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No “American Idol” For Cable Subscribers: A Blow To US IlliteratesThe fight between Time Warner Cable (NYSE:TWC) and Fox over what the cable company will pay the network for programming is not about to end soon. On New Year’s Eve, most of the content Fox produces will not be available to the subscribers of the second largest cable company in the US. A Fox executive went [...][[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Source: 24/7 Wall St. | 31 Dec 2009 | 3:31 am No deal on estate taxLawmakers' 2010 to-do list has grown even longer thanks to a lot of unfinished tax business from 2009 that they left on the table before going home for the holidays.Source: Business and financial news - CNNMoney.com | 31 Dec 2009 | 3:20 am Is the emerging markets party over?Too many people are tipping China for the comfort of long-term investors.Source: Finance and Business. Latest breaking news, stocks and shares from the UK and world | 31 Dec 2009 | 3:20 am Rusal forges ahead with HK$20bn flotation$Rusal, the Russian aluminium titan, today unveiled long-awaited plans to raise more than HK$20 billion ($£1.6 billion) in a flotation in Hong Kong, but admitted that it had failed the “profit test” for listing on the exchange’s Main Board. Source: Latest Business News from Times Online | 31 Dec 2009 | 3:19 am Senior Chinese cop accused of taking bribes: report (Reuters)Reuters - A former senior Chinese police officer faces investigation on charges of taking massive bribes, official media reported on Friday, in a development that appears to be linked to a broadening stock manipulation scandal.Source: Yahoo! News: Stock Markets News | 31 Dec 2009 | 3:16 am London, Paris stocks advance before New Year break (AFP)
Source: Yahoo! News: Stock Markets News | 31 Dec 2009 | 3:15 am Shoppers face confusion over VATShoppers are facing the last day of the lower VAT rate, although many retailers have said they will not increase prices on 1 January.Source: BBC News | Business | World Edition | 31 Dec 2009 | 3:15 am Jeans chain enters administrationThe Scotland-based d2 jeans chain goes into administration, putting hundreds of jobs at risk across the UK.Source: BBC News | Business | World Edition | 31 Dec 2009 | 3:12 am China & US: A Trade War Made Of Steel PipesThe trade disputes between China and the US seem more frequent. The passions on both sides seem more violent and permanent with each new argument over imports and exports. The International Trade Commission handed the Americans an victory over China by ruling the manufacturers from the world’s most populus nation have dumped steel pipes into the [...][[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Source: 24/7 Wall St. | 31 Dec 2009 | 3:10 am Rusal sets $2.6bn IPO goalThe Russian aluminium maker, which is to list in Hong Kong in late January, will be constrained from paying any dividends until at least 2013 by the terms of its debt restructuringSource: Financial Times - US homepage | 31 Dec 2009 | 3:09 am Rusal sets $2.6bn IPO goalUC Rusal, the aluminium group controlled by Oleg Deripaska, the Russian billionaire, is planning to raise up to $2.6bn in its Hong Kong initial public offering next month.The Russian company will sell...Source: RSS feed - channel BNPaperBusiness | 31 Dec 2009 | 3:09 am Vietnam's growth picks up paceVietnam's economy grew by 6.9% in the fourth quarter, the fastest rate in two years, helped by government spending.Source: BBC News | Business | World Edition | 31 Dec 2009 | 2:59 am Holiday Retail A Wreck Even With Late SpendingIt is likely that there were very few winners among retailers this holiday season. Mid-market chains like Macy’s (NYSE:M) and Nordstrom (NYSE:JWN) probably had bad results. Perennially weak retailers which include Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE:ANF) almost certainly took another big hit. The holiday retail season will be remembered as being no better than the catastrophic one in 2008. The limited [...][[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Source: 24/7 Wall St. | 31 Dec 2009 | 2:52 am Blue chips rally on last trading dayThe FTSE 100 rallied this morning ahead of its half-day closure, bolstering expectations that it will achieve its highest annual percentage gain since 1997. Source: Latest Business News from Times Online | 31 Dec 2009 | 2:40 am Thompson defends BBC top salariesThe BBC's director general defends its top managers' pay, saying they could earn much more in the private sector.Source: BBC News | Business | World Edition | 31 Dec 2009 | 2:35 am Economic Report: British house prices rose 5.9% in 2009: NationwideBritish house prices rebounded by 5.9% in 2009, as pent-up demand, low interest rates and tight supplies outweighed a continuing recession, mortgage lender Nationwide reports Thursday.
Source: MarketWatch.com - Top Stories | 31 Dec 2009 | 2:29 am GMAC given new $3.8bn bail-outOne more top up for finance group GMAC to help cover mortgage losses - but the US government now has a majority stake.Source: BBC News | Business | World Edition | 31 Dec 2009 | 2:17 am NKorea bans foreign currencies in market clampdownNorth Korea has banned the use of foreign currency, another sign its hard-line communist government is intent on reasserting control over the country's nascent market economy. Reports...Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsBusiness | 31 Dec 2009 | 2:17 am Europe Markets: European shares gain to extend decade-best yearEuropean shares climbed Thursday in a shortened final trading session of 2009 as the region prepared to wrap up its best trading year in a decade.
