Brand New Yahoo!
Yahoo!’s (NASDAQ: YHOO) new CEO Scott Thompson said “We don’t need to reinvent who we are. We’re one of the leading media companies. But we do need to reinvent the experiences our users have.”…
All Work
Douglas A. McIntyre
Today’s Best Market Rumors (4/17/2012) RIM Hires Bankers
Updated throughout the day on the 24/7 Wall St. Wire Research In Motion may hire a banker to seek strategic options, which could include a sale (Reuters) Deutsche Telekom may sell its UK and…
Housing Starts Take A Beating
More evidence that the housing market’s recovery is waiving if it exists at all. The Commerce Department released data that showed an unexpected drop in housing starts. Builders are current worried about inventory. Several…
The Ten Most (and Least) Affordable Cities to Buy a Home
After years of weak housing markets, home sellers are hopeful that this spring’s home-buying season will finally lift prices. In positive news, RealtyTrac reported in March that national foreclosures fell to their lowest levels…
U.S. Is Car Industy’s Last Bright Light
The European Automobile Manufacturers Association said sales reached a 14-year low in the region in March. Registrations in the European Union plus Switzerland, Norway and Iceland fell 6.6% to 1.5 million cars and light trucks.…
Stock Indexes Without Apple
The rapid rise in the value of Apple’s (NASDAQ: AAPL) shares has been credited with much of the improvement in the Nasdaq and S&P 500 over the past year. Apple’s market cap makes it a…
As Merkel Runs for Reelection, All Politics Is Regional
“All politics is local,” said U.S. Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill in 1982. Angela Merkel has begun her campaign to remain Germany’s chancellor. Her party must retake the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the country’s…
Spain, Like U.S., Tackles Local Government Trouble
Spain may take over financial responsibility for some of its states. These crippled regions are one reason Spain’s finances are so badly hurt. The only other large OECD nation that has allowed the takeover of local…
For Americans, a Danger from China
Americans understand the benefits of a strong relationship between the United States and China. They also see the drawbacks of the growth in influence of the People’s Republic. That second sentiment may trump the…
What’s Important in the Financial World (4/17/2012) Buffett Rule Blocked, Yahoo! Earnings
The Republicans in the Senate killed the Buffett Rule, which is meant to tax Americans who earn more than $1 million, or some other large amount, depending on the version of the legislation. Critics claim the tax will…
Media Digest (4/17/2012) Reuters, WSJ, NYT, FT, Bloomberg
Argentina may take control of huge energy company YPF. (Reuters) Spanish debt costs continue to rise. (Reuters) The International Monetary Fund will try to raise $400 billion, much less that previously planned. (Reuters) The Chinese…
A Yahoo ! Surprise?
Yahoo! (NASDAQ: YHOO) will release Q1 earnings today. They are expected to be dismal. The firm’s important display ad revenue will probably contract–again. Yahoo! once dominated inventory in this sector. Its piece has been…
Argentina To Take Control Of YPF
Argentina’s government says it will nationalize YPF,the nation’s biggest oil company. This will push out Spain’s group Repsol–the majority shareholder. What is left now is to see if Repsol will have as recourse, or…
Spain Borrowing Costs Remain Dangerous
Despite brisk demand, the cost for Spain to raise money continued at levels the government cannot pay if it want to cut deficits. According to CNBC, “The yield on the 12-month bill was 2.623…
“Buffett Rule” DOA
The Republican Senate killed the “Buffett rule” which is meant to tax the Americans who earn over $1 million, or some other large amount–depending on the version of the legislation. Critics claim the tax…
Nokia Nearly Junk
The wreck of Nokia (NYSE: NOK) is no longer the slow motion one which began when current CEO Stephen Elop, formerly of Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), took the helm over a year ago. He must…
Today’s Best Market Rumors (4/16/2012) Rosneft And Exxon Mobil Join Forces
Updated throughout the day on the 24/7 Wall St. Wire Russia’s Rosneft and Exxon Mobil will set a global strategic alliance (Reuters) Several large US banks have told the Fed that mandate cuts in…
Samsung To Release New Galaxy Phone
Samsung says it will release the third generation of its flagship. It will be called the Galaxy S. That is a bit like the Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPhone 4S, at least the way it…
Major Media Disagree On Highest Paid CEOs
Major media cannot agree on something as simple and critical as what the highest paid CEOs in America made last year. Most of the data come from proxies filed with the SEC. Much of…
Exxon Mobil To Grow Deal With Rosneft–Reuters
Exxon Mobil (NYSE: XOM), America’s largest oil company, and Rosneft, the Russian state owned oil company, are set to announced an alliance. Rosneft will have access to some of Exxon’s projects near the Arctic and in…