International Business News - Business http://www.ibtimes.com All articles are copyrighted by IBTimes.com 400 100 http://www.ibtimes.com/ http://www.ibtimes.com/images/top_logo_ibt2_3.gif Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac shares plummet NEW YORK (AP)--Investors are betting that time is running out for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Shares of the mortgage finance companies lost more than a fifth of their value on Wednesday as fears mounted that the companies will soon need government support and any bailout would hang stockholders out to dry. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080820/business-highlights.htm Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:18:57 EDT Michael Phelps' coach says he and his record-breaking athlete are extending their partnership from training into business, though the details are fuzzy. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080820/coach-says-he-and-phelps-will-be-business-partners.htm Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:30:56 EDT The revenue projection for Texas' new business tax has been lowered again--this time by a total of $1.5 billion, the state's revenue estimator told lawmakers. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080820/texas-business-tax-revenue-projection-falls-short.htm Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:20:35 EDT Wholesale prices rising at fastest pace since 1981 WASHINGTON (AP)--Wholesale inflation soared in July, leaving prices rising at the fastest pace in nearly three decades. While recent declines in oil and other commodity prices raise hopes inflation may have peaked, some economists worry about the widespread nature of the July price surge and caution it will take more time for that pressure to ease on Wall Street and Main Street. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080819/business-highlights.htm Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:40:07 EDT Leonardo DiCaprio has a Red Mango yogurt machine in his office. Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan have been photographed clutching Pinkberry yogurt cups while ducking the paparazzi. http://www.ibtimes.com/data/articleimgs/112118-business-of-life.jpg http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080819/frozen-yogurt-war-de-thaws-tart-new-brands-hit-us.htm http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080819/frozen-yogurt-war-de-thaws-tart-new-brands-hit-us.htm Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:28:54 EDT Michael Phelps and his coach are pursuing involvement in the business operations of their home swim club and its facilities. Phelps will be returning to Baltimore after winning gold medals in all eight of his swimming events--a gold medal total unmatched in any Olympics. Once he's back, Phelps will resume business talks with North Baltimore Aquatic Club, said Murray Stephens, the organization's founder. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080819/phelps-plans-involvement-with-baltimore-swim-club.htm Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:28:32 EDT The board of Barrett Business Services Inc. on Friday declared a quarterly cash dividend of 8 cents. The employee management services company will pay the dividend Sept. 11 to shareholders of record as of Aug. 28. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080819/barrett-business-services-sets-regular-dividend.htm Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:29:52 EDT Fannie, Freddie fall on renewed bailout fears WASHINGTON (AP)--Whether or not the government is actually on the verge of taking over mortgage finance companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, investor fears that a bailout is imminent could turn such a worst-case scenario into reality. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080818/business-highlights.htm Mon, 18 Aug 2008 18:37:48 EDT Oil touches 3-month low on stronger US dollar NEW YORK (AP)--Oil fell to its lowest price in three months Friday, briefly touching the $111 level after the dollar muscled higher and OPEC predicted the world's thirst for fuel next year will fall to its lowest point since 2002. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080815/business-highlights.htm Fri, 15 Aug 2008 17:58:34 EDT Consumer prices surge, job market remains strained WASHINGTON (AP)--Inflation is running at the fastest pace in 17 years, the job market is under further strain and foreclosure filings are surging. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080814/business-highlights.htm Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:10:22 EDT Nordstrom Inc. plans to hire 250 employees for its new store at Ross Park Mall. The Seattle-based retailer is looking for employees to work sales in women's, men's and children's apparel, shoes, accessories and cosmetics. It is also seeking workers in alterations, housekeeping and the Nordstrom Cafe and Ebar Coffee Bar. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080814/nordstrom-to-hire-250-at-suburban-pittsburgh-mall.htm Thu, 14 Aug 2008 10:47:25 EDT Retail sales drop for first time in 5 months WASHINGTON (AP)--Retail sales delivered the weakest performance in five months in July as shoppers shunned autos while they paid more for gas. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080813/business-highlights.htm Wed, 13 Aug 2008 18:34:54 EDT Business inventories are expected to rise slightly in June amid caution about the sluggish economy and weak consumer spending. The inventories-to-sales ratio, which measures the number of months it would take to deplete existing inventories at current sales rates, is expected to hover near the lowest level on record. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080813/june-business-inventories-expected-to-edge-higher.htm Wed, 13 Aug 2008 06:23:34 EDT June trade deficit shrinks as exports climb WASHINGTON (AP)--The U.S. trade deficit has gone on a diet, helped by strong exports of farm products and manufactured goods and by Americans spending less as the economy limps along. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080812/business-highlights.htm Tue, 12 Aug 2008 18:59:55 EDT Robert Gilliland didn't think much about carpooling until gas prices got out of control. Now, he's happy to trade his motoring freedom for $120 in weekly savings. http://www.ibtimes.com/data/articleimgs/107719-business-of-life.jpg http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080812/motorists-turn-to-carpool-sites-as-gas-prices-rise.htm http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080812/motorists-turn-to-carpool-sites-as-gas-prices-rise.htm Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:21:38 EDT The National Business Aviation Association, which represents companies that rely on general aviation, spent $620,000 lobbying the federal government in the second quarter, according to a recent disclosure form. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080812/nbaa-spent-620-000-lobbying-government-in-2q.htm Tue, 12 Aug 2008 09:14:00 EDT Federal Reserve finds deepening credit crisis WASHINGTON (AP)--More banks are tightening lending standards on home mortgages and other consumer and business loans as a deepening credit crisis exerts a heavier toll on the economy. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080811/business-highlights.htm Mon, 11 Aug 2008 18:11:09 EDT Fannie Mae loses $2.3B in quarter WASHINGTON (AP)--Fannie Mae is making bold cutbacks that will send shock waves through the mortgage market, after posting a quarterly loss Friday that was three times larger than Wall Street expected. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080808/business-highlights.htm Fri, 08 Aug 2008 18:52:08 EDT Jobless claims hit highest point since March 2002 WASHINGTON (AP)--The nation's jobs market sent a fresh cry of distress as the number of newly laid off people unexpectedly hit the highest level in more than six years, a Labor Department report showed Thursday. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080807/business-highlights.htm Thu, 07 Aug 2008 18:57:29 EDT Wall Street advances after oil declines NEW YORK (AP)--Wall Street logged another winning day Wednesday as a drop in oil prices and a better-than-expected profit report from technology bellwether Cisco Systems Inc. helped corral the market's worries about the financial sector. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080806/business-highlights.htm Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:58:00 EDT