Source: MarketWatch.com - Top Stories | 31 Dec 2009 | 2:15 am Media Digest 12/31/2009 Reuters, WSJ, NYTime, FT, BloombergReuters: China has hit back at a tariff put on steel pipes by the US. Reuters: Oil, near $80, may have strongest gain in decade. Reuters: The government will give GMAC $3.5 billion. WSJ: US mortgage companies will be required to give greater disclosures to consumers on costs of loans. WSJ: Chrysler dealers are still fighting being closed. WSJ: Fox and [...][[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Source: 24/7 Wall St. | 31 Dec 2009 | 2:13 am Dishonesty probe closes law firmA Stockport-based law firm is closed down and five solicitors have their licences suspended amid claims of dishonesty.Source: BBC News | Business | World Edition | 31 Dec 2009 | 2:13 am Stock futures signal rise on last day of 2009 (Reuters)
Source: Yahoo! News: Business | 31 Dec 2009 | 2:11 am Stock futures signal rise on last day of 2009(Reuters) U.S. stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street on Thursday for the last trading session of the year, with futures for the S&P 500 up 0.2 percent, Dow Jones futures up 0.2 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures up 0.1 percent at 3.48 a.m. ET.Source: Reuters: Business News | 31 Dec 2009 | 2:11 am Stock futures signal rise on last day of 2009 (Reuters)
Source: Yahoo! News: Stock Markets News | 31 Dec 2009 | 2:11 am North Korea bans foreign currenciesNorth Korea has banned the use of foreign currency, another sign its hard-line communist government is intent on reasserting control over the country's nascent market economy. Reports...Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsBusiness | 31 Dec 2009 | 2:09 am Iceland approves Icesave repayment dealIceland's parliament approved plans to repay £3.4bn (3.8bn euros) lost by savers in Britain and the Netherlands when the country's banking system collapsed.Source: Finance and Business. Latest breaking news, stocks and shares from the UK and world | 31 Dec 2009 | 2:00 am UPDATE 1-Aurelian in exploration JV with Polish state oil co* Polish state oil co to provide access to its data baseSource: RSS feed - channel BNewsBusiness | 31 Dec 2009 | 1:59 am Asia Markets And Europe Open (12/31/2009)Japan was closed for a holiday The Hang Seng 1.8% to 21,672. The Shanghai Composite moved higher by .6% At the open in Europe, the CAC rose .9% and the FTSE rose .5% Data from Reuters and MarketWatch Douglas A. McIntyre Posted in International Markets[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Source: 24/7 Wall St. | 31 Dec 2009 | 1:52 am House prices rise by 5.9% in 2009UK house prices rose by 5.9% in 2009, making some recovery from the massive falls seen last year, the Nationwide says.Source: BBC News | Business | World Edition | 31 Dec 2009 | 1:47 am FTSE re-establishes winter rallyThe FTSE 100 re-took the 5,400 mark at the start of the last, shortened session of 2009, re-establishing the winter rally which allowed the index to return to levels last seen before the collapse of Lehman BrothersSource: Financial Times - US homepage | 31 Dec 2009 | 1:47 am FTSE re-establishes winter rallyThe FTSE 100 re-took the 5,400 mark at the start of the last, shortened session of 2009, re-establishing the winter rally which allowed the index to return to levels last seen before the collapse of Lehman...Source: RSS feed - channel BNPaperBusiness | 31 Dec 2009 | 1:47 am London Markets: U.K. stocks open up; top annual gain since 1997British stocks move higher in an abbreviated session Thursday, the final trading day of the year.
Source: MarketWatch.com - Top Stories | 31 Dec 2009 | 1:29 am Iceland approves £3.4bn Icesave loss dealIceland’s parliament has agreed to pay back €3.8 billion (£3.4 billion) lost by British and Dutch savers when its banking system collapsed, in a move that is likely to boost the country’s bid to join the European Union. Source: Latest Business News from Times Online | 31 Dec 2009 | 1:27 am Scanners force trade-off between privacy, securityAs homeland security officials rush to bring more full body scanners to U.S. airports, passengers where the devices are already in use told The Associated Press they were willing to trade...Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsBusiness | 31 Dec 2009 | 1:21 am AP-GfK Poll: Americans seek silver lining in 2010The bank account is thin, but the future looks pretty good. That, oddly enough, is the view of many Americans who predict 2010 will be a better year than this one, even if they fear thatSource: RSS feed - channel BNewsBusiness | 31 Dec 2009 | 1:04 am City National repays half of TARP fundsRegulators OK repayment of $200 million of the federal investment in the L.A. bank. It was among smaller banks asked by the government to participate in the program to stimulate lending.When City National Corp. accepted a $400-million investment from the U.S. Treasury during last year's economic free fall, the regional bank said it was well capitalized and didn't really need the money.
Source: L.A. Times - Business | 31 Dec 2009 | 1:00 am Stock market closes the books on a 'lost decade'For the first time since the 1930s, the Dow is ending lower for the period. Some see value in the market now.The U.S. stock market today will close out its best year since 2003, an amazing comeback from what felt like Armageddon to many investors just nine months ago.
Source: L.A. Times - Business | 31 Dec 2009 | 1:00 am 'Augmented reality' poised to become an everyday reality for consumersAfter years of use in academia and industry -- not to mention sci-fi movies, the technology, which mixes real-world elements with computer-generated images, is showing up wherever there's a webcam."Augmented reality" may sound like indecipherable technobabble, but the concept behind this technology is familiar to anyone who has seen any of the "Terminator" movies.
Source: L.A. Times - Business | 31 Dec 2009 | 1:00 am Auto safety agency labors to keep paceCritics say NHTSA has been slow to address problems. The watchdog says it s beefing up its staff.Richard and Carolyn Carlson were driving through rural Colorado in February 2005 when they hit a patch of black ice. Their Chrysler PT Cruiser spun backward into an embankment, causing the back of Carolyn's seat to collapse. She was hurled into the roof and partway through the rear window.
Source: L.A. Times - Business | 31 Dec 2009 | 1:00 am Peter Drucker's revolutionary teachings decades old but still freshHis philosophy on business management and the corporation's role in society need to be relearned by company leaders every few years.The mark of a truly revolutionary thinker is that his revolution has to be fought anew in every generation.
Source: L.A. Times - Business | 31 Dec 2009 | 1:00 am Deadline looms for Time Warner Cable and News Corp.The possibility that Fox shows could disappear from cable viewers' screens increases as the media giants continue trying to hammer out a deal by midnight on New Year's Eve. ...Source: RSS feed - channel BNPaperBusiness | 31 Dec 2009 | 1:00 am CNinsure to Acquire Additional Interest in an Insurance AgencySource: RSS feed - channel BNewsBusiness | 31 Dec 2009 | 1:00 am Southland firms positioned to ride security waveRapiscan Systems of Torrance has one big TSA order for airport scanners and plans to bid on another. Well before...Source: RSS feed - channel BNPaperBusiness | 31 Dec 2009 | 1:00 am Hiring outlook for 2010 is grimEmployers say they plan to tread carefully in the coming year, and those that are hiring say they will wait until the second half to fill jobs. ...Source: RSS feed - channel BNPaperBusiness | 31 Dec 2009 | 1:00 am GMAC is set to receive $3.8 billion more in federal aidThis would be the third lifeline for the auto and mortgage lender and would increase the government's 35% equity ownership to a majority share of 56%. ...Source: RSS feed - channel BNPaperBusiness | 31 Dec 2009 | 1:00 am 'Augmented reality' poised to become an everyday reality for consumersAfter years of use in academia and industry -- not to mention sci-fi movies, the technology, which mixes real-world elements with computer-generated images, is showing up wherever there's a webcam. ...Source: RSS feed - channel BNPaperBusiness | 31 Dec 2009 | 1:00 am City National repays half of TARP fundsRegulators OK repayment of $200 million of the federal investment in the L.A. bank. It was among smaller banks asked by the government to participate in the program to stimulate lending. ...Source: RSS feed - channel BNPaperBusiness | 31 Dec 2009 | 1:00 am GMAC is set to receive $3.8 billion more in federal aidThis would be the third lifeline for the auto and mortgage lender and would increase the government's 35% equity ownership to a majority share of 56%.GMAC Financial Services will get a $3.8-billion boost in federal aid as the auto industry's key lender to consumers and related businesses struggles to regain its financial footing.
