Apple App Downloads Hit 25 Billion
Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) released a report that says downloads from its App Store have reached 25 billion — about three times the population of the world. The figure skirts the issue of how many…
All Work
Douglas A. McIntyre
What If Walmart Were Tesco?
Tesco (NASDAQ: TESO), the largest retailer in the UK, said it would add 20,000 jobs between now and 2014. It is the largest employer in the UK, with 270,000 workers. The move is an…
Too Many Pilots Sleepy on the Job
The National Sleep Foundation has just released a research report that says: About one-fourth of train operators (26%) and pilots (23%) admit that sleepiness has affected their job performance at least once a week,…
The $28,000 Appendectomy
An organization called the International Federation of Health Plans keeps track of medical costs in most of the developed nations around the world. As would be expected, the costs for most procedures and medical treatment…
What’s Important in the Financial World (3/5/2012) China Economy Slows, Apple iPad 3 Prices
AIG (NYSE: AIG) continues to try to pay back the $182 billion bailout that it received from the federal government, which means from the taxpayers. It announced another stage in the process. It will sell…
Media Digest (3/5/2012) Reuters, WSJ, NYT, FT, Bloomberg
AIG (NYSE: AIG) to sell more than $6 billion in shares in its AIA unit to pay back government loans. (Reuters) Jaguar Land Rover and Chery plan a joint venture in China worth more…
Carlos Slim Tops World’s Billionaires–Bloomberg
Bloomberg has tried to “one up” Forbes by setting a billionaire list which update every day and not just once a year. The task is actually impossible, although Bloomberg will not admit it. Much of…
China Growth Forecast Helps Lower Oil
Among the largest drivers of oil prices are expectations of demand in China–by many measures the world’s second largest importer of crude. The price of a barrel of Brent is already close to $125,…
American Optimism About Economy Finally Rises–Gallup
Many recent signs about the economy point to a resurrection of consumer and business optimism. Recent Fed data shows that borrowing among consumers has risen. Consumer confidence data from the University of Michigan and Conference board…
Almost 50% Of US Adults Own Smartphones–Pew
It is good news for Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Google (NASDAQ: GOOG), Motorola Mobility (NASDAQ: MMI), Samsung, and perhaps even Research In Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM) The Pew Internet and American Life Project reports that Nearly…
AIG Sells AIA Stake For $6 Billion
AIG (NYSE: AIG) continues to try to pay back the $182 billion bailout that it received from the federal government, which means from the taxpayers. It announced another stage in the process. It will sell…
Apple Prices iPad 3
It is impossible to keep Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) out of the headlines. It announced its App Store had reached its 25 billionth download. Just behind that news are reports that the Apple iPad 3, which…
China Cuts Growth, Increases Military
China made two announcements about its budget. One was that it has revised its growth forecast to 7.5% for 2012. For an economy that has grown at a rate of 10% over the last decade,…
At $3.76, Gas Prices Race Toward $4
Gas prices reached $3.764 yesterday based on a national average of a gallon of regular, according to the AAA. One month ago, that price was $3.467. At that rate of increase — 8% a month…
BP And Plantiffs Settle In Deepwater Horizon Case–WSJ
A case which has been in the making for months, has finally settled. BP has been sued by a large number of businesses and individuals for damages due to oil leaks from the Deepwater…
Moody’s Dowgrades Greece–Finally
Moody’s took time moved its rating of Greece to the lowest possible level. This happened even after the International Swaps and Derivatives Association said that the swap of old Greek bonds for new ones…
Dick Parsons To Leave As Citi Chairman–WSJ
Richard “Dick” Parsons, former CEO of Time Warner (NYSE: TWX), will leave his post as Chairman of Citigroup (NYSE: C). Many observers believe he stayed far too long. Most of the Citi board was turned…
America’s Happiest States
24/7 Wall St. StaffAmericans are not any happier than they were last year. In fact, they are slightly more miserable. At least, that’s what the recent Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index shows. The annual index measures…
America’s Most Miserable States
Americans are not any happier than they were last year. In fact, they are slightly more miserable. At least, that’s what the recent Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index shows. The annual index measures six areas of well-being, including…
Toyota Prius Sales Surge
Toyota (NYSE: TM) said its U.S. car sales rose faster than expected in February and that March sales are off to a strong start. Much of the credit, the company said, goes to demand…