If you're keeping your savings in low-return but "safe" investments, this is the year you need to get your money off the sidelines and into some solid stocks. No stock is risk-free, but these 13 picks are the best we can find for novice investors looking to get their feet wet in the market.
Halloween, the holiday of "boos" and spooky spirits, is also one of the most popular for booze and tasty spirits: The period around Halloween is the second only to the Super Bowl for alcohol sales in the U.S.
The country's troubled history with alcohol -- particularly Prohibition -- had a huge impact on what consumers expect from their alcoholic beverages. The bland, blended spirits that became popular after Prohibition ended are finally giving way to today's thirst for unique and locally made alcoholic beverages.
Don't bet on the stock continuing its upward spiral. Some close watchers of Diageo and the spirits market say the share price is doomed to sputter. "We expect the stock to perform well below the broader market," says Zacks Investment Research.
