International Business News - market 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 In the Soviet days, Russians asked their American friends to bring blue jeans, rock records and other Western goods into the country. Today Russians can buy almost anything they want here--but they are still begging for one item: Apple Inc.'s slick iPhone. http://www.ibtimes.com/data/articleimgs/93595-black-market-iphones.jpg http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080718/iphones-hot-even-in-places-apple-has-yet-to-reach.htm http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080718/iphones-hot-even-in-places-apple-has-yet-to-reach.htm Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:32:01 EDT Violent protests erupted at Pakistan's main stock market Thursday as growing economic and political uncertainty pushed Pakistani shares to a new 18-month low. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080718/violence-erupts-as-pakistan-stocks-drop.htm Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:05:23 EDT Violent protests erupted at Pakistan's main stock market Thursday as growing economic and political uncertainty pushed Pakistani shares to a new 18-month low. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080717/violence-erupts-as-pakistan-stocks-drop.htm Thu, 17 Jul 2008 22:03:25 EDT Whole Foods Market Inc. said Wednesday it has boosted standards for farmed seafood sold at its organic foods supermarkets. Whole Foods already prohibits the use of antibiotics, certain preservatives and added growth hormones, but among its new enhanced standards is a requirement by producers to provide detailed information on farming practices. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080716/whole-foods-market-increases-seafood-standards.htm Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:31:50 EDT The director of the Montana Department of Revenue said wise mortgage decisions and a relatively strong economy have largely kept the state's housing market above national turmoil. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080710/montana-housing-market-fares-better-than-most.htm Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:47:50 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 European Union lawmakers backed a compromise Wednesday to open up natural gas markets to increased competition, while leaving intact large energy companies that dominate countries such as France and Germany. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080709/european-parliament-backs-gas-market-compromise.htm Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:05:35 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 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 With Apple poised to release an updated iPhone model in July and Sprint Nextel Corp. selling Samsung's similarly styled Instinct, touch-screen smart phones are increasingly visible and those with full keypads suddenly seem almost old-fashioned. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080626/market-spotlight-smart-phone-inputs.htm Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:08:11 EDT The housing industry is still in the pits, but combined new and existing home sales aren't likely to hit a new bottom in May, "which would be a tentative sign of stabilization," writes Credit Suisse economist Jonathan Basile. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080625/on-the-watch-housing-sector.htm Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:22:02 EDT With gasoline prices climbing to record highs and consumer confidence falling to new lows, more drivers are putting off routine maintenance, resulting in lower sales and profits for automotive repair companies. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080625/market-spotlight-automotive-repair-companies.htm Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:59:10 EDT Railroads, boosted this year by improving operational efficiency and strong pricing, have been hit hard in recent weeks as floodwaters in the Midwest battered tracks and halted shipments. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080624/market-spotlight-railroads.htm Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:06:06 EDT Amid a difficult retail environment, fragrance makers could provide investors with a breath of fresh air. Consumers are cutting back on discretionary spending as home values decline and food and gas prices remain high. But earlier this month, as retailers reported May sales in stores open at least one year, fragrances were strong sellers. Luxury retailer Saks Inc., for example, said fragrance was among its top performing categories. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080623/market-spotlight-fragrance-makers.htm Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:28:49 EDT An executive vice president and director of Village Super Market Inc., which operates ShopRite supermarkets, sold 1,109 shares of common stock, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080619/village-super-market-evp-and-director-sells-shares.htm Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:53:04 EDT Invitrogen Corp.'s recent $6.4 billion deal to buy Applied Biosystems Group has ramped up speculation about further consolidation in the life sciences sector, as companies vie for larger market share. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080619/market-spotlight-life-sciences.htm Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:47:55 EDT Supermarket operator Village Super Market Inc. said its board raised its quarterly dividends 7 percent to 30 cents per Class A shares and 19.5 cents per Class B share. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080618/village-super-market-boosts-dividends-7-percent.htm Wed, 18 Jun 2008 17:23:14 EDT