International Business News - Spotlight 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 The more Louisiana lawmakers talk about the state budget, the more it becomes clear a slew of them had very little idea what they approved in this year's nearly $30 billion spending plan. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081201/analysis-lawmakers-know-little-about-la-budget.htm Mon, 01 Dec 2008 11:32:24 EST Not so long ago, there was an economic joke in Louisiana during national recessions: let the rest of the country suffer from high oil prices while the state enjoys prosperity. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081121/analysis-louisiana-economy-wont-escape-downturn.htm Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:13:05 EST In bearish financial times, Stephen Moret seems a bit bullish, with a dose of cold reality tossed in, about Louisiana's economic future. Moret, the state's economic development chief, has seen Louisiana make some not-so-modest business gains since Gov. Bobby Jindal took office last January. Some of those wins had roots in the previous administration of Gov. Kathleen Blanco. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081020/la-s-economic-development-head-a-bit-bullish.htm Mon, 20 Oct 2008 11:14:42 EDT The Republican National Convention should be St. Paul's big moment. Too bad most everyone seems to think it's being held in Minneapolis. "It's like nails on a chalkboard when I hear that," said Mary Lethert Wingerd, a St. Paul native and historian of the city. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080828/gop-host-st-paul-gets-day-in-the-sun.htm Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:50:18 EDT The Republican National Convention should be St. Paul's big moment. Too bad most everyone seems to think it's being held in Minneapolis. "It's like nails on a chalkboard when I hear that," said Mary Lethert Wingerd, a St. Paul native and historian of the city. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080822/gop-host-st-paul-gets-day-in-the-sun.htm Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:22:46 EDT Like a Cinderella deciding to pass up the ball, Denver said no thanks to an invitation in 1976 to host the Olympic Games. Now the Mile High City is off to the dance of the Democrats, a party pooper no more. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080822/nervous-nellie-denver-revs-up-for-dem-convention.htm Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:26:09 EDT Biotech companies will likely be one of the few bright spots for investors this earnings season, as demand for essential medical treatments continues unabated despite the economic slowdown. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080709/market-spotlight-biotechnology-earnings-preview.htm Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:10:45 EDT With more discount supercenters, supermarkets and warehouse stores equipped with gas stations, industry watchers say convenience stores are struggling to attract drive-by customers. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080708/market-spotlight-convenience-stores.htm Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:25:59 EDT Though economic uncertainty has stymied activity in the initial public offering market, Credit Suisse Securities, Merrill Lynch & Co. and Wachovia Securities each managed to complete 10 deals during the first half of the year, more than any other underwriter. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080707/ipo-spotlight-1st-half-underwriter-rankings.htm Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:45:48 EDT It's good to be king--at least for two weeks. NBC is virtually assured of winning the prime time TV ratings race when it airs the Summer Olympics in Beijing starting Aug. 8. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080703/market-spotlight-broadcasters-and-the-olympics.htm Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:11:48 EDT For regional banks in today's marketplace, perception of capital and credit problems are the overwhelming driver of stock prices, analysts say. "Credit and capital are all that matters," said Jefferson Harralson, a managing director and bank analyst at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Inc. "Banks deemed to have enough capital are doing OK." http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080702/market-spotlight-regional-banks.htm Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:23:21 EDT With Paris-based Vivendi SA's buyout of the majority of Activision Inc.'s shares about to close, Electronic Arts Inc., for now the world's largest video game publisher, is poised to get a far more formidable rival. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080701/market-spotlight-video-games.htm Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:42:50 EDT Mattresses have not traditionally been considered a discretionary item--after all, almost everyone needs at least one. However, as consumers cut back on discretionary spending amid spiraling food and gas prices, a prolonged housing slump and weak credit markets, specialty mattress makers have been hit hard. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080630/market-spotlight-specialty-mattresses.htm Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:04:21 EDT Even with an impeccable cover letter and resume, a job seeker might be hard-pressed to find work in the current employment climate. Nervous employers are cutting back--unwelcome news to workers already facing higher-cost food and gas, a credit crunch and an ongoing housing slump. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080627/spotlight-job-market.htm Fri, 27 Jun 2008 07:17:49 EDT The United States is the world's most competitive economy, according to an annual study, but its grip on the No. 1 spot may be slipping. According to the International Institute for Management Development's World Competitiveness Yearbook for 2008, Singapore is closing the gap. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080627/spotlight-economic-competition.htm Fri, 27 Jun 2008 07:16:22 EDT Rising defaults and foreclosures and an oversupply of homes are more likely to stunt a real estate recovery than tighter mortgage standards, lenders say. "I think improvement (in the real estate market) can occur while standards are still this tight," says Brian Kludt, a senior mortgage planner at Waterstone Mortgage in suburban Milwaukee. "Standards are one of a plethora of factors impacting the housing market." http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080627/spotlight-credit-and-home-values.htm Fri, 27 Jun 2008 07:10:15 EDT Investors in 401(k) plans often sabotage their returns--especially participants with low salaries or those close to retirement, says a study by Financial Engines. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080627/spotlight-401k-blunders.htm Fri, 27 Jun 2008 07:07:09 EDT Picking the right mutual fund can pay off, but just how much depends on the sector, according to Morningstar. Small-company growth funds had some of the widest disparities between good and poor performers, based on 10-year annualized returns through May 31. Funds ranking in the top 25 percent gained nearly 9 times as much as those in the bottom quartile. This means $10,000 invested in a leading fund would have grown to $27,387, while the same amount in a laggard would have grown to just $11,300. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080627/spotlight-mutual-funds.htm Fri, 27 Jun 2008 07:04:55 EDT Filling the gas tank is a higher priority than buying a flat-panel television, which is bad news for electronics retailers. Slowing demand and overproduction could result in lower prices in time for the crucial winter holiday shopping season, says Deutsche Bank Securities analyst Mike Baker. Flat panel TVs represent about 15 percent of Best Buy's sales. Average prices are expected to dip to $950 in the fourth quarter from $1,091 the year earlier, says Riddhi Patel, analyst with market research group iSuppli. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080627/spotlight-television-prices.htm Fri, 27 Jun 2008 07:03:35 EDT Small cars dethroned Ford Motor Co.'s iconic F-series truck in May as the nation's top-selling automobiles for the first time since 1992 as high fuel prices drained enthusiasm for light trucks and SUVs. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080627/spotlight-trucks.htm Fri, 27 Jun 2008 07:00:20 EDT