Thanks

Border.... Not For Sale

http://money.cnn.com/2008/11/25/news/companies/bc.earns.borders.ap/index.htm?postversion=2008112521

The Ann Arbor, Mich.-based bookseller has been in the midst of a turnaround for more than a year, during which it weighed the possible sale of its core business. But company executives said Tuesday that the progress made during that time will allow the company to stand on its own, even in the middle of an economic meltdown.

"We were making nice progress before the economic storm began," Jones said. "So basically we are in a mode right now where we are going to batten down the hatches ... .The storm is not going to last forever."

My Response: T here is a lot of conflict happening within this company. I wouldn't consider it to be competitive conflict, but more so cooperative conflict. The company found an effect to their lose in stocks, and found an alternative to correct the situation.

Hh

sunday

Sunday

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/21/technology/companies/21dell.html?_r=1&ref=business

Lehman's New CEO

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/apwire/887cfef7a49012298be2077868acdacf.htm

A restructuring expert overseeing the liquidation of Lehman Brothers will replace Richard Fuld as chief executive on Dec. 31, Lehman lawyer Harvey Miller
said Thursday.

Chief Restructuring Officer Bryan Marsal of Alvarez & Marsal has been overseeing the wind-down of what was once the nation's fourth-largest investment bank. Lehman will also hire David Goldfarb, a former Lehman chief strategy officer, to help with the wind-down. It will pay him $500,000 for six months of work with the possibility of a $500,000 bonus.

My Response: There's a new Sheriff in town! Lehman has a new CEO and is waiting no time to put this action in effect. Bryan Marshal will be the new CEO of Lehman... I wonder how that will make a different in their decline. How do you go from the longest serving CEO, to the new kid on the block?

Rome follows the American Bailout

http://money.cnn.com/2008/11/19/news/international/alitalia.ap/index.htm?postversion=2008111918

The Italian government said Wednesday it has approved an offer from a group of investors to buy the assets of the bankrupt Alitalia airline after getting them to raise the bid to at least $1.33 billion.

My Response: Nobody can do a bailout like America. Rome has started a bailout of its own by buying out assets for Alitalia Airlines. A bad example is being set, and its definitely not a trend every country wants to pick up on.

NYSE may de-list Fannie Mae stock

http://money.cnn.com/2008/11/18/news/companies/fannie_delisting.ap/index.htm?postversion=2008111818

Fannie Mae on Tuesday said it received notice from the New York Stock Exchange that its stock failed to satisfy price-related requirements, and may lose its listing on the exchange.

This may come to a shock to the company, but its not a shock to the rest of the world. Fannie Mae signed a contract with NYSE, and they need to uphold their end of the bargain.

Target's Profits Decline

http://money.cnn.com/2008/11/17/news/companies/target_earnings/index.htm?postversion=2008111715

Target Corp. reported a nearly 24% decline in third-quarter net income Monday as the weak economy continues to weigh on consumer spending.

My Response: Everyone is starting to feel the wrath of the weak economy. Target, one of the known discount stores, is having a decline in sales. This is the time where everyone needs to start shopping at these kind of stores. But I guess I'm wrong.

http://money.cnn.com/2008/11/14/news/companies/anheuser_busch.ap/index.htm?postversion=2008111413

Amtraks CEO Resigns

http://money.cnn.com/2008/11/14/news/newsmakers/amtrak_ceo.ap/index.htm?postversion=2008111415

Amtrak CEO Alex Kummant has resigned his position, and is effective immediately. Although not to much information was given on his reason, I believe it has something to do with corruption. He has probably been milking Amtrak for extra money, and wants to get out before anyone notices. He has only been the CEO for 2 years, why the sudden change of heart?

Next in Line... CIT Group.

http://money.cnn.com/2008/11/13/news/companies/CIT_fed.ap/index.htm?postversion=2008111311

CIT (CIT, Fortune
500), a commercial finance company, is also applying to receive funds as part of the government's $700 billion bank rescue program, contingent upon being granted bank holding company status by the Fed.

My Response: Everyone has there hand in the cookie jar, so you know CIT wants one of those cookies. This is where all the companies want the banks to become holders in their company. These scams aren't fooling anyone, especially not me. Someone needs to come in and reorganize.

Bailout - Shifting Directions

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/13/business/economy/13bailout.html?_r=1&ref=business&oref=slogin

Mr. Paulson said the $700 billion would not be used to buy up troubled mortgage-related securities, as the rescue effort was originally conceived, but would instead be used in a broader campaign to bolster the financial markets and, in turn, make loans more accessible for creditworthy borrowers seeking car loans, student loans and other kinds of borrowing.

But, he added pointedly, with their financial foundations already shored up by recent government support, “our banks will be more confident and better positioned to play their necessary role to support economic responsibility.”

My Response: From the very beginning, many people knew the bailout idea was a waist of time and would only create a bigger problem for America to solve. There was a lack of faith in the decision that the bailout would help mortgage related issues, but now they bailout has taken a turn. Now Paulson wants to use to money to invest in companies he believes will pay the government back. I believe this was the initial plan for the bailout and the government just needed something to cover it up with. Lets see where our tax dollars go this year.

