You know you're truly in a bear market when not even a better-than-expected earnings report from none other than tech bellwether IBM can stem the…

Four weeks ago, Lehman Brothers collapsed, China slashed interest rates, and I stressed the importance of global coordinated rate cut. But global central banks waited four weeks to cut interest rates. And now the question remains, was it too little, too late?

If you are building a list of names to buy when the bear market ends, adding REITS may be a wise strategy.

Per tradition, earnings season kicks off with Dow Industrial component, Alcoa (AA). On Tuesday, the aluminum giant reported results from the third quarter, and the news was not pretty.

It's been said that stocks take the stairs up and the elevator down. When they're going up, the process can be painfully slow, but when they're falling it's as though there is nothing anybody can do to stop their descent. Case in point is Potash (POT).

Are there companies out there that can deliver reliable earnings despite tough operating conditions? I'm not sure, but there are companies out there that have been doing so well that even cuts in forecast leave plenty of profit on the table for investors. One such company is CSX Corp. (CSX). 

Forget about the short term troubles. Once the dead wood is taken out of the economy, Bank of America (BAC) is in prime position to dominate the financial services industry. Learn why here.

There is way too much focus on calling a bottom, but the question still remains: When will we get there? For a clue into the future, investors would be wise to take a hard look at the chart of the Nasdaq index in 2000-2001. 

One stock that the market is now pricing for bankruptcy due to the crisis is Sirius Satellite Radio (SIRI). Shares have recently fallen precipitously, mainly on fears that debt coming due in 2009 will not be replaced.

The bailout was finally approved at the end of last week and there were no joyous celebrations or pats on the back for a job well done. Instead was the blunt reality of an economy that is essentially experiencing a lobotomy of extraordinary size and scope.

Historically, one of the most defensive sectors to play was the drug space. At least that is the theory. In practice, that theory has been tested of late. The large drug companies in the United States have struggled as a result of shallow pipelines for new drugs and old drugs becoming open for competition in the generic market.

Although MOS has been acting like a momentum stock, it really is just a boring defensive stock, and it is that defensive nature whereby owning MOS makes sense.

We're in the midst of a major shakedown for stocks, and though intriguing, I'm not biting just yet. Instead, I'm going to keep my focus on defensive issues for what I believe will be a protracted downturn in the economy. One of the best in this category is Coca-Cola (KO).

A funny thing happened on the way to a new world powered by anything, but fossil fuels; the oil market collapsed as demand for crude dropped with gasoline above $4 per gallon. Will the decline in crude end the desire to move the country away from oil? Time will tell, but thankfully the topic of alternative energy remains top of mind. With an election, it is all but certain to keep the issue front and center. In addition, some very big players are chiming in with alternative energy plans. Find out what they have to say, plus which companies stand to profit the most.

As I peruse this landscape today, I find myself more and more interested in private equity opportunities. Investing in a portfolio of private companies makes a ton of sense. With small businesses having more and more difficulty obtaining capital, it will be the accredited investor that fills the vacuum.

We are in the midst of a credit crisis that nearly collapsed the entire world financial system. As we struggle to find a solution to the mess, investors need to ponder the impact on the economy and companies like Target (TGT).

If indeed we are entering a protracted period of economic sluggishness, owning defensive stocks may just be the tonic for your portfolio. One of my favorites is Campbell Soup Company (CPB). 

One of the key ingredients for operating success in this market is a business model that can be run on a dime. One name that fits this definition is Avon Products, Inc. (AVP).

Don't be fooled by the precipitous drop over the edge triggered by the failure to pass a government bailout of the credit crisis. There are much larger problems than the immediate news that so many are now focused on.