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Harry Domash on MSN Money

Money

These tutorial columns were prepared exclusively for Microsoft's msn Money site. New columns appear on alternate Wednesdays (usually).

5 hot stocks for a cold market
However rough the Street gets, there are always stocks going up -- and the best of them are likely to keep winning. Here are 5, plus a screen to help you find more.

7 stocks paying outsize dividends
When stock prices fall, dividend yields can climb to very attractive levels. In today's painful market, you can get 8%, 10% or more in fairly easy money.

6 shipping stocks for commodity boom
Emerging countries' demand for food, fuel and minerals means lots of business for companies that deliver the goods -- but these stocks are volatile and bear watching closely.

Can coal keep generating profits?
As the cost of oil drives the price of energy higher and higher, the demand for coal is red-hot. Here's a look at the soaring stocks you can use to play this trend.

7 hot stocks for a cool market
Even when times are tough, there's a bull market in some parts of the market. Here's how to find momentum stocks with the right mojo -- and some go-go possibilities.

How to trade red-hot commodities
With prices for most everything soaring, here's a primer on how to play the game using exchange-traded funds -- and a selection of the best ETFs to choose from.

12 top stocks to buy at the bottom
This rough market has taken a piece out of the stock price of many companies with great prospects. Buy them near the bottom -- which might be now -- and you could get a bargain.

Funds that win in any market
Why try to guess which way the market will go? Market-neutral funds avoid the question by playing both sides and can succeed no matter how things go.

The buy-and-don't-worry portfolio
Tired of trying to figure out a rough market's ups and down? Here's how to spot safe yet growing stocks that you don't need to monitor constantly.

6 stocks immune to the credit crunch
The Bear Stearns meltdown shows how quickly a company with debt woes can unwind. Here's how to spot companies that are sitting safely on piles of cash.

6 stocks to catch today's oil boom
A year ago, a screen led me to 11 stocks set to soar with oil prices; they're up an average 42% since. With oil prices high, let's see which energy stocks still look attractive.

Get paid to wait out the slowdown
The economy is skidding, and no one knows when things will get better. An investment screen -- and a little logic -- turn up five stocks likely to pay respectable dividends in the meantime.

Spot the next hot stock trend
Big-money players make their profits by finding the right sectors at the right time. Here's a simple system using MSN Money's ETF tracker that can help you do the same.

8 'doomed' stocks to bet against
A rough market seems like the right time to hunt for stocks to short -- or at least to run from. My screen turned up some big names with big trouble.

Wounded stocks with hefty dividends
This investment screen can help uncover quality companies that are likely to pay high yields while you wait for a market turnaround.

10 small stocks for a happy new year
They call the tendency of small caps to outperform at this time of year the January effect, but it could start about now. Go with winners that should keep on winning.

Losing stocks to win with in 2008
This revised Comeback Kids stock screen helps find battered stocks that look like they'll be up where they belong -- next year.

Bet now on the real-estate rebound
In the midst of the mortgage mess, it may seem early, but that's the best time to beat Wall Street to the profits. I found two home builders worth a look.

9 hot stocks for a year-end rally
The end of the year is often one of the best times to be invested in the market. Here's how to use a screen to find stocks that are ready to move higher.

10 rules for picking stock winners
Listen to the experts if you want, but know that time will prove many of them wrong. Here's what you need to know to make your own educated guesses.

Where to invest $10,000 right now
I used screens to find the most-attractive equities, factored in risk and growth prospects, and then handpicked nine stocks and a fund well-suited to current conditions. You can do it, too.

How to invest your next $1,000
When the market sells off, the big money buys, but how can you follow with just a grand in hand? Find a fund led by a great stock picker. These 10 look promising.

How analysts missed a meltdown
The case of now-bankrupt American Home Mortgage shows why you can't wait for the experts. By the time many Wall Street analysts said sell, the company was collapsing.

What would a young Buffett do now?
A screen inspired by the investing strategies of Warren Buffett -- when he was just getting started -- turns up 14 stocks with an eye toward the long term.

10 stocks to buy and forget
A safe portfolio doesn't need to have sorry returns. Here's how to set up a screen to pick stocks that you don't have to constantly worry about.

Use ETFs to explore the world
Want to get in on the action in the globe's hottest markets? Exchange-traded funds may be the way to go. Here's how to find promising ETFs that specialize in overseas investments.

10 big stocks for the large-cap rally
Large-capitalization stocks have been outperforming the market. Here's how I used MSN Money's stock screener to sort out the best of this breed.

