Safe haven stocks?, solutions to 6 nest egg woes & which college grads earn the most - Today in Money 8/11

Posted Aug 11th 2008 9:09AM by Allan Halprin
Filed under: Google (GOOG), Apple Inc (AAPL), General Electric (GE), Wal-Mart (WMT), Exxon Mobil (XOM), China, Money and Finance Today

In the News:

· Gas Prices Drop for 25th Straight Day

· China Markets Hit 19-Month Low on Economic Fears

· 3 Million iPhone's Sold in Debut Month

· iPhone Software Downloads Take Off

· Giant Retailers Look to Sun for Energy Savings

· Prices for Some Drugs Skyrocket

· Fed Presses Big US Banks on Liquidity

What Happened to Safe Haven Stocks?
When the markets hit a rough patch, many investors turn to 'safe' stocks for shelter. Stocks like Wal-Mart, GE, Exxon Mobil, Google etc. You would think these big name stocks can weather the market storms of late, but in fact have gotten caught and underperformed the Dow over the past quarter. They are hardly "safe" for investors who want to preserve capital in a bad market. If these firms can't post promising results, not many companies can.
What Happened to Safe Haven Stocks? - 24/7WallSt.

Cash-Strapped States Quicker to Seize Unused Accounts
Faced with swelling budget deficits, a growing number of states are taking control of unclaimed property -- such as bank accounts and traveler's checks -- sooner. Generally, states can seize abandoned property if the owners fail to claim it after a specified period that varies by state. People should track their bank accounts and other assets closely. ING, which turned over $3.8 million to states last year, is warning customers that states can seize accounts if there's no activity for a certain period, often three to five years.
Cash-strapped states quicker to seize unused accounts - USATODAY.com

Famous Brands for Sale: Gone But Not Forgotten
Adios Kinkos, GE appliances, Dr. Pepper, Wisk, Exxon gas stations and more. Corporations often start a business that becomes a famous brand, or buy companies that already have highly recognized brand names. Over time these brands often lose their earnings power. Corporations who find themselves in this situation have few options other than to sell these operations or to spin them off. Here are some of 2008's big brand moves.
Famous Brands For Sale, Gone But Not Forgotten - 24/7 Wall St.

Which College Grads Earn the Most?
A new study ranks the earning potential of graduates from the top colleges in the U.S. Graduates of Yale University leads the list as the college with the biggest returns. Dartmouth, Harvard, Penn and Colgate follow.
Which College Grads Earn the Most?

Solutions to 6 Nest Egg Woes
Can you still retire on time? Sure you can. Here are six common problems and how to solve them. It's never too late to build your nest egg.
Catch Up On Your Retirement Savings - Kiplinger.com

Bankrupt Retailers: Pushed to the Brink
Changes in the law have sharply reduced retailers' ability to reorganize, driving many to liquidate quickly. The new provisions in the bankruptcy law -- pushed primarily by mall owners, suppliers, and utility companies, and signed by President George W. Bush in 2005 -- were intended to shorten the time that a company stays under court supervision. The point was to protect creditors, who sometimes had to wait years for payments while lawyers racked up hefty fees and managers collected big pay packages.
Bankrupt Retailers: Pushed to the Brink - BusinessWeek

5 Best Coupon-Clipping Web Sites
Coupon sites are everywhere. Here's where you'll find the best, most reliable deals.
5 Best Coupon-Clipping Web Sites - SmartMoney.com

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