Federal Reserve Turns $76.9 Billion Net Income Over To Treasury
The heavy load of US debt just got a bit lighter for the US Treasury. The Federal Reserve has sent it $76.9 billion which was its net income for fiscal 2011, according to preliminary…
All Work
Douglas A. McIntyre
Corelogic: Home Prices Down For Fourth Month
Research firm Corelogic said that, by its measure, home prices were off for a fourth month in November. It is worth remembering that there are a number of guides to home prices, and not all agree on…
WebMD, Health Management, Liz Claiborne Continue Sell Off
Shares of WebMD (NASDAQ: WBMD), Health Management Associates (NYSE: HMA), and Liz Claiborne (NYSE: LIZ) continued to sell down sharply WebMD’s store dropped as the firm’s CEO resigned and the board said it would cease its work…
Samsung Repeats Plan To Pass Nokia In Global Sales
Nokia (NYSE: NOK) has been the largest manufacturer of handsets in the world. As recently as two years ago, it had nearly 40% of the global market. That has changed as it has lost…
Hedge Funds Challenge Greek Bailout–Bloomberg
The opportunity for a bailout of Greece may be blocked by some of the largest holders of its debt. Bloomberg reports that the hedge funds have set themselve in opposition to the IMF’s Greek…
Google Launches Personalized Search Results
Google (NYSE: GOOG) in an attempt to further challenge Facebook in the social network arena has launched a new search feature, tailored to personal use. The company, which has its own Google+ social network,…
Glassdoor Lists 25 Oddball Interview Questions
Jobs evaluation site Glassdoor listed its “Top 25 Oddball Interview Questions Of 2011” At the top of the list Over the past year, interview candidates just about everywhere shared some of the most difficult,…
US Consumer Confidence Hits 7-Month High–Gallup
Gallup released data which appears to buttress data from the Conference Board and private economists. Holiday sales also support a rise in consumer activity Gallup reports Gallup’s Economic Confidence Index improved to -27 last…
Toyota (TM) Launches Prius c–53 MPG Hybrid
Toyota (NYSE: TM), as expected, released it Prius c, which the company says gets 53-miles per gallon in city driving. The release was done at the Detroit Auto Show. The car will retail for…
Fossil Buys Skagen
Skagen Designs, the watch and jewelry company will be bought by Fossil (NASDAQ: FOSL) for $225 million. The price is subject to some adjustments. Fossil makes jewelry, watches and accessories Fossil trades at $79, at…
American Turn Away From Hybrids
According to Bloomberg While past auto shows have been stocked with gas-electric hybrids and SUVs, slow hybrid sales have brought a dose of reality to the industry. Carmakers are realizing they can give buyers…
Kodak Reorganizes Ahead Of Probable Chapter 11
Eastman Kodak (NYSE: EK) believes that, for some reason, a major management and structure re-organization will save it from also certain Chapter 11. It took the odd step of making new management appoints ahead…
2012’s Most Profitable American Companies
Each January, 24/7 Wall St. forecasts the publicly traded U.S. companies that will have the highest profits in the year ahead. This year, Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) is likely to pass Exxon Mobil (NYSE: XOM)…
Nokia Pushes for U.S. Comeback
The three partners in the launch of the new Nokia (NYSE: NOK) Windows-powered Lumia 900 smartphone — AT&T (NYSE: T), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) and Nokia — were effusive about its chances to rival Apple’s (NASDAQ:…
As Consumer Borrowing Rises, Are Americans Adding Debt Too Quickly?
The Federal Reserve released its “Consumer Credit Report” for November. The sum borrowed by Americans rose $20.7 billion to $2.477 trillion. The renewal of a rapid increase in credit debt may not be as…
China’s Oil Demand Slackens
The General Administration of Customs said China’s crude oil imports were 253.8 million tons in 2011. The figure in December was modest by recent standards — only 21.9 million tons. Bloomberg reports that the…
It Takes a Recession to Slow U.S. Health Care Cost Increases
It takes a recession to slow what has normally been runaway U.S. health care costs. The trend may be part of a road map to keep costs down. These costs have risen at close to double…
What’s Important in the Financial World (1/10/2012) Consumer Electronics Show, EU Hampers Earnings
CES – The Consumer Electronics Show is awash with new gadgets. Most will never see the light of day. Many will trigger tens of millions of dollars in manufacturing and marketing costs for the…
Media Digest (1/10/2011) Reuters, WSJ, NYT, FT, Bloomberg
Olympus sues its CEO and former board members for $50 million in compensation, and shares rise. (Reuters) China’s trade growth hits a two-year low in December. (Reuters) Philips warns of Q4 weakness because of…
Asia And Europe Shares Rise
Share in both Europe and Asia rose. Part of the cause is a belief that China will increase liquidity in its economy to offset a slowdown in GDP growth. The other cause is an…