Falling dollar should lift real-estate trusts
A declining dollar makes U.S. real estate look cheap to foreign investors, a trend that means cash for real-estate investment trusts. I screened for REITs with the very best prospects. These 10 turned up.

12 top takeover targets
If you can spot companies that have the potential to be bought and taken private, you can make some money. Here is a method to find the best candidates, and 12 contenders that look good right now.

Find growth stocks at the right price
The trick, of course, is to spot great stocks that haven't been driven too high yet. I'll show you how to find fast growers that, although hardly unknown, are still good buys.

In shaky times, dig deep for dividends
Companies that reward you with dividends can help you survive in a turbulent market. Here's how to find them, and 12 that stand out right now.

8 great stocks for under $10
They don't cost much for a reason, but here's the way to locate cheap stocks that might -- and let's emphasize 'might' -- have a tremendous upside.

11 stocks for oil's next surge
If you think that energy prices are headed up long term, this might be a good time to consider energy-related stocks. Using StockScouter, I found 11 great picks.

Finding the best of the blue chips
Size isn't everything. Here's an illustration of how MSN Money's stock screener can narrow 130 or so potential investments down to five choice companies.

How to invest when you're broke
Even if you're barely getting by, investing small amounts in mutual funds can pay off over the long run. Here's how to do it, plus a list of fund companies that accept small investors.

10 investing tips to balance fear and greed
Pay attention, but don't listen to the wrong people. Study the stock, but don't overanalyze. Most of all, stay disciplined.

9 value stocks for impatient investors
Traditional value investing requires perseverance, but like a lot of you, I can't stomach the inevitable stumbles. Here's a strategy for picking value stocks without so much waiting.

10 stocks to hold forever -- almost
These companies, some with international scope and others mostly domestic, have one thing in common: Plenty of room to grow. Their stocks should be good for five to 10 years.

8 losers ready to bounce back
Sometimes good stocks do bad things. Here are some 2006 underachievers that might redeem themselves as the Comeback Kids of 2007.

13 castoff stocks for a new-year comeback
It's time to do some Dumpster-diving as other investors sell losing stocks for tax purposes. These have already started to bounce, which should mean profits in January.

Chasing down stocks to sell short
Playing a stock to go down is a profitable strategy at times, but figuring out which one -- and when -- is not an easy task.

13 stocks for the year-end rally
For stocks that will thrive in this strong market, turn to MSN Money's StockScouter tool. My search turned up 13 stocks that should shine.

10 potential small-cap rockets
Recent history says small-capitalization stocks are big winners in the last six weeks of the year. Here's some advice on finding good bets.

Beware of 'pump-and-dump' stocks
The 6 simple tests will protect you from scammers who use phony announcements or endorsements to inflate a stock's price before bailing out.

6 energy funds worth buying now
Oil prices are down, but other indicators scream that this is the time to get into energy, not out of it.

Build your first stock portfolio
Thinking about buying stocks but don't know where to start? Here are some ideas about how to create your first stock portfolio.

Turn a profit on rising rents
The gap between home and apartment-rental costs is going to narrow, which means rents will keep rising. Apartment REITs let you profit without the hassle of being a landlord.

Buy before the buyout experts do
Even in a shaky market, a stock usually takes a jump when the company is purchased. Here are 17 potential acquisition targets.

Is that seductive stock doomed?
Here are four signals that a red-hot stock may be ready to plummet into the dud category. My system isn't perfect, but it works most of the time.

Master strategist's system picks 15 gems
Martin Zweig's 3 rules for picking stocks made him a legend. A similar system might make you money, too.

3 red flags signal a troubled stock
Successful investing is about avoiding disastrous losses. Here's how to spot clunkers before their prices begin to tank.

9 stocks primed for a turnaround
Picking stocks that are primed for a rebound isn't as easy as it may seem. Here's a formula to identify shares that should be headed for an upswing, and 9 turnaround candidates.

A simple portfolio for summer
Here's how to set up a strong portfolio of stocks that can ride out the summer without a lot of babysitting and greet you with a nice return come fall.

Simple strategy delivers 18% a year
It sounds too good to be true. But I have tested the Cornerstone Growth method for two years, and the returns have been remarkable. Here's how to do it.

A top blogger's market-beating strategy
Charles Kirk consistently scores far above the market by finding fundamentally strong stocks with weak, but improving, stock charts. Here's how to try that approach yourself.

