When the LIBOR interest-rate fixing scandal broke wide open over the summer, I asked whether it was “The Crime of the Century.” The answer to that question relied on whether banks were understating their LIBOR submissions in …
Companies & Industries
Gas Prices Reach New Lows for 2012 — But They’re Still Pretty Darn High
Hurray! Drivers are now seeing the year’s cheapest prices at the pump. Let’s not get carried away and actually declare these prices truly “cheap,” however.
Do We Have Another Financial Bubble On Our Hands? Or Three?
Multiple debt markets are facing big trouble because of excessive borrowing and the Fed’s easy-money policies.
Why Free Shipping Is Almost Universal — And Why You Should Be Wary of It
If you didn’t notice it, yesterday was celebrated in some quarters as Free Shipping Day. It does seem odd, though, to focus on a single day for free shipping when throughout the entire season free shipping has not really been …
America’s Gun Economy, By the Numbers
The shooting in Newtown, Conn., that killed six adults and 20 children on Friday has once again refocused the nation’s attention on guns and gun control. Below are numbers to give some sense of the size and scope of the gun …
Why Santa Claus Is a No-Show at Many Malls This Year
The imagery of the Christmas season overwhelms every shopping center at this time of year, with candy canes, snowmen, wreaths, holly, and red, green, and gold accents everywhere you look. And while the image of Santa Claus is …
Are Twinkies a Good Investment? Scouring the eBay Track Record
With Twinkies and other Hostess products potentially heading off store shelves, now might be the time to snag an edible collector’s item
10 Great Deals That Show ‘Free Shipping Day’ Can Be Worthwhile
Monday, December 17, has been officially designated as Free Shipping Day in the world of e-retail. It’s a totally made-up, arguably irrelevant “special” event—but hey, who cares if it helps you snag a deal on last-minute holiday gifts?
Toys R Us 88-Hour Shopping Marathon — Because Sometimes You Need a Furby at 3 A.M.
Sure, holiday shopping started months ago, and consumers have shown a keen willingness to drop big bucks shopping online throughout the entire season. Nonetheless, the last-minute shopping scene is likely to quite traditional—fast, furious, and in actual stores.
American Airlines: Forget About Fees, These Are ‘Enhancements’
Struggling American Airlines, which has been forced to enter bankruptcy protection and recently suffered high-profile black eyes such as seats coming loose on planes in mid-flight, is hoping that customers will like the idea of paying more fees upfront—so that they won’t have to pay these fees down the line.
Do We Really Need 1,500 More Starbucks?
And didn’t Starbucks close hundreds of outlets a few years ago? Yes – but the coffee chain seems to have learned some lessons.
Deep Trouble: Ski Resorts Try to Cope With Less Snow – Now and in the Long Run
What does a winter resort do when winter barely arrives?
