Moody’s Upgrades Spain
ThinkstockIt has been six years since the global recession began to ravage Europe which has been the last major region to start to escape the downturn. Other than Ireland, the hardest hit nations were…
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Douglas A. McIntyre
America’s Most Affordable Housing Markets
The most recent National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index listed the most affordable U.S. housing markets. Many of them would seem to be attractive, if they were not so economically broken.
Ford Offers Fusion With Zero Dollar Finance Package
Ford must have a great deal of trouble selling its inventory of 2014 Fusions. The automaker has started to offer among the most aggressive incentive packages in the industry so far this year.
The Safest Countries to Drive a Car
Drive in the oil-rich nations of the Middle East to avoid accidents. But avoid Central Africa, where accident rates are high. So says a new report from the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.
China Mobile Subscriber Count Reaches 772 Million
Because of its size, China Mobile has become the most important battleground in the world among these smartphone manufacturers. Every major manufacturer of smartphones wants a partnership with the company.
What If Tesla’s Engine Fires Are Still a Danger?
Not mentioned in the Tesla earnings release is the ongoing threat that the the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration could decide that the Tesla Model S battery is a threat to passengers because of…
LinkedIn Opens Publishing Platform to Members — the Press Release
LinkedIn Corp. (NYSE: LNKD) has opened up its proprietary publishing platform to all of its members. The company’s press release, written by Ryan Roslansky, Director of Product Management: We believe in giving our members…
Amazon Offers Trade-Ins for Gift Card Exchange
Among the many extraordinary ways Amazon.com has to draw consumers to its sites, and to get those consumers to spend money, is its trade-in program. Amazon has turned used items that might be discarded…
Can Samsung’s New Galaxy Sell 100 Million Units to Challenge iPhone?
courtesy of SamsungSamsung will soon release its new smartphone, which will probably be called the Galaxy S5. Based on the analysis of experts who follow the industry, the S5 will need to sell much…
Inside Ukraine’s Economy, S&P Cuts Rating, President Flees
ThinkstockUpdate: Based on many media reports, the government’s opposition has taken the center of Kiev, and President Viktor F. Yanukovych has left the capital. Update: Another day of fighting appeared to lead to another…
Top States for Cigarette Smuggling
ThinkstockA very large number of cigarettes sold in the United States are smuggled in and out of states, presumably to avoid taxes on the product. People apparently are willing to break the law to…
China Gold Ownership Surges, Central Bank Holdings Still Huge
The World Gold Council released its gold demand and gold holding report for 2013. The most notable data from the analysis is that gold demand in China surged to record levels, due to a…
Unemployment Becomes Top Worry Among Americans
ThinkstockDespite an improvement in the nation’s jobless rate, concern about unemployment has become the top worry among Americans. The news comes as the ranks of the long-term unemployed remain historically high, and people continue…
Apple Tops List of World’s Most Valuable Brands
Apple sat atop a new list from Brand Finance of the world's most valuable brands. However, rival Samsung's value surged as it gained on and then took the lead over Apple in the smartphone…
Google Buys Audio Password Firm SlickLogin
Google has purchased Israel-based voice password recognition company SlickLogin, a small company that allows people to speak their passwords as a means to gain access to their computers.
Most U.S. Cities See Home Price Increases
While the price gulf between the most and least expensive markets remains tremendous, at least many of the national markets have improving home prices, according to latest data from the National Association of Realtors.
Gasoline Prices Above $3 in All 50 States
ThinkstockIn a sign that oil prices and an extremely cold winter have affected gasoline prices, those prices are now more than $3 per gallon for regular in all 50 states. Even states in which…
Apple Opens First Store in Brazil
courtesy of Apple Inc.Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) CEO Tim Cook tweeted: ‘Obrigado’ to everyone who visited our new store in Rio de Janeiro today and to our terrific customers across Brazil! Brazil is the…
VW’s Severe Sales Problem in U.S. Grows
Courtesy Volkswagen AGVolkswagen may have prevented the UAW from unionizing its plant in Tennessee. However, labor relations is among the least of the German car company’s trouble in America. Declining sales and quality problems…
Florida Tourism Hits Record Levels
Thinkstock Florida has staged a big comeback after years of high unemployment and one of the worst housing busts in recent memory. The state’s tourism industry posted record high results for a single year…