Consumers spent less than expected this holiday season as the shopping spirit was diminished by poor weather, economic concerns and national tragedy. According to MasterCard Advisors SpendingPulse, a report that tracks spending on holiday merchandise, spending in the two months prior … [Read more...]
Federal Reserve Economic Forecast Off-target
Low interest rates may be a bane to savers’ retirement plans, but they have been a blessing to home builders. As the Federal Reserve has continued its quantitative easing programs to keep interest rates near zero, single family home starts are expected to increase 25 percent in 2012 … [Read more...]
“Super Saturday” Christmas Sales May Surpass Black Friday
Many believe Black Friday to be the biggest shopping day of the year, but it may actually be the Saturday before Christmas, as procrastinating shoppers hit the stores looking for last minute deals to complete their loved ones’ wish lists. The industry has termed the day “Super … [Read more...]
Apple (AAPL) and China Crack Down on Trademark Infringement
Hopefully some of Apple's recent China iPhone sales and supply chain woes will be put to rest soon, as Monday's reports from Bejing are that the country is finally ready to crack down on malicious trademark registrations. China is no stranger to the controversy that has surrounded … [Read more...]
Low Interest Rates Put Retires Financial Future at Risk
While many—mainly borrowers—have been pleased with the Fed’s downward pressure on interest rates, the program is placing many retired Americans’ long-term security at risk. Interest rates are at their lowest point in 100 years as the Federal Reserve tries to stimulate the economy and … [Read more...]
Will Apple (AAPL) See Green on Monday
As Apple Inc. (AAPL) closed at 519.33 on Friday evening, another reason to which analysts attribute the software company's sliding NASDAQ ratings has emerged. … [Read more...]
Fiscal Cliff Uncertainty Pushes Gold Prices Higher
Gold prices have rebounded and are expected to rise in 2013. Concerns over the looming fiscal cliff have only fueled interest in the precious metal. The price of gold was up $9.09 to $1,658.35 per ounce Friday, as were the stock prices of several major gold mining companies. … [Read more...]
Research in Motion Blackberry is being Eaten Alive by Apple
Research in Motion saw revenues fall yesterday despite a three month rally as it announced subscriber rates fell by 1 million during the third quarter, just one month before the release of its long-awaited Blackberry 10 OS. This is bad news to bear as RIM is gearing to launch the much … [Read more...]
Will Google’s Top Secret “X Phone” Steal the Smartphone Market
Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) is stepping up the attack on Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) after a report came out that the company is working on “top secret” phone, dubbed the “X Phone”. Google will use Motorola to develop the phone; after Google bought the phone company earlier this year for $12.5 … [Read more...]
Fiscal Cliff Days Away, Plan B Denied and No Resolution in Sight
As House Speaker John A. Boehner put forth a proposal to end fiscal cliff worries, Democrats rejected the plan out of hand, but now even Republicans don't support the plan. Boehner told the press, "The house did not take up the tax measure today because it did not have sufficient … [Read more...]
Research In Motion (RIMM) Loses 1 Million Subscribers
Filed Under: RIMM - Research in Motion by
Just one month before troubled Research In Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM) is set to debut its long-delayed Blackberry 10 operating system, the Canadian company reported a loss of one million subscribers during the fiscal third quarter. The drop to 79 million customers marks the first such loss … [Read more...]
Apple Stock (AAPL) Bashers May be in for Rude Awakening
Despite trading troubles that have plagued Apple Inc. (AAPL) all week, Kantar Worldpanel Comtech announced that the firm has reached a 53.3 percent smartphone share in the U.S. over the 12 week period ending Nov. 25 due to strong sales of the iPhone 5, passing the 50 percent mark for … [Read more...]
Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) to Buy New York Stock Exchange (NYX)
Dec. 20 marked the end of a more than 200-year-old era, when Atlanta-based Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE: ICE) announced it would purchase the New York Stock Exchange for $8.2 billion. Although 12-year-old startup ICE stated little would change for the iconic Big Board based … [Read more...]
Deutsche Telekom CEO Suprise Exit After 7 Years
Deutsche Telekom AG (DTE:GR) said its CEO of seven years, Rene Obermann, will be leaving the company at the end of next year, allowing time for a smooth transition for its new CEO. Obermann has been with the company since 1998 and will be succeeded by the company's current CFO … [Read more...]
Google Will Receive $2 Billion and $300 in Stock from Arris Deal
After closing the deal on its buy of Motorola Home just six months ago, Google sold the consumer video division to Arris Group late Wednesday evening in a $2.5 billion cash-and-stock package, making Arris one of the world's largest set-top vendors. Rumors that Google would unload this … [Read more...]
Apple (AAPL) Takes Another Hit and Investors Feels It
For the past year, I have been wary of Apple’s (AAPL) aggressive lawsuit campaign. I often have written about the potential dangers and consequences of the lawsuits as Apple was fighting a multi-front war against Samsung, Google/Motorola, HTC, etc. While Apple has had some very big … [Read more...]
US Treasury is Expected to Lose Billions on General Motors Stock Buyback
The US Treasury is expected to lose billions of dollars when it sells its remaining stake in General motors over the next 12 to 15 months. General Motors plans to pay $27.50 per share—an 8 percent premium over the Dec. 18 closing price—but well below the $33 price set in November … [Read more...]
Homebuilder Sentiment of Housing Market at 6 Year High
Recently released figures show that homebuilders in the United States are more confident of the outlook for new housing than they have been in over six years. The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo builder sentiment index has long been viewed as a great indicator of … [Read more...]
President Obama Rejects John Boehner’s $1 Million Tax Increase (Plan B)
Fiscal Cliff talks appear to have reached a standstill as of Wednesday morning, after President Barack Obama outright rejected Republican House Speaker John Boehner's “Plan B” offer to raise income taxes on Americans making over $1 million a year in exchange for unspecified spending … [Read more...]
UBS AG Forced to Pay $1.5 Billion for Libor Scandal
Earlier this year, the Libor scandal swept the newsfeeds causing the US and UK to do an extensive investigation into which company’s were involved and to what extent. US Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer described the scandal was “one of the most significant scandals ever to hit … [Read more...]
