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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.30


                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         This Employment Agreement (this "Agreement") is made by and between
INVESTools Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Lee K. Barba
("Employee") effective as of December 6, 2001 (the "Effective Date").

         WHEREAS, the Company is desirous of employing Employee in an executive
capacity on the terms and conditions, and for the consideration, hereinafter set
forth for the period provided herein commencing upon the Effective Date, and
Employee is desirous of employment with the Company on such terms and conditions
and for such consideration.

         NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual promises,
covenants and obligations contained herein, the Company and Employee agree as
follows:

                                    ARTICLE I
                              EMPLOYMENT AND DUTIES

         Section 1.1 The Company agrees to employ Employee and Employee agrees
to be employed by the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, beginning as of the Effective Date and continuing for the term
hereof.

         Section 1.2 From and after the Effective Date, the Company shall employ
Employee in the position of Executive Vice President of the Company, or in such
other positions as the parties mutually may agree.

         Section 1.3 Employee agrees to serve in the position referred to in
Section 1.2 hereof and to perform diligently and to the best of his abilities
the duties and services pertaining to such office as set forth in the Bylaws of
the Company in effect on the Effective Date, as well as such additional duties
and services appropriate to such office as the Board of Directors of the Company
(the "Board of Directors") may reasonably assign to Employee from time to time.

         Section 1.4 Employee agrees, during the period of his employment by the
Company, to devote his full business time, energy and best efforts to the
business and affairs of the Company and its affiliates and not to engage,
directly or indirectly, in any other business or businesses, whether or not
similar to that of the Company, except with the prior written consent of the
Board of Directors. The foregoing notwithstanding, the parties recognize and
agree that Employee may engage in passive personal investments and charitable or
public service activities and serve on the board of directors of corporations to
the extent that such activities do not conflict with the business and affairs of
the Company or interfere with Employee's performance of his duties and
obligations hereunder.

                                   ARTICLE II
                       TERM AND TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

         Section 2.1 Unless sooner terminated pursuant to other provisions
hereof, the Company agrees to employ Employee for a three-year period beginning
on the Effective Date, and thereafter automatically extend the term of this
Agreement for successive one-year periods unless and until such time as either
party shall give written notice to the other at least 15 days prior to the
expiration of the then current term that no such automatic extension shall
occur, in which event Employee's employment shall terminate on the expiration of
the then current term.

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         Section 2.2 Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.1 hereof, the
Company shall have the right to terminate Employee's employment under this
Agreement at any time in accordance with the following provisions:

         (a)  upon Employee's death;

         (b)  upon Employee's becoming incapacitated or disabled by accident,
              sickness or other circumstance which impairment (despite
              reasonable accommodation) renders him mentally or physically
              incapable of performing the duties and services required of him
              hereunder for a period of at least 120 consecutive days or for a
              period of 180 business days during any 12-month period;

         (c)  for cause, which for purposes of this Agreement shall mean each of
              the following:

              (i)   a material act or material acts of dishonesty or disloyalty
                    by Employee adversely affecting the Company;

              (ii)  Employee's breach of any of his obligations of this
                    Agreement;

              (iii) Employee's gross negligence or willful misconduct in
                    performance of the duties and services required of him
                    pursuant to this Agreement; or

              (iv)  Employee's conviction of a felony, or Employee's conviction
                    of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.

         (d)  by "Constructive Termination," which for purposes of this
              Agreement shall mean each of the following:

              (i)   a material diminution of Employee's responsibilities,
                    including, without limitation, title and reporting
                    relationship;

              (ii)  relocation of any New York, New York office of the Company
                    without the consent of Employee; or

              (iii) material reduction in Employee's compensation and benefits
                    received hereunder.

         (e)  in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors without cause;
              PROVIDED, HOWEVER, in such case the Company shall give 15 days
              prior written notice to Employee of its intention to terminate
              Employee's employment with the Company and shall continue to
              provide compensation to Employee in accordance with the terms set
              forth in Section 4.1(e) hereof.

         Section 2.3 Employee shall have the right to terminate his employment
under this Agreement at any time in accordance with the following provisions:

         (a) a breach by the Company of any of its obligations under this
             Agreement which, if correctable, remains uncorrected for 30 days
             following written notice specifying such breach given by Employee
             to the Company; or

         (b) In the sole discretion of Employee, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, in such case
             Employee shall give 15 days prior written notice to the Company of
             his intention to terminate his employment with the

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             Company.

