Archives for January 2009

January 2009 - Money Morning - Only the News You Can Profit From

Exxon Records Biggest Profits in U.S. History

By Don Miller Associate Editor Money Morning Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM) reported the biggest annual corporate profit in U.S. history on Friday, even as crude oil prices plummeted from summer highs, pummeling comparable fourth-quarter earnings by 33%. Exxon reported profits of $45.2 billion for 2008, continuing an epic run that investors have almost come to […]

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U.S. Economy Shrinks 3.8% in 4Q, and Stats Show Worst Isn’t Over

By Mike Caggeso Associate Editor Money Morning The U.S. economy shrank 3.8% – less than forecast – but still the biggest gross domestic product (GDP) slide since 1982. For 2008, GDP rose 1.3%, the slowest pace since 2001's 0.8% growth. Most of the grim indicators of the third quarter – during which the economy shrank […]

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Retirement Strategies: The Three Best Ways to Rescue Your 401(k)

[This is the second installment of a two-story package that examines how the global financial crisis has put the squeeze on retirement funds. Today(Friday) Money Morning looks at strategies investors can use to bounce back from a big drop in the value of their 401(k) retirement plans. In Part I yesterday (Thursday), we looked at […]

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The Five Most Promising Emerging Markets ETFs for 2009

By Martin Hutchinson Contributing Editor Money Morning If you're an emerging-markets investor, and you happened to peruse the study that the Institute for International Finance released this week, you must've experienced alarm – if not panic. The IIF expects the inflow of private funds into these markets to plunge to only $165 billion this year […]

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Global Investment News Briefs

Job Claims Hit 42-Year High; Dodd's Vengeance; Durable Goods Orders Slowing Slide; 3Com Profit Down but Stock Up; Amazon Profit Up 9%; Crude Prices Down as Inventories Build; Kodak Paints Unflattering Picture Continuing jobless claims rose to 4.78 million, the highest levels in 42 years, as the U.S. labor market continues to worsen MarketWatch reported. […]

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Ford Says "No Bailout Funds" Despite Worst Loss Ever

By Don Miller Associate Editor Money Morning Ford Motor Co. (F) insists it can survive through 2009 without federal loans despite a $5.9 billion fourth quarter loss and burning through over 40% of its cash on hand.  But some analysts questioned whether the company can stay off the government dole and stay in business after […]

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Sony Operating Loss Casts Shadow Over Toshiba, Nintendo

By Mike Caggeso Associate Editor Money Morning Sony Corp. (ADR: SNE) posted a loss of $19.9 million (17.96 billion yen) for its fiscal third quarter ended Dec. 31, with net profit falling 95% – all just a preview of its forecasted annual operating loss of $2.9 billion. Other Japanese electronics manufacturers are sharing the same […]

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Super Bowl Indicator Optimistic in 2009

By Jason SimpkinsManaging EditorMoney Morning With unemployment soaring, consumer confidence plunging, and gross domestic product shrinking, there aren't many indications that the market will rebound any time soon. But there is one. The oft-overlooked "Super Bowl Indicator." Many analysts write the indicator off as superstition, but the numbers don't lie. The Super Bowl indicator has […]

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Cost of Obama Stimulus Could Reach $1 Trillion Now That Newly Passed House Bill is Subject to Senate Compromise

By William Patalon III Executive Editor Money Morning/The Money Map Report Without the benefit of a single Republican vote, House Democrats late yesterday (Wednesday) passed an $819 billion stimulus bill that has the blessing of U.S. President Barack Obama, but which could end up costing $1 trillion or more once it’s subjected to Senate compromises. […]

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How Beatniks, Pyromaniacs and Gangsters Caused the Global Financial Crisis

By Martin Hutchinson Contributing Editor Money Morning Let’s face it: The financial services sector has suffered a severe loss in popularity. The result is that governments in both the United Kingdom and the United States are looking for lightening rods to absorb all the criticism, and bankers have made for the ideal candidates. Now Franz […]

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