Heart warming and real story by 60 Minutes last night that profiles Bill Gates the former CEO of Microsoft (MSFT). Mr. Gates armed with some of the most brilliant people alive and with $70+ Billion is out to eradicate disease.

Apple Inc (AAPL) has now lost as much in market cap as the value of Google Inc (GOOG) since Apple's 12 month $700 share price.  New 52-week low for Apple today and that's the shits for everything.

Apple Inc. (AAPL) has become a boring stock, how did it turn into another Microsoft Corp. (MSFT)?  These are the lines we keep hearing and reading from the media, all it takes is a new product to put faith back into the world's richest company.

Enter the iWatch.

2013 is just starting and the Dow Jones and S&P 500 are already up 5%.  It's time to identify a few stocks that will continue the run this year and weather any unexpected EU or U.S. Congress debacle.  Mastery is all over it including such picks as Verifone Systems Inc. (PAY), Take-Two Interactive (TTWO), Leap Wireless (LEAP), and McDonald's Corp. (MCD).

Since we all have short attention spans, we will cut right to the chase.  The five stock picks we are endorsing for 2013 and beyond are Verifone Systems Inc. (PAY), Take-Two Interactive (TTWO), Leap Wireless (LEAP), and McDonald's Corp. (MCD).

Welcome to 2013 where U.S. equities have started very healthy despite a smoke and mirrors show courtesy of the elected officials of the Estados Unidos.  We turn to Twitter, the Magic-8 Ball and good ol Microsoft (MSFT) for help.  

Since January of 2011 Microsoft Corp (MSFT) shares have lost 1% while the Dow Jones Ind. has increased 13%.  It gets worse when you consider Microsoft's rivals Apple (AAPL) and Google (GOOG) have rallied 68% and 15% respectively in the same time frame.  Could Microsoft finally make a comeback in 2013, enough to make it worth as an investment for shareholders?

We are all responsible for keeping our portfolios alive. Its up to the individual investor to make the right choices and pull the trigger when necessary on buys and sells.  Mastery is taking the time to remind you of 5 helpful tips to increase your portfolio holdings.

Microsoft (MSFT) has yet to release pricing for the upcoming Surface tablet.  We know its a hybrid of a iPad and Laptop, but if it costs too much Apple will continue to beat Mr. Softy in the tablet war.