MarketFoolery

Standard & Poor's cuts its outlook on U.S. sovereign debt.  Our analysts talk about what it means for investors and debate the commercial success of Men's Wearhouse.

Short-term car-rental company Zip Car and McDonald's South American franchisee Arcos Dorados make their Wall Street debuts. Which IPO holds more promise for investors? And Hasbro reports a sharp decline in first-quarter profits. What's behind the trouble in toyland?

Shares of Alcoa slide after the aluminum producer kicks off earnings season with weaker-than-expected sales.  Is Alcoa a preview of coming attractions?  The NYSE cranks up its party business.   Is the party over for NYSE's traditional stock exchange? And Parents Magazine names its top family-friendly restaurants.  Do family-friendly restaurants make for market-beating stocks?

Japan raises the severity level of its nuclear crisis. Cisco says goodbye to the Flip video camera.  And a federal court rules that the Winklevoss twins can't undo their Facebook settlement and must learn to live with $160 million.

The world's biggest bond fund manager makes a big bet against Uncle Sam.  Wal-Mart bets that greater supply equals greater demand.  And an online video company in China hits it big with investors.  

The Chinese government bans ads that promote luxurious lifestyles.  Google announces plans to revamp YouTube and invest in original programming.

Transocean executives donate part of their bonuses to victims of the Deepwater Horizon explosion.  Monsanto produces big profits thanks to strong demand for corn.  And Dish Network decides to make it a Blockbuster night.

Microsoft gains weight. Apple loses weight. Procter & Gamble unloads a big chip maker.  And some big stocks increase their dividends.

Southwest Airlines cancels hundreds of flights as it conducts safety inspections of its aircraft.  Deepwater Horizon rig operator Transocean awards bonuses to its executives because 2010 was the "best year in safety performance in our company's history."  We discuss those stories and share some of the reactions to our April Fool's Day podcast.

A new day means a whole new (and better!) way to invest.  In a special Friday edition of MarketFoolery, our analysts break down one new investing idea to help you on your way to financial independence.  Hear a fresh new take on the investing styles of Warren Buffett and John Bogle. Plus, the team provides three stock ideas to get you started on your way!