Bullish Blog

Reuters - The Nasdaq Stock Market Inc. would consider working with a group of investment banks behind a rival trading platform if its bid for the London Stock Exchange fails, Chief Executive Bob Greifeld told three British newspapers.

The video-game console lacks the processing power of competitors and is really only suited for one thing: playing games. But unlike its rivals, the Wii is profitable.

AP - Stocks climbed for the third straight day Thursday as an already buoyant Wall Street embraced robust consumer spending figures and largely overcame disappointment in Google Inc.'s profit report. Both the Dow Jones industrials and the Russell 2000 index of smaller companies closed at new highs.

The Dow just misses a new high as the Fed signals it will leave rates alone for the foreseeable future. Michael Dell replaces Kevin Rollins as Dell CEO. Google's big earnings aren't big enough. President Bush tells CEOs to match pay with performance.

Reuters - U.S. blue-chip stocks advanced on Thursday on optimism about strong profits from companies including Exxon Mobil Corp. while the Nasdaq was flat.

Kraft Foods stock has been downright unappetizing -- despite big brands like Oreo, Jell-O and Velveeta. But its fortunes could change after majority owner Altria spins off a huge chunk of stock to the public. I say buy at $31 a share.

Ray Kroc's hamburger chain was long known for the sameness of its food and its buildings. But the fast-food giant today is a lot of different restaurants to a lot of different people. 

No new trades. Small-cap stocks have done quite nicely due to the January Effect.

AP - Stocks shot higher Wednesday after the Federal Reserve answered two of Wall Street's major concerns, indicating that the economy remains healthy and that inflation pressures are easing. The Dow Jones industrials climbed nearly 100 points to set another trading high, while the Russell 2000 index had its first close above 800.

Reuters - U.S. stocks rallied on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve held rates steady and did not signal a shift in policy for now.