Market Insight

Markets rarely move at random. InvestorPlace’s leading analysts break down macro trends, sector dynamics, and recurring market patterns to help investors understand what is changing, what matters most, and where opportunities may emerge.

Election is Bad New for Drug Stocks

The gridlock resulting from last week’s election will also create uncertainty about health care, taxes, financial reform, pension reform, etc.

Xbox 360, Playstation 3 Becoming Gateways for ESPN, Hulu

Sony (NYSE: SNE) and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) have been trying for years to take over not just one portion of the living room with their gaming consoles, but all portions of the living.

AOL Focuses on Video With Site Relaunch

2010 may turn out to be a pivotal year for web company AOL (NYSE: AOL). The former Time Warner (NYSE: TWX) partner has been slowly clawing its way back to relevancy after years of decline.

Apple Inc. (AAPL) Rumors – iPhone to Acquire Wi-Gear?

A new study by third-party warranty provider Square Trade has found that the iPhone 4 is the most reliable smartphone in the American mobile market right now, though it also happens to be the most fragile device as well.

Google Workers Get $1,000 Surprise

Google CEO Eric Schmidt e-mailed Google employees that they will get a $1,000 Christmas bonus and 10% raise for 2011.

Macy’s Ups Forecast After Beating Estimates

Macy's posted third-quarter earnings that topped analysts' estimates and raised its full-year earnings forecast.

How to Avoid Buying at the Market Top

Investors should be keeping a close eye on the sentiment indicators.

Target-Date Funds – How Does Yours Add Up?

Here we identify and rank the best performers among target-date mutual funds.

Fooling the Majority

Bernanke's $600 billion QE2 program clearly smacks of a desperation tactic, ill grounded in economic theory or historical experience. Over the past 10 years, Japan has repeatedly failed to spark its moribund economy by monetizing government debt. Why should the same gimmick work here?

Oracle, SAP Courtroom Fight Shifts into a Higher Gear

The basic fact of the copyright infringement suit brought by Oracle Corp. (NASDAQ: ORCL) against SAP AG (NYSE: SAP) are not in dispute. A now-discontinued unit of SAP called TomorrowNow downloaded copies of Oracle software without paying for them. Beyond that, everything is in dispute.

Hulu Plus Widens Subscription TV

Hulu Plus subscription TV service from Disney, News Corp. competes with Google TV.

Economy’s Recovering, But Fed Moves Anyway

The economy is slowly recovering, and the Fed's new round of quantitative easing may be unnecessary.

Yahoo Shares Rise on Report that Alibaba Might Buy Back Stake

Yesterday, word hit that AOL Inc. (NYSE: AOL) had hired advisers to explore strategic options for AOL, which included a possible merger with Yahoo. About the only company that doesn't appear to be interested is Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG), which doesn't need the headache of any anti-trust hearings that would surely follow an attempt to tie-up with Yahoo.

Apple Inc. (AAPL) Rumors – A 3D Apple-Hasbro Toy for 2011

The iPhone and iPod join the 3D craze next year thanks to a new add on device from toy-maker Hasbro.

There is NOT a Bond Bubble — at Least Not Yet

I’m going to start this month with a prediction that might surprise you. I do not think that bonds are in imminent danger of a crash.

GM gives Mr. Goodwrench Pink Slip

There have been a lot of changes at General Motors in the wake of a bankruptcy filing, government bailout and plans for an IPO in the coming weeks.

New RockMelt Browser Links to Facebook , Takes on Google Chrome

In the age of the iPhone, the operating system market is legitimately competitive for the first time.

Why Target-Date Funds Can Miss Marks

Target-date funds are popular investment choices in 401(k) plans but there are caveats for investors.

Apple Playing Nice with Adobe and Photoshop

Adobe (NASDAQ: ADBE) has unveiled early versions of new Photoshop tools built specifically for Apple's mobile devices like the iPad and iPhone 4.