Monthly Archives: May 2012

Are RIM’s Days Numbered?

On Tuesday, Research In Motion (RIM) announced that it will not make a profit this quarter — a big fall from being named the world’s fastest-growing company only three years ago by Fortune magazine. Now analysts are wondering: Can RIM save itself, or is it too late?

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Sunspots: Germany Proves Solar Energy Is No Mirage

In a dazzling display of solar power potential, Germany met almost half of the country’s electricity needs on a weekend day last week, and a third of its needs on a workday.

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Should Businesses Pay Their Social Costs?

A Native American tribe is suing liquor stores and leading beer companies for $500 million for contributing to alcoholism rates among its population. According to a recent New York Times opinion piece by Wharton professor Waheed Hussain, companies “have a special responsibility to mitigate the damage that they do.”

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How Head Start May Be Creating More Involved Parents

There have been numerous studies looking at how Head Start preschool programs affect children’s academic performance. But new Wharton research finds that one of the most important impacts may be in the home — that parents capitalize on the opportunity by investing more in their sons and daughters.

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New York to Silicon Valley: Watch Your Back

New York’s burgeoning startup scene, Facebook’s recent IPO and the next major priorities for the tech sector were among the hot topics of conversation at this week’s TechCrunch Disrupt conference.

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A Triple Whammy for Indian Foreign Exchange Bond Issuers

In India, the issuers of Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds are in deep trouble. Is it a time bomb waiting to explode?

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‘Bank Jogs’ Ratchet up European Risks

Reports about European bank fragility in the so-called “periphery” have picked up. Last week, Moody’s cut ratings for the deposits and long-term debt of 16 banks in Spain between one and three grades as customers increased withdrawals. In Greece, unsurprisingly, the pattern was even more pronounced.

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Birla’s Latest Buy Signals a Wave of Consolidation in Indian Retail

Kumar Birla announced late last month that his company is acquiring a controlling interest in the Future Group’s Pantaloon Format. The deal is an indication of the troubles facing India’s retail sector as the economy slows and talks of opening the sector to FDI stall.

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