What do frozen desserts, designer handbags, and underwear have in common? Two of the best investment opportunities this decade. Allow me to explain…

A single company – one you’re probably familiar with – sold all three seemingly unrelated products. A few years ago, Sara Lee Corp (SLE:NYSE ) – maker of frozen (yet tasty) pies and cakes – owned hundreds of brands, many of which made no sense.

For instance, the frozen cheesecake manufacturer was the sole owner of Coach handbags and Hanes underwear. These two subsidiaries obviously didn’t make much sense to the company. That’s why – during two separate transactions – Sara Lee’s management and board of directors divested them through a process known as a spinoff.

Spinoffs are common in the business world. They can present smart investors with huge opportunities and sometimes, less fortunate investors with even larger losses. Spinoffs are usually as simple as they sound –

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The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits rocketed to a 26-year high last week, surpassing already gloomy forecasts, as the U.S. economy sinks deeper into recession.

Initial applications for jobless benefits climbed by 58,000 to 573,000 in the week ended Dec. 6, upwardly revised from 515,000 the previous week, the U.S. Labor Department reported yesterday (Thursday).  The figure was the highest since 1982, and far exceeded the median projection of 525,000 put forth by 39 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News.

The increase was due, in part, to a bounce from the week before, which was shorter because it included the Thanksgiving holiday. Government offices were open only four days that week.

Nevertheless, the four-week average, which smooths out fluctuations, stood at 540,500.  That’s the biggest number of jobless claims filed since December 1982, when the economy was also mired in a deep recession. By

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Debt Laden Stocks versus Debt Free StocksStockerblog.com had the pleasure of recently interviewing Ken Fisher, head of the $30 billion Fisher Asset Management, a very long time Forbes columnist, and author of the books Super Stocks, The Wall Street Waltz, 100 Minds That Made the Market, and The Only Three Questions That Count: Investing by Knowing What Others Don't. He is also coming out with a new book in the Fall, The Ten Roads to Riches: The Way the Wealthy Got There (And How You Can Too!), published by Wiley.If you missed Part 1 of the interview, you can see it here, and if you missed Part 2, ...

The Price Sales RatioStockerblog.com had the pleasure of recently interviewing Ken Fisher, head of the $30 billion Fisher Asset Management, a very long time Forbes columnist, and author of the books Super Stocks, The Wall Street Waltz, 100 Minds That Made the Market, and The Only Three Questions That Count: Investing by Knowing What Others Don't. He is also coming out with a new book in the Fall, The Ten Roads to Riches: The Way the Wealthy Got There (And How You Can Too!), published by Wiley.Stockerblog.com: Talking a little about the Price to Sales Ratio, which you discussed extensively in your Super Stocks...

At 53, Brenda Barnes is back and in full swing. Ten years ago, her 1997 resignation as Head of Pepsico’s North American Beverage business to spend more time with her family caused a huge debate at the time for women in business. Many felt Brenda had let down their gender by opting out of the executive office. Some speculated she left to protest her husband Randy Barnes’ stalled career as Senior VP and Treasurer at Pepsico. Brenda insisted the resignation was about parenthood.

Nevertheless, when Brenda left, it caused women in executive ranks around the US to take notice, but most just went about life as usual. As did Brenda. Within two years, she was back acting as interim chief operating officer of Starwood Hotels and Resorts. She also sat on seven corporate boards of directors, and continued her influence on boards during her so-called

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Notable Earnings calls for Tuesday

Here are the earnings calls we’ll be keeping an eye on tomorrow:

Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO) is forecast to post earnings of 36 cents a share excluding stock option costs in the fiscal third quarter, according to analysts surveyed by FactSet Research.

Fannie Mae (FNM) is estimated to report loss of 81 cents a share in the first quarter, according to analysts surveyed by FactSet Research.

Qwest Communications International Inc. (Q) is projected to post a first- quarter profit of 10 cents a share, according to analysts surveyed by FactSet Research.

MGM Mirage (MGM) is likely to report a first-quarter profit of 44 cents a share, according to analysts surveyed by FactSet Research.

Molson Coors Brewing Co. (TAP.NV.T) is expected to report first-quarter earnings of 25 cents a share, according to analysts …