General Electric

On the 2012 Interbrand list of the world's most valuable brands, the top seven are the same as in 2011, with Coca-Cola leading the way. Then we get to No. 8. That spot used to be held by wireless phone giant Nokia, but Apple has knocked it down -- way down.

In 2011, the S&P 500 Index went nowhere. In fact, it lost a little. But you don't have to suffer just because stock prices stay flat -- if you buy companies that pay strong dividends, like these 4 options in the defense sector.

Thirty large American corporations -- all of them profitable -- spent more money on lobbying than they paid in federal taxes from 2008 to 2010, according to a report from the nonpartisan reform group Public Campaign.

Earlier this year, Ethisphere published its fifth annual list of the World's Most Ethical Companies. You'll be interested in which ones made the top of the list, but what's more important is how -- and how well they do by doing good.

Talk about volatility: Since Oct. 1, there has been only one trading day where the market hasn't swung by at least 1% between its low and high points. This sort of market leads many investors to make big mistakes, but we have some time-tested tactics that will help you avoid the pitfalls.

What's going to fix the economy? An entrepreneurial spirit, a free market, and the infrastructure to bring them together to bear fruit will help the U.S. pull through. But what we really need are three things that on the surface seem less concrete than new tax laws and regulatory changes: certainty, innovation, and, most importantly, time.

What makes a truly great leader? Attention to detail, a vision for the future, or maybe a strong personality? How about an education from Harvard or another top business school? Maybe the formula for superior leadership is much simpler; maybe the best way to spot a great leader is simply to look for someone who doesn't focus on profits.