Home » Author Archive

Image for UPS Cuts 2nd Quarter Outlook

UPS Cuts 2nd Quarter Outlook

UPS reported that its second quarter earnings will be lower than its previous expectation as customers opted for cheaper options as well as an oversupply in the air freight business. The logistics and package delivery company said... More of this article »
Image for US Budget Surplus Breaks Record in June

US Budget Surplus Breaks Record in June

The US government got budget surplus in June, which is the latest indicator of improving finances that could decrease the urgency in Congress to reach a compromise regarding increasing the borrowing limit of the nation. The government... More of this article »
Image for US Retailers Agree to a Factory Safety Pact in Bangladesh

US Retailers Agree to a Factory Safety Pact in Bangladesh

17 retailers and clothing makers from the United States have agreed to a five year pact with the goal of improving conditions at Bangladesh apparel plants. Some of the companies include Target, Walmart, and Gap. The companies agreed... More of this article »
Image for Global Economic Growth Slower than Anticipated

Global Economic Growth Slower than Anticipated

According to the International Monetary Fund report released Tuesday, global economic growth will be slower than expected in 2013 and the next year due to the weaker consumer demand in emerging markets as well as the recession in the... More of this article »
Image for Crude Options Volatility Remains near Highest Level

Crude Options Volatility Remains near Highest Level

Crude options volatility remained near its highest level, which it reached last April. Futures closed at a 14 month high. These were attributed to the strong job gains in the US and the unrest in Egypt. Implied volatility for at-the-money... More of this article »
Image for Morningstar Reports Credit Card Data Leak

Morningstar Reports Credit Card Data Leak

Morningstar said that personal data, such as credit card details, of around 2,300 users of the company’s Morningstar Document Research service have been compromised because of a security breach last year. The company said that the... More of this article »
Image for Gold Drops as Dollar Rises due to Jobs Report

Gold Drops as Dollar Rises due to Jobs Report

Gold futures dropped to a week low as the dollar increased to its highest level in three years after the release of the jobs report that showed US payrolls went up more than the estimates in June. This fueled speculations that the... More of this article »
Image for Bond Withdrawals Could Lead to Opportunities

Bond Withdrawals Could Lead to Opportunities

Investors have a lot to be concerned about the bond market. Yields are increasing and prices have dropped. Investors are withdrawing their money out of bond funds at an alarming rate. There are questions where the money will go to... More of this article »
Image for Oil Price Increase to Impact Stocks and Economy

Oil Price Increase to Impact Stocks and Economy

The price of crude oil reached its highest level in over a year. It traded above $1.2 per barrel due to the problems in Egypt as President Mohammed Morsi pledged not to resign despite the demands of millions of protestors. Stock market... More of this article »
Image for Investors Withdraw $9.6 Billion from Pimco Fund

Investors Withdraw $9.6 Billion from Pimco Fund

Investors pulled $9.6 billion from Pimco’s flagship Total Return bond fund in June. This was a sign how increasing interest rates have made bonds unattractive to investors. The amount was the largest monthly outflow since Morningstar... More of this article »
Image for US Manufacturing Goes Up as Orders Increase

US Manufacturing Goes Up as Orders Increase

Manufacturing in the United States went up in June as orders increased. Factory reports from Japan to the United Kingdom indicated stabilization in the global economy. According to the Institute for Supply Management, US manufacturing... More of this article »
Image for Top Travel Apps for Small Businesses

Top Travel Apps for Small Businesses

Travel is vital for most small businesses to achieve success. Travelling can be troublesome without the right knowledge and tools. Now you can get all these via your smartphone. Below are some of the recommended small business travel... More of this article »
Image for Noodles & Co Doubles its Shares in IPO

Noodles & Co Doubles its Shares in IPO

Restaurant chain Noodles & Co saw its shares double during their initial public offering. The chain known for its casual atmosphere and fast service has a value of over $1.07 billion. Its shares closed at $35.20, with was an increase... More of this article »
Image for Gold and Silver Recover as Energy Falls

Gold and Silver Recover as Energy Falls

Gold and silver prices closed a bit higher Friday at the end of a rough week for the market. This marked the first gain for gold after four losses in a row. Investors have been dumping gold since last week after the Federal Reserve... More of this article »
Image for Jobless Benefits Applications Drop 9,000 Last Week

Jobless Benefits Applications Drop 9,000 Last Week

Less Americans filed for unemployment claims last week. This was a sign that employers are slowing their rate of firings as the economy’s outlook becomes brighter. Jobless claims declined 9,000 to 346,000 in the week that ended June... More of this article »
Image for Treasury Yields Close Higher due to Weaker Data

Treasury Yields Close Higher due to Weaker Data

US Treasury prices closed higher Wednesday that was attributed to weaker than estimated economic data. There was little demand for the US Treasury five year notes that showed investors were worried with regards to the date the Federal... More of this article »
Image for Increasing Sales Lead to Brighter Outlook in Housing Market

Increasing Sales Lead to Brighter Outlook in Housing Market

The latest government reports showed that sales of new homes went up last month to the highest level in five years. There is still a lot of uncertainty in the home construction industry but the sales report rekindled builders’ optimism.... More of this article »
Image for Major Law Firm Weil to Lay Off Lawyers and Support Staff

