HOW SAFE?

Given the length and severity ofthe bear market, it's not surprisingthat physician-investors are lookingfor safe investment havens. But whileputting all your eggs into a risk-freebasket may be tempting, you take thechance that the stock market willtake off while leaving you on theground. A better idea, some marketanalysts say, is to stay with stocks, butgo for less risky issues. Look for companiesthat are dominant players intheir industries with a market capitalizationof more than $8 billion and a5-year history of 8% to 12% earningsgrowth. Although applying thosescreens may seem like work, you cando it easily for free at moneycentral.msn.com/investor/research/welcome.asp.—Michael Sheehan