Hot on DailyFinance:

See More Stories
Feed

Serious Money: Does BAC Have Anything to Fear from Wikileaks?

Bank of America (BAC) logoForgive me if I stray slightly, but I could not help thinking about how ironic it would be if someone leaked information as to the whereabouts of Wikileaks founder and "fearless leader" Julian Assange -- who is in hiding!

It would be even more ironic if a CIA operative who had his cover blown by Wikileaks decides what goes around comes around. Let's face it, in its own way Wikileaks has become a rogue nation, so why wouldn't the CIA get involved?

In the mean time, this has probably helped world markets as it has overtaken everything else as the big story of the past 48 hours. In a bizarre way, Assange may have achieved one of his goals by bringing the world closer together, sort of.

Continue reading Serious Money: Does BAC Have Anything to Fear from Wikileaks?

Will New Apple TV Include Netflix Support?

Apple TVApple (AAPL) is going to have a big day Wednesday, which could include announcing a new Apple TV with Netflix (NFLX) support, and the fourth generation of the iPod Touch.

According to a report on Bloomberg, Apple will be announcing the new Apple TV with streaming Netflix videos today at its music-themed press conference.

Continue reading Will New Apple TV Include Netflix Support?

SEC Levels Charges in $40 Million Ponzi Scheme

Yesterday, SEC officials charged a Miami man for his operation of a $40 million Ponzi scheme. It is alleged that Luis Felipe Perez had fraudulently convinced investors to invest with him to fund his jewelry business and to finance pawn shops in New York. The jewelry businesses of the accused, Lucky Star Diamonds Inc. and Luis Felipe Jewelry Design Corp., have turned out to be no more than sham facades, and both companies were completely void of employees. Both companies have subsequently ceased their -paper only- operations. Likewise, Mr. Perez's pawn shop connections have turned out to be non-existent.

Continue reading SEC Levels Charges in $40 Million Ponzi Scheme

Google Pushes Newswire Services Away

A big change has comeGoogle GOOG logo in the way we receive financial news from Google (GOOG). The company recently announced that it was doing away with financial newswire releases, in favor of distributing company financial news through its own website(s). Google spokesperson Jane Penner stated it this way: "We felt it made a lot of sense, given that we're a technology company and that we announce virtually all of our company news on our blogs."

The change is almost insignificant, really, when we consider that Google is a glass-walled corporation anyway. What news happens at Google comes out of Google and gets splattered every which way. There's almost no escaping it.

Continue reading Google Pushes Newswire Services Away

McDonald's CEO Gets Supersized

Now we might know exactly why Ronald McDonald might get axed by McDonald's Corp.(MCD). The company could use the money to pay it's CEO, Jim Skinner.

Dow Jones Newswires, via Chicago Breaking Business, reports that CEO Skinner received $17.6 million in compensation for 2009, representing a 30% increase over the previous year. The company is paying its highest executives handsomely for meeting specified performance goals. Who could argue with that? According to the report, "McDonald's payouts under its long-term incentive plan reached the maximum level possible based on the company 'substantially exceeding target performance' on several factors, including operating growth and stock returns."

Continue reading McDonald's CEO Gets Supersized

The Lions Gate Situation Is Getting Interesting

Well, it's finally happened. Someone wants to buy Lions Gate Entertainment (LGF). However, it's not the head of a big media conglomerate who has an eye on the movie studio. Instead, it's famed activist investor Carl Icahn.

Of course, I'm sure you know all that by now. How can anyone have missed the drama surrounding the situation? There are a ton of news reports out there covering the topic, so let me simply bring you up to date with a link to an open letter from Icahn to Lions Gate, and a link to management's response. It makes for wonderful reading.

Continue reading The Lions Gate Situation Is Getting Interesting

DreamWorks Animation Has High Hopes for 'Dragon'

DreamWorks Animation (DWA) has an animated film coming to the the multiplexes next week. It's called How to Train Your Dragon. I have no idea what it's about (aside from the fact that it obviously involves training dragons). But I do know that a marketing transaction with Walmart (WMT) is making headlines.

According to a press release, Walmart and DreamWorks Animation apparently have come up with a very tightly coordinated plan to promote the project. There will be special sections dedicated to Dragon inside the stores. More than 100 licensed items will be lining the shelves. And some sort of event featuring a Viking vessel in Times Square will see what it can do to get potential ticket buyers interested in the flick.

Continue reading DreamWorks Animation Has High Hopes for 'Dragon'

Cisco Will Unveil New Tools for High-Speed Networks

It's the Internet and it's all about speed. On Tuesday Cisco Systems (CSCO) will unveil new tools that will enable its internet service providers to build their own high-speed networks.

Cisco says its plan will "forever change the Internet and its impact on consumers, businesses and government."

While details of the new tools are yet to be presented, the idea would open up the whole area of high-speed networks to anyone willing to set them up.

Continue reading Cisco Will Unveil New Tools for High-Speed Networks

Target Thinks Its Stock Is a Good Investment -- Should You?

