The pain in the U.S. spread overseas in the fourth quarter, as global stock markets plunged in unison. Investors fled stocks as they saw recessions hit Europe and Asia and economic growth stall in emerging markets.
Although the damage from Wall Street's 2008 crash was virtually inescapable for anyone owning stocks, shareholders found that some companies, albeit a very few, made it through with gains.
Even if the stock market sees more volatility in 2009, it's likely to be tranquil compared to 2008. And for investors still smarting from this year, that's not a bad thing. Your mission: to position yourself for better times.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Bush administration said Wednesday it won't finish implementing new vehicle fuel-economy rules, leaving the issue to the incoming Obama administration.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Even after sharply reducing its outlook for the fourth quarter, Intel Corp. said Wednesday that it would miss its revenue projection by about $500 million, a sign that PC makers and buyers are being more tightfisted than it seemed only two months ago.
NEW YORK (AP) — Media company Time Warner Inc. said Wednesday that it expects a fourth-quarter charge of $25 billion to write down the value of its cable, publishing and AOL assets, leading to a loss for the year.
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Monsanto Co., the world's biggest seed maker, said Wednesday its fiscal first-quarter profit more than doubled on higher sales to Latin America, and raised its expectations for the year.
Don't slash prices on products in high demand. Shoe makers Deckers Outdoor Co. and Steve Madden are holding to that tenet, as their designs continue to sell well despite one of the bleaker consumer environments on record.
Don't slash prices on products in high demand. Shoe makers Deckers Outdoor Co. and Steve Madden are holding to that tenet, as their designs continue to sell well despite one of the bleaker consumer environments on record.
Building materials stocks crumbled as demand dried up for concrete, asphalt and other materials used in construction. But investors are looking forward to higher demand stemming from President-elect Barack Obama's expected stimulus plan.
The casino industry, once considered recession-resistant, isn't living up to that expectation these days. Actually, gaming may be more sensitive to weak economic trends, analysts say.
Utility stocks are traditionally boring. Electric companies generate steady earnings — consumers continue to keep the lights on, even during a recession — and then turn those over to shareholders through relatively reliable dividends.
Commodities crushed
Some shoes still fit
