCold and flu Section Front Add Cold and flu headlines to your news reader: • More RSS feeds from MSNBC.com Top msnbc.com stories Obama wins big in Wash., Nebraska, La. Gates: NATO's survival at stake Yahoo board to reject Microsoft bid Bush: McCain a 'true conservative' Diary of an insurgent in retreat NBC News highlights Blog: 'American al-Qaida' missing? 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Should the U.S.A have a Distributed Bio-Diesel Reserve? Tuesday 17 June, 2008 HEADLINES Mugabe does it again print friendly version author/source:News24 (SA) published:Fri 16-Nov-2007 posted on this site:Fri 16-Nov-2007 Article Type : News Critics say turning around the economy will not be that easy Chris Muronzi Harare - Zimbabwe has launched its first ever commercial bio-diesel plant amid high hopes the project could ease diesel shortages, reduce the country's imports bill or eventually lift the troubled nation's economy out of recession. According to state daily, The Herald, the new plant will save the foreign currency squeezed government US$80m annually in diesel imports. The bio-diesel plant, according to the paper, has the capacity to produce 100 million litres of diesel annually if fully operational according to the government mouthpiece. The plant, which processes jatropha, cotton seed, sunflower and soya, among others, to produce bio-diesel, is a joint venture between the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and Youn Woo Investments of South Korea. Zimbabwe also scored big by being the the first country in the world to produce bio-diesel with a bio-purity level of virtually 100%. Germany has a bio-purity level of 75% while other European countries range from 2% to 20%. Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, who officiated the plant heaped praises on the central bank and commended the two partners for coming up with such a genius innovation. The achievement, Mugabe claimed was a "derivative of government's far-sighted land reform programme." Zimbabwe, according to the Herald "would now be cushioned against exogenous threats relating to fuel supplies, particularly in terms of pricing and availability when the plant is at full capacity". Mugabe said: "The strategic importance of this bio-diesel programme is its symbiotic integration with Government's thrust in agricultural productive activity. I am informed that once wholly customised, this plant will, at full capacity, yield a production level of 100 million litres of diesel per year, meeting virtually all the agricultural sector's diesel requirements for our strategic crops and other farming activities." "As a people, we have demonstrated that the dark clouds of our hard times, particularly those sown by Western destructive forces, have their silver lining by way of not just strengthening our resilience, but also of deepening our scientific research and stimulating our innovativeness," he said. Zimbabwe is also planing to install similar plants in all provinces of the country within the next three years to meet the country's agricultural and industrial productive sector fuel demands. Mugabe also called on resettled farmers to produce enough oil seeds to meet both consumptive and fuel production needs. At least 500 tonnes of seed oil would be required annually to produce the targeted 100 million litres of bio-diesel. "Within this context, therefore, it is once more necessary to challenge all beneficiaries of the land acquisition exercise to ensure that every inch of allocated land is put to good use," said Mugabe. Government hopes the 2007/2008 agricultural season will be the turning point in the country's economic fortunes, with agricultural production providing the lead in the transformation process. But critics say turning around the economy will not be all that easy as suggested by Mugabe. At the same event, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe chief Gideon Gono announced a Z$1trillion finance facility for each province for the production of jatropha, the major oil seed for the bio-diesel processing technology. He said the facility was meant to stimulate the growth and propagation of jatropha as feeder stock for bio-diesel projects in each province. The launch of the bio-diesel plant is part of a two-year strategy towards energy production, self-sufficiency and import substitution. Jatropha had the highest oil content ahead of other vegetable oil seeds. More farmers have been growing Jatropha after government mooted the idea three years ago. The jatropha facility would augment efforts to encourage production of the crop, which has a 35% oil content, much higher than other seeds that average 17%. It took two to three years before jatropha seeds could be harvested and, in the meantime, Zimbabwe is said to have excess capacity in terms of pressing other oil seeds such as sunflower, cotton seed and soya. Zimbabwe needs a least a billion litres of diesel annually. "Your Excellency, the declared and undeclared sanctions against us as a country as well as the hardships our people are experiencing, coupled with the continued rise in the price of oil internationally, demands that we reconfigure our lives and our economy in a manner that eases the plight of our people and reduce dependency on those externalities and exogenous factors which we cannot influence in our favour," said Gono. Zimbabwe has the highest inflation rate in the world now close to 8 000%, but economic experts say the figure will come out higher this month. back to top

