In This Issue:

•Local Is Global: Foreign exposure cushions the S&P 500 from U.S. slowdown.
•STARS Status: Changes in S&P analysts' STARS rankings for October 16 through October 20.
•Research & Development Pays Off: Corporations that spend big on R&D offer investors the potential for growth through new or improved products.
•Collecting the Neighbors' Mortgage Payments: For high credit quality and strong yields, consider investing in funds that buy mortgage-backed securities.
•Analog Chip Space Is Ripe for Deals: Standard & Poor's identifies some likely M&A candidates.
•Home Theater Looks Like a Hot Ticket: TVs are flatter, and cheaper, this holiday season - a trend Standard & Poor's believes bodes well for investors looking to fatten their returns.
•General Mills Is Feeling Its Oats: In a highly competitive field, this packaged food giant is staying ahead of the curve with new products and international growth.
•Top Ten Portfolio: This focused list, launched December 31, 2001, has had a total return of 27.1% from inception through September vs. a gain of 26.6% for the S&P 500.

Some of the Companies Featured:

ADC Telecommunications
Adtran
Cooper Cos.
Coventry Health Care
Genuine Parts
Gerdau Ameristeel
Grupo Televisa
Hershey
Hess
Intel
Norsk Hydro
Sciele Pharma
United Technologies
UnitedHealth
VF Corp.
Worthington Industries

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