SHORT INTERESTS: TIPS, TRENDS, OBSERVATIONS

MIND OVER MONEY

Wall Street’s masters of the universe aren’t exactly a touchy-feely bunch. But one New York City shrink aims to change that, and rake in some nice dough in the process.

Psychiatrist Ari Kiev, who, according to his spokesman, has helped traders at numerous investment firms overcome “internal obstacles” to success (like fear and greed), has put his career-boosting advice to paper in a new book called “Trading to Win: The Psychology of Mastering the Markets.” Priced at a lofty $34.95, the tome is peppered with anecdotes about unsuccessful strategies, such as what Dr. Kiev calls “macho trading.”

Dr. Kiev began his career 30 years ago working with patients with “suicidal tendencies,” his spokesman says. How appropriate, considering the potential effects of a 1929-style, ahem, reversion to the mean on today’s heated stock market.

Net surfers: just waving

Mutual fund investors continue to flock to the Internet, but mostly for information, not to trade.

A survey of 250 fund investors by Kansas City, Mo.-based American Century Investments found that half surf the web, up from 33% in a similar poll last year and 18% the year before.

As in years past, investors calling up fund-company websites most often do so to check account balances and to download prospectuses. While respondents reported less concern than in the past over privacy and security issues, a scant 9% reported actually buying or selling shares online, and even fewer opened an account online.

Sun casts shadow on goal

Ah, those hard-working war babies and baby boomers. Los Angeles-based annuity giant SunAmerica Inc. asked more than 600 of its financial professionals how their clients are preparing for retirement. Most of the clients, who average 55 years of age and $108,000 in annual household income, said they plan to retire at 60, rather than 65 or 67, and will spend 25 to 30 years in retirement. But the reps, who work for SunAmerica Financial Network Inc., say clients’ retirement could last five to 10 years longer, which means the potential centenarians may be underestimating the need to save.

Why do they want to retire at 60? The study cites lifestyle changes, increased investment options and higher investment returns owing to the long stock market boom. Or maybe the boomers want to stop working so they can spend their golden years following the Rolling Stones on tour.

More for the self-help heap

New York broker David Bach heralds his new book, “Smart Women Finish Rich,” as a tool for the “many women who feel at a loss when it comes to figuring out their financial futures.” Yet, despite endorsements on the book’s jacket by such motivational machers as Anthony Robbins, Beverly DeAngelis and John Gray, there seems to be little in the book to justify its title’s gender specificity. Unless, of course, you count the book’s dedication – to Mr. Bach’s “beloved grandmother Rose.” Meantime, Mr. Bach is spawning all kinds of products from the publishing effort. At his website, www.finishrich.com, he touts Smart Women Finish Rich seminars, audio tapes, a newsletter and personal telephone consultations.