Source: L.A. Times - Business | 31 Dec 2009 | 1:00 am Rumors about Apple tablet computer ramp upThe company has declined to acknowledge that any such device exists, but that hasn't stopped growing speculation what it might do and when it might be available. ...Source: RSS feed - channel BNPaperBusiness | 31 Dec 2009 | 1:00 am Deadline looms for Time Warner Cable and News Corp.The possibility that Fox shows could disappear from cable viewers' screens increases as the media giants continue trying to hammer out a deal by midnight on New Year's Eve.With only hours to go until their current contract expires, News Corp. and Time Warner Cable Inc. were still trying to hammer out a new deal for the cable system operator to carry News Corp.'s Fox TV stations and several of its cable networks.
Source: L.A. Times - Business | 31 Dec 2009 | 1:00 am Hiring outlook for 2010 is grimEmployers say they plan to tread carefully in the coming year, and those that are hiring say they will wait until the second half to fill jobs.2010 will not be the year the hiring floodgates open.
Source: L.A. Times - Business | 31 Dec 2009 | 1:00 am Southland firms positioned to ride security waveRapiscan Systems of Torrance has one big TSA order for airport scanners and plans to bid on another.Well before the botched Christmas Day bombing attempt aboard a Detroit-bound plane, a Torrance security company was moving to the front lines in the campaign to deploy advanced technology to thwart terrorist attacks.
Source: L.A. Times - Business | 31 Dec 2009 | 1:00 am Peter Drucker's revolutionary teachings decades old but still freshHis philosophy on business management and the corporation's role in society need to be relearned by company leaders every few years. ...Source: RSS feed - channel BNPaperBusiness | 31 Dec 2009 | 1:00 am Rumors about Apple tablet computer ramp upThe company has declined to acknowledge that any such device exists, but that hasn't stopped growing speculation what it might do and when it might be available.A new tablet-style computer from Apple Inc. might be the first major launch in a new class of slate-like multimedia devices that could leapfrog the laptop.
Source: L.A. Times - Business | 31 Dec 2009 | 1:00 am UK house prices end decade 117pc higher, says NationwideUK house prices enjoy strong performance after a 5.9pc gain in 2009, Nationwide reports.Source: Finance and Business. Latest breaking news, stocks and shares from the UK and world | 31 Dec 2009 | 12:50 am Asia stocks end 2009 with 68 percent gainHONG KONG (Reuters) - Asia stocks rose on Thursday, racking up a 68 percent gain for the year, as a jump in U.S. consumer confidence reinforced views that the world's largest economy is...Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsBusiness | 31 Dec 2009 | 12:43 am Apple wins iPod hearing disputeApple wins a court case against claimants who say the iPod is defective and could cause hearing loss.Source: BBC News | Business | World Edition | 31 Dec 2009 | 12:42 am Geely Automobile mulls ways to collaborate with VolvoGeely Automobile said Thursday it will look at ways to collaborate with Volvo once its parent group completes the acquisition of the loss-making Swedish brand from US auto giant Ford. ...Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsBusiness | 31 Dec 2009 | 12:29 am China Mobile vice-chairman to step down - CPC websiteHONG KONG, Dec 31 (Reuters) - A senior China Mobile executive Zhang Chunjiang will step down from his post, according to a notices posted on the Chinese Communist Party website on Thursday.Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsBusiness | 31 Dec 2009 | 12:25 am Nationwide says house prices rose 5.9% in 2009House prices rose for the eighth consecutive month in December and are now almost 6 per cent higher than a year ago, according to Nationwide, the building society, which warned that the market remains uncertain. Source: Latest Business News from Times Online | 31 Dec 2009 | 12:21 am Asian markets close out 2009 on high note (AP)
Source: Yahoo! News: Stock Markets News | 30 Dec 2009 | 11:59 pm Russian firm to list in Hong KongThe Russian aluminium maker, Rusal, moves closer to becoming first Russian firm to list in Hong Kong.Source: BBC News | Business | World Edition | 30 Dec 2009 | 11:58 pm Asian markets close out 2009 on high noteAsian stock markets added to a year of big gains in the final day of trading for 2009. Trade was quiet Thursday, with several markets already shut, as most of the region's bourses closedSource: RSS feed - channel BNewsBusiness | 30 Dec 2009 | 11:54 pm US slaps new duties on Chinese steelThe federal US body arbitrating trade disputes has imposed tough duties on Chinese steel piping imports in a move that will heighten tension between America and its biggest trading partnerSource: Financial Times - US homepage | 30 Dec 2009 | 11:12 pm Rusal sets range for $2.6 billion Hong Kong IPORussian aluminum giant Rusal plans to raise up to $2.59 billion through its Hong Kong initial public offering after setting a $1.17-$1.61-a-share price range for the share sale.
Source: MarketWatch.com - Top Stories | 30 Dec 2009 | 11:12 pm 10 ways to improve your finances10 steps to get your finances in shape this year.Source: Finance and Business. Latest breaking news, stocks and shares from the UK and world | 30 Dec 2009 | 11:11 pm Stamp duty holiday 'failed'The stamp duty holiday failed because of the low sales.Source: Finance and Business. Latest breaking news, stocks and shares from the UK and world | 30 Dec 2009 | 11:06 pm Japan's DBJ agrees to expand loans to JAL: report (Reuters)Reuters - The Development Bank of Japan (DBJ) has agreed to increase the amount of its unsecured loans to Japan Airlines (9205.T) from 100 billion yen ($1.08 billion) at present, Jiji news agency reported on Thursday.Source: Yahoo! News: Business | 30 Dec 2009 | 10:06 pm Japan's DBJ agrees to expand loans to JAL: reportTOKYO (Reuters) - The Development Bank of Japan (DBJ) has agreed to increase the amount of its unsecured loans to Japan Airlines from 100 billion yen ($1.08 billion) at present, Jiji news agency reported on Thursday.Source: Reuters: Business News | 30 Dec 2009 | 10:06 pm Chuck Jaffe: A year of hits among investing missesWhen you write about bad investments, a good year in the market means it’s tough to find Wall Street’s dogs. It’s hard to be a misfortune-teller in a market where everything -- even bad moves -- seems to lead to happy endings.
Source: MarketWatch.com - Top Stories | 30 Dec 2009 | 10:03 pm Outside the Box: Apple's top stories to watch for 2009 and 2010No single company invites as much news or blog coverage as Apple Inc., yet only a select few stories are really important for investors over the long haul, writes Frank Cioffi.
Source: MarketWatch.com - Top Stories | 30 Dec 2009 | 10:01 pm Simon Constable: The three worst moments of 2009The time has come to take stock of the past 12 months. With that in mind, here are Simon Constable's three worst moments of the year, not including a nasty motorcycle accident in April.
