Barron's Picks And Pans: Corning, Merck, Microsoft And More

• This weekend's Barron's cover story examines a way to outsmart the dimming prospects for corporate profits.
• Other featured articles offer how to play pharmaceuticals and why not to abandon quality stocks.
• Also, the prospects for a commercial property owner and an optical products giant.

"5 Stocks to Outsmart a Dimming Outlook for Profits" by Jack Hough shows where investors may still find earnings growth, including Microsoft Corporation MSFT.

In "Pricing Pressure a Hard Pill for Pharma to Swallow," Avi Salzman makes the case that some companies are less vulnerable than others to political pushback. Is Merck & Co., Inc. MRK one?

Andrew Bary's "Hot Property, Cool Price" asks why Brookfield Property Partners LP BPY is unloved by investors when it has a world-class portfolio.

Even with the Federal Reserve backing off a rate hike, high-quality stocks like Procter & Gamble Co PG can outperform, according to "Don't Write Off Quality Stocks" by Ben Levisohn.

In Leslie P. Norton's "Corning Stock Still Looks Like a Buy, on Strong 2019 Outlook," see why Corning Incorporated GLW looks ready to power ahead.

Also in this week's Barron's:

• Why exchange traded funds will shine this tax season
• Whether the Fed can stave off the next recession
• The polar vortex and economic growth
• Whether it is time to be bullish on Brazil
• Mental tricks to make you a better investor
• Saving for retirement when the market is crazy