Oil.. Continues it's downward Journey

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/12/business/worldbusiness/12oil.html?_r=1&ref=business&oref=slogin

Oil prices fell below $60 a barrel on Tuesday to their lowest level in 20 months, as weak economic growth has reduced consumption around the world.

My Response: Who knows when was the last time we've seen gas prices so low. It is said that, that OPEC is continuing to rise, but this output is not being shown on gas pricing. I wonder just how low they plan to go? With today's, weak economy, gas may continue to go further.

McDonalds on the Rise

http://money.cnn.com/2008/11/10/news/companies/mcdonalds_sales.ap/index.htm?postversion=2008111010

McDonalds have been continuing to serve the their customers need for fast food. They have been adding new selections to their menu, appealing to more customers. Not only are they convenient to the average person, their food taste good. McDonalds is continuing to increase their popularity with customers, and influence with customer selection.

Circuit City starts to Fall

http://money.cnn.com/2008/11/10/news/companies/circuit_city/index.htm?postversion=2008111011

Circuit City Stores Inc., the No. 2 electronics seller after Best Buy, filed for bankruptcy protection Monday, hoping the move will allow it to stock its shelves in time for the crucial holiday shopping season.

The move comes about a week after Circuit City said it would close 155 stores as it deals with a worsening economic downturn that has left more consumers with less money to shop. The company intends to keep its remaining stores open through the bankruptcy proceedings.

My Response: I don't know to many people that would shop at Circuit City over Best Buy. Circuit City has not made any influence in society that would swag them to go there instead. Either Circuit City comes with better products or drop their prices, or they will be going bankrupt.

Las Vegas Takes a Fall

http://money.cnn.com/2008/11/06/news/companies/lasvegas_sands.ap/index.htm?postversion=2008110614

In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Las Vegas Sands said it expects to miss certain borrower obligations for the fourth quarter which ends on Dec. 31, and potentially afterward. If that happens, lenders would be able to demand their money sooner.

My Response: If the economy couldn't get any worse, Vegas is on a down hill. The one place families and friends go to try and win money, or even just to get away. Vegas has estimated that they will be able to earn enough profit by the end of the year to pay their debts. Hopefully they have a good team of leaders behind them to organize their finances.

Citizens lose faith in Korea President

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/31/world/asia/31seoul.html?_r=1&scp=27&sq=business&st=cse&oref=slogin

Many South Koreans have taken to blaming LeeMan Brothers for their nation’s economic woes.

No, they do not mean the failed American investment bank Lehman Brothers. Rather, they are making a play on the names of South Korea’s president, Lee
Myung-bak, and his finance minister, Kang Man-soo, whom many here criticize
as handling the recent market turmoil inconsistently.

In Chapter 15, we learned a lot about a managers influence, power, and leadership. South Korea's president still has power, due to his position. But he is lacking in influence within his citizens. He has made constant promises to his country, but nothing to show for it. South Koreans are losing faith by all his broken promises.

History Has Been Made

Just as many African Americans believed they would never see the day of a black President, Barack Obama made the impossible, possible. The was a time where they didn't want to give us 40 acres and a mule, but I guess 50 states and the White House will do. We all have big hopes and dreams, and President Obama, has only made the first step to what we can accomplish.

Time Warner Flunctuations

http://money.cnn.com/2008/11/05/news/companies/bc.apfn.earns.timewarner.ap/index.htm?postversion=2008110511

Time Warner has been seeing some ups and downs in their company this past quarter. They have been able to see where profit is being made, and where the losses are coming from. They've realized that they have been increasing profit with cable-access and cable-network businesses, but loosing money when it comes to AOL marketing. I personally know, that people don't us AOL as much as they used to. At one point, everyone wanted AOL, but I guess over time, they began to get tired of constantly being cut off from the online service.

Ukraine... No Leaders Present

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/04/world/europe/04ukraine.html?_r=1&ref=business&oref=slogin

The early promise of those days frayed in recent years, but economically times were good, and the country always seemed to manage.

But now, confronted by the global financial crisis, the new Ukraine is facing the single biggest test of its stability, and its leaders, by most accounts, seem to be close to failing.

My Response: Ukraine is in a battle between leaders, leaving them at this time without one. With the financial decline going on, this is an important time to have someone stand up and take charge of the situation. Ukraine is experiencing a power struggle between leader, but no one has a big enough influence to take charge.

Coca Cola.... Trying to go Green

http://money.cnn.com/2008/10/30/technology/coke_sustainability.fortune/index.htm?postversion=2008103109

Like every big company, Coke wants to grow its revenues and profits. It also wants to reduce its environmental footprint. Is this possible?...

... The trouble is that the more stuff that Coke sells, the more it is likely to emit, pollute and consume natural resources.

My Response: In order for Coke to become more Eco-friendly, they have to design a bottle that will less pollinate the environment. Although their bottles aren't the only substance needing to be reduced, Coke is trying to find ways to reduce water usage and greenhouse gas emissions. At this point, Coke has no influence on the world of "going Green", but instead are trying to become apart of the family.

EMI Giving back Music back to the US

http://money.cnn.com/2008/10/31/technology/emi.fortune/index.htm?postversion=2008103116

EMI, one of the world's largest record companies, is considering turning over its distribution, sales and marketing operations in the United States to a rival in an attempt to cut its extensive losses, music industry sources said Friday