Deutsche Telekom AG Chief Executive Officer Tim Hoettges called on European telecommunications regulators to allow more industry consolidation, and asked authorities to ease the transition to a fifth generation of wireless services that would spur growth. Europe is “a quite difficult ecosystem” for M&A, Hoettges said in a Bloomberg Television interview in Barcelona, where he is attending Mobile World Congress this week.
Day: February 27, 2017
An international sales agency sues Vendian Entertainment.
Wild Bunch, SA, the film distribution and international sales company, alleges in a lawsuit filed on Friday that one of the production companies on Oliver Stone’s Snowden hasn’t contributed $3 million in gap financing for the picture as agreed. The target of the lawsuit is Vendian Entertainment, which was Christopher Woodrow’s company after the blow-up of Worldview Entertainment .
Seeking to Belong: How the Words of Internal and External Beneficiaries Influence Performance
Employees seek to fulfill a deep and fundamental need to belong at work. Positive words from one’s own colleagues can lead to an increased sense of belonging and can, in turn, create enhanced motivation.
Sotheby’s Stock Surging on Better-Than-Expected Earnings
Shares of Sotheby’s are gaining by 13.4% to $45.48 on heavy trading volume on Monday morning, after the auction house reporter better than anticipated 2016 fourth quarter results. Sotheby’s posted adjusted earnings of $1.35 per share on revenue of $308.7 million for the most recent quarter.
A Surging Stock Price Is One of 3 Examples of Costco Killing It Right Now
According to a note out of Barclays on Monday, the warehouse-club retailer is a hot commodity right now in the beat up retail space for three solid reasons. And as a result of these factors, it shouldn’t be a surprise that Costco shares are hovering around an all-time high ahead of earnings on Thursday.
Ford Unveils City of the Future: How You Get Around Town Is Mind-Blowing
Ford’s city of the future is replete with funky-looking modes of transportation, none of them resembling a classic Mustang. The automaker unveiled plans to marry drones and autonomous vehicles for such things as delivering online orders and medical supplies at Mobile World Congress on Monday.
Why There Are Better Buys Than Best Buy Right Now
Best Buy has been on a roll. The shares are up more than 40% in the last 12 months and 7% just this year.
First Solar Shorts Feel the Heat
After disappointing the crowd this week with mediocre earnings guidance, First Solar turned on the jets on Thursday in a stunning reversal. After sellers pounded this name on Wednesday, buyers came back with a vengeance, closing higher than Wednesday on more volume.
Why I’m Optimistic About GlaxoSmithKline
In this one-year daily chart of GSK, below, we can see a quick turnaround from November. In November the pace of volume increases and the price action shows selloffs and bounces until an early December low.
Warming Up to First Solar as a Value Play
For the past several years, I’ve been enamored with the idea of slapping solar panels on our roof, drawing our power and heating our water from the ultimate renewable energy source, the sun. Don’t get me wrong.
No Signs of Skepticism Yet
I don’t know how many times we have seen this pattern recently, but it probably is a reflex, at this point. The indices opens a bit soft and the buyers start nibbling, quickly push the indices to the highs of the day.
Mortgage Rates Monday, Feb. 27: Holding Near 2017 Lows
Thirty-year and 15-year fixed rates, as well as 5/1 ARM rates, are all mostly unchanged today, according to a NerdWallet survey of current mortgage rates published by national lenders Monday morning. After retreating for five of the past six days, fixed-rate mortgages are holding close to 2017 lows.
Get Started: IRS warns firms, beware of phishing email scam
The IRS is warning employers about a spreading phishing email scam whose targets include companies and that seeks to get employees’ Social Security numbers and other information. Cyberthieves send emails that appear to come from executives inside the targeted organizations.
The Internet Is an Amazing Less Government Success Story
Nothing in the history of humanity has grown bigger, faster or better than the World Wide Web. In just about a quarter century, it has become an economic and political force of nigh immeasurable impact.