Spot the next hot sector before it lifts off
Wish you�d foreseen the energy sector boom? Here�s how to catch the next big sector surge before you've missed out.

Telecom relics rolling in cash
Phone exchanges that serve the boondocks won�t grow tons. But some are rolling in cash and paying rich dividends to their stockholders.

A fund worth more than its parts
Closed-end funds can offer a steady stream of income, often at a discount. But researching these critters can be tricky.

Investing 102: Pick a stock and buy it
It's time to participate in capitalism, so here's how to study stocks and place orders. But first, decide if you're a growth, value or dividend investor.

Investing 101: Buy your first stock or fund
You say you want to invest, but you don�t know where to start? This investing primer walks beginners through each step along the way to becoming a shareholder.

Spot bankruptcy candidates and steer clear
Here's how to find out which stocks are so financially weak that they are liable to tip into bankruptcy, then avoid them like the plague.

15 fallen stocks for a January bounce
Some stocks dip at year-end because of tax-loss selling, only to bounce back in January. Here are 15 that could benefit from this 'January effect' next month, and a screen to find more.

10 Comeback Kid stocks for 2006
My simple Comeback Kids strategy selected 10 stocks for 2005 that have gained 15% so far, twice the market's return. See which out-of-favor names it flags for 2006.

A dynamic new twist on ETFs
Sophisticated portfolio construction means these funds are no longer limited to investing in entire indexes, warts and all.

Invest one drip at a time
Investing relatively small amounts every month in dividend stocks can add up to big money in the long run. Here's how to figure out what to buy -- and how to buy it.

How to spot trouble in earnings reports
Don't just read the press release. Here are some easy ways to look for warning signs when earnings season rolls around.

Inflation-proof your portfolio
Use gold, commodities and stocks in the right sectors to keep rising inflation from devouring your wealth.

Pipe oilfield profits into your pocket
Oil and gas pipeline partnerships deliver solid returns, offer rock-solid security -- and produce outsize dividends year after year.

22 hot funds that should stay hot
Harry Markowitz and William Sharpe revolutionized investing with their work on statistical analysis and portfolio theory. Use their work to find funds that consistently beat the market.

Find great stocks in 2 minutes or less
Between the Web, TV, market gurus and market-minded friends, it's easy enough to find dozens of stock tips. Here's how to pick out the best -- in a flash.

Pick stocks like the heavy hitters
Here�s a screen based on factors that big investors say they follow most closely to help you find stocks they'd love.

Value stocks that live up to the name
A few stocks defined as value investments far outshine the rest. Here's how to find potential winners with a screen that adapts a proven formula.

Follow analysts to their sweet-spot stocks
When more analysts start to 'discover' a stock, it often signals a trend -- and a good time to buy. Here are some tools that can help you pinpoint stocks in analysts' sweet spots.

Worry-free stocks for summer buyers
If you'd like some peace of mind while taking your summer vacation, here is a screen to help find steady stocks you won't have to worry about while you're out.

Go against the grain to beat the market
Value investing experts say to buy cheap and sell on the rise. But how do you know which out-of-favor stocks are set for a rebound? Here's a screen that will help you out.

Play the market like a hedge-fund pro
Hedge fund managers use exchange-traded funds to take advantage of short-term moves up or down. So can you, with help from MSN Money's new ETF Center

Buy hot stocks on the rebound
Even the hottest stocks hit cold spots. Here's a screen that will help you pinpoint that perfect buying moment -- and catch the smooth rise just after the bumps.

Zero in on 7 hot sectors
My heat-seeking screen uses forecasts to find sectors that are primed to take off. The seven I found include energy-related sectors and some surprises.

Find stocks with more profit potential
Don't buy a stock until you know its potential and set a target price. I'll walk you through a simple, 5-step process, using Oracle as an example.

Dividend stocks for low excitement, high returns
Boring? Maybe. But here's a screen for finding dividend stocks that will have you yawning all the way to the bank.

Tourism wins with the dollar down -- or up
Will the dollar keep climbing or resume its fall? Experts disagree, but U.S. tourism could benefit either way. Here's a way to find stocks in three sectors that should gain the most.

10 growth stocks that can't be stopped
Worried that oil or interest rates will knock the recovery for a loop? Here's a screen that will help you pick growth stocks that will weather whatever the economy offers -- and the latest candidates.

Cisco vs. Sysco: A business-plan duel
You wouldn't buy a business without studying it, would you? The same should go for a company's stock. We'll explain our 9-part scorecard by pitting Cisco vs. Sysco.

