As volatility and uncertainty roil the markets, many investors are ready to hit the sell button. But before you make an expensive mistake, consider the stability offered by gold standard names in the consumer staples sector. These businesses can cushion and diversify your portfolio in even the worst bear markets. Stocks: XLP, PG, MCD, TJX, WMT

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Are cryptocurrencies still compelling long-term investments? In this episode of Industry Focus: Financials, host Jason Moser interviews The Motley Fool’s cryptocurrency expert Aaron Bush to find out the answer. Plus, Moser and Fool.com contributor Matt Frankel, CFP discuss earnings from fintech favorite Square (NYSE: SQ), The Motley Fool’s new personal finance brand The Ascent, as well as two stocks that are on their radar this week.

The market has not been kind to Chinese tech stocks Alibaba, Baidu, Tencent, and iQiyi in 2018. With trade war threats and local regulations eating into investor optimism, could this be a good time to scoop up shares of these beaten up companies?

Stocks: IQ, TCEHY, BABA, BIDU

With Motley Fool's annual Foolapalooza gathering this week, we go to the Industry Focus Vault to bring back this episode. Michael Douglass and Fool.com Contributor Lou Whiteman discuss investment opportunities in the commercial space and defense industrie

Why Alkermes once-promising depression drug failed to impress the FDA's advisory committee. Plus, how a $1.2 billion acquisition of Pacific Biosciences could move the needle at Illumina. Stocks: ALKS, ILMN, PACB

Earnings season is here, and we’re digging into three reports from the past week. First, we look at the bullish market response to results from Under Armour and Starbucks as their businesses pick up momentum heading into the holiday season. Then, we turn our attention to El Pollo Loco, the California-based fast casual restaurant chain, and its own recovery effort.

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It was yet another big week for earnings, and the IRS announced a big change for retirement savers.

Intro: We’re now a few weeks into earnings season, and some of our favorite financials stocks just reported their latest results. Plus, wages are growing faster than they have in years and Americans can look forward to saving a little more for retirement in 2019. In this week’s episode of Industry Focus: Financials, host Jason Moser and Fool.com contributor Matt Frankel, CFP discuss all of this news and more.

Earnings season never disappoints. Apple posted seemingly strong results, but the market was disappointed in changes to its reporting and guidance. Ditto for Spotify, who made some changes to its expected subscriber counts for 2018 and sold off after its report. But Fitbit made a statement with the success of its smartwatch segment and shares are up over 30%.

Should Apple and Spotify investors be worried? And Does Fitbit belong on your watch list?

Stocks: AAPL, SPOT, FIT

With the recent market volatility, many stocks have fallen near 52-week lows. We discuss several of these stocks to determine whether they are a “Trick” or a “Treat” for your portfolio, and break down whether the market’s recent swoon should have you spooked.

October's stock market correction was frightful, and some stocks have been particularly ghoulish performers this year, but fear not dear listeners, because we've got some advice that can help you keep your head in terrifying times.