M organ Stanley MS-N is considering the way it compensates its top executives, looking to defer more pay and benchmark salaries against rivals, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday, citing people familiar with the matter. The move reflects Wall Street’s effort to minimize criticism of its pay practices and at the same time maintain its executive talent, the Journal reported. Earlier this month, Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

Major stock indexes extended gains into a seventh day following better readings on home prices and consumer confidence. The reports Tuesday came in largely as expected, showing a continuing gradual improvement in the economy. The Conference Board said its index of consumer confidence rose to 52.9 in December from 49.5 in November

Morgan Stanley is considering the way it compensates its top executives, looking to defer more pay and benchmark salaries against rivals, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday, citing people familiar with the matter. The move reflects Wall Street’s effort to minimize criticism of its pay practices and at the same time maintain its executive talent, the Journal reported.

T he latest auto industry forecast from Scotia Economics predicts a strong recovery in 2010. The bank says a cyclical recovery in global auto sales that began in the spring of 2009 will gain momentum in the new year. It says the emerging markets of China, India and Brazil will lead the way and the U.S

U .S. consumer confidence improved more than expected in December, hitting a three-month high as job market pessimism eased and consumers’ expectations reached a two-year high, according to a private report released on Tuesday. The Conference Board, an industry group, said its index of consumer attitudes rose to 52.9 in December from a revised 50.6 in November

O ne of the most popular New Year’s resolutions is to get into better shape. It’s been at the top of my list many times and one that I’ve been thinking about yet again over the holidays. It’s easy to stay fit on a budget during the summer, when you can take to the streets to walk and run or play a variety of outdoor sports.

Cash In On China’s Shift To Renewable Energy Tony Daltorio, the Investment U Research Team When investing legend Warren Buffet makes an investment, it makes the front page… usually. Somehow though, when Buffet took a 10% stake in BYD Ltd. ADR (PINK: BYDDY ) – a small Chinese battery and electric car company – hardly anyone on Wall Street noticed.