How bad has the mood gotten on Wall Street? Judging by an article in the new issue of New York magazine, the answer is bleak indeed. Even as the broader economy shows signs of improving, Wall Street is coming off a year in which …
Big Mall Makeover: Using Empty Malls for Farms, Housing, Wedding Receptions
In recent years, consumers have been buying more and more goods from outlet malls, dollar stores and online retailers. By no small coincidence, over the same time period traditional shopping malls have suffered, and now have the highest vacancy rates in 20 years. All those empty stores—and sometimes, entirely empty malls—have …
Finally, A Convenient Way to Get Income for Life: Feds Push A New 401(k) Option
With traditional pensions disappearing, securing reliable low-cost lifetime income for retirees has emerged as a top issue among financial planners and policymakers. Finally, a solution is in sight. The federal government has issued new regulations designed to encourage two important changes:
- Allow 401(k) plan participants to easily
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In Latest Moves, Barnes & Noble is Betting it Can Compete With Amazon
Barnes & Noble’s most recent gambit, a refusal to sell books published by its rival Amazon, shows that the country’s largest bookstore isn’t backing down from the e-tail giant. But will it pay off?
The Corporate Tax Rate Is Lowest in Decades; Is Business Paying Its Fair Share?
As the nation frets over slow growth and large budget deficits, much has been made over how much Americas are and should be paying in income tax. President Obama and Democrats have argued that the wealthiest among us are not …
Should Cities Have to Patronize Small, Local Banks?
Many Americans expressed their dissatisfaction with escalating bank fees by eschewing megabanks in favor of smaller institutions or credit unions. Should cities do the same thing? Last week, the city council in Berkeley, Calif., …
How Computer Geeks Aim to Put a Stop to Fake Online Reviews
A collection of five-star ratings can do amazing things for a business. It’s not all that surprising, then, that hotels, restaurants, local services, product manufacturers and even doctors and dentists are known to plant glowing …
Is American the Worst-Managed Airline in America?
Members of the Transport Workers Union (TWU) were scheduled to vote on a new contract with American Airlines, or AA, this December that would have lowered the airline’s cost and outsourced hundreds of jobs that weren’t …
Dow, Nasdaq Surge to Post-Crisis Highs on Strong Jobs, Economic Data
Wall Street enjoyed a broad-based rally on Friday as two key stock indexes rose to the highest levels since before the Great Recession, propelled by better-than-expected employment data released earlier in the day. The strong …
Internet Campaign Prompts Sallie Mae to Change Fee Policy
Bowing to pressure from an online petition, lending giant Sallie Mae offered to change its fee policy for borrowers who have delayed payments on their student loans. Borrowers who enter into forbearance will now have the …
This Country Just Capped Credit Card APRs: Should We?
Some people think the United States should cap the interest rates credit card companies are allowed to charge, but the prospect of maximum APRs doesn’t sit well with some lawmakers, not to mention the financial services industry. …
Krispy Kreme Valentine’s Day Deal: Nothing More Romantic Than Free Donuts
Now through February 14, when you buy a dozen donuts at Krispy Kreme, you’ll get a dozen free Valentine’s cards—and each card is good for a free donut.