Asia's Wacky Business Ideas
These products may be wacky and weird, but somehow, in Asia, they make business sense. Check out these unusual innovations that have caught fire across the Pacific.
Asia
Tiffany's Earnings Beat Estimates, Despite Sluggish U.S. Sales
Tiffany's quarterly net income rose less than 1 percent, but still beat Wall Street predictions as strong demand in Asia for its goods offset weakness in the U.S.
World Stocks Surge; Dow Breaks All-Time High
World stock markets rose Tuesday as investors applauded China's pledge to stick to economic growth targets for its economy, the world's second largest. Outgoing Premier Wen Jiabao said the government would spend what it needs to meet the target of 7.5 percent enshrined in the latest five-year development plan.
S&P 500 Has Biggest Decline of 2013 After Fed Minutes Released
Stocks are closing lower on Wall Street following news that several top Federal Reserve officials are doubtful about continuing the central bank's economic stimulus. The S&P 500 index had its biggest loss of the year.
Barclays to Cut 3,700 Jobs As Part of 'Project Transform'
Barclays new chief executive pledged a fresh course for the British lender on Tuesday, axing at least 3,700 jobs and pruning its investment bank as he seeks to rebuild its reputation and boost profitability after a series of scandals.
Markets Cautious Ahead of Debt Ceiling Vote
Stock markets traded cautiously on Wednesday ahead of a U.S. vote on raising the nation's borrowing limit temporarily. The House is set to vote on a motion to increase the nation's $16.4 trillion borrowing ceiling for three months.
U.S. Trade Gap Hit $48.7 Billion in November
The U.S. trade deficit expanded in November to its widest point in seven months, driven by a surge in imports that outpaced only modest growth in exports. The Commerce Department said Friday that the trade gap widened 15.8 percent to $48.7 billion in November from October.
Major Banks Cutting 160,000 Jobs Worldwide -- With More to Come
Major banks have announced some 160,000 job cuts worldwide since early last year, more layoffs are coming as the industry restructures. The numbers are much higher in Europe than in Asia or the United States -- and those loses will be a particularly heavy blow to Britain.
Northeast Air Travel Still Stalled, Thousands of Flights Cancelled
Hurricane Sandy grounded more than 18,000 flights, and it will be days before travel gets back to normal. Authorities closed the three big New York airports, and the ripple effects from the shutdown of the nation's busiest airspace are dramatically affecting travelers in cities far and wide.
China's Trade Growth Slips Amid Global Economic Slump
China's trade growth plunged in June, hurt by weak U.S. and European demand and a Chinese slowdown, with a potential impact on economies as far-flung as Africa and Australia.
From Supersized to Super-Sighs: Is McDonald's Growth Era Over?
McDonald's is showing signs of tarnish on the Golden Arches. Goldman Sachs downgraded its shares due to a slowdown in growth. And with challenges overseas and resurgent competition everywhere, things are unlikely to turn around anytime soon for the world's largest restaurant chain.
Unilever Bulks Up in China With an Eye on the Future
Unilever, the second largest consumer goods company in the world, recently announced plans to build one of its largest production bases in China. Unilever already has sales in China worth over $20 billion and anticipates a substantial increase in this figure in the years ahead.
Gas Prices Around the Globe: The Highs and the Lows
With U.S. gas prices near historic highs, Americans are anxious about the cost of filling up. But we still feel far less pain at the pump than drivers in many other developed nations. On the flip side, if you drive in the right world cities, you can still pay less than $1 a gallon.
iPhone vs. Android: Google May Be Winning the War in China
Deutsche Bank's insightful technology analyst Jonathan Goldberg says Android has already pulled away from the pack in China. And not just in smartphones and tablets: Android is finding its way into all sorts of platforms, from laptops to set-top boxes to ATMs.
Without Steve Jobs, What Kind of Apple Would Carry On?
The company has already proved that it can thrive while the CEO is away. But what's still not clear is whether Apple can remain far more than a tech company once he truly retires. Whose vision can possibly keep Apple the cultural phenomenon that Jobs has made it?
Apple Earnings Soar 78%
on Asia-Pacific Sales
Just a day after Apple announced that CEO Steve Jobs was off on his third medical leave since 2004, the stock's already on the rebound. The company smashed its first-quarter earnings expectations, thanks to soaring Asia-Pacific sales.
Oil Prices Fall on Fears of Slow U.S. Economic Recovery
Oil prices fell Friday in Asia after the U.S. Labor Department reported that more unemployed workers applied for aid last week. Fears that the U.S. economic recovery could be slow is keeping oil investors wary.
2011's Stealth Trend: Wireless Web Remakes the Rural World
If you want to know how the rural developing world could get cheap, easy wireless Internet access, just follow the money: Remittances to those regions total tens of billions each year, and the money flow isn't very efficient. The profits from micro-telcos taking over the business could prime the pump for an information revolution in the hinterlands.
The Trade Deal With Korea Will Beef Up U.S. Meat Exports
Since the mad cow scare of 2003, South Korea has been a tough market for U.S. beef: The country first banned it, then severely limited imports. But a pending new trade agreement could mark the resumption of normal trade and the start of a more prosperous era for American beef exports.
Investing in President Obama's Asia Trip
President Obama's trip to Asia has turned global attention towards opportunities in India, Indonesia, South Korea and Japan. But would investors be wise to follow in the President's footsteps?
Why Asian Nations Hate QE2, and What They Should Do
As the G-20 meets in South Korea, many world leaders have stepped up their complaints about the Fed's $600 billion quantitative easing program, as well as the rapid flow of capital into emerging markets. Some countries are installing capital controls in response, but those won't be enough, says global finance expert Peter Cohan.
Pimco's Bill Gross: The Days of 10% Returns Are Gone
How can investors earn double-digit returns? According to bond guru Bill Gross, they probably can't: "A future of low investment returns, and a heap of trouble for those expecting more, is what lies ahead," Gross warns in his latest investment outlook.