Barclays has announced plans to scale back business in Africa and slash dividend payments as it continues a broader retrenchment designed to boost capital levels. The bank will have two divisions in future when doing business: One will serve U.K. personal and business customers and the second will be a “transatlantic…
Lego, the Danish toymaker posted a 25% jump in revenues and a 31% rise in net profits in 2015, thanks to a huge demand for its Star Wars, Ninjago and Disney Princess products. These three themed lines are big business. The company stated it sold more than 72 billion Lego bricks…
Home values are increasing and most of the time that should be a huge incentive for people (including homebuilders) to put houses on the market and either upgrade or downgrade and save money. But that’s not happening. Instead, homebuyers are being picky and continue to compete for hard-to-find homes for…
Donald Trump is getting a lot of heat right now over a pretty dry topic: his U.S. tax returns. Mitt Romney, who has been making the TV news rounds, claimed this week that he expects to see a “bombshell” in Trump’s tax returns, if only the candidate would release them….
Macy’s is turning several stores into discount outlets. Yep, that’s right-discount stores. Sadly this signals the end of the American department store as we know it. CEO Terry Lundgren has told analysts on a conference call that the brand is planning to put Backstage stores in 15 existing retail locations this year….
Due to the risk of fire, all lithium-ion batteries can no longer be shipped as cargo on passenger planes. That’s according to a new ban enacted by the U.N.’s International Civil Aviation Organization, which takes effect in April 2016. The batteries, used in cellphones, laptops and other mobile devices, have…
It’s a rare bright spot in a not so shining economy: South Africa’s winemakers are winning new markets around the world and with that they are carving out a niche for themselves. Although on a whole the country is struggling when it comes to a slump in demand for commodities, Africa’s most…
Stocks have gotten a slight lift lately in part from the many hopes that fears over a recession are overdone. That optimism could be a little premature. However, two key indicators are flashing warning signs: income tax withholdings and corporate profits. The withholdings data show taxes taken out of worker paychecks…
It’s only been about two and a half years but if you remember at that time Amazon increased the minimum purchase threshold from $25 to $35 for customers to qualify for free “Super Saver Shipping,” maybe not the end of the world but seriously a dent in your online shopping plans. But…
Hoverboard makers could get hit with recalls if they don’t get their acts together really soon. This is the message that the Consumer Product Safety Commission convey’s in a letter to manufacturers, importers and retailers released Friday. The letter warns that if safety standards aren’t met, the agency will issue recalls…