Your Money: Dec. 14, 1998

Don’t Bank on Big Raises

Your company’s stock may be skyrocketing as the year comes to a close, but don’t expect your pay-check to follow suit anytime soon. Merit raises in 1999 will average just around 4%, according to a recent survey by Buck Consultants. As an alternative, ask the boss for a bonus or stock options; more and more firms are offering them as incentives to stay on the job.

More Money for Mortgages

Some 200,000 Americans should have an easier time affording a home come Jan. 1. Fannie Mae, the government-chartered mortgage financier, just raised its 1999 single-family loan limit to $240,000, from the current $227,000. That means more borrowers will have access to the lower rates and fees of Fannie Mae-backed mortgages.

Inside Stuff on Net Stocks

Here’s a warning for all you investors in Net stocks: some company executives seem to think their high-flying shares have hit a peak. In recent weeks, top brass at firms like Excite and Amazon have either sold or filed to sell a large chunk of shares. So with Net stocks defying gravity, you may also want to take the money and run.

–By Daniel Eisenberg

Recent Internet Insider Activity

Company Insiders Shares

Broadcom 11 2,271,800 Excite 10 798,276 Earthlink 12 691,459 @Home 11 542,998 CNET 6 508,928 Amazon 9 446,998 Spyglass 6 331,274

Source: Disclosure Inc.