The continued risk of tight gas supplies and consequent price spikes over the long term are driving U.S. utilities and power generators to announce plans to build new coal and nuclear capacity, as discussed in Fitch Ratings' 'Wholesale Power Market Update.' Other factors supporting capacity additions include declining reserve margins at peak in many power regions and public policy incentives to attain greater fuel diversity.
The Discover® Small Business WatchSM rose sharply in October 2006 as business owners reported improvements in cash flow and greater willingness to invest in business development. The Watch, based on surveys with 1,000 small business owners, rose to 120 from 107.7 in September.
Intense competition in the Asia-Pacific enterprise telephony segment has resulted in declining prices of telephony equipment and revenues remaining flat for the first half of the year. Given this, telephony equipment vendors have begun to focus on niche strengths, selected verticals, and platforms offering communications, applications and service expertise to create a differentiation
JETRO's monthly survey of Japanese companies and affiliates operating in 12 countries/regions of East Asia revealed that sentiment in October remained subdued in the ASEAN region while continuing strong in mainland China.
U.S. homeowners see their homes as a sound financial investment and want to make improvements, according to the Wells Fargo Third Annual Survey of U.S. Homeowners.
The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) released the results of its latest annual survey of Japanese manufacturers operating in the US. A total of 621 companies replied to this survey, which JETRO's six US offices (Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco) conducted in July and August 2006. JETRO began this annual survey in 1981.
Xinhua Finance and Market News International, a part of the news service line of Xinhua Finance, today announced the October Xinhua Finance/MNI China business sentiment survey. The results of the survey suggest operating conditions for Chinese companies have improved since the record lows recorded at the end of the third quarter as the threat of more aggressive tightening measures from the government recedes.
The Conference Board announced today that the leading index for Germany increased 0.5 percent and the coincident index increased 0.2 percent in August.
Pollutant control technologies play a vital role in promoting a healthy and green environment. While competing technologies such as fuel cells and other green technologies have the potential for future growth, these options are yet to meet the reliability and efficiency standards that conventional technologies conform to. On its part, the power generation industry – as driven by air pollution requirements – is keenly pursuing strategies to mitigate the emissions of sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter and other pollutants from power plants.
Alcatel's Board of Directors reviewed and approved third quarter 2006 results. Revenues were up by 1.4% at Euro 3,335 million compared with Euro 3,289 million (up 2.7% at constant Euro/USD exchange rate) in the same period last year.