Target Corporation (TGT), a retailer that competes with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (WMT) and Best Buy Co., Inc. (BBY), had some good news today for its shareholders. Management has decided to reinstate its stock buyback program. According to the press release, the company believes the economic environment has improved to the point where reducing some of its float could be a worthwhile investment.

This buyback is a continuation of a $10 billion program begun back in November 2007. About half of that sum has already been spent; the remainder of the allocation is expected to be used up in two to three years. So, this isn't an aggressive move, certainly. And, as always, evolving market conditions can affect the intended schedule.

Continue reading Target Thinks Its Stock Is a Good Investment -- Should You?

AOL, I mean Aol, did not tank!

In the wee morning hours just prior to the market opening I had given some thought to shorting AOL Inc. (AOL) on its first day as a newly independent company. Yes, that same company that owns Bloggingstocks.com and a multitude of other interesting Internet "content" icons (and some not yet so). However, I did not do it because it would have been too impulsive and that is rarely a good investment strategy.

I was stunned that we changed our logo. And we changed it to what seems like a team of logos instead of one. That seems bizarre to me if you're trying to build a brand. It is also ironic since we are planning on making money on advertising, and we will be muddling our own brand.

Continue reading AOL, I mean Aol, did not tank!

Buy Aeropostale after the increase in share repurchases?

Aeropostale (ARO), a mall business whose related stocks include Gap (GPS) and American Eagle Outfitters (AEO), closed up over 4% at the end of Monday's trading session. The catalyst? According to the corporate press release, management has decided to allocate an additional $250 million to its share buyback program.

This is very interesting news because the big question on every investor's mind has to do with the current holiday season. How well will retailers fare during Christmas? Or, more accurately, will Christmas be as bad as everyone thinks it will be?

Continue reading Buy Aeropostale after the increase in share repurchases?

Bernanke holds firm on ultra low rates

In a speech at the Economics Club of Washington, Bernanke reiterated his position on ultra low interest rates.

His headline quote is that the economy is facing: "formidable headwinds." He then went on to restate his position in detail. For the overall economy, he sees a moderate recovery. Credit remains tight, especially for individuals and small businesses.

Continue reading Bernanke holds firm on ultra low rates

Federal Reserve conducts 'reverse repos'

This post is quite short, yet very important. For the first time, the Fed is conducting "Reverse repos."

Why is this so significant? For the past year the Fed has been doing "repos." A repo is when the Fed steps in and buys Treasury securities. The effect is to create a credit on bank balance sheets and consequently give them more lending power.

Continue reading Federal Reserve conducts 'reverse repos'

Service sector shrinks in November

The Institute of Supply Management reported that the service sector shrank in November. The reading of 48.7 was down from 50.6 in October and much lower than the median of 51.5 expected by analysts.

Why is this number so important? The reason is that the service sector accounts for 80% of US economic activity. A reading below 50 indicates shrinkage in 80% of our economic activity.That is not good news. Dan Cook of IG Markets said: "Seeing the number below 50 there, that to me is pretty harsh."

Continue reading Service sector shrinks in November

Dubai World to meet with creditor panel to discuss debt crisis

The Dubai crisis is not going away. Government owned Dubai World has scheduled a meeting with creditors to discuss the possible settlements.

What is most troubling is that the government of Dubai has refused to guarantee Dubai World's debt. That creates an international situation. While it has not been confirmed, it is believed that Standard Chartered Bank, HSBC, Lloyds, Royal Bank of Scotland and local lenders Emirates NBD, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank are key creditors.

Continue reading Dubai World to meet with creditor panel to discuss debt crisis

Next Page »

Symbol Lookup
IndexesChangePrice
DJIA-16.7312,861.47
NASDAQ-0.762,903.32
S&P 500-0.981,346.07

Last updated: February 08, 2012: 01:13 PM

Hot Stocks

General Electric

19.205+0.025(+0.13)

Alcoa

10.69+0.02(+0.19)

Apple Inc

473.19+4.36(+0.93)

Google Inc 'A'

609.23+2.46(+0.41)

Bank of America

8.005+0.155(+1.97)

Wal-Mart Stores

61.41-0.28(-0.45)

Exxon Mobil Corp

84.92-0.95(-1.11)

Ford

12.815-0.065(-0.50)

Citigroup

33.77+0.70(+2.12)

IBM

192.56-0.04(-0.02)

Yahoo

15.80-0.03(-0.19)

Starbucks

48.44+0.03(+0.06)

Microsoft

30.45+0.10(+0.33)

Home Depot

44.95-0.51(-1.12)

DailyFinance Headlines

WalletPop Headlines

AOL Business News

BioHealth Investor Headlines

Sponsored Links

My Portfolios

Track your stocks here!

Find out why more people track their portfolios on AOL Money & Finance then anywhere else.

BloggingStocks Partners

More from AOL Money & Finance

Page Loaded in 1328724821920 ms.