Source: MarketWatch.com - Top Stories | 30 Dec 2009 | 10:01 pm Robert Powell: Avoid these Roth IRA conversion mistakesAs years go, 2010 is on course to be a blockbuster for retirement-account owners. Starting in January, all Americans who own a traditional IRA -- not just those who have modified adjusted gross income under $100,000 -- will be able to convert their accounts to a Roth IRA. But don’t rush for the doors just yet. There’s plenty of slip between cup and lip waiting for those unaware of the conversion mistakes to avoid.
Source: MarketWatch.com - Top Stories | 30 Dec 2009 | 10:01 pm Don't stumble into the New YearYou’ve decked the halls with boughs of holly, but use a steady ladder or stepstool when taking down those decorations or else you may receive an unwelcome gift this holiday season -- a fall.
Source: MarketWatch.com - Top Stories | 30 Dec 2009 | 10:01 pm Madoff victim fights her way backJeannene Langford is ready to move on, eager to mark the end of a year of misery that Bernard Madoff brought her.
Source: MarketWatch.com - Top Stories | 30 Dec 2009 | 10:01 pm Geely gets China's support for Volvo, 2010 auto salesHONG KONG (Reuters) - Geely, China's No.1 private carmaker, said on Thursday that its parent company has strong support from the Chinese government to acquire Ford Motor's Volvo unit, and expects robust growth for China's auto industry in 2010, also with help from Beijing.Source: Reuters: Business News | 30 Dec 2009 | 9:54 pm China hits back at U.S. steel pipe decisionBEIJING (Reuters) - China on Thursday decried a U.S. decision to impose duties of 10 to 16 percent on Chinese-made steel pipe, the biggest U.S. trade case to date against China, and said it had been made a scapegoat of protectionist interests.Source: Reuters: Business News | 30 Dec 2009 | 9:40 pm Northern Trust to cut 2010 entertainment budget: reportNEW YORK (Reuters) - Northern Trust Corp, the U.S. financial services company that drew lawmakers' ire in February for throwing a lavish party after receiving bailout funds, will cut its 2010 entertainment budget, the Financial Times reported.Source: Reuters: Business News | 30 Dec 2009 | 9:08 pm Japan mulls merging JAL's int'l service into ANA's: report (Reuters)Reuters - Several cabinet members of the Japanese government want Japan Airlines Corp (9205.T) to withdraw completely from its international flights business and consolidate it with that of All Nippon Airways Co (9202.T), the Mainichi Shimbun newspaper reported on Thursday.Source: Yahoo! News: Business | 30 Dec 2009 | 8:56 pm Japan mulls merging JAL's int'l service into ANA's: reportTOKYO (Reuters) - Several cabinet members of the Japanese government want Japan Airlines Corp to withdraw completely from its international flights business and consolidate it with that of All Nippon Airways Co, the Mainichi Shimbun newspaper reported on Thursday.Source: Reuters: Business News | 30 Dec 2009 | 8:56 pm Treasury to dole out $3.8 billion to GMAC, raise stakeWASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. is injecting another $3.8 billion into GMAC Financial Services to help cover mortgage losses, in a bailout that makes the government the majority owner of the auto and home finance company.Source: Reuters: Business News | 30 Dec 2009 | 8:16 pm US takes controlling stake in GMAC in third bailout (AFP)
Source: Yahoo! News: Business | 30 Dec 2009 | 8:02 pm AIG executive resigns over pay limitsNEW YORK (Reuters) - A top executive at American International Group Inc has resigned because of pay curbs imposed by the Obama Administration's pay czar, the insurer said on Wednesday.Source: Reuters: Business News | 30 Dec 2009 | 7:57 pm Time Warner Cable could OK arbitration with FoxNEW YORK (Reuters) - Time Warner Cable Inc said it is willing to go to arbitration with News Corp's Fox Networks to avoid losing some of Fox's channels if the companies fail to agree on a new carriage deal.Source: Reuters: Business News | 30 Dec 2009 | 7:56 pm Iceland approves new Icesave dealIceland's parliament narrowly backs a deal to repay British and Dutch governments over the collapse of the Icesave bank.Source: BBC News | Business | World Edition | 30 Dec 2009 | 6:55 pm Fannie, Freddie proving too big to shrink (AP)
Source: Yahoo! News: Business | 30 Dec 2009 | 6:08 pm Goldman Sachs Seeks Federal Clearance For ETF: AudioSource: Bloomberg - All Podcasts | 30 Dec 2009 | 5:54 pm Uhlmann Discusses Waste Water Treatment: AudioSource: Bloomberg - All Podcasts | 30 Dec 2009 | 5:50 pm Icelandic parliament approves repayment billREYKJAVIK (Reuters) - Iceland's parliament approved an amended bill on Wednesday to repay more than $5 billion lost by savers in Britain and the Netherlands when the island's banks collapsed during the financial crisis.Source: Reuters: Business News | 30 Dec 2009 | 5:49 pm AIG executive resigns over pay limits (Reuters)Reuters - A top executive at American International Group Inc has resigned because of pay curbs imposed by the Obama Administration's pay czar, the insurer said on Wednesday.Source: Yahoo! News: Business | 30 Dec 2009 | 5:18 pm Electronic Payments, `Zombie’ Banks: Taking Stock PodcastSource: Bloomberg - All Podcasts | 30 Dec 2009 | 5:02 pm SpinVox sold to US rival Nuance Communications for £64mSpinVox, the embattled technology firm founded by a scion of the Domecq sherry family, was sold to an American rival in a $103 million ($£64 million) deal. Source: Latest Business News from Times Online | 30 Dec 2009 | 5:01 pm First post-Christmas retail collapse threatens 800 jobs at d2 JeansD2 Jeans, the fashion chain set up by Sir Tom Hunter, became the first post-Christmas retail casualty when it collapsed into administration. Source: Latest Business News from Times Online | 30 Dec 2009 | 5:01 pm Cadbury update is delayed as Kraft deadline loomsCadbury, which is battling against a £10.2 billion hostile takeover bid from Kraft, has been given an additional three days to prepare its defence strategy, including detailed estimates of its 2009 trading results, as the deadline approaches for the American food company to raise its bid. Source: Latest Business News from Times Online | 30 Dec 2009 | 5:01 pm Rothschild steers steady course amid chaos of banking collapse and crisisThe Rothschild banking group put in a resilient performance during the depths of the financial