FCC Chairman Doesn’t Expect to Review AT&T-Time Warner
The new chairman of the Federal Communications Commission said Monday he didn’t expect the agency to have a role in reviewing AT&T Inc.’s $85 billion takeover of Time Warner Inc. In an interview at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Ajit Pai said he understood the companies have structured the deal so that no airwave licenses would be…
Buffett Doubles Apple, Seeks Deals
At Warren Buffett’s direction, Berkshire’s Apple stake hit 133 million shares. But more than equity investments, Buffett seeks deals.
AT&T’s unlimited-data plans to come with two options
The fight over which cellphone carrier has the best unlimited data offering isn’t over. AT&T announced late Sunday that it is debuting two new unlimited plans this week – one, a no-frills option that tries to undercut its rivals on price; and the other, a more expensive plan with all the bells and whistles.
Hollywood’s diversity problem looks a little better after the Oscars. …
Interpretation of the news based on evidence, including data, as well as anticipating how events might unfold based on past events Hollywood’s diversity problem looks a little better after the Oscars. But it still has a long way to go.
D.C. Circuit Agrees to Hear Controversial PHH Case En Banc
On Feb. 16, 2017, the D.C. Circuit granted the CFPB’s petition to rehear en banc the court’s landmark October 2016 decision finding that the structure of the CFPB was unconstitutional. We covered the panel decision here .
Berkshire Built Apple Stake to 133 Million Shares, Buffett Says
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. has increased its stake in iPhone maker Apple Inc. to about 133 million shares, Chairman Warren Buffett told CNBC. That’s more than twice as much as Berkshire held as of Dec. 31, the billionaire told the cable network in an interview Monday.
VW’s 7 Billion-Euro Man Shows Repair Job Only Half Done: Gadfly
When Volkswagen AG admitted in 2015 to rigging 11 million cars to cheat emission tests, few people would have guessed its sales would surpass Toyota the following year — thus securing its crown as the world’s biggest seller of automobiles. The German carmaker’s 2016 earnings, released late on Friday, were marred by another 7.5 billion euros in diesel scandal costs, bringing the total to 22.6 billion euros.
Patrick Kennedy Talks The “Turmoil” Of Protecting Mental Health Care In The Trump Age
We spoke to the former Congressman about the future of mental health treatment and his new project, Advocates for Opioid Recovery. After his father, Ted Kennedy, passed away, former U.S. Congressman Patrick Kennedy chose not to run for re-election in the House of Representatives so he could devote more energy to the issue that he cares most deeply about: changing the way we talk about and treat millions of Americans who suffer from mental health disorders.
The Digital Nomad’s Guide To Working From Anywhere On Earth
The work-anywhere, travel-the-world fringe lifestyle is going mainstream-and these apps, services, and events are here to help. In the future, he wrote, high-speed wireless networks and low-cost mobile devices will break the link between occupation and location.
The 10 Most Innovative Companies In Food 2017
The food industry is rapidly changing as consumers develop an appetite for bold new flavors, healthier and more eco-friendly options, and more control over how their food gets served, delivered, and made.
Market Recon: Most Unusually, We’re Seeing Safe Haven Investing
What exactly is a safe haven? Common sense tells one that a safe haven is an investment that is expected to retain its value in times of market turbulence. Is it different this time? Is the worm about to turn? Or maybe a rally just broadens.
Le French Debt Rally Gains Momentum Along With Outsider Macron
French government debt yield dropped for a fourth day on Monday amid growing confidence that the risk of Frexit is receding. French government bond yields hit a one month low Monday as investors took heart from new polls showing growing support for centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron ahead of the spring Presidential election.
Unilever Shares Are Now at a Record High Because Some Big Shareholders Support a Breakup
Unilever shares tested all-time highs Monday after some of its biggest shareholders backed the sale of its food division as part of the company’s strategic review that followed its rejection of a $143 billion bid from Kraft Heinz Co. Unilever shares traded 1.1% in London to change hands at 3,815 pence each by 11:00 GMT, extending their three-month gain past 20%.
Here’s Why Visa, Merck and Home Depot Are Primed to Lead the S&P Higher
Just eight weeks into 2017, and the S&P 500 index is squarely in rally mode. So far, the big index is up 6.09% on a total returns basis, which means that the broad market is already higher than its average annual return between 2000 and 2016.
