In Brief

CHINA RETURNS Investors in China funds don't expect miracles, such as accounting standards, overnight, but thorny politics is de rigueur. So don't get too excited that Lipper's China region funds gained 4.76% the week the U.S. spy-plane crew came home. Even if the events are related, there's no long-term link between the funds and upbeat news: fat headlines aren't always good financial advisers.

HOT WHEELS If the stock market hasn't crippled your wallet and you're still eyeing that new car--there's no time like the present. Striving to keep demand strong and inventories down, car manufacturers are offering low-rate financing and some sweet rebates. According to CNW Marketing Research, the average car rebate in March was $2,503, up 42% from last year. But before cruising out of the lot with that new metal, be on the lookout for sneaky dealers who jack up the sticker price, thus eating away at your rebate.

DOWN TO EARTH Travelers may overlook annoyances like American's new $10 paper-ticket surcharge if they can skip around the country for less than $200 and jet off to Europe for less than $360. With losses piling up--$825 million in the first quarter--airlines need to fill seats and are trying the best way they know how. "They'll offer the kitchen sink," says Tom Parsons of Bestfares.com. Biz flyers, too, are sitting pretty, with some European fares down 60% to 70%.