In today's issue: Uncle Sam has offered up more tax breaks for
Americans. Find out how the changes could affect you. Plus, learn how
long-term disability insurance protects your income if you get sick or
injured.

Looking for a winning small-cap index fund? We'll tell you about one in
today's featured report. And don't miss Morningstar's quarterly reviews
of Vanguard and Fidelity.

Also, Multex Investor director of investment research Marc Gerstein
urges investors to trust themselves, and William Valentine, CFA, takes
stock of the depth of the recession and offers investment advice to fit
the diagnosis.

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Below
---------
- Investment ideas
- Broker and third-party reports
- Personal finance
- Online advice
- Free and sponsored reports


Investment ideas
-----------------------------------------

1. INVESTING STRATEGIES
Dumbing down
Being smart is not necessarily the best way to protect yourself from
troublesome accounting.

By Marc Gerstein, director of investment research

Believe it or not, financial engineering may be a worse problem.
Because it's legal, and praised in some circles, more companies are
willing to do it. As noted, financial engineers do not lie. Instead,
they tell you the truth about questions you really ought not be asking,
and distracting you from issues that may be more important.
Click here to read more.
http://www.multexinvestor.com/article.asp?docid=6229&nd=0126


2. INVESTMENTOR
Hard and soft recessions
Is the market's recent rally the start of a bull run? To answer that
question, look at the economy.

by William Valentine, CFA

Recessions, like boiled eggs, run hard or soft (...he says, scraping the
bottom of the simile barrel).

Hard and soft recessions differ by the damage they inflict and the
amount of time they cover. Not surprisingly, the severity of the recession
dictates the pain the stock market goes through. But since the market
dips and recovers before the economy, it's important to speculate on the
economy when considering whether the most recent stock rally is the
start of a bull run, or a bear market correction.
Click here to read more.
http://www.multexinvestor.com/article.asp?docid=6394&nd=0126


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Broker and third-party reports
-----------------------------------------

1. TODAY'S SPECIAL REPORT
Morningstar 4th Quarter Report for Fidelity Funds

In the fourth quarter, Fidelity's anti-technology bias hurt it for the first
time in two years. Up until then, this bias protected many of Fidelity's
funds from the technology sell-off. The report includes reviews of all
Fidelity's funds. (14-page report, $20)
http://www.multexinvestor.com/download.asp?docid=26026565&nd=0126


2. TODAY'S SPECIAL REPORT
Morningstar 4th Quarter Report for Vanguard Funds

Vanguard's growth snapped back in the fourth quarter, and as usual the
majority of its funds beat their competitors. This report includes reviews
of all Vanguard's funds and a forecast for the future.  (10-page report,
$20)
http://www.multexinvestor.com/download.asp?docid=26026576&nd=0126


Personal finance
-----------------------------------------

1. Taxes on MultexPF
Tax changes for 2002

Uncle Sam has given us lots of goodies this year: lower income tax
rates, parental tax credits, and higher contribution limits on retirement
plans, to name a few. Find out which changes affect you.
http://www.multexinvestor.com/Topic.asp?target=/personalfinance/taxes/item&ForumID=23&DocID=5929&nd=0126


2. Insurance on MultexPF
Protect your income

If you're like most people, when you think about insurance, you think
about insuring your life. But what could possibly be more important than
insuring your income? Explore the topic of long-term disability insurance
before it's too late.
http://www.multexinvestor.com/Topic.asp?target=/personalfinance/insurance/item&ForumID=25&DocID=6279&nd=0126


3. Mortgage on MultexPF
Bargain-basement real estate

Looking to diversify into real estate? Thousands of parcels of property
end up in foreclosure every year. Finding and buying these properties
isn't easy, but it's possible to get great deals this way.
http://www.multexinvestor.com/Topic.asp?target=/personalfinance/mortgages/item&ForumID=22&DocID=6071&nd=0126


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strategies: http://www.multexinvestor.com/Analysts/HomeTTA.asp

To be sure you receive your TTA newsletter every week, click here:
http://www.multexinvestor.com/login.asp
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Online advice and chats
-----------------------------------------

1. ASK THE ANALYST
Schaeffer's Research's Bernie Schaeffer discusses recent price action
in major market averages.

Calling latest trading activity "disturbing," Schaeffer explains why his
chart analysis reveals bearish indications. What are some key levels
that investors should watch in the Dow, Nasdaq, and S&P averages?
You can ask him questions until Mon., Jan. 28.
http://www.multexinvestor.com/AskTheAnalystForm.asp?&nd=0126

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newsletter for ONE MONTH FREE!  No credit card required. BERNIE
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2. ASK THE EXPERT
Ronald E. Newton with Insurance.com talks about how much auto
insurance you really need.

In reality, there is often a large gap between the insurance you're
required to carry and what you should carry.  Ask Ronald E. Newton of
Insurance.com your questions.  He will take investor questions until
Thurs., Feb. 7.
http://www.multexinvestor.com/AskTheExpertForm.asp?&nd=0126


Free and sponsored reports
-----------------------------------------

1. DAILY FREE SPONSOR REPORT
Morgan Stanley rates Duke-Weeks Realty (DRE) an "outperform."

Duke-Weeks Realty offers instant diversification with interests in more
than 960 different industrial and office properties. Sign up for the
free Morgan Stanley research trial to access the report.
http://www.multexinvestor.com/download.asp?docid=4554435&sid=8&nd=0126


2. FREE REPORTS LIST
Amazing Amazon, semiconductors, and portfolio
management strategies
http://www.multexinvestor.com/freereports.asp?&nd=0126


3. FREE RESEARCH REPORT
Morningstar Report: Vanguard Small Cap Value Index (VISVX)
Index fund fans seeking small-cap exposure should check out Vanguard
Small-Cap Value Index.

Even index fund investors should seek diversification. This fund could be
a pleasant addition to your portfolio. It has enjoyed returns that have well
exceeded the S&P 500 since that index has entered the bear market.
This report is free for a limited time.
http://www.multexinvestor.com/download.asp?docid=4042800&nd=0126


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Be sure to check out our other newsletters, The Internet Analyst
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ideas, experts, and info about the Internet and telecommunications
sectors. To see this week's issue,
click here:
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