crisis, making profits before tax of €239.7 million (£214 million) in the year to March 2009, down by almost half. Source: Latest Business News from Times Online | 30 Dec 2009 | 5:01 pm Wetherspoon orders round of late venues for new yearJD Wetherspoon, the pub operator known for its cheap beer and value meals, is understood to be in advanced talks to acquire 12 late-night venues from 3D Entertainment (3DE), the Chicago Rock Café owner, for about £4.3 million. Source: Latest Business News from Times Online | 30 Dec 2009 | 5:01 pm New year knighthoods for veteran industrialistsA former RAF pilot whose family-owned engineering firm designed the nosecone for Concorde is one of only two company executives to be knighted in the New Year’s Honours List today. Source: Latest Business News from Times Online | 30 Dec 2009 | 5:01 pm New Year Honours: Award caps tumultuous yearBeing made an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit ends a tumultuous 12 months for John Bongard.The former chief executive of Fisher & Paykel Appliances was recognised for his services to business."It's been a year of...Source: nzherald.co.nz - Business | 30 Dec 2009 | 5:00 pm Treasury to dole out $3.8 billion to GMAC, raise stake (Reuters)Reuters - The U.S. is injecting another $3.8 billion into GMAC Financial Services to help cover mortgage losses, in a bailout that makes the government the majority owner of the auto and home finance company.Source: Yahoo! News: Business | 30 Dec 2009 | 4:55 pm Pressure rises on CIA after bomb plotUS intelligence agencies defended their information sharing practices after being accused of multiple lapses that allowed a Nigerian man to board a Detroit-bound flight allegedly with explosives on Christmas daySource: Financial Times - US homepage | 30 Dec 2009 | 4:42 pm Nation - Wednesday (Investor's Business Daily)Investor's Business Daily - New York City's Times Square was closed briefly and 3 nearby buildings, including the Nasdaq stock exchange, were evacuated a day before New Year's Eve festivities. A parked van with tinted windows, no plates and a bogus law enforcement placard led the NYPD to clear the area about 11 a.m. Wed. and send in a bomb squad. No explosives were found, and the area was reopened to traffic about 2 hours later.Source: Yahoo! News: Stock Markets News | 30 Dec 2009 | 4:22 pm Economy - Wednesday (Investor's Business Daily)Investor's Business Daily - Inventories dropped by a less-than-expected 1.54 mil barrels to 326 mil in the week ended Dec. 25, the Energy Dept. said, as cold weather underpinned demand. Gasoline stocks fell by 366,000 barrels to 214.96 mil. Distillate stocks, including heating oil and diesel fuel, fell by 2.06 mil barrels to 159.28 mil. Refining capacity utilization edged up to 80.3%. Crude rose 41 cents to $79.28 a barrel, the highest close since Nov. 19. Oil has risen 14% since Dec. 14.Source: Yahoo! News: Stock Markets News | 30 Dec 2009 | 4:22 pm Sleepy start on sharemarketThe New Zealand sharemarket had a sleepy start to its final session of the year, with little trading activity.The benchmark NZX-50 index was barely changed after the opening 15 minutes - down 0.8 point to 3220.11.Among the...Source: nzherald.co.nz - Business | 30 Dec 2009 | 4:20 pm Fox to Time Warner Cable: Talk is cheapFox Network said Wednesday it refuses to submit to arbitration by the Federal Communications Commission to resolve an ongoing fee dispute with Time Warner Cable.Source: Business and financial news - CNNMoney.com | 30 Dec 2009 | 4:17 pm Jon Shure Says States May Cut 900,000 Jobs: AudioSource: Bloomberg - All Podcasts | 30 Dec 2009 | 4:16 pm Dow, Nasdaq at 2009 highsStocks ended a choppy session barely higher Wednesday, with the Dow and Nasdaq eking out fresh 2009 highs as investors mulled a stronger dollar and opted to play it cautious at the end of a tumultuous year.Source: Business and financial news - CNNMoney.com | 30 Dec 2009 | 4:09 pm New Year Honours: New knight fixed on making NZ competitiveIt is probably about time Douglas Myers was made a knight - the media have been mistakenly giving him the title for years.The 71-year-old former Lion Nathan head has been made a Knight Companion of the NZ Order of Merit for services...Source: nzherald.co.nz - Business | 30 Dec 2009 | 4:00 pm Stocks little changed as dollar strengthens (AP)
Source: Yahoo! News: Stock Markets News | 30 Dec 2009 | 3:43 pm Northern Trust says the party is overNorthern Trust, the US bank that sparked outrage by throwing lavish parties shortly after receiving government bail-out funds, will cut its entertainment budget at the event next yearSource: Financial Times - US homepage | 30 Dec 2009 | 3:36 pm Fight global warming, get $1,100 a yearA new proposal to curb global warming could jumpstart stalled Senate greenhouse gas discussions and put an average of $1,100 a year back into the pockets of American consumers.Source: Business and financial news - CNNMoney.com | 30 Dec 2009 | 3:32 pm GMAC receives 3rd round of bailout fundsGMAC Financial Services will receive a third round of bailout funds from the U.S. Treasury Department and the government will have a controlling stake in the company, according to a government report Wednesday.Source: Business and financial news - CNNMoney.com | 30 Dec 2009 | 3:31 pm How the major stock indexes fared on Wednesday (AP)AP - Stocks ended the next-to-last day of 2009 little changed as welcome news on manufacturing helped offset a drop in commodities prices. The market drew support Wednesday from a gain in the Chicago Purchasing Managers Index, which signaled growth in Midwest manufacturing.Source: Yahoo! News: Stock Markets News | 30 Dec 2009 | 3:21 pm Bond Funds' Nov. Flow Strong Again (Investor's Business Daily)Investor's Business Daily - Investors pulled $2.78 billion from stock funds in November while stuffing $36.24 billion into bond funds.Source: Yahoo! News: Stock Markets News | 30 Dec 2009 | 3:20 pm Heatwaves, trade wars and a World Cup victory for BrazilPredictions for 2010: Heatwaves, a guerrilla trade war and victory for Brazil: what does the year ahead have in store? FT writers predict outcomes for the events and issues in politics, economics, business and world affairs that will shape the next 12 monthsSource: Financial Times - US homepage | 30 Dec 2009 | 3:13 pm Podcast: Would You Bing For Free News?
