Microsoft Music Plan May Work
It is easy to dismiss the new Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) challenge to Apple Inc.’s (NASDAQ: AAPL) iTunes. The world’s largest software company will bundle a music service with the Xbox 360 and the new…
All Work
Douglas A. McIntyre
Media Digest (10/15/2012) Reuters, WSJ, FT, Bloomberg
Softbank is near a deal to buy 70% of Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S) for $20 billion. (Reuters) Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) releases an Xbox and Windows-based music service to compete with Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL)…
Softbank Deal to Buy Sprint Stake Announced
The much anticipated deal for Softbank to buy 70% of Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S) was announced by the companies. The price was a bit higher than expected at $21.1 billion. Sprint shareholders will get a windfall…
Full Steam Ahead for Suezmax Tankers, Thanks to Iran Sanctions
It has not been a good year for super tankers, what with sanctions on Iran and the US shale boom that has resulted in reduced demand for cargo transport and a glut of vessels.…
Softbank to Buy 70% of Sprint for $20 Billion — CNBC
Speculation began last week when The Wall Street Journal reported that Japanese company Softbank would buy a controlling interest in troubled N0.3 U.S. wireless company Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S). CNBC claims the deal…
Wide China September Trade Surplus
China must be selling its exports somewhere, although it is hard to guess who the buyers might be as most of the world’s economy is mired in recession, or nearly so. The Wall Street…
Microsoft Launches Windows 8 Preorders
For those who cannot wait for the official launch of Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) Windows 8 to put in orders, the world’s largest software company has started a preorder program. The process is “oh, so…
IMF Meeting Presses U.S. and EU on Financial Plans
A meeting of financial ministers from around the world criticized the EU and U.S. over their lack of policy to aid their faultering economies.The fiscal cliff was a particular target In the “Communiqué of…
Today’s Best Market Rumors (10/12/2012) Softbank To Borrow $23 Billion
Updated throughout the day on the 24/7 Wall St. Wire: Larry Ellison of Oracle Corp. (NASDAQ: ORCL) may bid for Anschutz Entertainment Group, which could give him access to an NFL team. (Reuters) Softbank…
What’s Important in the Financial World (10/12/2012)
The Cost of TARP The bailout programs that made up the TARP investments will end up costing taxpayers very little, according to a new Congressional Budget Office report: CBO estimates that the net cost to…
Media Digest (10/12/2012) Reuters, WSJ, NYT, FT, Bloomberg
Softbank may seek $23 billion in loans from Japanese banks as it tries to buy a controlling interest in Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S). (Reuters) Jeff Bezos of Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) says the…
Is AMD’s Problem Isolated?
Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NYSE: AMD) said its third-quarter revenue fell 10% and blamed the “macroeconomic environment” for the trouble. Traders dropped its shares by 15% to 52-week lows on fears that the numbers confirm the…
More Fiscal Cliff Concern
The Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation (MAPI) issued the results of a new survey that confirm what most economists and business people already suspect. In its new outlook about the prospects of its members,…
Three Possibilties for the Economy
On Wall St., the managers of huge money manager BlackRock Inc. (NYSE: BLK) are often considered the smartest guys in the room. Their ability to successfully manage high returns are legendary. That gives some…
Samsung Gets Court Victory, Releases Galaxy S III Mini
Just when it looked as if Samsung had been pushed to the wall in U.S. courts by Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), it was buoyed by two pieces of good news. The first is that a federal appeals…
Today’s Best Market Rumors (10/11/2012) Softbank May Buy Sprint
Updated throughout the day on the 24/7 Wall St. Wire: Softbank may buy 75% of Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S). (WSJ) U.S. buyers may approach BAE Systems now that the EADS offer has been pulled.…
What’s Important in the Financial World (10/11/2012)
Siemens to Downsize It is never a good sign when a global corporation with customers across almost the entire world and a broad array of businesses says it will cut workers because of the economic…
Media Digest (10/11/2012) Reuters, WSJ, FT, Bloomberg
The International Monetary Fund presses again for actions to handle the debt crisis in Europe. (Reuters) The United States sets high tariffs on Chinese solar panels. (Reuters) Bank of America Corp. (NYSE: BAC) sharply…
In Walmart’s New Success, Mexico Scandal Forgotten
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) shares reached an all-time high as management described the company’s plans to challenge Amazon.com Inc.’s (NASDAQ: AMZN) same-day delivery, its plan for more small stores to drive up sales…
Lagarde Becomes the Anti-Merkel
Just two days after Angela Merkel visited Greece to show support for the austerity programs of Greece’s Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, IMF chief Christine Lagarde said that Greece need more time to put its financial house…