Top marks for service At a time when most tech companies are announcing disappointing results, computer-service businesses such as EDS can post steady earnings gains. That offers shaken tech investors a much smoother ride. Too much cynicism Tech investors are cringing as companies announce lousy fourth-quarter earnings. But now that the strongest stocks, such as Cisco, are hitting lows, the bear market in tech should be nearly over. It's cyclical time Contrarian investors should be looking at old-line cyclical stocks like DuPont.
Share prices are low and earnings can only improve as the economy finally picks up.
Playing defense Balance your tech picks with defensive companies that produce food and household goods. Fed chairman Alan Greenspan is giving investors exactly what they expect, and has made it clear that he'll do whatever is needed to prevent a slowdown. Here's what the plan means for the market. The prospect of lower interest rates and an economic rebound is boosting the shares of companies like Hewlett-Packard that make PCs, printers and other computer accessories. No investor wants to overpay.