Bing is looking to the media to make it king of the jungle. (Bing.com) On today's Planet Money: We continue our conversation about how economics and technology have shaped the news business. NPR media correspondent, David Folkenflik, stops by to tell us Microsoft and News Corp. owner, Rupert Murdoch, are in talks to give Microsoft's new search engine, Bing, exclusive access to Wall Street Journal content. The deal could bring Murdoch's media company millions of dollars and give Bing a real chance compete with Google. Download the podcast; or subscribe. Music: Shout Out Loud's "Walls." Find us: Twitter/ Facebook/ Flickr. » E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us Source: NPR Blogs: Planet Money | 30 Dec 2009 | 3:00 pm Green Business: New Zealand's first EcoBrokerGreen Business is about more than just offering a recycling bin at the door. This summer nzherald.co.nz profiles green businesses and business people taking a new approach. A new kind of real estate agent ? known as an EcoBroker...Source: nzherald.co.nz - Business | 30 Dec 2009 | 3:00 pm 10 years...no gain in home pricesTaking into account inflation, home prices are actually lower than they were 10 years ago, according to a report from the National Association of Realtors released Wednesday.Source: Business and financial news - CNNMoney.com | 30 Dec 2009 | 2:53 pm TSX inches higher on financials, energy (Reuters)Reuters - Toronto's main stock index ended slightly higher on Wednesday in light trading on the second last session of the year as energy and financial stocks got a boost from U.S. economic data that came in well above forecasts.Source: Yahoo! News: Business | 30 Dec 2009 | 2:41 pm TSX inches higher on financials, energy (Reuters)Reuters - Toronto's main stock index ended slightly higher on Wednesday in light trading on the second last session of the year as energy and financial stocks got a boost from U.S. economic data that came in well above forecasts.Source: Yahoo! News: Stock Markets News | 30 Dec 2009 | 2:41 pm Write-Offs: 12.30.09$$$ Julian Robertson named New Zealand's first honorary knight [DP] $$$ The Big Lebowski Gets The Academic Treatment: At times Mr. Owens sounds as if he's been hitting the minibar himself. He writes about how Leon Trotsky is "doubly implicated" in the White Russian, first because he helped defeat the anti-Communist White Russian army during the Russian civil war, and second because he later fled to Mexico, "Kahlúa's country of origin." Mr. Owens suggests that the Dude has a kind of "Trotskian positionality." [NYT] $$$ 2010 Will Be Challenging For Goldman [HuffPo] $$$ WSJ Misleads On Harbinger Capital "Insider Information" Story [HFImplode] 
 Source: Dealbreaker | 30 Dec 2009 | 2:30 pm Dutch court will hear Shell Nigeria claimsOil giant Royal Dutch Shell and its Nigerian unit could face compensation payouts after a Dutch court ruled it could hear a case over spills in the West African country.Source: Finance and Business. Latest breaking news, stocks and shares from the UK and world | 30 Dec 2009 | 2:27 pm Champagne Market Still FlatBy Daniel Costello Our friends at Marketplace did an interesting and timely story this week about how the bubble in the Champagne market has collapsed this year -- prices are down 50 percent to 90 percent. Sales numbers for the important holiday season won't be out until February but it seems many Americans will be toasting the New Year with a cheaper champagne cousin: sparkling wine, especially the increasingly popular Prosecco. One interesting tidbit: while there was a global champagne shortage as recently as 2007, so much of the tony bubbly went unsold this year that a large stock had to be sent back to France in recent months. » E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us Source: NPR Blogs: Planet Money | 30 Dec 2009 | 2:10 pm FTSE 100's recent rally fails to make up for a lost decadeBritain's blue-chip index is on track for its best year in over a decade, but is still poised to close 22pc down on December 31, 1999.Source: Finance and Business. Latest breaking news, stocks and shares from the UK and world | 30 Dec 2009 | 2:00 pm Good year as hedge funds play catch-upThe global hedge fund industry turns in one of its best years of performance in close to a decade in 2009Source: Financial Times - US homepage | 30 Dec 2009 | 2:00 pm Stifel Nicolaus's Keay Calls 2009 `Worst’ for Airlines: AudioSource: Bloomberg - All Podcasts | 30 Dec 2009 | 1:50 pm Yacktman Discusses Stock Market Laggards, Risks: AudioSource: Bloomberg - All Podcasts | 30 Dec 2009 | 1:49 pm Sieminski Sees Little Change in 2010 Oil, Gasoline Prices:AudioSource: Bloomberg - All Podcasts | 30 Dec 2009 | 1:47 pm Herrmann Sees U.S. Job Growth Up to 150,000 Monthly: AudioSource: Bloomberg - All Podcasts | 30 Dec 2009 | 1:46 pm Christmas week shopping surgedRetail sales surged 8.8% during the week that included Christmas, although foot traffic was down slightly, according to an industry group report issued Wednesday.Source: Business and financial news - CNNMoney.com | 30 Dec 2009 | 1:43 pm NYC walk zones give business a leg upThe New Year's Eve celebration in New York City's Times Square will have a reconfigured streetscape. Earlier this year a section of Broadway became a pedestrian mall. Reporter Andrea Bernstein looked into how the change affected local businesses.Source: Marketplace | 30 Dec 2009 | 1:35 pm In 2009 Main Street got the shaftCommentator Robert Reich says this past year will be remembered as a time when Wall Street fat cats who caused the financial collapse got fatter, while the rest of America got the scraps.Source: Marketplace | 30 Dec 2009 | 1:35 pm If a tree falls in a forest, is it a crime?Timber theft is on the rise, as are attempts by state governments to stop it. In Alabama some proposed regulations to protect the state's $15 billion timber industry are causing a dust-up. Tanya Ott reports.Source: Marketplace | 30 Dec 2009 | 1:35 pm We're close to health insurance reformMarketplace's Nancy Marshall Genzer talks with Kai Ryssdal about how far the health care debate has come in 2009 and how much further Congress has to go to approve reforms.Source: Marketplace | 30 Dec 2009 | 1:35 pm U.S. OK'd to hike tariffs on China steelThe Commerce Department can raise tariffs on steel pipes imported from China, following a ruling by the International Trade Commission. But the ITC decision virtually guarantees more sniping between the two countries. Jeff Tyler reports.Source: Marketplace | 30 Dec 2009 | 1:35 pm Death tax isn't quite dead yetIf a rich person dies Thursday night, almost half of their wealth will go to the Internal Revenue Service. If they hang on till Friday, their heirs will be a lot richer. Maybe. Amy Scott reports.Source: Marketplace | 30 Dec 2009 | 1:35 pm GMAC gets $3.8 billion to cover lossesThe Treasury Department has decided to give auto-financing company GMAC another $3.8 billion bailout on top of the $12 billion it's already received. But the reason GMAC's in so much trouble doesn't have much to do with weak car sales. Jeremy Hobson reports.Source: Marketplace | 30 Dec 2009 | 1:35 pm C&W chairman Richard Lapthorne among businessmen knighted in New Year's honoursRichard Lapthorne, chairman of Cable & Wireless, receives the knighthood for services to telecommunications.Source: Finance and Business. Latest breaking news, stocks and shares from the UK and world | 30 Dec 2009 | 1:21 pm GDP per person in Britain dips below 2005 levelsGross domestic product (GDP) per person in Britain is now lower than it was at the time of the last general election as the recession saps the nation's prosperity, Oxford Economics has claimed.Source: Finance and Business. Latest breaking news, stocks and shares from the UK and world | 30 Dec 2009 | 1:08 pm Home of ‘The Wire’ fears return of the blightThe subprime fallout threatens urban renewal in Baltimore, writes Sarah O’ConnorSource: Financial Times - US homepage | 30 Dec 2009 | 12:57 pm Guardian pleads for staff to take redundancyThe Guardian has pleaded with its staff to accept voluntary redundancy ahead of today's deadline for applications.Source: Finance and Business. Latest breaking news, stocks and shares from the UK and world | 30 Dec 2009 | 12:46 pm Brutal Year For E-Commerce, Online Holiday Sales Up Only 3.5%There had been a great deal of hope among online retailers that 2009 would be a substantial improvement over 2008, a year in which e-commerce revenue growth was the worst it has been since measurements began. Online websites should be taking more market share from bricks-and-mortar stores as more people become comfortable with shopping online. Large snow storms [...][[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Source: 24/7 Wall St. | 30 Dec 2009 | 12:36 pm Kazakhstan claims to be biggest uranium minerKazakhstan said it had overtaken Canada and Australia to become the world’s biggest uranium miner as nations rich in the resource ramp up production to sell into a resurgent nuclear power industrySource: Financial Times - US homepage | 30 Dec 2009 | 12:25 pm Shoppers spent more in last week of holiday season (AP)
