Stocks: When the Rate Music Stops

Should investors panic if the Fed halts its rate cuts? Maybe not, says S&P. History points to continued stock gains after past easing cycles

Desalination, for a World Short of Water

Nearly half the world's population could soon be at risk. Many companies are poised to supply equipment for massive desalination efforts

Are Pension Funds Fueling High Oil?

A Senate hearing weighs charges that speculation by big investors and sovereign wealth funds is behind the rise in commodities and energy prices

Home Depot and Lowe's Get Hammered

Sagging earnings reports suggest it will take more than stimulus checks to revive America's home-improvement giants

Analyst Actions: Whitney on U.S. banks, Netflix, SanDisk

Inflation Heats Up in April

A higher-than-expected reading for the core producer price index raises fresh worry among economists. Will the Fed's next move be a rate hike?

S&P Picks and Pans: Home Depot, Lehman Brothers, Citigroup, Ryder, The9

Analysts' opinions on stocks in the news Tuesday

Stocks to Open Lower

Economic data showed higher inflation. Retailers reported weak results as Washington discussed bailing out struggling homeowners

Movers: Home Depot, Target, Saks, Staples, MF Global

Tuesday's stocks in the news