Consumer confidence slips in South Korea.
South Korea's consumers are showing almost the thinnest slice of optimism possible in that country's most recent survey of consumer confidence. According to a Bloomberg News story published in the International Herald Tribune (Neuilly) on May 9, 2006, consumer confidence sank for the third month in a row. ...

Gulf banking.
Macro-economic fundamentals of the Gulf Cooperation Council(GCC) countries are ranked among the most sound of the emerging markets. Proven records of non-inflationary growth, stable exchange rates, liberal trade regimes, and high per capita income averaging $9,000 per annum, present opportunities for bankers to provide value added services to an increasingly...

Wow! It's another year of fat pay hike.
Byline: Malini Goyal NEW DELHI: Economic indicators are coming in, thick and fast. Indian consumers have been pinched by rising interest rates, untamed inflation, consumer credit squeeze and tightening tax noose - from FBT on ESOPs to expanding service tax net. But fortunately, the news...

Stock markets finely valued.
Byline: Ajay Jindal While global indicators are mixed, the Indian stock market looks finely valued. So, how do you plan for 2006? Sticking to quality stocks would be the safest bet. Let's look at some of the events of the last 10 days or so....

Sticking to quality stocks, a safest bet.
Byline: Ajay Jindal Let's look at some of the events of the last 10 days or so. Corporate results for the December '05 quarter have been declared. Barring problem sectors like oil and pharma, the trend was largely okay. Overall growth is a little over 20% if...

Knight raider.
Byline: N Shatrujeet Sir Martin Sorrell on why non-traditional agencies are hot; his kiss-and-punch association with Vincent Bollore;and why size is such an enviable thing. For Wpp's chief executive Sir Martin Sorrell, it all boils down to the business and economics of things. Every move...

The Charity Register 2008-2009.
AN INTRODUCTION TO 218 SARASOTA CAUSES. WELCOME TO OUR ANNUAL compilation of local nonprofits that give to the needy, heal the sick and further the intellectual, cultural and humanitarian pursuits of us all. In addition to holding 501 (c)3 nonprofit certification, each of these organizations...

Are light and ultra-light cigarettes safer: perceptions of college students.
The reported study investigates college students' perceptions of light compared to regular and ultra-light compared to light cigarettes, and whether perceptions vary by smoking status (nonsmoker, former smoker, social smoker, or regular smoker) and gender. A survey of 172 college students found that all four smoking status groups perceived...

Fifth Third Bancorp Reports Third Quarter 2008 Results.
Strong core operating results offset by higher credit costs, market valuation adjustments CINCINNATI, Oct. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- -- Net loss of $56 million ($0.14 per diluted common share) driven primarily by higher credit costs, market valuation adjustments -- FNM/FRE impairment of $0.06 per share, Visa/Discover...

KeyCorp Reports Third Quarter 2008 Results.
- Net loss of $36 million ($0.10 per common share) for the third quarter - Loan loss reserve increased $133 million to $1.554 billion, or 2.03% of total loans - Capital ratios remain strong; costs well controlled - Actions taken to exit certain...