         Section 2.4 If the Company desires to terminate Employee's employment
hereunder as provided in Section 2.2 hereof or Employee desires to terminate
Employee's employment hereunder as provided in Section 2.3 hereof, it or he
shall do so by giving written notice to the other party that it or he has
elected to terminate Employee's employment hereunder and stating the effective
date and reason, if any, for such termination. In the event of such termination,
the provisions of Articles IV through IX hereof shall continue to apply in
accordance with their terms. Any question as to whether and when there has been
a termination of Employee's employment, and the cause of such termination, shall
be determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion.

                                   ARTICLE III
                            COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

         Section 3.1 COMPENSATION. During the term of this Agreement, the
Company shall provide compensation to Employee in the following forms:

         (a)  BASE SALARY. Employee shall receive an annual base salary of
              $350,000, which amount shall be subject to annual review by the
              Board of Directors and/or the Compensation Committee of the
              Company for possible increases.

         (b)  BONUS.

              (i)   Employee shall participate in, and receive an annual bonus
                    pursuant to, the Company's Executive Committee Annual Bonus
                    Plan.

              (ii)  Employee shall participate in, and receive an annual bonus
                    pursuant to, the Company's Management Incentive Bonus Plan.

         (c)  STOCK OPTIONS.

              (i)   Upon approval of the Company's Board of Directors, Employee
                    will be granted options to purchase an aggregate of
                    1,200,000 shares of the Company's common stock at an
                    exercise price equal to the per share Fair Market Value
                    (as hereinafter defined) on the date of grant. The
                    options will be granted pursuant to a stock option
                    agreement(s) to be executed by Employee and the Company
                    as of the date hereof, which stock option agreement(s)
                    will provide, among other things, that (A) not more than
                    $100,000 worth of the options granted to Employee (valued
                    at Fair Market Value on the date of grant) first
                    exercisable in any calendar year will be treated as
                    incentive stock options and the excess, if any, will be
                    treated as non-qualified options and (B) the options will
                    vest in four equal annual installments beginning one year
                    from the date of this Agreement; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
                    all options granted to Employee hereunder shall vest
                    immediately upon a Change of Control (as hereinafter
                    defined).

                    "Fair Market Value" means (i) if the Company's common stock
         is not listed or admitted to trade on a national securities exchange
         and if bid and ask prices for the common stock are not furnished
         through NASDAQ or a similar organization, the value established by
         the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the
         "Compensation Committee"), in its sole discretion; (ii) if the
         Company's common stock is listed or admitted to trade on a national
         securities exchange or a national market system, the closing price
         of the common stock, as

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         published in the WALL STREET JOURNAL, so listed or admitted to trade
         on such day or, if there is no trading of the common stock on such
         date, then the closing price of the common stock on the next
         preceding date on which there was trading in such shares; or (iii)
         if the common stock is not listed or admitted to trade on a national
         securities exchange or a national market system, the mean between
         the bid and asked price for the common stock on such date, as
         furnished by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
         through NASDAQ or a similar organization if NASDAQ is no longer
         reporting such information.

              (ii)  In addition, Employee shall be eligible to receive future
                    stock option grants, as determined by the Compensation
                    Committee.

         Section 3.2 BENEFITS. During the term of this Agreement, Employee shall
be afforded the following benefits as incidences of his employment:

         (a)  BUSINESS AND ENTERTAINMENT EXPENSES. Subject to the Company's
              standard policies and procedures with respect to expense
              reimbursement as applied to its executive employees generally, the
              Company will reimburse Employee for, or pay on behalf of Employee,
              reasonable and appropriate expenses incurred by Employee for
              business related purposes, including dues and fees to approved
              industry and professional organizations, and reasonable costs of
              entertainment incurred in connection with business development.

         (b)  CLUB MEMBERSHIP. The Company shall reimburse Employee for
              membership dues at social or country clubs designated by Employee
              as mutually agreed by the Company and Employee.

