First in a new series based on information from Standard & Poor’s—the leading financial information organization—Standard & Poor’s Guide to Money & Investing demystifies the world of stocks, bonds, mutual funds, futures, and options, empowering you to make informed investment decisions, measure your performance, and evaluate the risks and rewards. Completely up-to-date to reflect significant changes in investing due to new technologies and the Internet, this concise, easy-to-read guide explains how to understand the markets, evaluate companies, and spot trends to invest for success. Also covered are forces driving the economy and the roles of institutions from the Federal Reserve to multinational banks to the stock exchanges