NEW YORK | By Ana Fuentes | In a less-than-140-characters tweet, Twitter announced its much-anticipated IPO on Thursday. The social network, which has over 200 million users, filed confidential paperwork so nobody really knows its value or how fast it’s really growing. Some analysts put its value at around $10 billion, others up to $16bn. All bets are on.
NEW YORK | By Ana Fuentes | America’s economy is recovering at a slow but firm pace: mortgages, the car industry, consumption, all show better figures than last year. However, the last jobs report brings a huge problem on the table: teen unemployment is still too high. More than 10 million youth are unable to find full-time work, and that’s a ticking bomb, experts warn.
NEW YORK | By Ana Fuentes | Thinking of moving abroad? You might consider that Denmark, Norway and Switzerland are the most satisfied countries, according to the World Happiness Report 2013. However, Europe has a gloomy side called austerity: rankings for Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain have dramatically plummeted because of the impact of the euro zone crisis.
NEW YORK | By Ana Fuentes | Barack Obama will give six interviews to U.S. media this Monday to build public support about an intervention in Syria. The White House is using its lobbying skills to make a case for an action that for some analysts could compromise the last good economic data.
NEW YORK | By Ana Fuentes | With the Syrian crisis dominating the G20 summit agenda, investors are expectant about the coming events and looking for the best plan. For many analysts oil is a better bet than sovereign bonds, since crude oil prices could jump more than 20 percent if a U.S. military strike drags other countries into the Syrian conflict.
MADRID | By Ana Fuentes | Under a strong pressure after the scandal of illegal donations to the Popular Party, Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy will try to spend his summer holidays away from the public eye. Even if the economy is doing better and the Bank of Spain sees the end of the recession coming, citizens are austerity-wary and the political tension has not been eased at all.
By Ana Fuentes | When he started working in IT in the late 70s in India, Srikanth Vasuraj had to explain to his clients how to pronounce the word “computer”. Today, technology in his country is a $108 billion industry and through his own consultancy firm, Nodiva, Mr. Vasuraj helps start-ups with business strategies and innovation. His 33+ years of experience include Business Leadership, Strategic Planning and P&L Management in India, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. He talked to The Corner from his headquarters in Bangalore (India).
NEW YORK | By Ana Fuentes | An American bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced on Thursday a bill for the 21st century Glass-Steagall Act, a new version of 1933 banking act that put a wall between investment banking and insured deposits. Aimed to protect the American taxpayers, this aggressive piece of law would reduce the size of US bigger banks, minimizing the possibility of a government bailout like in 2008. Wall street has a new headache.
NEW YORK | By Ana Fuentes | Americans blame Bush more than Obama, who seems to be benefiting from the current economic stability. However, everything could change once the Fed stops injecting QE steroids.
NEW YORK | By Ana Fuentes | With July 4 final preparations underway, millions of Americans bought their BBQ coal and burgers days ago. Their flags and beer coolers are all set, as well as their Independence-Day-customized backyards. But what about fireworks? Since purchasing them is forbidden in some states, people travel just to get them.