Our gifts to you this week: Several reports that offer insight into the 
current market rally. Other topics of discussion include: a way to tap 
your life insurance benefit if you're terminally ill, and how to combine 
your retirement accounts the right way.

Charles Payne, principal analyst of Wall Street Strategies, explains why 
he remains upbeat on stocks despite the lack of a potent Santa Claus 
rally, and lifts his glass to the prospect of seeing Osama bin Laden's 
head on a platter.

Also, equity research columnist Carla Drysdale explains the future 
potential of a new Web-based technology that might have venture 
capitalists drooling.

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Below
--------

- Investment ideas
- Personal finance
- Special reports
- Free and sponsored reports


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

1. INVESTMENT IDEAS
Watch out for Web services
Venture capitalists count the many ways of metaware

By Carla Drysdale, columnist

As technology and the information age continues to both enrich and 
complicate our lives, chief information officers are becoming more 
excited about an emerging field that promises to smooth out some of the 
operational kinks. Web services, or what is sometimes called 
"metaware," may well describe the offering of many companies that 
attract venture financing next year. 

The next stage in the evolution of software, the solution would allow 
companies to transfer business functions to the Internet, and off 
proprietary networks and hardware systems.

The technology would allow a company to send updates to software 
across different operating systems, devices and computers. Instead of 
updating all servers and computers one by one, they could do it once, 
sending it across an entire system. 

Click here to read more.
http://www.multexinvestor.com/article.asp?docid=5375&nd=1222


2. INVESTMENT IDEAS
Heads up!
While a Santa Claus rally did not materialize, it's worth 
paying attention as we head into a brave new year

By Charles Payne, principal analyst, Wall Street Strategies
 
The market, especially technology stocks, had been priced for perfection, 
but the utopian world that investors hoped for is still a work in progress. 
That point was driven home via bad news from Juniper (JNPR), 
Solectron (SLR) and Jabil (JBL), to go along with a series of 
disappointments during the previous week. 

Economic data that came down the pike during the week also painted a 
picture of slow recovery at best. Yet there are reasons for investors to 
feel optimistic while knocking back the eggnog (no doubt spiked a little 
heavier than usual) this Christmas Day. Last week the initial jobless 
claims came in lower than the previous week, stretching this trend to 
three weeks. Now, the four-week average is 438,000, not below the 
pivotal 400,000 but significantly lower than the 508,000 posted just a 
few weeks ago. I know that just because people aren't losing jobs doesn't 
mean they're findi

Click here to read more.
http://www.multexinvestor.com/article.asp?docid=5422&nd=1222



WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR 
--------------------------

Fixed income funds retreat as year-end issues & the Fed rate cuts affect 
returns. Despite another Federal Funds rate cut, taxable income funds 
were down modestly from the previous week. Profit taking and other 
year-end investment strategies also appear to be impacting fund 
performance.
http://www.multexinvestor.com/ExpertInsights/SponsorHome.asp?target=/funds/expertinsights/sponsor&sid=127&nd=1222

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Special reports
-----------------------------------------

1. TODAY'S SPECIAL REPORT 
Friends in low places: There is value to be found in tech funds

Grant's Investor suggests that "technology" and "buying opportunity" are 
no longer mutually- exclusive terms, and that a less risky way to play is 
via closed-end mutual funds. (3-page report, $25)
http://www.multexinvestor.com/download.asp?docid=25131155&nd=1222


2. TODAY'S SPECIAL REPORT 
Addicted to Profits: Bull market or just more bull?

The strong rallies that we have seen in both the Nasdaq and Dow have 
many singing "Bull Market." This report offers technical charts, 
psychological indicators, and fundamental analysis that suggest it is still 
"buyer beware." (20-page report, $5)
http://www.multexinvestor.com/download.asp?docid=25872841&nd=1222

======================== Sponsored by ========================= 

The Telecomm Analyst: Wall Street's daily and weekly industry outlook 

Multex's The Telecomm Analyst features daily telecommunications-industry
specific research highlights, investment ideas, analyst opinions, portfolio 
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 
Garzarelli Capital's Elaine Garzarelli explains her short-term view of the 
market. 

Citing growing bullish sentiment from the investment advisor 
community, Garzarelli explains the drop in her composite market 
readings. Should investors expect a short-term correction? You can pose 
her questions until Tues., Dec. 25. Ask the analyst.
http://www.multexinvestor.com/AskTheAnalystForm.asp?&nd=1222


2. ASK THE EXPERT 
American Century's James Bell discusses some mutual fund tax-planning 
strategies worth considering. 

Bell identifies several tax-related tips that mutual fund investors will 
want to give some thought to as the end of the year rapidly approaches. 
How can you minimize your tax obligations? Pose him your questions 
until Thurs., Dec. 27. Ask the expert.
http://www.multexinvestor.com/AskTheExpertForm.asp?&nd=1222


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

1. DAILY FREE SPONSOR REPORT 
Morgan Stanley rates Capital Trust (CT) an "outperform."

Capital Trust is an investment company that invests in real estate loans 
for its own account and others it manages. This is in addition to banking, 
advisory, and management services. Sign up for Morgan Stanley's free 
research trial to access the report.
http://www.multexinvestor.com/download.asp?docid=25223786&sid=8&nd=1222


2. FREE REPORTS LIST 
Get the goods gratis: Catch up on the week's giveaway research reports.

Lucent (LU), and oil and Internet stocks are just the tip of the iceberg.
http://www.multexinvestor.com/freereports.asp?&nd=1222


3. FREE RESEARCH REPORT 
Take advantage of the Santa Claus rally and January Effect

The market usually experiences a rally in the final weeks of the year, and 
small-cap stocks continue to rally into January. This hot fund may be just 
the play if these winter traditions come through this year. The report is 
free for a limited time.
http://www.multexinvestor.com/download.asp?docid=1856001&nd=1222

You can also download a free Morningstar snapshot report for CGMFX:  
http://www.multexinvestor.com/jp.asp?id=nl_CGMFX1222

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Be sure to check out our other newsletters, The Internet Analyst 
and The Telecomm Analyst by Multex.com. The newsletters will 
inform, educate, and entertain you with usable investment data, 
ideas, experts, and info about the Internet and telecommunications 
sectors. To see this week's issue, 
click here: 
http://www.thetelecommanalyst.com/ or 
http://www.theinternetanalyst.com/