Do you think the investment banks, hedge funds and wall street destroyed the world economy? An article in the Christian Science Monitor today discussed the issue concerning whether or not the investment and financial industries lost their moral compass and thereby destroyed the world economy. http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0915/p16s03-wmgn.html This trend began, as far as I can tell when Congress passed and President Clinton signed into law, the Graham-Leach-Bliley Act. This law allowed banks and securities firms to engage in what I conceive to be nothing more than leveraged gambling. That is the more players that entered into the securities and stock markets, the higher the markets pumped up the prices of everything from stocks to commodities and in-between. The passage of the act and the snow-ball effect of the "herd" mentality of "if they can do it so can I" blew most investors and speculators way off the prudent practices path and into reckless and treacherous waters. If you agree with my question and say "yes" then explain why. If you disagree with my question and say "no" then explain why.

Tax question on short/long term capital gain? I understand, if I sell my stock within 12 months and gain capital, I will have to pay tax on short term capital gain (0%-35% according my current Tax bracket) I also understand, if I sell my stock after 12 months, I will have to pay tax on long term capital gain (max 15%) Now consider the following scenario : 1. 1st Oct 2007, I invested $1000 in a stock. 2. 10th Oct 2007, the stock price increased. So my total investment became $1300 (from $1000). I sold $300 worth of the stock. 3. 15th Oct 2007, the stock price decreased. I invested $300 to buy more stocks from the same company. 4. 1st Nov 2008 (after more 12 months), I sold all my stock for $1800 (because stock price increased). Now my questions are: 1. In my 2007 tax filing, do you have to pay short term capital gain on $300? 2. In my 2008 tax filing, I need to pay long term capital gain on $800 ($1800-$1000), right? 3. If I had sold all my stocks on 11th Oct 2008 (which is more than 12 months from 1st Oct 2007, but less 12 months from 15th Oct 2007) for $1800, did I have to pay short term or long term capital gain on $800?

