Job News From: Forbes

Forbes.com: Business News

Mexico's Peso May Face Upward Pressure An increased benchmark interest rate could force the peso to appreciate further. The Man Behind The Obama Show It's Ricky Kirshner's job to make sure the Democrat's big party comes off right. Is Content King Once More? While social networks grab the limelight, small media sites are attracting buyers. Looking For Energy, Google Goes Geothermal Google.org announces it will help find ways to tap the heat under the earth's surface. Regional Banks May Need Federal Rescue U.S. regulators expected to step in if situation worsens and a bailout becomes necessary.

Job News From: Yahoo! Business

Yahoo! News: Business Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:41:15 GMT

Fannie and Freddie shares hit 18-year low (Reuters) Reuters - Shares of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac dove to their lowest levels in more than 18 years on mounting fears of a government bailout that would wipe out shareholders of the two U.S. housing finance giants. Techs, rebounding financials lift Wall St. (Reuters) Reuters - Stocks rose in choppy trading on Wednesday as investors snapped up shares of major technology companies after Hewlett-Packard reported a strong profit and outlook. Lehman couldn't secure Korean Funds: report (Reuters) Reuters - Lehman Brothers Chief Executive Dick Fuld nearly struck a deal to raise almost $5 billion from South Korean wealth funds and institutions but the pact disintegrated, the New York Post said citing sources familiar with the matter. BAA must sell 3 airports (Reuters) Reuters - Spanish builder Ferrovial must sell three of the seven British airports it bought for 10 billion pounds ($18 billion) two years ago under a tougher-than-expected ruling on Wednesday. LandCap JV to buy Wachovia loans: report (Reuters) Reuters - A joint venture created by LandCap Partners is buying $40 million of troubled land and construction loans from Wachovia Corp The Wall Street Journal said. China shares surge 5.89 pct by midday (AFP) AFP - Chinese share prices surged 5.89 percent by midday Wednesday amid speculation that the authorities will soon launch new measures to boost the ailing stock market, dealers said. Russia 'makes 1 bln dlrs' on Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac bonds: reports (AFP) AFP - Investments in the bonds of struggling US home-loan financers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have earned Russia more than a billion dollars in the past six months, press reports said Tuesday. 2Q profit reports from retailers show more strain (AP) AP - From affluent shoppers at Saks to bargain-hunters at Target, from Home Depot to office supplier Staples, consumers are pulling back and that's hurting retailers and raising more concerns about how they'll do the rest of the year.

Job News From: NPR

NPR Topics: Business Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:50:00 -0400

Crowd Sourcing Turns Business On Its HeadWhat happens when a company lets customers design and vote on their own products? Some Web-based outfits are finding success by doing just that. And the new business model is really catching on. Calif. Requires Hybrid Cars To Make Some NoiseElectric hybrid cars are quiet, and all-electric cars are even quieter. While all that's nice for passengers, it can be dangerous for pedestrians. California's legislature has passed a bill to ensure that the vehicles make enough noise that they'll be heard by sight-impaired people crossing the street. High-End Stores Share Discount Retailers' WoesRetail sales are down in the U.S., but it isn't just Target, Home Depot and Staples that are showing lower profits. High-end retailers are having trouble, too. Saks says many of its customers are cutting back. Weak reports from retailers is one of the factors that sent stocks lower this week. Quarterly reports from other retailers are expected Wednesday. Soaring Food Prices Threaten ProgressFood prices around the world have hit record highs — and that's starting to take a toll. For example, some experts worry those left hungry in Ethiopia will suffer permanent physical and mental disabilities, such as chronic illness and lower IQ. How To Know If You're RichPastor Rick Warren asked both presidential candidates about their definition of "rich" this weekend. They gave very different answers. Jared Bernstein of the Economic Policy Institute offers his definition of rich, middle class and upper middle class. Fannie And Freddie Still ShakingAfter a bail-out last month, the government-sponsored companies are still on unsteady ground. The director of macroeconomics at Moody's Economy.com examines what trouble for Fannie and Freddie means for the economy. 'Marketplace' Report: Inflation SurgesThe Labor Department reports that prices at the wholesale level shot up 1.2 percent in July — the hottest inflation since 1981. The federal government blames rising energy motor vehicles costs, among other matters. Should Babies Get Own Plane Section?10,000 people voted to create a separate section for parents with babies and small children on the bargain fare Web site, Airfare Watchdog.com. The Web site's creator discusses the feasibility of such an idea. Tax Credit For First-Time Home BuyersCongress just passed the Housing Act, authorizing a tax credit of up to $7,500 for certain first-time home buyers. Our personal finance contributor says consumers need to be careful when signing up. Send Your Back-To-School Saving TipsHow are you economizing during the back to school shopping season? We want all your creative ideas. The EcononautWhat does "producer price index" mean? Adam Davidson, NPR's economics reporter explains. Calif. Home Sales Up Amid Drastic Price CutsThe number of home sales is finally increasing in Southern California, one of the hardest-hit areas. The bad news is that about half of the homes were sold as part of foreclosure proceedings, and it appears that many homes finally moved because of drastic price reductions. Banking, Housing Worries Drive Down StocksOil prices were down again Tuesday — about a dollar a barrel — despite concerns about Tropical Storm Fay in the Gulf of Mexico. But the oil news was overshadowed by the financial markets, where concern about banking and housing were driving stocks lower. Grim Anniversary: Credit Crunch Is 1 Year OldIt was a year ago this week that the global credit crunch began. The mortgage business was struggling with steep losses, and the troubles were spreading throughout the credit markets. Since then, the economy has ground almost to a halt. How much has changed in a year and what's been learned? Shares Of Fannie, Freddie Hit 20-Year LowStock in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac took a beating Monday on Wall Street. Investors are growing increasingly worried about the need for a government bailout.