Sears Holdings

Every bullish run or bearish retreat offers a great opportunity to learn something about the market and the publicly traded companies that make it happen. So what did 2012's monstrously good first quarter teach the observant investor?

The S&P 500 soared 12% during the first three months of 2012, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq managed a nearly 19% spurt. Those are good numbers even for a whole year -- but these seven investments beat the indexes by huge margins.

Best Buy has a big plan to cut its costs and regain its focus: closing stores, laying off employees, shifting its focus to smartphones and mobile gadgets, and slimming down margins. Only problem is, none of that is going to save it.

It'll be a good Easter for sellers of brightly colored outfits and chocolate bunnies: Americans are expected to shell out 11% more for the holiday this year.

First, U.S. manufacturing collapsed under the pressure from low-wage labor overseas, leaving the landscape dotted with hollowed-out plants and gutted factories. Now, assailed factors from online shopping to the economic downturn, the retail sector is suffering too, bequeathing us an increasing number of abandoned -- some say dead -- malls.

The stock market's recent bounce has a lot of folks looking for a piece of the action. And with retail stocks shooting up faster than average, but still cheaper than a year ago, some analysts say now's the time to buy them. They're wrong. Here's why:

If you've been dilly-dallying on buying something for your sweetheart this Valentine's Day, don't worry: Now that retailers know what the best-selling items are for the lovers' holiday this year, we can pass that information on to you.