Discusses print and World Wide Web resources on personal finance, investments, and other business information and provides an annotated bibliography of investment and the stock market sites: meta sites, stock quotes, market news, data and analysis, brokerage firms, and sites for beginning investors. Includes addresses. (PEN)

When users of an extension home study course on investing (68 print, 127 online) were surveyed, 44-45% rated it valuable/very valuable; those with no prior experience found it most helpful; 70% had made investments. Changes included use of new resources (63.4%), increased knowledge of fraud (56.1%), and investigation of specific investments…

With the variety of available investment options and a volatile securities market, it is vital that boards make wise choices about employee retirement programs. Issues to consider when discussing pension-plan changes are presented. (Author/MLW)

As the business environment becomes more global, so should a college or university's investment portfolio. Global diversification is becoming increasingly important in controlling risk and enhancing return. This article examines the size of bond markets and returns on bond investments in several nations, performance of world equity markets, and…

A survey of 333 Fortune 500 firms received 81 replies indicating that (1) two-thirds formally recognized the value of human resources; (2) most had changed corporate policy regarding human capital; and (3) most training was provided in the ares of new employee orientation, current job needs, customer relations, personal development, and…

The problems that poverty, recession, racism, and disinvestment create for communities must be attacked through grassroots community involvement. Cooperative community planning can result in a more positive socioeconomic cycle. (SK)

College investment policy concerning the mix of stocks and bonds in the endowment portfolio has been made far too complicated. Except for unusual circumstances, the equity (common stocks) percentage should be very high. Total investment in equities will generate enormous differences in endowment fund value over a long period of time. (MSE)

Discusses teaching about the financial market as it relates to family finances, savings, and business. Explains ways of making these relationships clear to students through diagrams, activities, games, and role playing. Suggests questions to focus on that highlight the relationship between the rate of return and the risks involved. (DK)

College and university business officers are encouraged to implement an endowment distribution method that increases the amount distributed by a fixed annual percentage based on asset mix, inflation, and expected return. Such a payout system provides a predictable, steadily increasing level of endowment income yet maintains the purchasing power of…

Presents a country-by-country analysis of investment opportunities in Latin American telecommunications. Concludes: Brazil and Mexico are the major focus of interest and expectations; wireless and cellular are expanding rapidly; the expansion of regulatory reform, as promised to the World Trade Organization (WTO) should foster necessary monopolies…

Districts should develop a conservative investment policy, give the finance director appropriate latitude, and avoid using local banks as investment brokers. They should secure adequate bank protection against things going wrong, use competitive bidding, expect interest rates to fluctuate, and accept risk the district can live with. (MLH)

Presents components of human resource accounting (HRA)--description of human resource costs, estimation of return on investment, estimation of human resource values. Reviews research on the influence of HRA on decision making, concluding that a number of factors inhibit its effective use. (SK)

The investment strategy of Orange County (California), which led to insolvency of its investment pool, is analyzed and lessons applicable to institutions of higher education are examined. Focus is on two elements: leveraged investment strategy that depended on stable or declining interest rates, and a liquidity crisis. It is concluded that…

Reports on the spectacular returns on investments (especially in venture capital) reported by American universities with high endowments in 1999. Lists endowment performance by the nation's wealthiest 25 universities noting such returns as almost 60 percent by Duke University (North Carolina) and the University of Notre Dame (Indiana). Considers…

Suggests that college governing board investment committees should respond to the current economic and terrorism-related crisis by using SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) to examine factors that can crystallize money-management decision points. (EV)