12 ways to invest in China's boom
China's economy is jumping, but investing in individual stocks remains risky. Here are nine funds and three ETFs that can give you a piece of the action.

Pick stocks like the Super Value Gurus
Value-oriented managers have individual strategies, but they have plenty in common. Here's a way to combine their stock research approaches in one screen.

Spot growth stocks -- but at the right price
Former fund manager Foster Friess made his mark by combining an unlikely pair of strategies -- value and momentum. This screen will help you do it yourself.

Zero in on stocks with momentum
Paul Rabbitt has found success by jumping on stocks with momentum. Here's a screen to help you do the same, using a simplified version of his Q-Rank system.

Put analysts' stock ratings to work for you
What analysts say about when to buy and sell stock matters a lot in the market's expectations game. Use this Sentiment Index to read those ratings.

3 keys to by-the-numbers stock-picking
Martin Zweig's no-nonsense approach made him a legend in the financial services industry. We duplicate his disciplined strategy and come up with 18 stocks.

Invest like a young Warren Buffett
If the legendary buy-and-hold investor were starting out today, his portfolio might look like this. Our screener turned up 26 strong, well-run companies he might favor.

How to invest like Peter Lynch
The white-haired guru, now retired, made his mark by pursuing fast-growing companies that trade out of the limelight. This screen lets you emulate his legendary strategy.

Earn 18% returns the easy way
James O'Shaughnessy analyzed decades of data and dozens of strategies to develop the Cornerstone Growth portfolio. The best part? Trade just once a year.

Watch out for companies that buy their growth
Serial acquirers' are fighting a losing battle against slowing growth, using diluted shares to snap up existing businesses. Organic growth is better. Here's how to spot it.

A simple way to spot �buys�
Even rookie investors can use charts to their benefit. These basics will help you spot uptrends and downtrends -- and know whether you should be buying.

How to screen for top REITs
Real estate investment trusts deliver hefty dividends, but many of them have already seen their best days. Here�s how to find REITs that still have room to run.

9 stocks you can fall in love with
If dependable growth gets your heart racing, this screen may help put together a portfolio you can take home to mother.

let the pros pick your stocks
Why struggle to find great stocks when top-rated mutual funds post their holdings online? Here are 5-star funds that share timely information.

7 signs a stock is ready to soar
Here's a screen for finding stocks that may be ready to score big gains.

7 resolutions every investor must keep
Read this list and think back over the last year. Would you have saved yourself some heartache had you listened to this time-tested advice?

15 questions to ask discount brokers
If you�re not big on hand-holding when it comes to investing, a discount broker can be an economical way to go. Just be sure to ask these important questions -- before you sign up.

7 stocks to buy and forget
So-called experts say buy-and-hold investing is dead, but I found 7 stocks with returns that beg to differ. Here's how to find stocks worth forgetting about.

Invest in hammers, nails, and homebuilders
Real estate in your portfolio is a no-brainer, but finding the right real estate stocks can be tricky. Here are 7 screens to get you started.

Getting Rich
Blend three ingredients -- a paycheck, discipline and time -- and, you, too, can be a millionaire. It's not always easy, but it's simple. And you have no excuse not to do it.

Spot the comeback stocks of tomorrow
Anyone can recognize a winner in hindsight, but how many people can spot the leaders among today�s troubled stocks? Here�s a 6-step process for finding stocks taking a turn for the better.

How to know a hot stock is cooling
When momentum slows, it's time adjust your portfolio. Any one of these indicators suggests your growth stock is fading -- and it's time to sell.

A little gold is portfolio insurance
Gold offers precious protection against market downturns and inflation, among other things. But don't hoard it -- prices can be unpredictable, and gold stocks are difficult to evaluate.

7 questions to ask before you buy a stock
Your research isn't complete until you can answer these questions before you buy. Otherwise, you�re leaving yourself open for some nasty surprises.

A pricey momentum-investing tool -- for free
Wall Street's top newsletters charge hundreds of dollars to identify the market's leading momentum stocks. MSN Money's stock screener does much the same for no cost at all.

7 Rules for picking the best low-risk funds
Mutual funds are the best way for beginning investors to enlist professional help and diffuse risk. Follow these simple steps to find the best of the bunch.

10 Ways to kill stupid stock ideas
Growth-stock investors must sort through thousands of candidates. Eliminating the losers quickly is a key part of the process. Here's a handy, 10-step checklist.