Loews is the rare conglomerate that works. A diversified holding company, Loews not only rolls cigarettes and drills for natural gas, but also insures others that do, too.
Its largest holding is its insurance subsidiary, CNA Financial, which accounts for 71% of Loews' equity. Lorillard, its cigarette unit, is a cash cow, thanks to top-selling brands Newport, Kent, and True.
Lately, the New York company, which is owned the Tisch family, has been expanding into energy. In early June, Loews announced that it's buying $4 billion of natural-gas assets from Dominion Resources.
The real estate slowdown has made parts of the Sunbelt a lot more affordable. Fortune presents a guide to finding the best deals in five markets. (more) 
Is it possible for someone who doesn't run a hedge fund or win the lottery to retire at 50 (or so)? Yes. (more) 
