mollytjm

Top Brand Names and Stock Returns

This is a good start to value investing, which is what Warren Buffett talks about all the time. It is essential to know the company, however, not just whether you like it a lot. Take Apple, for instance, which i have as stock. I have loved their products, since 1983. But until the company became financially secure, with no debt and with a top rated reputation, i didn't invest. Then i did and i will stay long term because the company is so secure and VERY innovative. This last is important to know. Don't invest because you love one product, if it's a tech company.
It's ok for Martha Stewart to just change the color of the sheets that have her name on them...but for a tech company, they better have brilliant innovative people...lots of them! And they better have $$$ in reserve and no debt, so if an idea tanks, they'll be ok until the brilliant staff comes up with the next idea.

Replacing AIG in the Dow: Google? Cisco? Apple?

i agree on Apple... loads of cash reserve and no debt.

Changes in Market Cap for Biggest U.S. Companies

nuclear power is great, except in geologically unstable areas. as China learned with hydroelectric power, you better build these things away from population centers. they're all safe by themselves. one bad earthquake and one meltdown near a big population will hurt investors, a lot, so they better do what they can to reassure us that they're PRIMARILY safe, then green and efficient. i'd like to see them use some of the Japanese earthquake resistant construction on everything like this, built here, even in places where it seems safe. i think that would be reassuring to investors who are savvy about this stuff.