Vital Signs: Glimmers of Hope for Housing?

On deck: homebuilders survey, housing starts, producer price index, Philly Fed survey, leading indicators index

The Future of Investing: A 2020 Vision

What will the world of stocks, bonds, and funds look like in the next decade? BusinessWeek asked experts for their predictions

Health Insurers Hedge Their Bets

Managed-care providers UnitedHealth and Aetna, eyeing the specter of health-care reform, are diversifying into new markets and product lines

Deere in the Headlights

The farm-equipment giant gets punished by Wall Street after high raw material costs squeeze its profits. But by some measures the company's prospects couldn't be better

Consumer Stocks' Remarkable Rally

Shares of J.C. Penney, Macy's, and other retailers have rebounded in the wake of lower oil prices. But with consumers squeezed, is it just a blip?

The Dollar's Comeback: What Investors Should Know

The greenback's sudden strength against key currencies may reflect expectations of overseas economic weakness, not confidence in U.S. growth

Is the Rebate Rebound Losing Steam?

S&P economists say consumers spent the rebates faster than expected in the second quarter

Subprime City Confidential: Aug. 11, 2009

Yes, that date is correct. We've got the bona fide (fictional) scoop on what things will be like on the credit crunch's second anniversary

Can Women Bridge the Retirement Savings Gap?

Studies keep showing that men save more than women, but there are ways to narrow the difference. Here's how

Selling Toxic Debt to Seniors

Regulators are looking into whether Memphis broker Morgan Keegan failed to disclose the subprime exposure of seven funds

Real Estate: Tips for the Intrepid

Even though housing prices are still falling, some bargain hunters are already getting to work. What takes patience these days is the financing

The Fed Holds Steady

Falling oil prices help convince the Federal Reserve not to raise interest rates

Why Bailouts Stink—and Why We Need Them

They may seem unfair to prudent taxpayers who ducked the housing frenzy, but lessons from the Depression show why federal rescues are necessary

U.S. Economy: Gauging the Risks

S&P economists give their best estimate of where the U.S. economy could be heading

What's Comfy About Convertible Bonds

They're preferred shares an investor can choose to convert into a stock, and they offer both income and a possible equity kicker

The Credit Crisis Turns One

It was a year ago August that the real estate slump turned into a global economic disaster—and it's still growing

Home Prices Hit Four-Year Low

The S&P/Case-Shiller index reports that in May, home prices plunged to 2004 price levels, wiping out four years of appreciation

Sales of Foreclosed Homes Are Up Nationwide

As housing continues to slump, in many states foreclosed properties make up the largest share of existing-home sales

Credit Cards: How to Protect Your Limits

To lower their overall default risk and protect profits, some card issuers may reduce your credit limit. Here are tips for keeping it steady

Hedging Heating Bills Just Got Harder

Unlike last summer, many heating oil companies are not offering prepayment plans. But you can lower your bills this winter if you act now