         (c)  OTHER. Employee and, to the extent applicable, Employee's family,
              dependents and beneficiaries, shall be allowed to participate in
              all benefits, plans and programs, including improvements or
              modifications of the same, which are now, or may hereafter be,
              available to executive employees of the Company generally. Such
              benefits, plans and programs may include, without limitation, a
              profit sharing plan, a thrift plan, a health insurance or health
              care plan, life insurance, disability insurance or a pension plan.
              The Company shall not, however, by reason of this paragraph be
              obligated to institute, maintain, or refrain from changing,
              amending or discontinuing, any such benefit plan or program, so
              long as such changes are similarly applicable to executive
              employees of the Company generally.

         Section 3.3 PAYROLL. Employee shall receive all compensation pursuant
to this Agreement in accordance with the Company's Houston, Texas customary
payroll practices with respect to time and manner of payment.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                      EFFECT OF TERMINATION ON COMPENSATION

         Section 4.1  BY THE COMPANY.

         (a)  TERMINATION UPON DEATH. In the event of Employee's death during
              the term of this Agreement, this Agreement will terminate upon the
              first day of the month following the Employee's date of death, and
              all of Employee's rights and benefits provided for in this
              Agreement will terminate as of such date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
              Employee's estate will be paid Employee's annual salary and pro
              rata bonus through the date of death for a period of six months
              after such death occurs and, PROVIDED, FURTHER, all stock options
              referenced in Section 3.1(c) shall vest on Employee's death, and
              Employee's estate may exercise such options for a period of one
              year from the date

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              of termination.

         (b)  TERMINATION UPON DISABILITY. If Employee's employment hereunder is
              terminated by the Company pursuant to Section 2.2(b) hereof prior
              to the expiration of the then current term, all of Employee's
              rights and benefits provided for in this Agreement will terminate
              as of such date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that Employee will be paid
              Employee's annual salary and pro rata bonus through the date of
              termination for a period of six months after such termination
              occurs and, PROVIDED, FURTHER, all stock options referenced in
              Section 3.1(c) shall vest effective as of the termination date,
              and Employee may exercise such options for a period of one year
              from the date of termination.

         (c)  TERMINATION FOR CAUSE. Employer shall be entitled to terminate
              Employee's employment at any time for cause, as defined by Section
              2.2(c). In the event of termination for cause, all of Employee's
              rights and benefits provided for in this Agreement shall
              terminate, except as to any accrued and unpaid base salary
              provided for in Section 3.1(a).

         (d)  TERMINATION AFTER CHANGE OF CONTROL. If, within 24 months
              following a Change of Control (as hereinafter defined), the
              Company or its successor terminates Employee's employment without
              cause or by Constructive Termination, Employee will be paid, in a
              lump sum payment, an amount equal to two times the sum of (i) his
              annual salary for the year in which such termination occurs and
              (ii) the greater of (A) the target bonuses for each of the four
              quarters in the year in which such termination occurs and (B) the
              actual bonus earned by Employee for the four fiscal quarters
              immediately preceding such termination. All unvested stock options
              referenced in Section 3.1(c) shall vest effective as of the date
              of termination and Employee may exercise such options for a period
              of 90 days from the date of termination. Employee shall receive
              his accrued and unpaid salary and any accrued and unpaid pro rata
              bonus through the date of termination, and Employee will continue
              to participate in any benefits referenced in Section 3.2(c) for a
              period of two years from the date of termination; PROVIDED,
              HOWEVER, to the extent that any benefit under Section 3.2(c)
              cannot be continued during a period when Employee is not an
              employee of the Company, the Company shall pay Employee an amount
              in cash equal to the economic value of such benefit, such value to
              be determined as of the time of termination.

              In the event that Employee is deemed to have received an excess
              parachute payment (as such term is defined in Section 280G(b) of
              the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code")) which
              is subject to excise taxes ("Excise Taxes") imposed by Section
              4999 of the Code with respect to compensation paid to Employee
              pursuant to this Agreement, the Company shall make a Bonus Payment
              (as defined below) to Employee when Employee receives any excess
              parachute payments. "Bonus Payment" means a cash payment equal to
              the sum of (i) all Excise Taxes payable by Employee plus (ii) any
              additional Excise Tax or federal or state income taxes imposed
              with respect to the Bonus Payment.

