International Business News - MAT 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 A "severe recession" worldwide will result in "harsh business conditions" for U.S. consumer products companies in 2009, says a report by Fitch Ratings. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081201/fitch-consumer-products-sector-faces-harsh-2009.htm Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:54:25 EST It started as a pay dispute at a southern Chinese toy factory. But it quickly turned into a riot as laid-off workers tapped into a network of friends and unemployed laborers who flipped over a police car, stormed into the plant and smashed office computers. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081126/500-workers-protest-at-chinese-toy-factory.htm Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:54:14 EST Tired of traffic, crime and the high cost of living, Suzie and David Threadgold sold their home near Los Angeles and moved to central North Dakota. Few here understand why. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081125/big-city-family-moves-to-north-dakota-and-loves-it.htm Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:11:15 EST The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will open three offices in China this week in an unprecedented effort to improve the safety of exports headed to America amid recurring product safety scares. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081117/fda-to-open-china-offices-after-product-scares.htm Mon, 17 Nov 2008 07:37:26 EST The maker of Barbie dolls is taking the next step in its lengthy quest to sweep the rival Bratz line from toy store shelves after winning $100 million in a copyright infringement lawsuit earlier this year. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081111/mattel-aims-to-stop-rival-from-selling-bratz-dolls.htm Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:41:17 EST The maker of Barbie dolls is taking the next step in its lengthy quest to sweep the rival Bratz line from toy store shelves, after winning $100 million in a copyright infringement lawsuit earlier this year. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081110/mattel-aims-to-stop-rival-from-selling-bratz-dolls.htm Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:31:53 EST The U.S. retail industry shed 38,100 jobs in October as merchants shuttered stores and scaled back sales help to respond to a dramatic drop in spending amid a worsening financial crisis. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081107/retail-sector-loses-38-100-jobs-in-october.htm Fri, 07 Nov 2008 12:40:32 EST Stocks tumble, lose 10 percent in 2-day rout NEW YORK (AP)--Wall Street plunged for a second day, triggered by computer gear maker Cisco Systems warning of slumping demand and retailers reporting weak sales for October. Concerns about widespread economic weakness sent the major stock indexes down more than 4 percent Thursday, including the Dow Jones industrial average, which tumbled more than 440 points to 8,695.79 after falling as much as 502 in the final five minutes of trading. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081106/business-highlights.htm Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:09:30 EST Mattel Inc. said Thursday it is cutting about 1,000 positions worldwide because of the economic downturn that is clouding the holiday outlook for toy makers. http://www.ibtimes.com/data/articleimgs/169455-mattel-layoffs.jpg http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081106/toymaker-mattel-to-cut-1-000-jobs-worldwide.htm http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081106/toymaker-mattel-to-cut-1-000-jobs-worldwide.htm Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:42:10 EST Toy makers mostly rose on Tuesday, despite weak earnings results and outlooks from RC2 and Leapfrog, as investors focused on improvement in 2009. Despite reporting third-quarter results that missed expectations on Monday, as well as lowering full-year guidance, shares of RC2, which makes toys and infant products, rose on Tuesday, as an analyst said the company's transition year is behind it and upgraded the stock to "Buy" from "Neutral." http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081104/sector-snap-toy-makers.htm Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:06:09 EST An analyst said Monday he is beginning to see a ramp up in demand for toys ahead of the holidays, but added that toy stocks so far have been as volatile as the rest of the market. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081103/sector-snap-toy-makers.htm Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:37:17 EST One of the worst things about getting a new gadget or toy is trying to free it from the hard plastic casing that houses many products. To reduce those battles, Amazon.com Inc. said Monday it is working with manufacturers to make the products it sells easier to open and more environmentally friendly. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081103/amazon-com-making-packaging-simpler-less-wasteful.htm Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:59:20 EST Shares of toy makers declined Friday, as the broader market sank amid fears of a long-lasting global recession. In morning trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 400 points. Earlier in the day, futures sank so low that selling was halted in pre-market trading. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081024/toy-makers-fall-along-with-broader-market.htm Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:13:12 EDT Shares of toy makers fell amid a broader market decline Wednesday, after Jakks Pacific Inc. reported solid third-quarter results but an analyst said there was some confusion about its guidance during a conference call. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081022/sector-snap-toy-makers-fall-with-market.htm Wed, 22 Oct 2008 13:47:56 EDT China on Tuesday urged greater care in the manufacture of children's products amid a tainted milk scandal and a recall of Chinese-made cribs in the United States. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081021/china-urges-safe-products-for-children.htm Tue, 21 Oct 2008 06:57:34 EDT Momentum building for new economy-boosting package WASHINGTON (AP)--Momentum is building for a fresh dose of economic stimulants to boost the country out of the doldrums--perhaps by putting more money in Americans' pockets. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081020/business-highlights.htm Mon, 20 Oct 2008 18:35:47 EDT Among the sector activity stories for Monday, Oct. 20, from AP Financial News: NEW YORK (AP)--Housing stocks rose Monday after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke endorsed another round of government stimulus for the ailing economy. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081020/sector-roundup-housing-toy-makers.htm Mon, 20 Oct 2008 18:26:56 EDT Shares of toy makers fell on Monday, after Mattel Inc. and Hasbro Inc. reported third-quarter earnings and said the toy industry is facing with a difficult economic environment as the holidays approach. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081020/toy-makers-shares-fall-after-earnings-reports.htm Mon, 20 Oct 2008 14:29:42 EDT Stocks that moved substantially or traded heavily Monday on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stock Market: NYSE http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081020/nrg-energy-halliburton-mattel-are-big-movers.htm Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:39:58 EDT There will be toys for kids this holiday season, but the fight for parents' dollars looks to be a tough one for toy makers, who are facing rising costs amid the swooning economy. http://www.ibtimes.com/data/articleimgs/156054-earns-hasbro.jpg http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081020/toy-makers-brace-for-tough-holiday-season.htm http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081020/toy-makers-brace-for-tough-holiday-season.htm Mon, 20 Oct 2008 13:17:56 EDT