Fear factor: Investors are scared again

The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Paul R. La Monica. Other than Time Warner, the parent of CNNMoney, Abbott Laboratories and AbbVie, La Monica does not own positions in any individual stocks.

It's not too late to find that perfect, fright-inducing Halloween costume. Might I suggest you go as a Wall Street trader?

Investors are once again pretty scared about where stocks are going next. CNNMoney's Fear & MORE

Traders go gaga over BABA!

The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Paul R. La Monica. Other than Time Warner, the parent of CNNMoney, Abbott Laboratories and AbbVie, La Monica does not own positions in any individual stocks.

How's this for meta? The chatter on social media (particularly on Twitter) seems to show that investors are a lot more excited about the Alibaba (BABA) initial public offering than they were for Twitter's (TWTR) MORE

Don't freak out about the Fed

The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Paul R. La Monica. Other than Time Warner, the parent of CNNMoney, Abbott Laboratories and AbbVie, La Monica does not own positions in any individual stocks.

It looks like the normally non-emotional bond market is throwing a little hissy fit.

The reason? Investors are worried that the Federal Reserve might finally shut off the low interest rate policy that's been resuscitating the American economy MORE

Biggest iPhone 6 winner? Sprint

The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Paul R. La Monica. Other than Time Warner, the parent of CNNMoney, Abbott Laboratories and AbbVie, La Monica does not own positions in any individual stocks.

The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus couldn't have come at a better time for Sprint and its new CEO Marcelo Claure.

Even though Sprint (S) is one of many carriers that will be selling Apple's MORE

Apple who? Microsoft, Intel rule Dow

The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Paul R. La Monica. Other than Time Warner, the parent of CNNMoney, Abbott Laboratories and AbbVie, La Monica does not own positions in any individual stocks.

PCs aren't dead yet. Sure, you're probably reading this on a phone or tablet. Maybe you'll one day see stories right in front of your eyes on your Google Glass or Oculus Rift.

But big businesses MORE

Staples-Office Depot merger? Why?

The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Paul R. La Monica. Other than Time Warner, the parent of CNNMoney, Abbott Laboratories and AbbVie, La Monica does not own positions in any individual stocks.

There is a famous saying about two wrongs not making a right. But what about three wrongs?

Shares of troubled office supply superstore Staples (SPLS) surged more than 8% Tuesday and were up again Wednesday. Why? MORE

Should there be a new Buffett rule?

The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Paul R. La Monica. Other than Time Warner, the parent of CNNMoney, Abbott Laboratories and AbbVie, La Monica does not own positions in any individual stocks.

Billionaire investor Warren Buffett famously pointed out a few years ago that his secretary pays a higher federal income tax rate than he does.

That led to calls by President Obama for a proposed Buffett Rule, MORE

Should J.C. Penney close 300 more stores?

Can J.C. Penney close its way to prosperity? JPMorgan analyst Matthew Boss seems to think so -- and it looks like the market agrees.

Shares of J.C. Penney (JCP) rose more than 5% Monday and are on track to close at their highest price since last September. The stock is now up nearly 20% in 2014.

To put that in perspective, the still unprofitable retailer is having a better year on MORE

How to stay safe in a scary market

The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Paul R. La Monica. Other than Time Warner, the parent of CNNMoney, Abbott Laboratories and AbbVie, La Monica does not own positions in any individual stocks.

Remember how stocks did nothing but go up all the time? That's so 2013.

Volatility is back. Investors are growing increasingly jittery about geopolitical flare-ups in Ukraine and Gaza (and beyond). People are worried about market MORE

'The Big Bang Theory' actors get $25,000 an hour

Call it the ultimate revenge of the nerds -- or, at least, the actors playing nerds. The cast of the hit CBS (CBS) show "The Big Bang Theory" are receiving stunning raises for the upcoming seasons.

Cast members portraying Sheldon Cooper, Leonard Hofstadter and Penny will now make $1 million each an episode. That's akin to what the 'Friends' actors got at the end of that show's historic run -- MORE