Source: Yahoo! News: Business | 30 Dec 2009 | 12:14 pm U.S. slaps levy on Chinese pipesThe U.S. International Trade Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to impose new tariffs on imports of Chinese steel piping.Source: Business and financial news - CNNMoney.com | 30 Dec 2009 | 11:40 am Russians win oil contractA consortium led by Russian private oil giant Lukoil has signed an initial deal with Iraq to develop one of its biggest oilfields, an agreement vital to the nation's efforts to boost the output of a resource crucial to its postwar...Source: nzherald.co.nz - Business | 30 Dec 2009 | 11:30 am Celebrating success: Ideas are the easy partIn a living room near you someone is dreaming of inventing.Few of those inventions will see the light of day - or someone else will get there first. But a handful of Kiwis each year come up with a new invention destined for commercial...Source: nzherald.co.nz - Business | 30 Dec 2009 | 11:00 am New Year Honours: Morrison dedicates award to his teamLloyd Morrison - on holiday in the South Island - says he is pleased to be included in a New Year Honours list with such a strong list of business peers.Thrilled to hear of the knighthood for Douglas Myers and John Bongard being...Source: nzherald.co.nz - Business | 30 Dec 2009 | 11:00 am New Year Honours: Exam failure didn't put millionaire off educationA multimillionaire businessman who failed University Entrance twice, Tony Falkenstein, has been made an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to business.Tony Falkenstein passed School Certificate but was...Source: nzherald.co.nz - Business | 30 Dec 2009 | 11:00 am Papasavvas on Dollar, Ladwa on Equities: AudioSource: Bloomberg - All Podcasts | 30 Dec 2009 | 10:52 am Best and worst CEO buzz of 2009An analysis of blogosphere chatter reveals which Fortune 500 chiefs garnered the most buzz this year.Source: Business and financial news - CNNMoney.com | 30 Dec 2009 | 10:48 am US economic hopes liftA more upbeat outlook on jobs pushed Americans' confidence in the economy higher in December for the second month in a row, a survey released yesterday said.Consumers' expectations for the job market over the next six months reached...Source: nzherald.co.nz - Business | 30 Dec 2009 | 10:30 am Why the big phone companies are dogsYou'd think that 2009 would have been a great year for telecom stocks, right?Source: Business and financial news - CNNMoney.com | 30 Dec 2009 | 10:26 am Opening Bell: 12.30.09Fund Chief Snared By Taps, Turncoats (WSJ) E-mails inside AIG reveal executives struggling with growing crisis (Washington Post) Rich Cling to Life to Beat Tax Man (WSJ) Tiger Hunt Sparks Tall Tales (NYP) Thundercats Movie Canceled (Vulture) Set of identical twins busted in long-term $2M investment scam (NYDN) GMAC Set for Another Cash Infusion (WSJ) Cleave Watch: Amanda Drury (DB)
Source: Dealbreaker | 30 Dec 2009 | 9:55 am The Best of Business Pundit 2009Between Madoff-style scams, buyouts, recalls, and sweeping changes in the American economic landscape, 2009 left the average business aficionado agape. Frankly, I’m glad it’s expiring. Nothing but up from here, right? (Stated with crossed fingers.) To celebrate zero-nine’s passing, I’ve put together a Best of Business Pundit 2009 list. These posts represent some of the most popular and interesting posts we’ve put up this year. You may find some old favorites in here, as well as posts you haven’t yet seen. Wishing everyone a happy, productive, and wise 2010! Products: New, Old, and Origins
The Unique Origins of 25 Popular Products 25 Most Promising Products for 2010 20 Brands and Products That Died in 2009 Company Capers
20 Most Hilarious (Yet Unfortunate) Company Names on Earth The 25 Worst Business Failures in History The Ever-Exciting Economy
People & Money: They Don’t Always Mix
25 Rich Athletes Who Went Broke Controversies
Reebok Easytone shoes promise to tone your butt. Fad alert! The Baby Einstein recall The Visa Black Card: Smooth or silly? Humor
Mouse logo FAIL Milk carton just got safer Always check your child’s homework before it gets turned in 10 craziest ways people are making money in this economy
Source: Business Pundit | 30 Dec 2009 | 9:54 am Iran responds with pro-government ralliesMany in the state-organised rally called for the execution of Mir-Hossein Moussavi, the opposition leader who is blamed by fundamentalists for the biggest unrest against the Islamic regime in its historySource: Financial Times - US homepage | 30 Dec 2009 | 9:52 am 10 Financial Resolutions For The New Year Build On The Goals You Met Last Year
Beef Up Your Retirement Plan
Create an Emergency Savings Account
Cut Down Your Debt
Look For Used Products When Purchasing Expensive Items
Stay On Top of Your Credit Score
Assess Your Finances More Closely
Begin a Sensible Investment Portfolio (Or Expand Your Existing One)
Set Long Range Goals
Set Specific Targets For Your Savings
Source: Business Pundit | 30 Dec 2009 | 9:37 am Morgan Stanley bonus delayMorgan Stanley, the second-biggest US securities firm, plans to defer at least 65 per cent of year-end bonuses for its top 30 executives to blunt criticism over outsize pay, a person familiar with the matter said.One-fifth of...Source: nzherald.co.nz - Business | 30 Dec 2009 | 9:30 am Inventory & SPR Data Confuse Oil Bulls & Bears (OIH, USO, OIL, UCO)There were two very interesting events in the crude oil markets today. As with almost all Wednesday’s we got the weekly crude oil inventory data from the Department of Energy. This data was mixed to slightly bullish for those who enjoy seeing oil prices rise. But another notion may be the game changer…. The U.S. [...][[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Source: 24/7 Wall St. | 30 Dec 2009 | 9:28 am Midwest Economy Growing StrongerBy Daniel Costello More businesses in the Chicago region were expanding in December than at any time in the past 16 months. That's according to the The Institute for Supply Management-Chicago's Business Barometer. The business activity index rose to 60 percent from 56.1 percent in November. It's the highest reading since August 2008 and was stronger than many forecasts. Readings above 50 percent indicate expansion, and below 50 percent indicate contraction, suggesting business activity is increasing. The national Institute for Supply Management manufacturing index will be released Monday, and the ISM non-manufacturing index a week from today. » E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
Source: NPR Blogs: Planet Money | 30 Dec 2009 | 9:04 am Your Next Business Trip Could Come with a Full Body ScanOne reason Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab went through the security line undetected was that nobody saw the bomb in his underwear. As a result, some airports, including all Dutch airports with US-bound flights, and Chicago’s O’Hare airport, will start using full body scan machines as part of their security protocol. Although the machines are expensive and controversial–nobody wants full-body scan pictures of themselves to end up on the Internet–the TSA is still planning to employ more scanning, or WBI, machines. At present, there are WBI machines at 19 airports in the nation. Under current protocols, the TSA will give you a choice as to whether to walk through the machine or receive a pat down. Which would you choose, considering the WBI images below?
