Author: Mark Koba

The beige book is an important indicator on the state of the U.S. economy and a critical tool for the Federal Reserve. CNBC explains.

It's not easy, but  teams in places like St. Louis, Milwaukee, Tampa and Minneapolis-St. Paul have found ways to win on the field, as well as economically, against their big-market competitors.

Across the NFL and MLB, team owners know wealthy individuals and big corporations are willing to pay big bucks for a private box. It's an unbeatable formula.

The federal funds rate is a key element in how banks operate in the U.S. So what is it, and how does it affect the banking system? CNBC explains.

Alpha and beta are important tools for many investors when it comes to figuring out investment returns. So what are they exactly and how do they work? CNBC explains.

Preferred stocks are a special class of investments that have several unique features. Those features often make them confusing to investors. So what exactly are preferred stocks? CNBC explains.

Witching hour may sound like a bar promotion on Halloween night, but it's really three important time periods for investors and the markets.  So what are they and how do they impact investors? CNBC explains.

With 401(k)s, IRAs, Roth IRAs, and Social Security benefits, seniors have plenty to figure out when it comes to paying Uncle Sam.

EBITDA may sound like a punch line from a Three Stooges film, but it's really an important tool for investors to figure out if a company that's taken their money, is doing well or not. CNBC explains.

The human tragedy that's become the Penn State University child molestation scandal is forcing some high school students to think twice about attending the college—and whether a PSU diploma still has value.

This is the live blog of the CNBC GOP presidential debate for 2012.

If a politician in the 2012 election is looking for a way into many a voter's heart, there may be no easier way than to propose a repeal of the alternative minimum tax. But both major parties seem anxious to avoid the issue.