              "Change of Control" means the happening of any of the following
         events:

              (i)   The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within
                    the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the
                    Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
                    "Exchange Act")) (a "Person"), of beneficial ownership
                    (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the
                    Exchange Act) of 50% or more of either (A) the then
                    outstanding shares of common stock of the Company or (B)
                    the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
                    securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in
                    the election of directors; provided,

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                    however, that the following acquisitions shall not
                    constitute a Change of Control under this subsection (i):
                    (x) any acquisition directly from the Company (excluding
                    an acquisition by virtue of the exercise of a conversion
                    privilege), (y) any acquisition by the Company, or (z)
                    any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related
                    trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any
                    corporation controlled by the Company; or

              (ii)  Individuals who, as of the effective date hereof, constitute
                    the Board of Directors (the "Incumbent Board") cease for
                    any reason to constitute at least a majority of the
                    Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a
                    director subsequent to the effective date hereof whose
                    election, or nomination for election by the Company's
                    stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a
                    majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent
                    Board shall be considered as though such individual were
                    a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this
                    purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of
                    office occurs as a result of either an actual or
                    threatened election contest (as such terms are used in
                    Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the
                    Exchange Act) or other actual or threatened solicitation
                    of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other
                    than the Board; or

              (iii) Approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete
                    liquidation or dissolution of the Company or the sale or
                    other disposition of all or substantially all of the
                    assets of the Company.

         (e)  OTHER EVENTS UPON TERMINATION. If Employee's employment hereunder
              shall be terminated by the Company without cause or by
              Constructive Termination other than within 24 months following a
              Change of Control, Employee shall receive in accordance with the
              Company's then current payroll practices an amount equal to the
              sum of (i) Employee's annual base salary for the year in which
              such termination occurs and (ii) the greater of (A) the target
              bonuses for each of the four quarters in the year in which such
              termination occurs and (B) the actual bonus earned by Employee for
              the four fiscal quarters immediately preceding such termination,
              payable for a period of time equal to the longer of (i) two years
              and (ii) the period of time remaining under the then current term
              of this Agreement (such longer period, the "Severance Period").
              Employee shall receive his accrued and unpaid salary and any
              accrued and unpaid pro rata bonus through the date of termination,
              and Employee will continue to participate in any benefits
              referenced in Section 3.2(c) for the Severance Period; PROVIDED,
              HOWEVER, to the extent that any benefit under Section 3.2(c)
              cannot be continued during a period when Employee is not an
              employee of the Company, the Company shall pay Employee an amount
              in cash equal to the economic value of such benefit, such value to
              be determined as of the time of termination. In addition, all
              stock options referenced in Section 3.1(c) shall vest effective as
              of the date of termination, and Employee may exercise such options
              for a period of three months from the date of termination.

         Section 4.2 BY EMPLOYEE.

         (a)  BREACH OF AGREEMENT BY COMPANY. If Employee's employment hereunder
              shall be terminated by Employee pursuant to the provisions set
              forth in Section 2.3(a) hereof prior to the expiration of the then
              current term of this Agreement, Employee shall receive in
              accordance with the Company's then current payroll practices an
              amount equal to the sum of (i) Employee's annual base salary for
              the year in which such termination occurs and (ii) the greater of
              (A) the target bonuses for each of the four quarters in the year
              in which such termination occurs and (B) the actual bonus earned
              by Employee for the four fiscal quarters immediately preceding
              such

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              termination, payable for a period of time equal to the longer
              of (i) two years and (ii) the period of time remaining under the
              then current term of this Agreement. Employee shall receive his
              accrued and unpaid salary and any accrued and unpaid pro rata
              bonus through the date of termination, and Employee will continue
              to participate in any benefits referenced in Section 3.2(c) for
              the Severance Period; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, to the extent that any
              benefit under Section 3.2(c) cannot be continued during a period
              when Employee is not an employee of the Company, the Company shall
              pay Employee an amount in cash equal to the economic value of such
              benefit, such value to be determined as of the time of
              termination. In addition, all stock options referenced in Section
              3.1(c) shall vest effective as of the date of termination, and
              Employee may exercise such options for a period of three months
              from the date of termination.

         (b)  VOLUNTARY RESIGNATION. If Employee's employment hereunder shall be
              terminated by Employee pursuant to the provisions set forth in
              Section 2.3(b) hereof prior to the expiration of the then current
              term, then, upon such termination, subject to COBRA, all
              compensation and all benefits to Employee hereunder shall
              terminate contemporaneously with the termination of such
              employment; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, Employee shall not receive a bonus
              for the year during which Employee's employment terminated or any
              subsequent year.