Major Law Firm Weil to Lay Off Lawyers and Support Staff

Weil Gotshal & Manges, which is one of the world’s most prominent law companies, announced that it would lay off 60 associate lawyers and 110 support staff. This was an indicator that the law industry continued to suffer from... More of this article »
Image for Bond Yields on Track for Biggest Weekly Gain in a Decade

Bond Yields on Track for Biggest Weekly Gain in a Decade

US equities stabilized in a volatile trading session Friday as Treasury yields were on track to get their largest weekly increase in 10 years. Investors reconsidered their positions as the Federal Reserve prepares to discontinue its... More of this article »
Image for US Stocks Falls for the Week

US Stocks Falls for the Week

US stocks dropped for the week that sent indexes to their worst levels since April. This was after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said he could discontinue the monetary stimulus. All ten industries in the Standard & Poor’s... More of this article »
Image for NSA Controversy Bad for US Tech Companies

NSA Controversy Bad for US Tech Companies

Most Americans are now worried about their privacy after the disclosure of the secret National Security Agency surveillance programs. In an effort to relieve the concerns, a senior administration official said that President Barack... More of this article »
Image for Georgia’s Jobless Rate and Hiring Up in May

Georgia’s Jobless Rate and Hiring Up in May

The unemployment rate in the State of Georgia increased in May to 8.3 percent but labor officials said that job growth also gained during the month. The seasonally adjusted jobless rate is up one-tenth of a percent from 8.2 percent... More of this article »
Image for US Companies Want to Save Corporate Tax Loopholes

US Companies Want to Save Corporate Tax Loopholes

Corporate America managed to lobby for loopholes in the tax code that benefits the companies. They are also working doubly hard to keep them as is. US companies have been showering Washington with money in an effort to thwart away... More of this article »
Image for Taxpayers Pay Millions for Fed Workers Student Loan Relief

Taxpayers Pay Millions for Fed Workers Student Loan Relief

Federal workers have their student loans subsidized by the government. This was designed to make jobs in the government more attractive to those who might earn more in the private sector. The perk is now up for the chopping block. It... More of this article »
Image for Supreme Court Allows Regulators to Challenge Generic Drug Agreements

Supreme Court Allows Regulators to Challenge Generic Drug Agreements

The Supreme Court ruled that antitrust regulators could challenge the agreements that allow rival drug makers to postpone the sale of a generic drug. The arrangements, known as reverse payment or pay for delay, allow brand name drug... More of this article »
Image for Central Banks Struggle to Communicate, Leads to Bond Yields Gains

Central Banks Struggle to Communicate, Leads to Bond Yields Gains

It looks like central banks across the globe fail to give out the goals of their monetary policy as they face competing views. Chairman Ben S Bernanke tries his best to spell out when the Federal Reserve will pull back on its asset... More of this article »
Image for Bidding for Back Bay Parking Spaces Reaches $560,000

Bidding for Back Bay Parking Spaces Reaches $560,000

The piece of land is just big enough to fit two cars. It has weeds in its borders and a utility pole. But the auction for it has attracted a crowd. It is because the piece of land is a pair of tandem parking spaces in Back Bay, which... More of this article »
Image for Concerns about Origins of Genetically Modified Wheat Affect US White Wheat

Concerns about Origins of Genetically Modified Wheat Affect US White Wheat

Unapproved genetically engineered wheat was discovered in Oregon. Concerns about the discovery have been pressuring the US white wheat market for more than two weeks. Major buyer Japan extended the ban on wheat from the Pacific Northwest... More of this article »
Image for Unemployment Claims Drop to 334,000 Last Week

Unemployment Claims Drop to 334,000 Last Week

There were less Americans who applied for unemployment benefits last week than the estimate. This showed that companies fired fewer workers as growth cooled in the quarter. Jobless claims declined 12,000 to 334,000 in the week that... More of this article »
Image for Share of Homeowners with Negative Equity Drop 20%

Share of Homeowners with Negative Equity Drop 20%

The share of borrowers who owe more than the worth of their homes dropped to less than 20 percent in the first three months of the year. At the same period, prices went up in hard hit markets. This was according to data from CoreLogic... More of this article »
Image for Banks Earn Big on Overdraft Fees

Banks Earn Big on Overdraft Fees

The majority of banks earns large profits in overdraft fees by allowing customers to overdraw their checking accounts. This was according to a recent report released by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Consumer groups want... More of this article »
Image for Navistar Announces Losses Larger than Estimates in 2nd Quarter

Navistar Announces Losses Larger than Estimates in 2nd Quarter

Navistar International Corp. said its losses in the second quarter was larger than the estimates as the company absorbed higher warranty costs and lost sales as it shifted into a new engine technology. Jack Allen, chief operating officer... More of this article »
Image for More Companies Allow Workers to Buy and Sell Vacation Time

More Companies Allow Workers to Buy and Sell Vacation Time

A new survey showed that more companies are looking at their employee’s vacation time differently. The poll made by the Society for Human Resource Management indicated more employers changed the way they see their workers’ vacations.... More of this article »
Image for PRISM Beneficial for US Tech Companies

