The economy shows signs of a soft landing, though it's still too early to expect a fast bounceback. History, at least, is on the side of stock buyers. The tide has changed.
Diversification is now the watchword.
The Fed cut rates by a half percentage point last week. Since Fed officials hadn't voiced much alarm about the economy's slowdown in recent speeches, Greenspan's gambit may go down as one of the best head fakes in monetary-policy history. Some companies are manipulating earnings to please an investing community that demands ever rising profits. Get the basic information you need to get started investing in stocks. Stock brokers Find out what you should look for in a financial middleman.