Video


Tough January emerging: Vitoria Saddi, senior economist with RGE Monitor, explains why emerging markets such as Brazil, India, Russia and China are likely to remain under pressure in January.  Watch.

Trouble ahead: Ron Ianieri, chief market strategist at Options University, talks about the biggest challenges facing the economy in 2009 and why he doesn't think we've seen a bottom. Watch.
 
Hoping for the best 
Hugh Johnson, chairman of Johnson Illington Advisors, says we're getting closer to the start of a recovery. He says the new administration will be a fresh start.

January's secret  
Strategist Jim Paulsen at Wells Capital Management says the secret for January is to help unfreeze the panic in the healthy economic players who have jobs and businesses; to persuade them that it's safe to go out and spend some money again.

 

2008 performance
DJIA-34%Crude-54%
Nasdaq-40%Gold+5%
S&P 500-38%Nat. gas-25%
DJIA
Best stockWal-Mart (WMT)+18%
Worst stockGeneral Motors (GM)-87%
NASDAQ 100
Best stockVertex Pharma (VRTX)+31%
Worst stockFocus Media (FMCN)-84%
 

 
After a tumultuous and sometimes painful year, most of us are glad to see the close of 2008. Our experts offer 13 ways to put last year in the past and gear up for a profitable 2009.

Sifting through the wreckage
Infrastructure, pharmaceuticals and China show signs of life, says Michael Ashbaugh.

Prescription for a bear market rally
 Michael Kahn argues that there is still more healing to come, but it might be prudent to play it safe and leave some profit on the table.

January Effect vs. the January Barometer
The month's impact on small-cap outperformance may be muted, says Jeffrey Hirsch.

Hail to the markets
 Don't expect the inauguration effect to dictate the market's swing this month, Mark Hulbert writes.

January rebound
 Robert Maltbie offers three picks in educational travel, distribution, and maritime transport.

Gain some ground
 January might see a thaw with the new administration, says Jim Lowell. He suggests ETFs in mid- and small-caps, natural gas and agriculture.

The new financial horizon
 Joe Clark welcomes the new year and says corporate bonds, China, Brazil and Japan are work exploring.

Three funds for the new year
 Adam Bold suggests three steady funds to help investors participate in the market rebound.

Be patient
 Shorting U.S. Treasurys through an ETF is the way to play in January, Thomas Kee advises.

COMMUNITY
 What do you say?
 What are your strategies for getting through these tough times? Where can investors find good opportunities this month? Talk about it in the MarketWatch Community section.
 
Test your trading skills
 Match wits against MarketWatch columnists on our Virtual Stock Exchange.
 
 MarketWatch Premium Products
 The Technical Indicator
Technical analysis for sophisticated traders
Let MarketWatch’s leading industry experts help guide you in optimizing your portfolio’s performance.  MarketWatch Premium Products for the self-directed investor, offer research, analysis and actionable ideas to help you reach your investing goals. Get started today!
 
 MarketWatch Options Trader
The ultimate guide to options trading
 
 Hulbert Financial Digest
Get the definitive guide to investment newsletters
 
 HFD Newsletter Profiles
In-depth studies of a newsletter's performance
 
 Hulbert Interactive
Access the 180-newsletter HFD database
 
 Retirement Weekly
Get the retirement you deserve
 
 ETF Trader
Profit from exchange-traded funds
 
 Proactive Fund Investor with Bill Donoghue
Mutual fund strategies in both bull and bear markets
 
  
StocksBondsMore Markets »
Dow8,212+0.2%
Nasdaq1,512+1.5%
S&P 500844+0.1%
Russell 2000463+2.1%
Global Dow1,416+0.8%
10-year22-0.5%
30-year29-1.1%
Editors' picksMost read
Most commentedMost emailed
PARTNER CENTER