Earnings reality sinks US investor hopes
A reality blast of disappointing earnings from a clutch of US business heavyweights wiped out midweek gains Friday as US markets suffered another poor week.
China tipped to be 2nd biggest luxury market by 2017
China is set to become the world's second biggest market for luxury goods after the United States in five years, overtaking France, Britain, Italy and Japan.
Apple smartphones gaining on Samsung in US
Apple narrowed the gap with Samsung smartphones in the precious US market in the months before the release of the hot-selling iPhone 5 model.
S&P warns of little iron ore respite for miners
Global credit agency Standard & Poor's said Tuesday that it saw little improvement in iron ore prices in the near-term and warned that smaller single-commodity miners could see their ratings slip.
Facebook tailoring ad services for businesses
Facebook's chief operating officer was in New York on Monday working to bolster investor confidence with assurances that the social network was intent on making money.
China manufacturing in second month of contraction
China's manufacturing activity contracted for a second straight month in September, according to official data released Monday, falling short of expectations for expansion.
Sleek new PlayStation 3 model makes US debut
Sleek new PlayStation 3 consoles took their places in US homes on Thursday as Sony tapped into its video game prowess to put itself at the heart of Internet Age entertainment.
Global sales of 'smart devices' surging: study
Global sales of so-called smart connected devices -- computers, smartphones and tablets -- rose sharply in the past quarter, driven by smartphones and tablets.
Long queues for iPhone 5 rollout despite glitches
Apple's iPhone 5 hit stores in a festive global rollout Friday, with long queues of devotees undeterred by a lukewarm welcome from experts for the smartphone and complaints about its new mapping system.
iPhone 5 frenzy builds ahead of Friday release
Gadget lovers have flooded Apple with pre-orders and set up camp outside the company's real-world stores to get their hands on the new generation iPhone 5 set for release Friday.
Oil prices hit four-month peaks on Fed stimulus
Global oil prices soared Thursday to new four-month highs, as the US Federal Reserve announced a new round of quantitative easing to stimulate the flagging economy.
Zuckerberg eyes mobile after Facebook IPO flop
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said Tuesday the social network giant is focused on mobile devices and should be seen as a smart bet despite a "disappointing" stock market debut.
Brazil is world's largest crack market: study
Brazil is the world's largest market for crack and the second for overall cocaine use, researchers from the Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP) said Wednesday.
Oxfam warns food prices to soar due to climate change
Staple food prices may double within the next two decades due to climate change and an increase in extreme weather including droughts and hurricanes.
Google-Microsoft field smartphones to take on iPhone 5
Google and Microsoft have introduced new champions in the fiercely competitive smartphone arena a week ahead of what is likely to be the hotly-anticipated debut of a next-generation iPhone by Apple.
China slowdown biggest risk to Asian growth: survey
A slowdown in China's economy is perceived as the biggest risk to Asia's economic growth, a survey of regional powerbrokers released Wednesday said.
Coffee giant Starbucks taps into tea-loving India
Starbucks is betting on big returns as it seeks to lure an expanding legion of coffee lovers in India -- primarily a tea-drinking nation where lifestyle changes have spawned a booming market for cafes.
Moody's downgrades EU rating outlook to 'negative'
Moody's on Monday lowered the European Union's long-term issuer rating outlook from stable to negative, saying the move reflected credit risks of the bloc's key budget contributors.
Coca-Cola available but expensive in N. Korea: defectors
Coca-Cola has been available at private markets in North Korea for more than a decade even if the US soft drink maker has not opened business in the communist state.
Brazil to deploy world's first floating oil terminal
Brazil's state-owned energy giant Petrobras said Tuesday it will deploy the world's first floating oil terminal capable of refueling tankers on the high seas.