Question: At the stock exchange, every time someone sells stock, someone else is buying it. Last fall, when the Dow dropped from 16,000 to 8,000, mutual funds, retirement funds, insurance companies, etc. were selling. Who was buying? Who owns all…

Question: My high school daughter asked me a question I can’t answer. Can the Dow fall to zero or into negative numbers? Paul Solman: Ah, at last. A question I can definitively answer: ABSOLUTELY…

Mar 23

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After the Treasury Department released its plan today to rid banks of so-called “toxic assets” by enticing private investors to partner with the government, Paul Solman answered questions on the basics of the plan. What exactly are…

Question: I am curious how you believe we should balance helping big companies with also helping their customers. The number one basic business principle is: Businesses don’t do well without customers. Solution: Provide customers. Here’s a case in…

Question: Is the Federal Reserve “federal” as the name implies, or is it as “federal as Federal Express,” meaning a private, for-profit corporation? I’ve heard it both ways and would like the answer clarified by a hard-hitting reporter whose willing…