Thin-film-transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) manufacturing capacity in China is forecasted to experience 35 percent growth in 2007 and 50 percent growth in 2008, as new fab capacity begins to come online, according to a new market research report titled "China TFT-LCD Industry Report," that is now available from SEMI.
Middle- and Lower-Middle Income Americans are Making Significant Spending Changes - Each in his or her Own Way - Because of Gas Prices, According to Summer 2006 Boston Consulting Group Survey of Consumer Spending Patterns
Facing rising gas prices, Americans are buying more alternative fuel autos, including hybrids, diesel and ethanol- capable vehicles, according to automakers.
Discover Business Card released the results of the inaugural Discover(R) Small Business Watch(SM) today, a new monthly Index of economic confidence of the nation's 22 million small businesses with five or fewer employees.
IBM and Internet Security Systems, Inc. today announced the two companies have entered into a definitive agreement for IBM to acquire Internet Security Systems, Inc., a publicly held company based in Atlanta, Ga., in an all-cash transaction at a price of approximately $1.3 billion, or $28 per share. The acquisition is subject to Internet Security Systems, Inc. shareholder and regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2006.
Visa USA reported that its volume on purchases less than $25 in targeted small ticket segments totaled $27.3 billion in the first six months of the year, an increase of 17 percent over the same period in 2005. The double-digit growth indicates that Visa payment cards are increasingly being used instead of cash and checks for everyday purchases less than $25.
More and more American consumers are carrying less and less cash. A "Consumer Payments Survey," commissioned by MasterCard and conducted by Ipsos, shows that 74% of respondents no longer carry large amounts of cash with them, and 62% say they have switched to other forms of payment. More than half (56%) said they usually could find stores that accepted other forms of payment besides cash.
Hitachi Power Systems America, Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi America, Ltd., today announced that it has been awarded a contract to retrofit wet flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems to five of Ameren Corporation's power generation units at its Sioux, Coffeen, and Duck Creek plants. The scrubbers are capable of removing sulfur dioxide (SO2) from either low sulfur or high sulfur coals, providing continued flexibility for Ameren to use the least cost fuels for each plant.
Dell reported revenue of $14.1 billion for the second quarter of fiscal year 2007, an increase of 5 percent year-over-year. Operating income was $605 million, or 4.3 percent of revenue, which includes $119 million of stock-based compensation. The company priced aggressively in a slower market resulting in operating income which was lower than its May expectations on similar revenue. As a result, EPS for the quarter finished at 22 cents.