                                    ARTICLE V
                            CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

         Section 5.1 COMPANY INFORMATION. Employee acknowledges that the
Company's business is highly competitive and that the Company's books, records
and documents, technical information concerning its products, equipment,
services and processes, procurement procedures and pricing techniques and the
names of and other information (e.g., credit and financial data) concerning the
Company's customers and business associates all comprise confidential business
information and trade secrets of the Company (collectively, "Confidential
Information") which are valuable, special, and unique assets of the Company
which the Company uses in its business to obtain a competitive advantage over
the Company's competitors which do not know or use this information. Employee
further acknowledges that protection of the Confidential Information against
unauthorized disclosure and use is of critical importance to the Company in
maintaining its competitive position. Accordingly, Employee hereby agrees that
he will not, at any time during or after his employment by the Company, make any
unauthorized disclosure of any Confidential Information or make any use thereof,
except for the benefit of, and on behalf of, the Company. For the purposes of
this Article 5, the term "Company" shall also include affiliates of the Company.

         Section 5.2 THIRD PARTY INFORMATION. Employee acknowledges that, as a
result of his employment by the Company, he may from time to time have access
to, or knowledge of, confidential business information or trade secrets of third
parties, such as customers, suppliers, partners, joint venturers, and the like,
of the Company. Employee agrees to preserve and protect the confidentiality of
such third-party confidential information and trade secrets to the same extent,
and on the same basis, as the Confidential Information.

         Section 5.3 RETURN OF DOCUMENTS. All written materials, records and
other documents made by, or coming into the possession of, Employee during the
period of his employment by the Company which contain or disclose the
Confidential Information shall be and remain the property of the Company. Upon
request, and in any event upon termination of Employee's employment by the
Company, for any reason, he promptly shall deliver the same, and all copies,
derivatives and extracts thereof, to the Company.

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                                   ARTICLE VI
                     INVENTIONS, DISCOVERIES AND COPYRIGHTS

         Section 6.1 INVENTIONS AND DISCOVERIES. Employee agrees promptly and
freely to disclose to the Company, in writing, any and all ideas, conceptions,
inventions, improvements, and discoveries, whether patentable or not, which are
conceived or made by Employee, solely or jointly with another, during the period
of his employment by the Company and which are related to the business or
activities of the Company. Employee agrees to assign and hereby does assign to
the Company all his interest in such ideas, conceptions, inventions,
improvements, and discoveries. Employee agrees that, whenever requested to do so
by the Company, he shall assist in the preparation of any document that the
Company shall deem necessary and shall execute any and all applications,
assignments or other instruments that the Company shall deem necessary, in its
sole discretion, to apply for and obtain protection, including patent
protection, for such ideas, conceptions, inventions, improvements and
discoveries in all countries of the world. The obligations in the preceding
sentence shall continue beyond the termination of Employee's employment
regardless of the reason for such termination.

         Section 6.2 COPYRIGHTS. If during Employee's employment by the Company,
Employee creates any original work of authorship (each, a "Work") fixed in any
tangible medium of expression which is the subject matter of copyright (e.g.,
written presentations, computer programs, videotapes, drawings, maps, models,
manuals or brochures) relating to the Company's business, products, or services,
whether a Work is created solely by Employee or jointly with others, the Company
shall be deemed the author of a Work if the Work is prepared by Employee in the
scope of his employment; or, if the Work is not prepared by Employee within the
scope of his employment but is specially ordered by the Company as a
contribution to a collective work, as a part of a motion picture or other
audiovisual work, as a translation, as a supplementary work, as a compilation or
as an instructional text, then the Work shall be considered to be a work made
for hire and the Company shall be the author of the Work. In the event a Work is
not prepared by Employee within the scope of his employment or is not a Work
specially ordered and deemed to be a work made for hire, then Employee hereby
agrees to assign, and by these presents, does assign, to the Company all of
Employee's worldwide right, title and interest in and to such Work and all
rights of copyright therein. Both during the period of Employee's employment by
the Company and thereafter, Employee agrees to assist the Company and its
nominee, at any time, in the protection of the Company's worldwide right, title
and interest in and to the work and all rights of copyright therein, including
but not limited to, the execution of all formal assignment documents requested
by the Company or its nominee and the execution of all lawful oaths and
applications for registration of copyright in the United States and foreign
countries.

