"Never write a book about mistakes," an editor at a major publishing house once advised me. "People want to read about how to make money, not how to avoid losing money."The depth of this recession, however, makes capital preservation every bit a

ices of double-mud chocolate-brownie cake offered to you by restaurant servers at the end of your meal.You run the risk of a severe stomachache later, but they sound so good it's hard to resist.In 2009, emerging markets mutual funds are up an

At a time when so many "sure" investments have let everyone down, speculative investing sounds like simply throwing money down the drain.Shell-shocked investors, wishing no medals for bravery, have contented themselves with safer, low-yield is a

In the same way that a tiger attacks the weakest wildebeest in the herd, some humans kick others when they're down.Depleted investment accounts, rising home foreclosures, and lost jobs in this recession have turned 2009 into the hunting grounds

Even in a sea of markdowns, shrewd shoppers can spot the difference between poor-quality merchandise and brand-name labels.The stock market is trickier. All stocks in a bear market appear low-priced, but investors can't be absolutely certain the

Technology is the surprise investment leader this year.The overly cautious stance on technology orders by many of the world's shell-shocked companies last year now benefits tech firms that are finding greater-than-expected demand for their and 2

Consider the oft-criticized mutual fund portfolio manager.Not only is the manager victimized by market cycles and his or her own stock-picking miscues, but a fund that simply mimics a stock index often delivers better returns.Displeasure with

Keep it short.That sound advice applies not only to speeches at wedding dinners but also to the duration of your fixed-income investments in 2009.Interest-rate yields are likely to remain stuck at current low levels for a while, with nothing

While history does repeat itself, the rerun is never identical.That's why providing investors with a signal as to when and how current economic and market woes will end is an inexact science.If historical precedents hold up, small-cap stocks

Historically, gold has been considered a hedge against a loss in the purchasing power of paper currencies. But no one can ever call it a comforting or predictable hedge.While gold prices ended 2008 just a bit higher than they began it, investors