Author: Jaime George, Web Producer

It's amazing how corporate attitudes change over time. Sometime in the last nearly 40 years since Earth Day started being observed, "going green" has moved from an idea environmentalists talked about to a mission corporate America aspires to. In tonight's program, I interview Interbrand CEO Andy Bates about a survey his company sponsored. The survey asked consumers which corporate brands they perceive as "most green."

Surprisingly, those surveyed chose no company at all as the number one "most green" brand. But respondents did rate Toyota, BP, The Body Shop, and Honda as the next four "most green" companies. A triumph of corporate propaganda? Or is there something "authentic" that consumers sense about these four brands? Bates thinks that consumers do see a difference, particularly since Toyota and Honda have been first to market with hybrid vehicles. The Body Shop has long held itself as a purveyor of green-only products. BP has spent many billions to develop an alternative energy division.

I haven’t conducted a poll, but I think I’m on solid ground when I say most Americans think the Federal Reserve is boring. (Here, of course, I’m refusing to acknowledge that quite a few Americans have never heard of the Fed.) No doubt there are a handful of Americans out there who get heart palpitations before each FOMC rate cut decision, but I’d be willing to bet that a vast majority of those excitable souls are economists with posters of Irving Fisher above their headboards.

Yet, as we sit waiting for what will likely be the central bank’s second rate cut in just a little over a week, I’m finding the Fed more and more intriguing. I wouldn’t quite say I think the Fed “exciting,” but I did just yesterday pick up a copy of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Review for January/February 2008 and, in it, read a copy of William Poole’s September 28, 2007 speech, “Thinking Like a Central Banker.” (The text of the speech is also available on the St. Louis Fed’s website.)

On tonight's program, NBR anchor Paul Kangas asks "Street Critique" guest Hilary Kramer, Market Strategist and Personal Finance Editor at AOL, to review the stock recommendations she's made over the past few months. As you'll learn in the interview, she picked a lot of winners and only one loser. Her strongest pick posted a more than 60% gain; her loser only a fractional loss. Paul also finds out if Hilary recommends making some profit-taking moves on these plays or staying with them for a while longer. The interview wraps up with Hilary's take on the future. She says be ready for oil's impact.

After watching the interview, how would you evaluate Hilary's picks? And, what impact do you think oil will have on the markets?

To read a transcript of Paul's interview with Hilary Kramer, click this link: Street Critique for October 17, 2007.

We have no plans to recycle NBR anchor Paul Kangas' latest interview with Hilary Kramer, Personal Finance Editor at AOL and author of Ahead of the Curve, but we might want to. After all, the topic of this "Street Critique" is recycling. Hilary says companies can improve their margins by figuring out how to use their waste products. And, those improving margins make them attractive plays. She points to the stocks of four companies that could benefit from a push to recycle, particularly efforts to turn waste into energy.

Do you think recycling is a long-term play?

To read a transcript, including stock picks, of Paul's interview with Hilary Kramer, click this link: Street Critique for October 3, 2007.

It's the end of a quarter on Wall Street, which means it's time to get the market wrap up from Sam Stovall, Chief Investment Strategist at Standard and Poor's. NBR anchor Paul Kangas asks Sam to identify the major winners and losers on the Dow, Nasdaq Composite, and S&P 500. Sam also explains why he was impressed by the how the markets performed in the third quarter. He also offers some general predictions about the 4th quarter and some sector picks.

How did your portfolio fare in the 3rd quarter?

To read a transcript, including sector picks, of Paul's interview with Sam Stovall, click this link: Market Monitor for September 28th, 2007.

On tonight's program, NBR Anchor Paul Kangas gets a "Street Critique" from Kevin Depew, Executive Editor of the financial education website Minyanville.com. Paul and Kevin begin their conversation with a look at the financial sector. Kevin explains why the Fed's recent interest rate cut hasn't had a major impact on financials. Paul also asks Kevin if he thinks the worst is over for the dollar. And, of course, Kevin brings NBR viewers his three latest stock recommendations.

What's your take on the financial sector and Kevin's picks?

To read a transcript, including stock picks, of Paul's interview with Kevin Depew, click this link: Street Critique for September 26, 2007.

On tonight's program, Anchor Paul Kangas chats with "Market Monitor" Michael O'Higgins, President of O'Higgins Asset Management. O'Higgins is known for going after undervalued stocks he calls, "The Dogs of the Dow." Paul begins the interview by asking O'Higgins how the rest of the year will play out for the markets. They also touch on gold before heading into O'Higgins latest stock recommendations.

Are you on the look out for "The Dogs of the Dow?" Have you spotted any that O'Higgins failed to mention in the interview?

To read a transcript, including stock picks, of Paul's interview with Michael O'Higgins, click this link: Market Monitor for September 21st 2007.

On tonight's program, Hilary Kramer, Personal Finance Editor at AOL and author of Ahead of the Curve, is in the "Street Critique" hot seat. She talks to NBR anchor Paul Kangas about how to play the market in the wake of the Federal Reserve's big interest rate cut. Hilary says investors should definitely change their strategies, but only for the short-term. In addition, she warns investors not to get too greedy. Finally, the interview wraps up with some stock picks. This time, Hilary's got her eyes on a number of big cap growth issues.

How much have you altered your investing strategy in the wake of the Fed decision?

To read a transcript, including stock picks, of Paul's interview with Hilary Kramer, click this link: Street Critique for September 19, 2007.

On tonight's program, the "Market Monitor" guest is Stan Weinstein, Editor & Publisher of "Global Trend Alert." Anchor Paul Kangas spends some quality time asking Stan for his take on Wall Stret. He starts off the discussion posing the good old "bull or bear" question. Stan says we're no longer in a healthy bull market. He also explains why this summer's market rally was suspect from the beginning. He also gives his new "worry level" for the Dow and points out that the expanding role of hedge funds in the market means all investors should get used to volatility. Finally, the interview wraps up with some sectors Stan says are still strong and some sectors that should be avoided.

Do you agree with Stan, have hedge funds changed the way the markets work when in comes to volatility?

To read a transcript, including sector picks, of Paul's interview with Stan Weinstein, click this link: Market Monitor for September 14th, 2007.

On tonight's program, NBR Anchor Paul Kangas gets a "Street Critique" from Patrick O'Hare, Editor-in-Chief at Briefing.com. Patrick also authors the Briefing.com's "Bargain Hunting" column. This time, he talks to Paul about some values he's spotted in the retail sector. While some investors might be avoiding the retail sector because of the shakiness in the economy, Patrick's contrarian strategy says investors can jump in -- if they pick the right stocks.

How do retail stocks look to you?

To read a transcript, including stock picks, of Paul's interview with Patrick O'Hare, click this link: Street Critique for September 12, 2007.