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Mattel Earnings: Sales Plummet and its Dividend Disappears
After enduring quarter after quarter of disappointing results, investors held out hope that toymaker Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) might finally begin to show signs that the turnaround it has long....
Should Retirees Own Foreign Stocks?
Retirees depend on their investments as a source of income, so it's not surprising that most are highly risk-averse. And because many perceive foreign stocks as being riskier than their U.S.....
How Much Extra Social Security Tax Will the Rich Pay in 2018?
Each month, nearly 61.6 million people receive a Social Security check. For many of these folks, especially the 42.1 million retired workers, it's a critical source of income that they simply....
2018 SIMPLE IRA Limits
SIMPLE IRAs are popular among small employers looking to give workers an easy way to save for retirement. Limits on SIMPLE IRA contributions are indexed to inflation, and similar indexing led to a....
Want a Million-Dollar 401(k)? Here’s How to Get It
The average American's 401(k) balance is $92,500, which is by no means enough to support a comfortable retirement. The most common answer given by 401(k) participants when asked "how much will you....
2017 Federal Income Tax: How Much Will You Owe?
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, folks, but with only two months remaining this year, it's time once again to begin thinking about your federal income tax liability for 2017.Let's face it,....
Better Buy: Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P. vs. Kinder Morgan Inc.
Do you want an industry giant with a checkered past or a smaller company that's proven it is a slow and steady performer? That's the real question when you are comparing Kinder Morgan Inc. (NYSE:....
Traditional IRA Contribution Limits in 2018
Every year, you're allowed to make contributions to an individual retirement account, and traditional IRAs are a great way to let your retirement savings grow without any taxes coming due until....
Microsoft's Cloud Business Just Hit a Huge Milestone
Just in case it wasn't clear by now, Satya Nadella was absolutely the best pick to become Microsoft's (NASDAQ: MSFT) CEO. While Nadella has backed off slightly from his "mobile-first, cloud-first"....
8 Metrics Capture Alphabet, Inc.'s Impressive Third Quarter
Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG) (NASDAQ: GOOGL), parent company of Google, impressed investors on Thursday. The company reported better-than-expected revenue and EPS while also demonstrating strength in....
What to Watch When Activision Blizzard Reports Earnings
Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI) reports its third-quarter earnings on Thursday, Nov. 2, after the market close. Here's what investors should watch.IMAGE SOURCE: ACTIVISION BLIZZARDOn a GAAP....
4 Ways for Introverts to Succeed at Sales
Being an introvert can be challenging when you're in a workplace environment, particularly one that involves a lot of group interaction. That's because introverts typically draw their energy from....
Buffalo Wild Wings' Boneless Chicken Tuesday Bails Out Q3 2017
Shares of Buffalo Wild Wings (NASDAQ: BWLD) are up double digits as of this writing on third quarter results that exceeded low analyst expectations. It's a positive sign for the beleaguered....
Alphabet Crushes Expectations on Mobile, YouTube Strength
Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOGL) (NASDAQ: GOOG) released third-quarter 2017 results on Thursday after the market closed, demolishing investors' expectations with strong top- and bottom-line results.....
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated: One Eye on Earnings, One on the Pipeline
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: VRTX) reported solid third-quarter earnings, with sales of its cystic fibrosis drugs up 34% year over year. Nevertheless, investors rightfully have one eye on the....
Oil and Gas Stock Roundup: Earnings Fueled a Volatile Week for Oil Stocks
Crude prices rallied this week on the growing anticipation that OPEC would extend its production reduction agreement through the end of 2018. That should help drain off more of the market's excess....
Is the Closing of a "Star Wars" Game Studio a Warning Sign for Electronic Arts Investors?
Right in time for the Halloween season, Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA) has delivered news that has given some shareholders a fright. The publisher announced on Oct. 17 that it would be closing....
CoStar Group, Inc. Earnings Surge 44%
CoStar Group (NASDAQ: CSGP) reported third-quarter results on Oct. 25.The new business model for the provider of commercial real estate information is exceeding expectations for sales and profits,....
3 Value Stocks at 52-Week Highs Still Worth Buying
Just because a stock has hit a new 52-week high doesn't mean it can't go on to loftier levels. Sometimes, stocks will even pull back a little bit before resuming their run-ups again.We asked three....
Qualcomm Earnings Report Will Shed More Light on Royalty Damage
Qualcomm (NASDAQ: QCOM) is in a tough situation going into the release of its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings report, set for after the market closes on Nov. 1. The chipmaker's business has been....
Nokia's Outlook Worsens As Revenue Slumps
Nokia (NYSE: NOK) reported its third-quarter results before the market opened on Oct. 26. A steep revenue decline was driven by weakness in the network's business, with a strong performance from....
The Biggest Mistakes I Made With a Credit Card
Ah, credit cards. On the one hand, they make shopping easy and offer enticing rewards. On the other hand, they open the door to a world of mistakes that could zap your credit if you're not....
Amazon.com, Inc. Management Talks Physical Stores, Prime Day, and Whole Foods
Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN) is firing on all cylinders. The company's third-quarter earnings report blew investors away, sending shares soaring as much as 13.6% on Friday. But there's more to the....
This Is How Warren Buffett Is Playing Tax Reform. Should You Do the Same?
As an investor who looks for great individual companies from a long-term perspective, I don't put too much stock in trying to predict the broader market. Constantly moving in and out of positions....
Americans Spend $15 Billion in Bank Overdraft Fees. Here's the Best Way to Avoid Them
Paying any type of bank fee is never fun. Some fees are unavoidable, but others, like overdraft fees, can often be avoided with a little planning. Americans shelled out an estimated $15 billion in....


