Latest News
Anheuser-Busch InBev (BUD) has decided to get out of the theme parks business. The company announced plans to sell all the parks including Bush Gardens and SeaWorld to private-equity firm Blackstone Group (BX) for $2.7 billion. People have been speculating about this deal ever since InBev took over Anheuser-Busch, so it doesn't come as a surprise.
News about auto sales has become almost as common as weather reports. Fritz Henderson, the Chief Executive of General Motors, said that uncertainty surrounding the U.S. economic recovery will continue to depress auto sales and remains one of the primary challenges facing the company. Auto sales are not the only problem that General Motors needs to worry about. The company just announced that Mark LaNeve has resigned from his position. GM may consider someone outside the company to replace him.
The financial system may be headed for another wave of write downs sparked by losses in the commercial real estate market. The Federal Reserve indicated that banks are taking too long to take losses on their commercial real estate loans that have suffered as property values sink.
Video -- Commercial Real Estate Trick or Treat
Still chasing shadows?
At one time, Dell (DELL) rarely made massive layoffs. That has become a distant memory now. The company said that it will close its Winston-Salem, NC factory and lay off about 905 employees by January. Google (GOOG) on the other hand is taking another approach. The company has ramped up hiring because it believes that online advertising's worst days are behind it.
The Securities and Exchange Commission still wants a piece of Mark Cuban. The SEC has appealed the dismissal of its lawsuit against the billionaire for insider trading.
Video -- Cuban's Attorney Sounds Off
More Earnings News
Discount retailer Family Dollar (FDO) said fourth-quarter profit jumped 13 percent as more customers continued to purchase their low-priced products. The retailer posted a modest improvement in same-store sales for the quarter, seeing comparisons up about 1%.
Earnings are still tasty at Yum Brands (YUM). The company reported that third-quarter profit rose 18 percent, but indicated that U.S. sales are starting to pose some problems. The owner of Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut said Wednesday that an overall 6 percent drop in sales at its U.S. restaurants could be followed by even weaker results . The news spooked investors and shares declined during the session.
Costco Wholesale Corp (COST) fiscal fourth-quarter earnings topped expectations , but still showed a 6% decline. The company did indicate a small uptick in sales in September, but weak sales still remain an area of concern. A stronger dollar and higher employee health care costs also weighed on earnings.
Other Interesting Stuff
Some Americans are still finding it hard to borrow money from banks. Why is it still hard to get a loan ?
The Five R's To Get the World Back on Track
A Disaster Named Sallie Krawcheck -- The succession battle at Bank of America continues.
Tax the Rich? How's That Working?
America's most tone deaf CEO . He works for AIG. You know? The bailed out insurer owned mostly by taxpayers. |