DDRX

Who would have thought back in the dark days of the March lows that 2009 would end up being an outstanding year for equities? It may not feel like it, but the blue-chip Dow Industrials just enjoyed the best annual gain since 2003.

There's a bidding war brewing over Diedrich Coffee (DDRX), the maker of single-serving cups of joe for home or office percolation. Diedrich agreed on Nov. 2 to sell itself to Peet's Coffee and Tea (PEET), the java chain that is said to have inspired Starbucks (SBUX). But now Peet's has...