Category: Business News

Singapore Eases Seller Stamp Duties, Debt Ratio Rules

Singapore is easing some rules in the property market, reducing sellers’ stamp duties and changing some rules surrounding the debt-servicing ratio for some loans. The sellers’ stamp duty is currently payable by those who sell a residential property within four years of purchase, at rates of between 4 percent and 16 percent of the property’s value.

Hitachi Eyes U.S. Rail Expansion Amid Seismic Political Change

Hitachi Ltd. is aiming to expand its rail business in the U.S. by bidding for streetcar and light-rail projects as President Donald Trump pledges to spend as much as $1 trillion to upgrade infrastructure across the country. The Japanese conglomerate “sees quite a big opportunity” in the U.S., Alistair Dormer, chief executive officer of Hitachi Rail Europe Ltd., said in an interview in Tokyo Thursday.

Lukoil Offers Something Its Giant Rival Can’t: Rising Dividends

Investing in Russian oil has become a choice between cash or glory, and Lukoil PSJC looks like the richer side of the bet. Russia’s second-largest oil producer has watched as state-run rival Rosneft PJSC came to command the nation’s industry — first by winning control of Yukos’s best assets a decade ago, then the $54 billion acquisition of TNK-BP in 2013, and finally last year’s purchase of Bashneft PJSC.

FCC Commissioner Clyburn to speak at Columbia luncheon

Mignon Clyburn, commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission, is keynoting an event in Columbia on telecommunications options for low-income and minority businesses. The MBDA Business Center – Columbia says Clyburn is speaking on Friday at its 2017 Advocacy Awards Luncheon at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.

Oil Rises Off 3-Month Low, But Glut Worries Remain

Crude prices inched up on Friday after dropping to their lowest in more than three months the session before, pressured by concerns that a global supply glut is proving stubbornly persistent. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was up 37 cents, or 0.8 percent, at $49.65 a barrel at 0604 GMT.

Nikkei Hits 15-Mth Closing High Ahead of U.S. Jobs Report

Japan’s Nikkei share average closed at its highest since December 2015 on Friday as exporters benefitted from the dollar hitting a six-week high against the yen, while investors waited for a U.S. jobs report that could pave the way for a rate hike as early as next week. The Nikkei added 1.5 percent to 19,604.61, the highest closing level since Dec. 7, 2015.

India washing machine launched with ‘curry’ button

Panasonic said the introduction of a ‘curry’ button followed complaints from customers struggling to fully get the food off their clothes, Panasonic said it planned similar machines for other Asian markets, tackling stains specific to those countries, but would not elaborate.

European Stocks Called Higher as Global Markets Await U.S. Employment Report

European stocks are expected to open higher Friday as investors follow on from a solid session in Asia and focus on the delayed employment report from the U.S. labor department. European stocks are expected to open higher Friday as investors follow on from a solid session in Asia and focus on the delayed employment report from the U.S. labor department later in the session.

EU Needs to Control Euro Clearing After Brexit, Lawmakers Say

European Union law should be changed to ensure that the clearing and supervision of euro-denominated derivatives trades is controlled by EU institutions after Brexit, lawmakers in the bloc’s parliament said. The majority of derivatives transactions are cleared by companies based in the U.K., including a “large number” denominated in euros, lawmakers in the assembly’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee said in a statement before the start of talks on Britain’s secession from the EU.

Filmart: IM Global Inks Output Deal With Chinese Studio Enlight Pictures

Stuart Ford’s veteran film financing and distribution venture will handle worldwide sales on at least six titles from the Beijing studio’s slate. The veteran Los Angeles-based film sales, financing and production outfit has reached an agreement to handle worldwide sales, outside of China, on at least six titles from the Beijing studio’s slate.

Coachella festival boosts its VR experience for 2017 with augmented reality

Over the years, the ticket packages for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival have become a fun unboxing surprise, with snapshots filling Instagram long before fans flood their social media streams with selfies from the festival itself. Artwork, miniature pop-up scenes of the Empire Polo Club in Indio and calendars have been inside the boxes, along with Coachella’s coveted entry wristbands, in recent years.

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American Bankers Association CEO Robert Nichols weighs in on his meeting with President Trump over financial reform efforts that affect community banks. President Trump met with community bankers from across the country to find out the potential regulatory reforms and other steps the federal government could take to help boost lending to U.S. small businesses as well as consumers.