PRISM Beneficial for US Tech Companies

US-based Internet services have a lot of users from outside the country. Google’s e-mail service, Gmail, has its servers in the company’s headquarters in California. Its business is international with less than 30 percent of the... More of this article »
Image for US Bonds Fall due to Speculations on Fed Stimulus

US Bonds Fall due to Speculations on Fed Stimulus

US Treasury debt prices dropped Friday as investors renewed their bets that the Federal Reserve would reduce its stimulus program later this year after data indicated solid employment growth. The yield on the benchmark 10 year note... More of this article »
Image for Jobs Market to Continue Slow Growth

Jobs Market to Continue Slow Growth

The federal budget cuts might have affected how the government added new jobs but the private sector continued to create new ones at a slow but steady pace. Small businesses have experienced obstacles in their way and yet they are... More of this article »
Image for US  to Sell More GM Shares after Automaker Returns to S&P

US to Sell More GM Shares after Automaker Returns to S&P

The US Treasury Department said it was planning to sell more shares of General Motors Co. common stock before the car company goes back to the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index after its four years of absence. The US government announced... More of this article »
Image for Amazon Expands Business with Online Grocery

Amazon Expands Business with Online Grocery

Amazon.com is said to be planning to come out with an online grocery that it has been developing for several years. The company has set its sights on the biggest retail sector that has yet to be taken over by e-commerce. Food is a... More of this article »
Image for US Manufacturing Index Drops to Lowest Level since June 2009

US Manufacturing Index Drops to Lowest Level since June 2009

According to the Institute for Supply Management, the index of manufacturing activity declined in May to its lowest level since June 2009. This is caused by the weak economies overseas and a pullback in business spending that led to... More of this article »
Image for San Diego Tourism Agency Closes Down

San Diego Tourism Agency Closes Down

The tourism agency of San Diego announced that it will close down Monday because the city hasn’t released the money it needs to pay its workers. Mayor Bob Filner said that he is withholding millions of dollars in tourism marketing... More of this article »
Image for Obama Extends Making Home Affordable Program

Obama Extends Making Home Affordable Program

The US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew announced that President Barack Obama’s Making Home Affordable Program would be extended until December 31, 2015. This would keep it align with deadlines of other federal housing programs and initiatives. The... More of this article »
Image for House Passes Student Loan Bill

House Passes Student Loan Bill

The House passed a measure Thursday that would prevent the doubling of student loan interest on July 1. The legislation would keep the rates at prevailing market trends and end federal subsidies. It was voted along party lines, 221... More of this article »
Image for Economic Growth in First Quarter Moderate

Economic Growth in First Quarter Moderate

According to the Commerce Department, the economy grew at a modest annual rate of 2.4 percent in the first quarter of 2013. It was slightly slower than the estimate. Consumer spending was stronger than the estimates made by economists... More of this article »
Image for Fairholme Takes a 500 Million Stake in Freddie and Fannie

Fairholme Takes a 500 Million Stake in Freddie and Fannie

Fund manager Bruce Berkowitz’s Fairholme Capital Management invested on Freddie Mac and Frannie Mae preferred shares. The mutual fund company took around $500 million stake in the preferred shares of the mortgage firms that have... More of this article »
Image for Oil Price Increases to $95 per Barrel

Oil Price Increases to $95 per Barrel

Oil price increased to $95 per barrel Tuesday due to the gains on stock markets across the globe. Benchmark oil for July delivery went up 86 cents to close at $95.01 per barrel. It was the first increase for oil in five trading sessions. Oil... More of this article »
Image for US Housing Market to Continue Growth

US Housing Market to Continue Growth

Analysts from the National Association of Realtors and investors are confident about the future of the housing market in the United States. They based their forecasts on current economic and employment data. Stocks of home improvement... More of this article »
Image for Jobless Benefits Drop Last Week

Jobless Benefits Drop Last Week

The number of Americans who applied for jobless benefits dropped 23,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 340,000. The number was consistent with the solid job growth. The four week average, which is said to be a less volatile measure,... More of this article »
Image for US Against the $20 Million Severance Package to AMR CEO

US Against the $20 Million Severance Package to AMR CEO

The Justice Department publicly announced its opposition to American Airlines’ plan to pay $20 million in severance to Chief Executive Tom Horton as part of the carrier’s merger with US Airways Group Inc. The US trustee’s office,... More of this article »
Image for Unemployment Claims Drop as Consumer Comfort Increases

Unemployment Claims Drop as Consumer Comfort Increases

There were fewer Americans who applied for jobless benefits last week. At the same time, consumer confidence neared a five year high as the largest part of the economy benefited from improving housing and job markets. Unemployment... More of this article »
Image for Apple Tax Scandal can Lead to the Scrapping of Corporate Tax

Apple Tax Scandal can Lead to the Scrapping of Corporate Tax

Apple is described as a tax dodger that deprived the US taxpayers of billions. The company used schemes in order to avoid paying taxes. US senators grilled Apple CEO Tim Cook with regards to the company’s tax practices. Senator Rand... More of this article »