         Section 6.3 Employee represents that he has not heretofore made any
invention or discovery or prepared any work which is the subject matter of
copyright related to the Company's business which he wishes to exclude from the
provisions of Section 6.1 and Section 6.2 hereof. As used in this Article VI,
the "Company" shall include affiliates of the Company.

                                   ARTICLE VII
                                 NON-COMPETITION

         Section 7.1 The restrictive covenants contained in this Article VII and
in Article VIII hereof are supported by consideration to Employee hereunder. As
a material incentive for the Company to enter into this Agreement, Employee
hereby agrees that he will not at any time during his employment by the Company
and for a period commencing on the date of termination of his employment and
continuing until the expiration of 24 months (the "Non-Competition Period"),
directly or indirectly, for himself or for others, in any state of the United
States, or in any foreign country where the Company or any of its affiliates is
then

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conducting any business:

         (a)  engage in any business that is directly competitive with
              activities conducted by the Company (or any of the Company's
              subsidiaries or divisions), which activities conducted by the
              Company (or any of the Company's subsidiaries or divisions)
              represent in the aggregate greater than 25% of the Company's
              proforma consolidated revenues in 2001;

         (b)  render advice or services to, or otherwise assist, any other
              person or entity who is engaged, directly or indirectly, in any
              business that is directly competitive with activities conducted by
              the Company (or any of the Company's subsidiaries or divisions),
              which activities conducted by the Company (or any of the Company's
              subsidiaries or divisions) represent in the aggregate greater than
              25% of the Company's proforma consolidated revenues in 2001; or

         (c) transact any business in any manner pertaining to suppliers or
             customers of the Company or any affiliate which, in any manner,
             would have, or is likely to have, an adverse effect upon the
             Company or any affiliate.

         The foregoing shall not prohibit Employee's continued participation in
those activities in which he is engaged on the date hereof and which have been
disclosed to the Company.

         Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of termination of this
Agreement pursuant to Section 4.1(d), 4.1(e) or 4.2(a), the prohibitions of this
Article VII shall no longer apply at such time as Employee waives his right to
receive any further payments under Section 4.1(d), 4.1(e) or 4.2(a), as the case
may be.

         Section 7.2 Employee understands that the foregoing restrictions may
limit his ability to engage in a business similar to the Company's business in
specific areas of the world for the Non-Competition Period, but acknowledges
that he will receive sufficiently high remuneration and other benefits from the
Company hereunder to justify such restriction. In addition to any remedies
provided under applicable law, the Company and Employee agree that during the
period the Company is paying compensation and benefits to Employee pursuant to
Articles III or IV hereof, the Company's remedy for breach of the provisions of
this Article VII shall include, but shall not be limited to, the termination of
all compensation and all benefits to Employee otherwise provided under this
Agreement.

         Section 7.3 It is expressly understood and agreed that the Company and
Employee consider the restrictions contained in Section 7.1 hereof to be
reasonable and necessary for the purposes of preserving and protecting the good
will and proprietary information of the Company, nevertheless, if any of the
aforesaid restrictions is found by a court having jurisdiction to be
unreasonable, over broad as to geographic area or time or otherwise
unenforceable, the parties intend for the restrictions therein set forth to be
modified by such court so as to be reasonable and enforceable and, as so
modified by the court, to be fully enforced.

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                            SOLICITATION OF EMPLOYEES

         During the term of his employment by the Company and thereafter for the
Non-Competition Period, Employee shall not, on his own behalf or on behalf of
any other person, partnership, entity, association, or corporation, hire or seek
to hire any non-clerical or non-secretarial employee of the Company or in any
other manner attempt directly or indirectly to influence, induce, or encourage
any non-clerical or non-secretarial employee of the Company to leave the
employment of the Company, nor shall he use or disclose to any

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person, partnership, entity, association, or corporation any information
concerning the names, addresses or personal telephone numbers of any employees
of the Company.

                                   ARTICLE IX
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         Section 9.1 Notices. For purposes of this Agreement, notices and all
other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be deemed
to have been duly given when personally delivered or when mailed by United
States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid,
addressed as follows:

       If to the Company to:   INVESTools Inc.
                               5959 Corporate Drive, Suite 2000
                               Houston, TX  77036
                               Attention: Chairman of the Compensation Committee

       If to Employee to:      Lee K. Barba
                               P.O. Box 587
                               Bangall, New York 12506

or to such other address as either party may furnish to the other in writing in
accordance herewith, except that notices of changes of address shall be
effective only upon receipt.

