Personal Finance Daily: More jobs than you may realize

Personal Finance Daily FEBRUARY 03, 2012 Friday's Personal Finance Stories By MarketWatch Don't miss these top stories: Super Bowl XLVI: The countdown  Investing in foreclosures: How one company does it Employment up nearly 2 million since summer Why Facebook is likely to do a face-plant New rules to bring annuities to 401(k)s, IRAs The U.S. economy added 243,000 jobs in January, some much-need good news after a long drought — though the past six months have been better, on the jobs front, than you may realize. In recent months, it's often been said that the unemployment rate is falling mainly because fewer people are looking for work. But the government report today points to a different — and rosier — picture. For more, read Rex Nutting's commentary today, linked above and below. Also, check out Amy Hoak's video today for a look at how one real-estate firm chooses foreclosure properties to invest in, remodel and rent out. And if you're excited about investing in Facebook, think again. Chuck Jaffe names the tech firm as his Stupid Investment of the Week. — Andrea Coombes , Personal Finance editor Super Bowl XLVI: The countdown Sunday's match-up between the New England Patriots and New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI could draw a record TV audience. It already has enticed 7,500 to pay for entrance to the event's media day this week. Super Bowl XLVI: The countdown. Super Bowl parties: the do's and don'ts Here's what to do, and not to do, when hosting or attending a Super Bowl party. Plus: predictions for the game's final score.  Watch video: Super Bowl parties: the do's and don'ts. REAL ESTATE Investing in foreclosures: How one company does it Buying foreclosures to turn them into rental properties is tricky business. Mack Companies, a Chicago real-estate firm, invests in about one out of every 40 homes it inspects. MarketWatch's Amy Hoak looks at why some make the cut and others don't.  Watch video: Investing in foreclosures: How one company does it. How to sell a share in your home There are several ways to sell a share in your home, from sharing the space with others to selling future equity to an investor, Lew Sichelman writes. How to sell a share in your home. States have until Monday to join bank settlement A deadline looms for states to decide whether they want to take part in a legal settlement, potentially valued in the billions, over big banks' foreclosure practices. States have until Monday to join bank settlement RETIREMENT New rules to bring annuities to 401(k)s, IRAs The Obama administration on Thursday proposed new rules aimed at encouraging retirement savers to tap annuities and other products that allow them to turn their savings into a guaranteed monthly income for life. New rules to bring annuities to 401(k)s, IRAs. ECONOMY & POLITICS Employment up nearly 2 million since summer Over the past six months, employment as measured by the household survey has increased by 1.98 million, the biggest increase in more than six years, reports Rex Nutting. Employment up nearly 2 million since summer. Four good charts, and a bad one, on jobs report See the jobs report (and a few others) in graphical form, and take a poll on your views. Four good charts, and a bad one, on jobs report. U.S. adds 243,000 jobs in January The economy generates 243,000 jobs in January as the nation's unemployment rate dips to 8.3%. Most sectors of the economy add workers, in U.S. adds 243,000 jobs in January. Reactions from economists, D.C. to jobs data Economists, the White House and lawmakers react to Friday's employment report showing that the U.S. added 243,000 jobs in January and the unemployment rate fell to 8.3%. Reactions from economists, D.C. to jobs data. Services activity picks up in January Services activity in January reaches the highest level in 11 months, according to an index released Friday that also suggests hiring on the rise. Services activity picks up in January. INVESTING Why Facebook is likely to do a face-plant You might like Facebook, but dig into the registration paperwork for the company's massive IPO and the social-networking firm gets a big thumbs down. In fact, says Chuck Jaffe, it's the Stupid Investment of the Week. Why Facebook is likely to do a face-plant. Don't write bank stocks a big check Money managers and strategists chime in on the prospects for the U.S. financial sector and how they are approaching these stocks, which have enjoyed a strong rally. Don't write bank stocks a big check. Major investors buying emerging-market debt Behind a blizzard of negative headlines about the developed world's debt problems, emerging-market bonds in Asia and elsewhere are catching the eye of global investment managers looking not just for yield, but also for stability and sustainable growth. Major investors buying emerging-market debt. ETF managed portfolios still finding their way One advantage exchange-traded funds have over traditional mutual funds is they can be traded throughout the day. That's also a disadvantage for most investors, writes Conrad de Aenlle. ETF managed portfolios still finding their way. 10 ways to trade penny stocks The allure of penny stocks is simple: They don't cost much money and promise big profits. But trading penny stocks is also a good way to lose money, writes Michael Sincere. Here are 10 ways to trade smartly. 10 ways to trade penny stocks. Tiny tech start-up lures high-powered backers It is the tiniest of tech start-ups, with a string of quarterly losses and a stock that trades for pennies. But eCrypt Technologies has an impressive list of high-powered supporters, reports Al Lewis. Tiny tech start-up lures high-powered backers. The sweatshop price of Apple's huge success Apple's phenomenal success comes at a price: The iPad and the iPhone are manufactured in some of the world's worst electronic sweatshops. The sweatshop price of Apple's huge success. Apple's supply chain problem Logistics and supply chain professionals suspect that Apple Inc.'s operating procedure will undergo significant change in order to recover from its recent public relations disaster. Apple's supply chain problem. Gold's rally will soon come to an end Despite its recent highs, is gold vulnerable to a short-term pullback, if not worse? Mark Hulbert has some answers. Gold's rally will soon come to an end. Invest in Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia is further opening its investment markets to foreigners — and the word is: buy, says Thomas Kostigen. Invest in Saudi Arabia. Get the latest news on our mobile site: http://www.marketwatch.com/m MarketWatch has sent you this newsletter because you signed up to receive it. To ensure you receive this newsletter in the future, please add marketwatchmail.com to your list of approved senders. Sent to: kumaresan.selva.blogger@gmail.com Unsubscribe | Subscribe Copyright 2012 MarketWatch, Inc. All rights reserved. MarketWatch, the MarketWatch logo, and BigCharts are registered trademarks of MarketWatch, Inc. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy (updated 6/26/07). MarketWatch - Attn: Customer Service, 201 California St., San Francisco, CA 94111