A government-backed mortgage bailout is needed, and it must be done right away. Before shouting about all the reasons why taxpayers shouldn't rescue the profligate who took on more debt than they could handle, think about this: New research estimates one in 33 subprime borrowers will foreclose on th...

Warren Buffett's comments on the investment outlook usually resonate, and those over the weekend were no exception: Panic in financial markets may be through, but that doesn't means it's the end of the economic and credit woes.

Sure, a gas-tax holiday seems like a good idea, at first. According to the presidential candidates touting it, it would yield cheaper gas, which in turn would produce less expensive packaging, food, etc.

Sure, a gas-tax holiday seems like a good idea, at first. According to the presidential candidates touting it, it would yield cheaper gas, which in turn would produce less expensive packaging, food, etc.

Financial company shareholders must feel like second-class citizens now, given how they are being treated as some banks raise capital. It's bad enough that investors in National City Corp. and Washington Mutual Inc. have seen their stock holdings plunge in value and dividends crimped because of the ...

Better a half-blind guard at the gate, than no guard at all. Credit-rating analysts have been sharply criticized for failing to properly assess the risk of mortgage-backed and other complex debt securities. That doesn't mean we don't need them doing the job.

Bank CEOs missed the mark in forecasting the destructive path of today's credit crisis. That's why we shouldn't take too seriously their predictions that it is almost over now.

Reality hit after a few minutes into State Street Corp.'s initially upbeat earnings conference call: The financial services giant had a $3.2 billion skeleton hidden in its closet.

If we use analysts' estimates for corporate earnings to gauge the economy's health, we all should be ready to celebrate better times by the end of the year.

Companies that borrowed money during the boom times to finance takeovers, share buybacks and other adventures are discovering that what they thought was cheap debt is turning out to be very expensive...

While the rest of the marketplace sees mortgage-backed securities as radioactive, Ben Bernanke doesn't at least when taxpayers' money is at stake. That isn't an April Fool's joke. The chairman o...

When Wall Street and big business favor a government plan to make the biggest changes in securities regulation since the Great Depression, the rest of us should question their motives. Under a Bush ...

It will be difficult for the economy to grow or for the market to reverse its course while fear is stalking the financial world. Fear is why Bear Stearns Cos. was hit with what amounted to a run on the bank and now is being sold for $2 a share, a 97 percent discount to where its shares were trading ...

Investors everywhere are better off today because of Eliot Spitzer. That may be hard to see now amid the news that the so-called moral crusader was caught on a wiretap after allegedly arranging a meeting with a prostitute. On Wednesday, he resigned as the governor of New York.

Not all investors today are running away from risk amid the financial market turmoil. There's a flood of money flowing into companies with no earnings or assets to speak of.

Not all investors today are running away from risk amid the financial market turmoil. There's a flood of money flowing into companies with no earnings or assets to speak of. So-called "blank check" companies, founded by some of Wall Street's marquee names, are the hottest sector for stoc...

Financial company CEOs often talk about needing better incentives to perform. How about this one: You're lucky to have a job when many of your peers don't.

Financial company CEOs often talk about needing better incentives to perform. How about this one: You're lucky to have a job when many of your peers don't. But that's not how it's working in the marketplace. Despite being hard hit by the housing and mortgage slump, some companies...

The days when investment banks would spend time wooing big investors over a leisurely meal, with booze and cigars afterward, may be on their way out. Now, firms such as Germany's Dresdner Kleinwort can play matchmaker through "speed investing" sessions. It may not be as genteel, but it gives Europea...