Stocks Ease After Two-Week Run
Robert Holmes

Stocks tripped lower Monday as investors regrouped after a two-week
rally that has taken the Dow up 3.1% and the Nasdaq Composite up 4.2%.


Caremark's Hefty Load
Melissa Davis

Caremark investors have seen their faith tested in the waiting room.
This week the giant pharmacy benefit manager will become the last of
the big three PBMs to report quarterly results. Investors hope to see
signs that its healthy growth will continue unabated.


Microsoft Holding Database Line
Ronna Abramson

Microsoft will trumpet the debut of a database product Monday in what
will be the start of a year-long procession of new offerings. But
despite all of the hoopla surrounding CEO Steve Ballmer's unveiling of
the SQL Server 2005 database in San Francisco -- which Microsoft has
called the "most important launch of the year" -- the product may only
help maintain, rather than expand, Microsoft's share against rivals
Oracle and IBM. Ultimately though, Monday's new launches can't match
for significance the unleashing of Xbox 360 in a few weeks and the
rollout next year of new versions of Microsoft's chart- topping
Windows and Office.


TechWeek: Mercury's Option Microcosm
Bill Snyder

Shocking as it is, the scandal shaking Mercury Interactive is merely
the latest example of the abuse of stock options by corporate
management. "Don't be surprised at this," comments Lynn Turner,
research director of proxy advisory service Glass Lewis and former
chief accountant at the Securities and Exchange Commission. "There's
no question that what was [allegedly] going on at Mercury was going on
at other companies."


Betting on Santa
Nat Worden
Question. Is buying shares of chain stores ahead of Christmas a good
bet? As with most things on Wall Street, recent history tells you
nothing. Last year, buying the S&P Retail Index three months before
the holiday would have produced a 10% gain by the time Santa arrived;
holding it another three would have erased it.

Daily Investing Tip
'Mad Money' Recap: Quidel Passes the Test

In order to stop the flu, you need to be able to diagnose it quickly,
which is why I like diagnostic-test maker Quidel, as a play on avian
flu. There's not enough flu vaccine, so a speedy and effective
diagnostic tool is paramount in the fight against the flu. Quidel is
profitable and stands a good chance to make a lot of money from its
test. Nevertheless, the most important thing Quidel has going for it
is the buzz that will be sustained as we keep talking about the flu.
-- James Cramer, TheStreet.com



Jeff Cooper
From Brick in Wall of Worry to Foothold

The 1220 level is the last threshold before the S&P climbs to a new high.

Cody Willard
Still Bullish, Just Toning It Down

After big moves in a short time, Willard is still long but raising
cash and keeping it on the sidelines.