In This Issue:

•World Won't Sniffle If U.S. Sneezes: Local demand drives global "decoupling."
•STARS Status: Changes in S&P analysts' STARS rankings for November 13 through November 17.
•The Politics of Defense: Strategic threats to the United States overshadow the shift in power in Washington.
•Donkeys at the Pump: The incoming Democratic-dominated Congress may introduce legislation unfriendly to the energy sector.
•Dems Pledge Light Regulatory Touch for Financials: S&P thinks the impact on financial services will be mixed.
•Avoiding Debt Risk: Companies with low debt loads are often a better choice than highly leveraged ones.
•Buying a Home in Your 20s: American dream or American nightmare? And are there better things to do with your money?
•Chevron for Renewable Returns: This major oil company has an impressive array of development projects, and its acquisition of Unocal is paying dividends.
•Harness Our Quant Power: Standard & Poor's Neural Fair Value 25 Portfolio buys what are deemed undervalued issues with superior return potential.

Some of the Companies Featured:

ADC Telecommunications
AutoDesk
Career Education
Dick's Sporting Goods
Edwards Lifesciences
Emisphere Technologies
First Marblehead
Hutchison Telecom
Pier 1 Imports
Robert Half International
Salesforce.com
Spectrum Brands
Telefonica
Tyson Foods
W.W. Grainger

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