Predicting A Need For Higher Taxes
The new report on the US economy by the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development says that the American deficit is greater than the government says it is and that one of the results…
All Work
Douglas A. McIntyre
Productivity Still The Enemy Of Job Creation
The relationship between productivity and job creation is a complex one–at least as seen through the eyes of economists. It is based on a simple question: how long can companies squeeze additional work out…
Media Digest 9/21/2010 Reuters, WSJ, NYT, FT, Bloomberg
MarketWatch: The Chinese let the yuan rise perhaps because of pressure from the US. Reuters: The BHP Billiton (NYSE: BHP) bid for Potash (NYSE: POT) may go into 2011 as the Australian company tries…
BHP Billiton Extends Potash Offer To November 18, As POT Board Dithers
Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan (NYSE: POT) should have take the offer of BHP Billiton (NYSE: BHP) to buy it. Potash stock may never see the offer level again. BHP said it “has amended and…
Today’s Analyst Calls (9/14) (SANM, SKH, TER, VSEA, VRGY)
Here are top research calls for analyst upgrades, downgrades, and initiations made today: Central European Distribution Corp. (NASDAQ: CEDC) Started as Buy at Citigroup. ExxonMobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM) Cut to Sector Perform and $70…
The TV Networks’ Quixotic Quest For Viewers
As the television networks start a new television season, hope will spring again from Hollywood’s fertile loins. This year, there is more hope than usual. Walt Disney Co.’s ABC (NYSE:DIS), CBS Inc. (NYSE: CBS), …
The Recession Is Over, Long Live The Recession
The recession ended last June, according to those who decide–the Business Cycle Dating Committee of the National Bureau of Economic Research. The economy has been in an expansion since then, at least so far…
The 24/7 Wall St. Fifty Least Trustworthy Companies in America, A Look Back
24/7 Wall St. revised our list of the 50 “Least Transparent” companies for the month of July, and as might be expected, the returns were still dreadful. In addition, five of the companies had…
Home Builders Say No Market Recovery
American home builders say that the housing market is not recovering. They blame the unemployment problem, implying that there is no light at the end of the tunnel. A large number of economists believe…
The Twitter-24/7 Wall St. Market Report (9/20/2010) Verizon Promotion, IBM M&A
Twitter has, by most estimates, 100 million members, which makes it one of the largest social networks in the world. All major media companies are on Twitter and some have more than one million…
Today’s Best Market Rumors (9/20/2010)
Updated throughout the day. Verizon (NYSE: VZ) will name the head of its wireless unit as the parent’s president and chief operating officer (WSJ) India will ask cellular providers in the nation to upgrade…
UK To Keep Aaa Rating
In a world where the value and risks of sovereign debt is being constantly threatened, one of the world’s oldest nations will keep its Aaa rating. Moody’s announced that “Despite a weak post-crisis balance…
Tax The Rich, But Not Their Businesses
Washington has a problem, or at least the Administration does. It is tempted to allow tax cuts for the rich, those who make more than $250,000 a year, expire. That will put a burden…
The Old Folks Can’t Find Work
The old folks can’t find work. Neither can the young. But, the young can wait it out. The old have almost run out of time. The New York Times points out that some people…
Banks Find Ways Around Reform Costs
Bankers plan to find ways to make up the money they will lose as a result of new restrictions on fees set up by federal financial reform measures. Elizabeth Warren, who will run the…
Air Fares Get Much Too Low
By Robert Herbst One of the most frequent questions I get asked during interviews is: “Why is the airline industry doing so poorly?” There can be a long list of answers to that question…
24/7 Wall St.’s Corporate Power Rankings: Week 36
The 24/7 Wall Street Corporate Power Rankings of the 32 most important companies in America are determined by earnings, analyst rankings, important corporate news, trends in each firm’s industry, product introductions, management strength and…
Media Digest 9/20/2010 Reuters, WSJ, NYT, FT, Bloomberg
Reuters: BP plc (NYSE: BP) says its $20 billion escrow has paid out 19,000 claims which total $240 million. Reuters: The US said that BP has “killed” the leaking well. Reuters: Bank of America…
Poll Shows Unemployment On The Rise Again, Total Nears 19%
The number of people who are unemployed or underemployed has begun to rise for the first time since last spring. This may be a sign that the economic slowdown that began sometime in the…
David Stockman Hates The Bush Tax Cuts
Former Reagan Budget Director David Stockman, one of the founders of fiscal conservatism, has emerged as one of the smartest critics of the Bush Tax Cuts. He made his case to Alan Murray of…