Spiegel has more body scanner images. And yes, the WBI machines do see medical devices like catheter tubes and breast implants.
Source: Business Pundit | 30 Dec 2009 | 8:16 am Morning Report: GMAC To Get New Bailout; Fewer Finished Xmas ListsBy Daniel Costello The Treasury Department plans to announce as early as Wednesday afternoon that it will give GMAC Inc, parent company of Planet Money sponsor Ally Bank, around $3.5 billion in additional capital, on top of $12.5 billion already received since December 2008, sources told The Detroit News. The announcement, expected within days, will coincide with GMAC taking additional steps to absorb losses related to its mortgage operations, these people said. The cleanup is designed to return the Detroit-based finance company to profitability in the first quarter of 2010, according to the paper. The new capital will likely allow GMAC to avert placing its ailing mortgage unit, Residential Capital LLC, or ResCap, into bankruptcy, the newspaper reported, citing these people. "As we have previously stated, GMAC has been conducting a strategic review of its business and evaluating options to address the challenges at ResCap and the mortgage operations," said GMAC spokeswoman Gina Proia in an statement. The U.S. Commerce Department is reportedly set to impose preliminary anti-dumping duties on imports of steel grating from China. The duties were imposed after Chinese steel-grating imports surged to $91 million in 2008, up from $8.8 million in 2006, reports cited the U.S. Commerce Department as saying Tuesday. Dumping is the practice of selling a product in a foreign market for less than either the price in the home country or the cost of making the product as a way of gaining long-term market share. U.S. trade officials assigned a preliminary duty of 145.18% to all Chinese steel grating, except those from two producers -- Ningbo Jiulong Machinery Manufacturing Co. and Sinosteel Yantai Steel Grating Co. -- whose product will reportedly only face a 14.36% duty. The Commerce Department will make a final ruling in April, the reports said. And an unprecedented 22 percent of U.S. consumers said they did not finish their Christmas shopping this year as fewer discounts kept many wallets closed, according to a survey released on Tuesday. While nearly 63 percent said bigger deals were needed to loosen their purse strings, about 11 percent blamed bad weather that hit the U.S. East Coast and Midwest on the weekend before Christmas. In a typical year, 82 percent to 88 percent of consumers complete their holiday shopping. » E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us Source: NPR Blogs: Planet Money | 30 Dec 2009 | 7:36 am Top Day Trader Alerts (CBAK, CGEN, OSIS, FNM, FRE, DISH)These are the top pre-market movers for day traders, active traders, and swing traders seen early this Wednesday. We have compiled more detailed data and analysis with a link to each story over at VSInvestor.com: China BAK Battery, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBAK) is giving back much of yesterday’s gains. Compugen Ltd. (NASDAQ: CGEN) is up on its offering [...][[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Source: 24/7 Wall St. | 30 Dec 2009 | 7:03 am Today’s Best Market Rumors 12/30/2009 (FRE)(FNM)(GOOG)Updated throughout the day. GMAC will get $3.5 billion in government support (various) Fannie Mae (NYSE:FNM) and Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) common stock may be worthless (TheStreet) Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) will host the launch of its Nexus One handset on January 5. (AllTingsD) Douglas A. McIntyre Posted in Rumors Tagged: FNM, FRE, GOOG[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Source: 24/7 Wall St. | 30 Dec 2009 | 6:57 am Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades (AAPL, ARCL, GILD, GTEC, MRVL, NVDA)This Wednesday is looking thinner than normal trading days for analyst upgrades and downgrades seen in Wall Street research calls. Here are today’s top calls: Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) target was raised to $253 from $235 at Kaufman Bros. Archipelago Learning, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARCL) quiet period ended: Baird started Outperform, Piper Jaffray started Overweight. Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: GILD) [...][[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Source: 24/7 Wall St. | 30 Dec 2009 | 6:19 am Light-Emitting Wallpaper to Replace Light Bulbs?
The (Carbon) trust has given a £454,000 grant to Lomox, a Welsh start-up company, to accelerate the development of its “light emitting wallpaper”. The material, which uses organic light emitting diode or OLED technology, runs on very low voltages and is twice as efficient as today’s energy-saving bulbs. It could reach the market as soon as 2012, said Ken Lacey, chief executive of Lomox. Other companies are investigating OLED technology, either for flat displays or for room lighting but have not succeeded commercially because of high costs and short operating lifetimes. Patents filed by Lomox overcame both problems, Mr Lacey said. Manufacturers would apply its light-emitting chemical on to wallpaper with low-voltage electrical connections: “It gives a very natural, sunlight-type of lighting with the full colour range.” What other game-changing, useful inventions are in the pipe?
Source: Business Pundit | 30 Dec 2009 | 5:43 am Smartphone App Feng Shui?
Source: Business Pundit | 30 Dec 2009 | 4:19 am Business Travel Essentials : Optimize Your Biz TripWhile not most business travelers live out of suitcases George Clooney style, we still do have to travel several times a year when conference calls and Webex just don’t cut the mustard. Traveling around the clock, attending conferences, meeting clients, making presentations and closing deals are necessities and this kind of lifestyle, even if only for a week, can be incredibly exhausting. Life can be hectic and stressful for workaholics and can drive us over the edge if we do not carefully organize our business trips. To help biz travelers make the most of your trip, cut down on exhaustion and get the most relaxation you can while on the road, we’ve listed out some things that we think can be very essential and should be compulsorily carried by all business people who travel. Again, this is not just to increase their productivity while traveling, but also to make traveling lives less stressful and more relaxing.
If you’re a biz traveler, and if you have a toolkit that has all the above items, rest assured, you’ll never miss an appointment, and feel tired or stressed making business on the go. What else do you take on the road?
Source: Business Pundit | 30 Dec 2009 | 3:11 am
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