What would be different if John Kerry was president? Against all odds, and despite the usual drumbeat of criticism, President George W. Bush has had a very good year. The troop surge in Iraq is succeeding. America remains safe from terrorist attacks. And the Goldilocks economy is outperforming all expectations. At his year-end news conference, President Bush stated with optimism that the economy is fundamentally sound, despite the housing downturn and the sub-prime credit crunch. The very next day, that optimism was reinforced with news of the best consumer spending in two years. The prophets of recessionary doom, such as former Fed chair Alan Greenspan, Republican advisor Martin Feldstein, ex-Democratic Treasury secretary Lawrence Summers, and bond-maven Bill Gross have been proven wrong once again. Calendar year 2007 looks set to produce 3 percent growth in real GDP, nearly 3 percent growth in consumer spending, and over 3 percent growth in after-tax inflation-adjusted incomes. Meanwhile, headline inflation (including food and energy) will have run at 2.5 percent, with only 2 percent core inflation. Jobs are rising over 100,000 per month and the stock market is set to turn in a respectable year despite enormous headwinds. Low tax rates, modest inflation, and declining interest rates continue to boost Goldilocks, which is still the greatest story never told. Bush’s optimism is well-earned, in Congress too. He has stopped a lot of bad legislation on higher taxing and spending. He won on S-CHIP and the alternative minimum tax. He mostly prevailed on domestic spending. And he got much of what he wanted on war funding without any pullout dates. And he’s not yet finished. In the most dramatic statement of his holiday news conference, Bush said he will not stand for the continuing congressional proliferation of pork-barrel earmarks. “Another thing that’s not responsible is the number of earmarks the Congress included in the massive spending bill,” said Bush. “The bill they just passed includes about 9,800 earmarks. Together with the previously passed defense spending bill, that means Congress has approved about 11,900 earmarks this year. And so I am instructing budget director Jim Nussle to review options for dealing with wasteful spending in the omnibus bill.” This is huge. The statute of limitations for Republican overspending, over-earmarking, and over-corrupting that caused huge congressional losses in last year’s campaign will not run out until the GOP shows taxpayers that it again can be trusted on the key issues of limited government and lower taxes. In these matters, Republicans must be holier than the pope. And while President Bush has been doing the Lord’s work with his newfound veto pen, he must continue to wage war on earmarks if the GOP is to cleanse the political memory of Tom DeLay, Jack Abramoff, and Randy “Duke” Cunningham. Think of it: This behemoth spending-bill was porked-up with such essential items as rodent control in Alaska ($113,000); olive fruit-fly research in France ($213,000); a hunting and fishing museum in Pennsylvania ($200,000); a bike trail in Minnesota ($700,000); a post office museum in Las Vegas ($200,000); and a $2 million monument to Rep. Charlie Rangel in New York. Senators like Jim DeMint, Tom Coburn, and John McCain are working hard to clean up the earmark process. But the ball’s in the president’s court. Either through executive order, recission authority, or apportionment of funds, Bush can elevate both the fiscal fortunes of the nation and the political fortunes of his party. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell told me in a CNBC interview that elected politicians are more knowledgeable about spending people’s money than faceless bureaucrats. And while McConnell has done a terrific job maintaining conservative policies in the Senate, he is wrong on this topic. The earmarks shouldn’t be made. And the money shouldn’t be spent. Period. McConnell is nevertheless correct that passage of this omnibus spending bill is a defeat for the tax-and-spend-happy Democrats. Republicans also can take credit for outmaneuvering the Democrats on a patch for the AMT. The Democrats were made to waive the pay-as-you-go budget rule that might have forced tax increases on businesses and investment pools. Stopping this tax hike is a singular GOP achievement, while the AMT will now be indexed for inflation, thereby sparing over 20 million taxpayers. Looking ahead, the economy also would benefit from a corporate tax cut for both large and small businesses, including corporate capital-gains. The U.S. dollar would reap the rewards as new investment would flow in from the world. Several recent studies also show that businesses would pass on tax-cost savings to the workforce, thereby bolstering wages and ultimately creating new jobs. Hokey ideas for temporary tax rebates? They should be ignored. But if the president and Republicans are successful at wiping out earmarks, holding down spending, and passing a bold corporate tax cut, Goldilocks will be nourished and sustained. And come November 2008, Republicans might be back in the driver’s seat.

I would like to ask if which choice do you think is better to make:? 1. Buy a brand new car worth 1.6 Million Php(5 years to pay, 30-50% dp) 2. Invest in Philequity at a NAVPs of 13.3858 Php for 5 years adding around 20k monthly with initial investment of 50k. YTD Performance as of 2007 is 18.33% So, when we invest our money, by 5 years, do you think we can buy a better, perhaps more expensive car in cash using only our investments? WHat do you think? My father originally planned a car but I opposed. I myself have already investments amounting to 200k Php( Around 4000+ USD) with free life insurance worth 200k(4000+ USD) for the future. I told him that if he wants to buy a car why not buy the top of the line and if he can't afford why not invest? He is just one of the owners of one of the biggest funeral home in my province(1900+ square meters) and also a 19 room drive in hotel and expanding with more businesses this 2008. He is a stock holder with dividend/year. Only 6 owners since they are all siblings including my father.What do you think?

Should we give the Fed all this power? I'm kind of skeptical of giving the fed all this power ... Is this a knee-jerk reaction to simply bad lending practices and worse borrowing practices?? Paulson Proposes Financial Overhaul Monday March 31, 11:07 am ET Administration Unveils Sweeping Plan to Overhaul Financial Regulation WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Bush administration Monday proposed the most far-ranging overhaul of the financial regulatory system since the stock market crash of 1929 and the ensuing Great Depression. The plan would change how the government regulates thousands of businesses from the nation's biggest banks and investment houses down to the local insurance agent and mortgage broker. http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/31/news/economy/paulson_regulation/index.htm?cnn=yes http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/31/cnfed131.xml http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080331/fed_overhaul.html?.v=3