         Section 9.2 APPLICABLE LAW, JURISDICTION AND VENUE. This Agreement is
entered into under, and shall be governed for all purposes by, the laws of the
State of Texas. Any suit by the Company to enforce any right hereunder or to
obtain a declaration of any right or obligation hereunder may, at the sole
option of the Company, be brought (i) in any court of competent jurisdiction in
the State of Texas or (ii) in any court of competent jurisdiction where
jurisdiction may be had over Employee. Employee hereby expressly consents to the
jurisdiction of the foregoing courts for such purposes and to the appointment of
the Secretary of State for the State of Texas as his agent for service of
process.

         Section 9.3 NO WAIVER. No failure by either party hereto at any time to
give notice of any breach by the other party of, or to require compliance with,
any condition or provision of this Agreement shall (i) be deemed a waiver of
similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or
subsequent time or (ii) preclude insistence upon strict compliance in the
future.

         Section 9.4 SEVERABILITY. If a court of competent jurisdiction
determines that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable,
then the invalidity or unenforceability of that provision shall not affect the
validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, and all
other provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

         Section 9.5 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which
together will constitute one and the same Agreement.

         Section 9.6 WITHHOLDING OF TAXES. The Company may withhold from any
benefits payable under this Agreement all federal, state, city or other taxes as
may be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling.

         Section 9.7 HEADINGS. The paragraph headings have been inserted for
purposes of convenience

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and shall not be used for interpretive purposes.

         Section 9.8 AFFILIATE. As used in this Agreement, "affiliate" shall
mean any person or entity which directly or indirectly through one or more
intermediaries owns or controls, is owned or controlled by, or is under common
ownership or control with, the Company.

         Section 9.9 ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement, and the rights and obligations
of the parties hereunder, are personal and neither this Agreement, nor any
right, benefit or obligation of either party hereto, shall be subject to
voluntary or involuntary assignment, alienation or transfer, whether by
operation of law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the other
party except that vested rights to payment shall be subject to devise, and shall
descend in accordance with applicable laws of inheritance.

         Section 9.10 LEGAL FEES. If, prior to a Change of Control, either party
institutes any legal action to enforce his or its rights under, or to recover
damages for breach of this Agreement, the Company shall pay up to an aggregate
of $10,000 of Employee's actual expenses incurred in pursuit or defense of such
legal action.

         If, following a Change of Control, either party institutes any legal
action to enforce his or its rights under, or to recover damages for breach of
this Agreement, the "prevailing party" in such action shall be entitled to
recover from the other party any actual expenses for attorney's fees and
disbursements incurred by him or it. For these purposes, a party shall be
considered a "prevailing party" if and only if the parties agree to such
characterization of a party as a "prevailing party" or a final order of a court
specifically recites that such party is a "prevailing party."

         Section 9.11 TERM. This Agreement has a term co-extensive with the term
of employment as defined in Section 2.1 hereof. Termination of this Agreement
pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.1 hereof shall not affect any right or
obligation of either party hereto which is accrued or vested prior to or upon
such termination or the rights and set forth in Articles IV, V, VI and VII
hereof.

         Section 9.12 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire
agreement of the parties with regard to the subject matter hereof, and contains
all the covenants, promises, representations, warranties and agreements between
the parties with respect to employment of Employee by the Company. Each party to
this Agreement acknowledges that no representation, inducement, promise or
agreement, oral or written, has been made by either party, or by anyone acting
on behalf of either party, which is not embodied herein, and that no agreement,
statement, or promise relating to the employment of Employee by the Company,
which is not contained in this Agreement, shall be valid or binding. Any
modification of this Agreement will be effective only if it is in writing and
signed by the party to be charged.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement
effective as of the Effective Date.

                                                INVESTools Inc.

                                                By: /s/ PAUL A. HELBLING
                                                    ---------------------

                                                Name:  Paul A. Helbling
                                                     ------------------

                                                Title:  Chief Financial Officer

                                                /s/ LEE K. BARBA
                                                -----------------
                                                Lee K. Barba