Joseph Lazzaro

To be sure, it's not a U.S. stock market for rookies, or the squeamish -- it's a market that also can bring out the reactive in even the most experienced investor. Hence with the above in mind, here are 5 time-tested axioms that every investor should keep close by.

Europe's banks borrowed nearly €490 billion or $637 billion from the European Central Bank at its first-ever offer of three-year loans on Wednesday, encouraging demand for the euro and stocks on hopes the funding will ease the two-year old debt crisis. On Wednesday at mid-day, London's FTSE 100 was down 25 points to 5,393, Germany's DAX was down 29 points to 5,819, and France's CAC 40 was off 22 points to 3,033.

Southeast Asian stock markets climbed higher on Wednesday, cheered by better economic news from the United States, with a rally in global oil prices boosting commodities-related shares across the board.

What will it take to get the U.S. economy growing at a faster rate and to stabilize Europe's economy? Courage. The courage to deploy more fiscal stimulus and stabilization funds.

European shares rose on Tuesday in thin trade after a jump in U.S. housing starts, a strong reading of the German Ifo index and a solid Spanish debt auction boosted investor hopes about the global economic outlook.

At least in one region of the county at dinner parties, it's the question that's on the lips of prospective home buyers: will home mortgage interest rates fall more? The average fixed rate for a 30-year mortgage for borrowers with good credit has declined to 3.92 percent,

European stocks edged up in thin pre-holiday trade on Tuesday at mid-day, boosted by a successful Spanish debt auction and a sharp rise in German business sentiment, though strategists said the continuing euro zone debt crisis would limit any gains.

Southeast Asian stock markets were mixed with an easier bias on Tuesday as market players cashed in any quick gains and remained focused on risks attached to the unresolved sovereign debt crisis in the euro zone.

Globalization has provided the United States with many benefits, but it is not without liabilities or problems.

European markets closed mostly lower in thin trade on Monday, with miners among the biggest fallers as weak Chinese housing data fueled worries about demand, and on further fading of optimism about a solution to the Eurozone sovereign debt crisis.

It's been a year that's been short on good news, but Americans can take heart at one trend that's running in their favor: gasoline prices, which declined another 5 cents last week to an average of $3.23 per gallon for regular unleaded; gas prices are also down about 75 cents since May.

European shares advanced in light mid-session trade on Monday at mid-day, led by a sharp rebound in auto stocks, although sentiment remained subdued after negative Fitch comments on the Eurozone crisis and the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.

Japan's Nikkei share average fell to a three-week low on Monday, hurt by news that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il had died and as worries over Europe's debt crisis increased after Fitch Ratings warned of possible downgrades for seven European nations.

One day after saying he favored the payroll tax reduction extension agreement approved by the U.S. Senate, House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said he and his caucus will oppose the tax reduction deal. Boehner said House Republicans now want additional budget reductions to finance the extension agreement.

European markets recorded their worst weekly loss since late November on Friday in a choppy session, as multiple equity derivative contract expiries added to market volatility.

Oil, the lifeblood of the global economy, has plunged more than 10 percent in the past five days, to about $93 per barrel Friday, and the compelling question for investors and motorists alike is -- in early 2012 where does oil head?

Inflation at the consumer level remains moderate -- and that should give the U.S Federal Reserve more time to stimulate the U.S. economy -- something that's good news for investors and job seekers alike.

European shares were slightly higher on Friday at mid-day amid thin trading as miners tracked rising metal prices, offset by lingering concerns over the Eurozone debt crisis and reservations ahead of U.S. inflation data.

Japan's Nikkei share average rose modestly on Friday after signs of strength in the U.S. economy but it slipped for the week, as investors continue to worry about the impact of Europe's debt crisis.

Is now a good time to consider the stock of AutoZone (AZO)?

What's one good short-hand for U.S. investors concerning whether the U.S. economic recovery can endure? Keep an eye on price of gasoline.

U.S. overspending on the military has diverted resources from civilian / social investments, including public goods, weakening the U.S. economy, and, by extension weakening the nation. If it doesn’t substantially cut defense spending, the U.S.’s empire will likely share the fate of two other empires that overspent on the military -- the British Empire and the Soviet Union.

European shares rose on Thursday, recovering around half of the previous session's sharp falls after a Spanish bond auction met good demand and U.S. jobless claims and manufacturing data showed signs of economic improvement in the U.S.

Despite unprecedented quantitative easing by the Fed, and $1 trillion-level U.S. budget deficits, the dollar continues to hold its own against a basket of the world's other, major currencies.

European shares rose on Thursday in thin, pre-holiday trade as recent weakness prompted some bargain hunting, though strategists said political progress on the Eurozone crisis was needed before equities could make much more progress.

Major Southeast Asian stock markets fell on Thursday for the third day, led by banks and commodities as a decline in Chinese factory output added to worries about the global economy and Europe's debt crisis.

Newt Gingrich has risen like the proverbial phoenix from the ashes to become a front-runner for the 2012 Republican Party nomination for president. But is he too old to serve in the most demanding, elected office in the world?

The U.S. Congress sought to avoid a showdown with the White House over detainee policy in the war against al-Qaeda on Monday, with a panel approving new rules for handling terrorism suspects after adding changes wanted by the administration. Further, the White House said senior officials will not recommend that President Barack Obama veto the bill.

European stocks fell on Wednesday as weak commodity prices sparked a selloff in the energy and materials sectors and as a falling euro and high Italian bond yields kept Europe's debt crisis in focus.