IBT Staff Reporter

153361-153390 (out of 154954)

Slowing Housing May Cut Into Wall St. Bond Bonanza

Fixed income is likely to be less of an engine for profit growth for Wall Street firms as the United States housing market growth shows signs of slowing after two years of Federal Reserve interest rate hikes.

Slowing housing may cut into Street bond bonanza

Fixed income is likely to be less of an engine for profit growth for Wall Street firms as the United States housing market growth shows signs of slowing after two years of Federal Reserve interest rate hikes.

IBM Bundles Products, Targets Smaller Businesses

International Business Machines Corp. on Tuesday unveiled the first in a new line of product bundles encompassing hardware, software and technical assistance as it looks to increase its sales to small and medium-sized companies.

Irrational mortgage bond prices polarize market

Buyers in the $565 billion market for so-called sub-prime mortgage bonds are clamoring for the high-yield securities, even though experts increasingly warn that pricing has reached irrational levels.

U.S. drops to 6th in world competitiveness ranking

The United States fell to sixth place in the World Economic Forum's 2006 global competitiveness rankings, ceding the top place to Switzerland, as macroeconomic concerns eroded prospects for the world's largest economy.

Softbank to raise billions on Vodafone

Japanese telecoms and Internet conglomerate Softbank Corp. plans to raise about 1.4 trillion yen (6.31 billion pounds) by securitising the cash flow of its Vodafone Japan operations

FirstGroup on track for first half

Bus and train operator FirstGroup said on Tuesday it had a good first half with new franchises leading to a strong performance across its UK Rail division.

China blogging leaps 30 fold in four years

The number of blog sites in China reached 34 million last month, a 30 fold increase from four years ago, state media said on Tuesday, despite a series of curbs on media and dissent.

Fastow to be sentenced

Former Enron Corp. chief financial officer Andrew Fastow, whose off the books deals led to the high flying energy giant's destruction, faces a federal judge on Tuesday to find out how long he will spend in prison.

FUND FOCUS-Commodities undervalued by 30 percent

The oil price might have fallen almost 25 percent from its peak, but the commodities sector as a whole is undervalued by around 30 percent giving further opportunity for growth according to one fund manager.

China blogging leaps 30-fold in four years

The number of blog sites in China reached 34 million last month, a 30-fold increase from four years ago, state media said on Tuesday, despite a series of curbs on media and dissent.

New mortgage loans up 30.6%

August saw $12.7 billion new mortgage loans approved, up 30.6% on July, while new loans drawn down fell 19.1%, to $8.4 billion, the Monetary Authority says.

Value of total exports up 9.9%

August saw the value of total exports of goods rise to $226.2 billion, up 9.9% on the same month last year. The figure comes after a year-on-year rise of 10.7% in July.

1,000-plus views on tax reform received

Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Frederick Ma says more than 1,000 submissions have been received for the tax-reform consultaton, adding the proposed sales tax is the best option to maintain Hong Kong's competitiveness and broaden its tax base.

RHM says Mr Kipling recovering

RHM reported continued recovery in its Mr Kipling cakes brand on Tuesday, but said high wheat prices and marketing spend meant annual profit would be even more skewed to the second half than last year.

FTSE edges up led by miners

The FTSE 100 index edged up on Tuesday, led by miners after metal prices rose overnight and oil bounced, but weighed by tobacco stocks.

Dairy Crest sells cheese business

Dairy Crest Group said on Tuesday it was to sell most of its retailer brand cheese operations for 61.9 million pounds to farmer owned dairy business First Milk.

Home sales edge down, prices drop

The pace of existing home sales in the United States fell for a fifth straight month in August and prices dropped from year-ago levels......

Artist Reps Ask Japan Gov't for Copyright Extension

A group of 16 organizers for writers, artists, and musicians in Japan submitted a petition calling for legislation to extend the period of copyright protection from the current 50 years to 70 years after the death of right-holders, according to Japanese media.

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