Samantha Bee apologizes after mocking man with brain cancer…

Comedian Samantha Bee apologized Thursday for inadvertently including a man with brain cancer in a segment about “Nazi hair” at the Conservative Political Action Conference. A segment on an episode of “Full Frontal” this week observed that one style of haircut, known as the “Hitler Youth,” was especially prevalent at CPAC this year.

Brock Osweiler went from a prized $72 million quarterback to a…

With Peyton Manning retiring and a weak quarterback market, Osweiler had flashed enough in seven games with the Broncos, plus four years of tutelage under Manning, to draw serious interest in free agency. The Texans ended up winning the war, giving Osweiler a four-year, $72 million contract with two years and $36 million guaranteed, more than the Broncos were willing to offer.

(FILES) This file photo taken on February 05, 2016 shows WikiLeaks…

This file photo taken on February 05, 2016 shows WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange coming out on the balcony of the Ecuadorian embassy to address the media in central London. This file photo taken on February 05, 2016 shows WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange coming out on the balcony of the Ecuadorian embassy to address the media in central London.

Apple’s iPhone 6 Revival Could Go Over Well in China and India

With manufacturing costs for older and/or less advanced models likely in the $200 range or below, the company can easily sell such iPhones at lower price points while still turning a profit, and in doing so take share from mid-range Android rivals. But when a company is selling over 200 million phones annually at an average selling price well north of $600, it’s hard to blame it for being cautious about how much it moves down-market, given the risk of potentially cannibalizing sales of pricier models.

Deadline on Soured Indian Loans Offers Opening to Private Equity

An impending round of bad-loan provisioning by Indian banks provides an opportunity for private equity and special-situation funds to pick up soured assets at lower prices. Brought on by the expiry of a central-bank deadline for lenders to clean up their balance sheets, the expected provisions will force them to recognize lower valuations on bad debt, making them easier to dispose, according to S. Sriniwasan, chief executive officer of the Kotak Special Situations Credit Fund.

Treasury calls on Congress to raise debt limit, begins steps to delay default

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Thursday began taking “extraordinary measures” to delay the U.S. government from defaulting on its obligations, as he called on House Speaker Paul Ryan to lift the debt ceiling “at its first opportunity.” Mnuchin, in a letter to Ryan , said Treasury was now suspending the sale of certain state and local securities, a practice the federal government normally performs to assist with tax policies.

Columbia Sportswear: Cramer’s Top Takeaways

For an “Executive Decision” segment, Cramer spoke with Tim Boyle, CEO of Columbia Sportswear , the outdoor apparel and footwear maker with shares that are down by 8% over the past 12 months while much of the U.S. is emerging from a very warm winter season. Boyle said with so many apparel brands out there, you really need to differentiate yourself — and for Columbia, they do that with innovation.

AIG Chief Undone by Lost Credibility, Frustrated Investors

Before he lost the confidence of big-name investors and his company’s board members, Peter Hancock squandered the faith of many of his staff. It was November 2015, after a disappointing quarter for American International Group Inc., and Hancock — then a year into his tenure as chief executive officer — told employees they shouldn’t count on lifetime jobs.

After escaping net neutrality probe, Verizon expands data cap exemptions

Just a few weeks after escaping a net neutrality investigation into data cap exemptions, Verizon has decided to let its FiOS mobile video stream on its wireless network without counting against data caps. Customers who have Verizon FiOS TV at home and a Verizon Wireless smartphone plan can watch TV outside their homes without using up the data allotments on limited mobile plans, the company announced today .

AT&T Outage Takes Down 911 Emergency Lines across the US

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Delta’s CEO Sounds Optimistic Note for 2017; Hopes to Meet Buffett

Delta Air Lines Inc. Chief Executive Ed Bastian on Thursday sounded an optimistic note for 2017 earnings and said he expects to meet soon with the company’s newest and biggest investor, billionaire Warren Buffett. Two months ago Delta announced last year’s record-breaking performance, but noted that higher fuel prices and wage costs could weigh on margins during the March quarter before they expand again in the second half of the year.

Andrew Puzder: Carla s Jr. Racy Ads Saved the Company

In an exclusive interview with Neil Cavuto on the FOX Business Network , CKE Restaurants CEO Andrew Puzder said the suggestive ad campaigns starring female celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian and Heidi Klum saved the company. CKE’s franchises, which include Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr., were infamous for using racy ads that generated backlash from women and other groups who found it demeaning and sexist.