Best Buy Has Surged More Than 40% in a Year, Though You Should Now Be Worried
Best Buy reports quarterly earnings on Wednesday. If history repeats, Best Buy should continue to do well as this stock set a bull market bottom in November 2008 in anticipation that Circuit City would fail.
The Market on Close Orders to Buy Says We’re in Nosebleed Territory
This last week, everyone seems to be discussing the late-day ramps in the market. I am sure there are many reasons we’ve seen them, but one reason could be that the Market on Close Orders to buy have literally been off the charts.
Wilbur Ross Expected to Get Easy Senate Confirmation as Trade Czar
Billionaire investor Wilbur Ross is expected to be easily confirmed as U.S. Commerce Secretary on Monday, clearing President Donald Trump’s top trade official to start work on renegotiating trade relationships with China and Mexico. The vote will insert a major new voice into Trump’s economic team, one that strongly influenced his criticism of the North American Free Trade Agreement and a now-scrapped Asia-Pacific trade deal.
Oil Rises as Bullish Bets on Rising Prices Ht Record High
Oil prices rose on Monday as investors showed record confidence in prices rising further, though gains were capped by the prospect of faster growth in U.S. oil production. Brent crude oil rose 55 cents to $56.54 a barrel by 1053 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate added 39 cents to $54.38.
Week ahead: Net neutrality supporters rally on rule’s second anniversary
The fight over net neutrality is heating up as the landmark internet rules hit their two-year anniversary on Sunday. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai has already begun chipping away at net neutrality, which requires internet service providers to treat all web traffic the same.
Ericsson CEO Says Cloud Capability Key to Capturing 5G Market
Ericsson AB is betting on cloud technology to capture as much as possible of the $1.2 trillion market it expects fifth-generation mobile broadband services to spur, Chief Executive Officer Borje Ekholm said. “5G is really starting to happen,” Ekholm said in an interview with Bloomberg TV at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
Deutsche Boerse-LSE Deal in Danger as EU Demand Rejected
Deutsche Boerse AG’s $13 billion bid for London Stock Exchange Group Plc headed toward collapse after the U.K. market operator rejected demands by European regulators to sell one of its holdings. LSE said it couldn’t commit to sell its stake in MTS, an electronic trading platform for government bonds, and declined to submit a counter proposal after European Union officials made divesting the unit a condition for approval.
Change course before too late
If impeach isn’t a word that comes to mind when Trump plays chicken with nuclear-capable nations, or when his closest advisors dally with the Russians, or when he relies on neo-Nazis as his top aids and changes position on critical issues like immigration and trade more than once in a single interview, then maybe the recent story from a leaked video from inside President Trump’s New Jersey golf club showing him inviting members to “come along” to see him interview candidates for top government positions will do the trick. On the tape, the recently-elected president is heard thanking members of the Bedminster club for their support throughout the campaign.
Sony’s PlayStation VR System Sells 915,000 Units Worldwide
Sales have exceeded expectations, making the Japanese company’s system the most popular virtual reality offering and leading to shortages. Sony’s PlayStation VR system has sold 915,000 units since its October launch, making it the most popular such system in the world and exceeding the company’s expectations.
What Happened When I Replaced My To-Do Lists With “Love-To-Do” Lists
To-do lists are for robots, which I’ve discovered I am not. In my experience, the more “grownup” you become, the more you’re forced to mechanically check things off a list just to get paid.
Why This CEO Is Helping 20% Of His Employees Find New Jobs By Next Year
“One out of every five of my employees won’t be in their roles next year,” says Hootsuite’s Ryan Holmes. “And I couldn’t be happier.”
Wal-Mart Launches New Front in U.S. Price War
Wal-Mart Stores is running a new price-comparison test in at least 1,200 U.S. stores and squeezing packaged goods suppliers in a bid to close a pricing gap with German-based discount grocery chain Aldi and other U.S. rivals like Kroger Co, according to four sources familiar with the moves. Wal-Mart launched the price test across 11 Midwest and Southeastern states such as Iowa, Illinois and Florida, focusing on price competition in the grocery business that accounts for 56 percent of the company’s revenue, said vendor sources with direct knowledge of the matter who did not wish to be identified for fear of disrupting business relations with Wal-Mart.