Archive for July 2010
Smart phone competition to drive supply, hinder profits
A heated competition in the global smart phone market may not bode well for handset vendors’ profit margins, Reuters reported.
Handset vendors such as Nokia, Samsung Electronics and Research in Motion are rolling out new …
Ticker: July 30
West Bancorporation Inc. reported a net income available to common shareholders of $2 million, or 12 cents per share, for the second quarter of 2010, compared with a net loss of $22.8 million, or $1.32 …
Read More75 percent of U.S. cities see foreclosure filings rise
Toxic mortgages are no longer the leading cause of foreclosures in the United States. The country’s homeowners have a new leading enemy — unemployment.
Foreclosure filings during the first half of the year climbed in …
Wells Fargo CEO: Customers to feel burden of financial reform
Last week’s 2,300-page overhaul of financial regulation could mean that consumers, not just banks, will bear the financial burden of the regulations, Wells Fargo & Co. CEO John Stumpf told Bloomberg.
Stumpf said that he …
Durable goods orders take unexpected tumble
New orders for long-lasting U.S. manufactured goods unexpectedly fell for a second straight month in June, posting their largest decline since August, providing further evidence that economic growth cooled in the second quarter, Reuters reported. …
Read MoreTicker: July 28
Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. has increased both its corn and soybean market shares in North America this growing season. For the first half of the year, the Johnston-based company increased global seed sales by 14 …
Read MoreCasey’s tries to slam the lid on takeover
Casey’s General Stores Inc. will buy up to $500 million of its stock in an effort to block a takeover by North America’s largest convenience store operator.
Ankeny-based Casey’s said today it plans to offer …
Read MoreTicker: July 27
E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. posted second-quarter earnings today, showing significant increases from the second quarter of 2009. Earnings per share rose to $1.26 in the second quarter of 2010, an increase of …
Read MoreHome prices rise in May
Home prices in 20 metropolitan cities in the United States rose in May, recording the biggest year-over-year increase since August 2006.
According to the Standard and Poor’s/Case-Shiller index of property values, prices rose 4.6 percent …
Unemployment fears drive confidence down in July
Consumer confidence fell again in July, a sign that the scarcity of jobs is keeping consumers pessimistic.
A monthly survey by the Conference Board showed that the organization’s confidence index dropped from 54.3 in June …