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.

On Friday, in the midst of all of craziness with regard to the government bailout and credit crisis, I was pleased to see specialty truck maker, Oshkosh Corporation (OSK) in the news in a positive way.

The nationalization of the banking system continues with the FDIC assisted sale of Wachovia (WB) to Citigroup (C). The purchase price: a whopping $1.

The stock market has punished the shares of most companies that rely on the consumer. I get it, but these sweeping moves to the downside include some interesting companies that may still do well even during a downturn. Of the names to look at is retailer, GameStop Corp. (GME).

If you listen to 99.9% of the financial professionals, talking heads or academicians, there is never a good time to sell, especially when there is panic in the air. But I'm telling you that it's not too late. In fact, doing so would be rational. Click here to find out why.

Washington Mutual, was taken over by JPMorgan Chase late Thursday, becoming the 13th bank to fail this year. And with the purchase, JPM becomes the largest bank in the country by deposits.

No longer bringing good things to light, General Electric (GE) is battening down the hatches. In the midst of the biggest financial crisis to hit the United States economy since the Great Depression, one of our largest entities is throwing in the towel in the short term in hopes of riding out the storm in the long run.

As the crisis in housing and financials deepens with seemingly no end in sight, it’s not surprising that other sectors of the market with a direct correlation to those industries get taken down too. Consumer durables is one such sector.

I've been watching the market drama very closely (my wife would say too closely) for clues as to what will be in store for the economy, credit markets and stocks once all of the dust settles.

Investors have experienced quite a ride in recent weeks as the financial crisis hit a new level. The threat of major financial institutions sent global markets spiraling. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and I'm actually anticipating a rebound in the next six to nine months. And guess what will be leading the charge? China stocks.

As the American consumer feels the heat from the fallout on Wall Street, job losses, high gas prices, declining stock portfolios and lower home values sure doesn't look like a great time to be investing in retailers specializing in non-essentials.

As hard as it may seem, there is indeed other news out there. Though the credit crisis is integral to the future of Wall Street, Main Street and everything in between, investors should still keep an eye on individual stocks as they manage their portfolios.