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.

Healthy dip! Stock prices pulled back this week after five straight weekly gains, but it was hardly a washout. In fact, the Standard & Poor’s 500 index gave up less than 1% from last Friday’s close. So far, it looks as if the market is undergoing a normal, and very healthy, midcourse “correction.”

Last night’s election results have sent the message the stock market wanted to hear. President Bush has won a second term by a narrow, but clear margin. The GOP has held on to both houses of Congress, and looks to have increased its lead significantly in the Senate. What does it mean for investors?

The stock market is forming a good, tradable bottom in here. Within the next couple of days — probably well before the election results are known — Wall Street should make its peace with the political forces at work and move on to the traditional post-election relief rally.

In this month’s visit, I’ll show you how to fine-tune your portfolio for
safety and profit. Radical surgery isn’t called for (certainly not if you’ve taken the baby steps I suggested in the July and August issues). Instead, I advise you to focus your efforts on generating more income here and now from your investments. If you do, the capital gains will flow back to you in due course.

In this month’s visit, I’ll show you how to fatten your portfolio regardless of who wins. Hint: Both candidates will grapple with the same set of economic challenges in 2005, so you can make a tidy fortune if you understand what those are (and how they’re likely to be dealt with). We’re already preparing for the road ahead by pocketing profits of more than 90% on our small-cap stocks while shifting cash into bonds, high-yielding blue chip stocks and even a low-risk “hedge fund.”