Gridlock! Whether you’re delighted or dismayed by the results of the midterm election, I’ve got encouraging news for you—a divided government in Washington isn’t such a bad thing for your investments. This month, I’ll show you how you can take advantage of the new paths to profit that the election has opened up. In fact, I expect gains of 40%-60% in the next two years for my top picks. December also marks the fourth anniversary of our Incredible Dividend Machine. This nifty portfolio has beaten the overall stock market by such a huge margin it’s almost amusing. In our latest lineup, I’m swapping two of the members of the Machine with new names that I’m confident will keep the streak going. Finally, the holiday season is the perfect time to do some housecleaning, and if you’re sitting on a mutual fund that has outlived its usefulness, raise a glass of holiday cheer and toast it good-bye. Then replace it with one of my four best funds for your specific needs.

Wall Street’s amazing bull has rejuvenated itself for another romp as stocks are putting on a fresh display of power. This month, I’ll show you how you can keep the profits flowing at a safe, healthy double-digit pace by identifying the rich veins of value still waiting to be mined. Ironically, I’m finding some of the best bargains in an area overcrowded with speculators until just a few months ago—oil and gas, including a pair of names that could leap 50%�80% in the next few years. The oil patch is also home to my favorite type of vehicle income right now—master limited partnerships. I’ll point you to my top buy among the bunch and answer some of your nagging questions about MLPs. Also look for a primer on the most attractive stocks and markets overseas. And don’t miss my Tax Savers’ Workshop in this month’s supplement.

Wall Street’s amazing bull has rejuvenated itself for another romp as stocks are putting on a fresh display of power. This month, I’ll show you how you can keep the profits flowing at a safe, healthy double-digit pace by identifying the rich veins of value still waiting to be mined. Ironically, I’m finding some of the best bargains in an area overcrowded with speculators until just a few months ago—oil and gas, including a pair of names that could leap 50%�80% in the next few years. The oil patch is also home to my favorite type of vehicle income right now—master limited partnerships. I’ll point you to my top buy among the bunch and answer some of your nagging questions about MLPs. Also look for a primer on the most attractive stocks and markets overseas. And don’t miss my Tax Savers’ Workshop in this month’s supplement.

Breakout or fakeout? Stock prices tried to break through to the upside this week, with the S&P 500 edging above its May high intraday on Wednesday and Thursday. But the market couldn’t hold its gains, despite a strong lift from bonds. We wouldn’t be surprised if the bulls tried again next week. However, we don’t think stocks are quite yet ready for the blastoff we’ve been waiting for.

Investors are starting to feel comfortable about the stock market again. You can see it in the quick turnaround this afternoon when the Federal Reserve released the minutes of its August meeting. Money managers who were sitting on too much cash jumped on the Fed news as an excuse to buy.

Will these oppressive energy prices ever calm down? It’s a thought on the mind of every stock investor these days as prices for oil, gasoline and natural gas (the real “screamer” of the three) flirt with all-time highs.

Oil prices have gyrated wildly this week. On Tuesday, West Texas crude for immediate delivery briefly touched an all-time high above $42 a barrel. Today, though, OPEC agreed to supply 2 million extra barrels a day, starting July 1. Crude closed down 81 cents on the news, at $39.15.

Oil prices have gyrated wildly this week. On Tuesday, West Texas crude for immediate delivery briefly touched an all-time high above $42 a barrel. Today, though, OPEC agreed to supply 2 million extra barrels a day, starting July 1. Crude closed down 81 cents on the news, at $39.15.

I’m very cautious in my stock buying these days. I don’t like the sharp run-up in bond yields, coming as it has so early in this on-again, off-again economic recovery. I’m not thrilled with the stock market’s internals right now, either. The NYSE advance/decline line and the new highs/new lows figures have sagged in recent weeks, even as the market indexes have continued to look fairly chipper.

I’m very cautious in my stock buying these days. I don’t like the sharp run-up in bond yields, coming as it has so early in this on-again, off-again economic recovery. I’m not thrilled with the stock market’s internals right now, either. The NYSE advance/decline line and the new highs/new lows figures have sagged in recent weeks, even as the market indexes have continued to look fairly chipper.