FOOL ON THE HILL An Investment Opinion
Investing for the Long Haul
By Richard McCaffery (TMF Gibson)

The only kind of investing we talk about at The Motley Fool is long-term investing. It's what we believe in. If you're going to invest for the short term, however, know you're playing a game based on market sentiment, not on business fundamentals.
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RULE BREAKER PORTFOLIO A QuickNews Extra
Break Down: Phone.com
By Bill Mann (TMF Otter)

Phone.com is the leading provider of software, servers, and applications for the wireless Internet. It is a founding signatory of the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), and has therefore deeply insinuated its technology and services to the carriers that have signed on to use WAP. Phone.com's recent merger with Software.com brings a heavy hitter, Donald Listwin, into the lead chair, and could turn this up-and-comer into a wireless powerhouse.
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E*Trade Sets Up Target
By Nico Detourn (TMF Nico)

E*Trade's acquisitions and alliances are part of its "high touch/high tech" strategy to diversify its revenue stream, attract new customers, and democratize the financial services industry -- and, let's not forget, capture "a growing share of wallet."
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Plug Power's CEO Resigns
By Brian Lund (TMF Tardior)

The CEO of Plug resigned immediately without explanation. The company has done a poor job recently communicating with investors about major issues, including changes in its contract with its largest customer and a serious revenue shortfall in the latest quarter. These problems may be the reason for the CEO's departure.
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The Soul of CBS's Survivor
By Rick Aristotle Munarriz (TMF Edible)

The reality-based television craze hit a new high with last night's two-hour Survivor finale. While some of the publicly traded winners are obvious, the impact the show will have on the entertainment industry might be more than the industry bargained for.
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FOOL PLATE SPECIAL An Investment Opinion
Albertson's In Wal-Mart's Crosshairs?
By Richard McCaffery (TMF Gibson)

Albertson's warned investors of lower earnings as higher costs, lower same-store sales, and competition from Wal-Mart's fast-growing Supercenters hurt the second quarter. Albertson's is, by many accounts, a very well-run franchise, though it has had trouble integrating American Stores. Unfortunately, it's unclear to one Fool -- following an interview with a company spokesperson -- how the company really differentiates itself.
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BREAKFAST WITH THE FOOL
VA Linux Grows Revenue, Reduces Losses
By Chris Rugaber (TMF RFK)

Computer software and services company VA Linux (Nasdaq: LNUX) jumped in after-hours trading last night after reporting a smaller-than-expected loss in its fiscal fourth quarter. Excluding non-cash charges, the company lost $0.10 per share, five cents ahead of consensus analysts' estimates of a $0.15 per share loss. Including amortization and other non-cash charges, losses were $1.15 per share.
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Today's Market Movers

Ups

Appliance maker Maytag (NYSE: MYG) added $3 11/16 to $41 today following reports -- started by The New York Times -- that Sweden's Electrolux (Nasdaq: ELUX) was considering the company for a $4 billion buyout. No deal is imminent, according to reports, but $4 billion would represent a significant premium to the Maytag's Wednesday-night market capitalization of about $2.89 billion.

Computer server company VA Linux (Nasdaq: LNUX) grabbed $6 7/8 to $44 today after last night reporting a smaller-than-expected loss for its fiscal fourth quarter. Excluding non-cash charges, the company lost $0.10 per share, five cents ahead of consensus analysts' estimates. Including amortization and other non-cash charges, losses were $1.15 per share.

Handheld computing devices company Palm Inc. (Nasdaq: PALM) rose $2 to $39 as Goldman Sachs analysts Vik Mehta and Amir Karim initiated coverage of the firm, adding it to its "recommended list."

Compound wafer fabrication systems manufacturer EMCORE Corp. (Nasdaq: EMKR) rose $3 7/16 to $101 1/2 on news that its board declared a two-for-one stock split effective Sept. 25. For more on stock splits, check out our Fool FAQ or our split calendar.

Stem cell-related companies picked up speed today following yesterday's news that the U.S. government approved controversial guidelines for human embryo stem cell research funding. Human embryos contain stem cells, which promise head-spinning medical advances in cancer and other disease treatments, organ transplants, and drug development. Among the notables leading a broad biotech advance: StemCells Inc. (Nasdaq: STEM), which rose $2 9/32 to $9 21/32, and Geron (Nasdaq: GERN), up $6 3/16 to $31 11/16 today.

Downs

Broadband communications equipment firm Next Level Communications (Nasdaq: NXTV) was trashed for a loss of $49 13/16 to $41 3/4 after Lehman Brothers cut its rating on the shares to the dreaded "neutral" from "buy," citing worries about future digital equipment sales to Qwest Communications (Nasdaq: Q). A Qwest spokesman told Bloomberg that it was "speculation," while Next Level CEO Peter Keeler said the company had yet to hear such news from Qwest.

Contact lens maker Bausch & Lomb (NYSE: BOL) was cracked for a loss of $19 7/8 to $35 7/8 on news that 2000 sales, excluding a recent acquisition, could end up lower than last year's. The company also lowered next year's earnings projections just a month after affirming its ability to meet market estimates. In a likely attempt to show investors it means business and reclaim credibility with the Street, the company sacrificed COO Carl Sassano, who was fired.

IT consulting firm American Management Systems (Nasdaq: AMSY) lost $6 13/16 to $15 on news that a Mississippi jury ruled yesterday that the company owes the state damages totaling more than $474 million in a contract dispute case. The company intends to appeal, calling the award "inexplicable" because the contract was valued at $11.2 million and just slightly more than half of that had been paid.

Craft supplies retailer Michaels Stores (Nasdaq: MIKE) retreated $5 7/16 to $41 5/8 today as at least one analyst downgraded the company's shares -- though another raised her target price and maintained a "buy" rating. Michaels last night reported fiscal Q2 (ended July 29) EPS of $0.16, three cents better than expected and $0.13 ahead of last year's mark.

Editors' Pick: