south korea

Samsung's Creepy Phone Tech Should Worry Apple Shareholders

Samsung is already the world's top seller of smartphones, and now it hopes to pad its lead. The tech giant will introduce the Samsung Galaxy S4 Thursday, and among the cool -- but creepy -- features we expect to see is a screen control system that works by tracking the motion of your eyes.

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. Stock Prices Dip Ahead of Earnings Season Kickoff

U.S. stocks fell Tuesday as traders awaited the start of the corporate earnings season. Market-watchers expect the quarter's results could include many surprises because of events like Superstorm Sandy, the presidential election, and the narrowly avoided "fiscal cliff."

Avon to Cut 1,500 Jobs; CEO Says Layoff Will Stabilize Company

Struggling beauty products seller Avon said late Tuesday it will cut about 1,500 jobs and exit the South Korea and Vietnam markets. The job cuts amount to almost 4 percent of its workforce and are one of the first major moves by CEO Sheri McCoy, who in April replaced longtime CEO Andrea Jung.

Fiscal Cliff Impasse Pushes World Stock Markets Lower

Fear that congressional Republicans and President Obama will fail to steer the United States away from the fiscal cliff before a January deadline sent world stock markets lower on Wednesday. Britain's FTSE, Germany's DAX, Japan's Nikkei and France's CAC-40 all fell, and on Wall Street, both the Dow and the S&P 500 opened lower.

Apple Loses Touchscreen Patent Suit Against Samsung -- Again

A Dutch court has again ruled against Apple in a suit against South Korea's Samsung Electronics, saying that Galaxy tablets don't infringe an Apple patent on touchscreen interfaces. The Dutch case is one of many Apple is pursuing against Samsung in their reciprocal patent war.

Cautious Investors Stay Focused on Europe's Woes

Stock markets in Europe traded in fairly narrow ranges Monday as Germany's leader warned that Greece may not get its next batch of bailout cash. Chinese shares surged after authorities pledged to increase bank lending to entrepreneurs. Europe's stumbling efforts to get a handle on its debt crisis remains the focus of interest in the markets.

2 Stock Plays to Take Advantage of Korean Upheaval

Two weeks ago, North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Il died and his son, Kim Jong-Un, took power. South Korea's stocks and currency fell sharply on the news -- which creates opportunities for long-term investors.

America's Next Great Carmaker: Toyota?

Perhaps the most surprising recent news in the auto industry last week was this little gem. In large part owing to President Obama's negotiation of a free trade agreement with South Korea earlier this year, Toyota will be expanding exports of U.S.-built vehicles to Korea for sale.

White House Threatens to Hold Up Key Trade Deals

The White House is threatening to hold up final passage of three coveted free trade agreements with South Korea, Panama and Colombia unless lawmakers expand retraining assistance for American workers who lose their jobs because of foreign competition.

How Hyundai Turned a Corner in the U.S.

Despite tepid industry sales last year, South Korean carmaker Hyundai set a sales record, thanks to savvy designs and sophisticated engineering. It's come a long way from an early econo-box image. Now, if it could just do as well at home.

For U.S. Beef Exports, 2010 Was Fat and Happy

The American beef market has rebounded since the dark days of 2003, when a report of "mad cow disease" virtually shut down U.S. beef and pork exports. Now, thanks to strong demand from Asia, industry officials say 2010 was the best year ever for U.S. beef exports.