29 January, 2015 by The TZ Newswire Staff Comments Off on Alibaba’s magic carpet ride isn’t over
Alibaba’s magic carpet ride isn’t over
Alibaba’s magic carpet ride came to a standstill on Thursday, but experts say the world’s largest e-commerce firm remains a compelling investment.
29 January, 2015 by The TZ Newswire Staff Comments Off on Asia wavers, but Wall Street gains lend support
Asia wavers, but Wall Street gains lend support
MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan edged down about 0.2 percent on the day in late trade, but was still on track to gain more than 1 percent for the month. Expectations of further easing from the Reserve Bank of Australia sent the Australian dollar slumping to its lowest in over five years this week, with the Aussie falling as low as $0.7720.
29 January, 2015 by The TZ Newswire Staff Comments Off on Lower gas prices seen fueling U.S. consumer spending in fourth quarter
Lower gas prices seen fueling U.S. consumer spending in fourth quarter
The U.S. economy likely grew at a brisk clip in the fourth quarter as lower gasoline prices buoyed consumer spending, in a show of resilience despite a darkening global outlook. “The consumer did the heavy lifting and I don’t think there is any reason to expect that to change in the first half of this year because of the enormous tailwind from lower gasoline prices,” said Ryan Sweet, a senior economist at Moody’s Analytics in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of U.S.
29 January, 2015 by The TZ Newswire Staff Comments Off on Google fourth-quarter revenue misses Wall Street target
Google fourth-quarter revenue misses Wall Street target
Google Inc’s (GOOGL.O) (GOOG.O) revenue grew 15 percent in the fourth quarter but fell short of Wall Street’s target on declining online ad prices and unfavorable foreign exchange rates. Shares of Google edged up 0.1 percent to $510.66 in extended trading after an initial dip on the news. Google’s advertising revenue has come under pressure as more consumers access its online services on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, where ad rates are typically lower. The growing popularity of mobile devices has made No.
29 January, 2015 by The TZ Newswire Staff Comments Off on Shake Shack IPO prices far above expected range
Shake Shack IPO prices far above expected range
Shares of the company, which has won a cult following for its rich milkshakes and hormone- and antibiotic-free burgers, priced at $21 each, an underwriter said, valuing the chain that started as a hotdog cart in a park at about $745 million. The IPO market has been particularly fruitful recently for so-called fast-casual restaurant operators hoping to replicate the scorching growth of Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc (CMG.N). Shares of Habit Restaurants Inc (HABT.O), another gourmet burger chain, have risen more than 80 percent since their market debut two months ago.
29 January, 2015 by The TZ Newswire Staff Comments Off on Oil prices slip as output remains high, producers slash costs
Oil prices slip as output remains high, producers slash costs
Oil prices dipped on Friday following slight gains in the previous session and analysts said the outlook remained weak, with production high and producers reducing operating costs to adjust to lower export revenues. Global oil prices had firmed slightly on Thursday but not before U.S. crude hit a near-six-year low and benchmark Brent pared gains on data showing fresh additions to record-high U.S. oil inventories. Brent crude oil futures opened Friday’s trading little changed at $49.15 a barrel and had slipped to $48.83 by 0645 GMT.
29 January, 2015 by The TZ Newswire Staff Comments Off on AWS move, disclosure suggest Amazon yielding more to Wall Street
AWS move, disclosure suggest Amazon yielding more to Wall Street
After years of giving investors the cold shoulder, Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O) is starting to warm up to Wall Street. The No. 1 U.S. online retailer was unusually forthcoming during its fourth-quarter earnings call on Thursday, saying it will break out results this year, for the first time, for its fast-growing cloud computing unit, Amazon Web Services. “The team … is putting even more energy around making sure we get great productivity around our various fixed and variable investments,” Chief Financial Officer Tom Szkutak told reporters on a conference call.