Please Help Statment Cash Flow?(please I have a headache)? Assets June 30,2008 June 30,2007 Cash 34,700 23,500 Account Rec-101,600 92,300 Iventories-146,300 142,100 Investments 0 50,000 Land 145,000 0 Equipment- 215,000 175,500 Accumulated Depr (48,600) (41300) Total 594,000 442,100 Liabilities June 30,2008 June 30,2007 Accounts payable 100,900 95,200 Accrued Expense(operating)15,000 13,200 Dividends payable 12,500 10,000 Common Stock(par) 56,000 50,000 Paid in Capital in excess-common 220,000 100,000 Retained Earnings 189,600 173,700 Total 594,00 442,100 a.Investment sold for 45,000 cash b.common stock issued for cash. c.Equipment&Land Acquired for cash d.there was 65,900 credit to RetainedEarn fornet income e.50,000 debit to Retained Earning for cash dividend declare

Congress is speeding down the road to ruin with trade protectionism and a raft of untimely tax hikes? Seventy-seven years ago, members of Congress erected a tariff wall aimed at protecting American business concerns. The result was a stock market crash followed by drastic retaliatory tariffs and a shutdown of the global trading system. The 1932 Revenue Act made matters worse by massively raising marginal tax rates on domestic incomes. These blunders set the stage for the Depression and world war that followed. Current members of Congress appear to have let their history books collect dust: A raft of anti-China currency and tariff legislation is now widely supported by both political parties as the exigencies of political grandstanding subvert the ideals of sound policy. At the same time, Chinese government officials have threatened to dump some of the government’s $1 trillion in U.S. Treasury securities if Congress continues its currency bashing and tariff threats. This fiscal folly couldn’t come at a worse time. Financial markets have been reeling over the last several weeks as hedge funds deleverage from wrong-way bets on mortgage products. It certainly doesn’t help matters that a tone-deaf Congress, led by a bi-partisan coalition of the economically obtuse, is attempting to advance legislation that would raise tax rates on investment companies as part of a “fix” for the alternative minimum tax (AMT). Has anyone in Congress ever stopped to contemplate why London has once again become the financial capital of the world? Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that the rest of the world is lowering corporate tax rates and trying to moderate regulations while the U.S. is stuffing Sarbanes-Oxley down the throat of its businesses. If that weren’t bad enough, the 2001-03 tax cuts on incomes and capital are essentially on the chopping block, set to expire in several years time unless Congress and the president act to extend them. The current Congress isn’t disposed to extending the tax cuts, while online futures trading points to a Democrat sweep in 2008. In other words, there’s a high probability that tax rates are going up. Some politicians argue that the current anti-trade sentiment has been driven by wage inequality and poor income growth, “tax cuts for the rich,” and high energy and food prices for the poor. But the data refute this. Personal income has grown at an average pace of 6.2 percent since 2004, despite large swings in reported GDP growth; personal income is up 6.1 percent year-over-year as of June, right in line with the average of the last few years. And thanks to a low unemployment rate and a tight labor market, real non-supervisory wages are growing faster today than they were at this stage of the last cycle (1.6 percent vs. 1.3 percent, year-over-year). In fact, low-end (non-supervisory) real wages have grown at about twice the pace for this cycle compared to the first 23 quarters of the last expansion. A broader measure of real non-financial compensation per hour also shows superior wage growth during this cycle (1 percent per annum average vs. a 0.3 percent per annum average at this stage of the last cycle). So to call this a “wage-less” expansion is utter nonsense, despite the fact real GDP growth has averaged 2.7 percent per annum this cycle versus a superior 3.3 percent average at this stage of the last cycle. Attention protectionist stooges: Since the implementation of NAFTA in 1994, real non-supervisory wages have grown at an average pace of 1.2 percent per annum, triple the 1971-2007 average of 0.4 percent per annum. Inflation-adjusted household net worth has jumped $22.2 trillion since NAFTA was implemented while non-farm payrolls have increased by 24.9 million. Manufacturing output, far from falling, actually stands at a record high, and is up 62 percent since 1994. Undoubtedly some have been left behind by the global economy. But free trade, China, and Wal-Mart for that matter have dramatically increased the standard of living for most people, just as protectionism, a trade war, tax hikes on investment and work, and the absence of Wal-Mart would sink living standards for most people. While the global boom continues on the back of pro-growth policies around the world, Congress is speeding down the road to ruin with trade protectionism and a raft of untimely tax hikes. It’s time to take a detour and think about the hugely anti-growth consequences of turning our backs on the global economy and pro-growth tax policy.

Will September be the collapse of the US real economy?