INVESTMENT

Microsoft Buys Into Nook: 5 Reasons Why

Barnes & Noble New NOOK Now Lets You Read in the Dark
Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT), the world's biggest software company, announced it'll invest $300 million into a new business with Barnes & Noble (NYSE: BKS) to burnish the future of the Nook.
A demonstrator poses in New York's Bryant Square during the morning's May Day street action

Occupy Wall Street May Day Protest Early Pictures

In spite of organizers providing free coffee and bagels, planned May Day demonstrations across New York convened by the loosely organized movement against social and economic inequality known as Occupy Wall Street got off to a wet, slow, sleepy start. Much like the day itself, however, the street actions began warming up into the late afternoon and, by lunchtime, seemed to be close to going into full swing.
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US Housing Sector

US Homeownership Rate Drops To 15-Year Low

The share of privately-owned U.S. homes fell to a 15-year low in the first quarter as falling house prices and stringent lending conditions push younger Americans, in particular, into renting.
Guy Hands

Terra Firma To Buy Four Seasons Healthcare For $1.34B

Private equity group Terra Firma Capital Partners said Monday it would buy Four Seasons Health Care, the UK's largest independent elderly healthcare provider, for 825 million pounds ($1.34 billion) to take advantage of the growing demand.
Oegussa plant gold

Gold Price Close To 2-Week High In Market Trade On Monday

Gold held near a two-week high on Monday on prospects of more safe-haven buying, with the U.S. dollar under pressure from weaker-than-expected economic data and speculation the Federal Reserve could ease policy further to boost growth.
India's Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee

India Allays US Allegations That Retrospective Tax Law Amendments Are Discriminatory

India on Friday allayed US allegations that the proposed retrospective amendments to the Indian tax laws are discriminatory and will adversely impact the US investments.Indian Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee told Lok Sabha that the proposed amendments will not have any negative impact on the foreign investments. His clarification came after the new US ambassador to India Nancy Powell raised the issue in a business meeting on Friday at New Delhi.
Bank of Japan Governor Masaaki Shirakawa speaks during a news conference at its headquarters in Tokyo

Bank of Japan Ups Bond Purchasing Program to $867B

The Bank of Japan will expand its Asset Purchase Program by an additional 5 trillion yen ($62 billion) to increase the purchase of Japanese government bonds, exchange-traded funds and Japan real estate investment trusts, the bank announced in a statement Friday.
Apple Gets Final Approval For Tax Incentives, Can Now Begin Expanding Austin Campus

New Apple Campus In Peril, Says Austin Chamber Official

Apple's plans to build a sprawling new campus in Austin, Texas, looks to be in trouble. After several delays in approving an incentives deal by the Travis County Commissioners Court, the Cupertino, Calif.-based computer maker is getting very frustrated.
US GDP

US 1Q GDP Grew 2.2%, Less Than Expected

The U.S. economy expanded at a slower-than-expected pace in the first quarter, reflecting a deceleration in inventories and nonresidential fixed investment that was partly offset by the biggest gain in consumer spending in more than a year.
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Asian Stocks Up Despite Spain Downgrade; Euro Down

Asian shares inched up Friday, tracking U.S. stocks which jumped overnight on strong U.S. housing data and earnings, but concerns over the health of European banks weighed on investor risk appetite after Standard & Poor's downgraded Spain's rating.
Mongolia

Mongolia: Inside The Budding Eco-Tourism Destination

Envision vast open desert, towering snow-capped mountains, and deep craggy gorges. Picture Buddhist temples, mysterious ruins, felt homes, and the caw of an eagle. Sprinkle on top of it all the legend Genghis Khan.
Women walk out of a branch of HSBC at Dubai Internet City in Dubai

HSBC To Sack 2,200 Employees

HSBC Holdings PLC (NYSE: HBC) plans to cut more than 2,200 jobs in the United Kingdom, where it's most profitable, in a bid to lower costs and boost profit margins, according to published reports.

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