Solutions Toyota's Car of the Future Had Distinctive Beginning October 31, 2007 • More than a decade ago, Toyota engineers designed the Prius, a vehicle that revolutionized the auto industry. A visit to the Toyota City factory in Japan sheds light on the car's distinctive beginnings.
Oil Turmoil: Pricey Fuel's Impact $100-a-Barrel Oil? Perhaps, But Don't Panic October 31, 2007 • Higher oil prices mean you'll pay more for gasoline, heating oil, airline tickets, food and other goods. But many experts say the U.S. economy is better positioned to weather an oil shock today than it was in the 1970s and '80s.
Economy How High Can Oil Prices Go? October 31, 2007 • Oil prices hit another record earlier this week, topping $93 a barrel. Day to Day asks an economist and an oil expert about potential price increases.
Toyota Takes a Hit in 'Consumer Reports' Ratings October 31, 2007 • Consumer Reports is downgrading its rating of three Toyota vehicles. The publication's Auto Test Senior Director David Champion talks about the slide in ranking and how this might affect the company's image.
Economy Fed Lowers Funds Rate by Quarter Point October 31, 2007 • The Federal Reserve Board lowered the cost of borrowing with a quarter-point drop in rates in hopes of energizing an economy troubled by a sagging housing market and soaring oil prices. The central bank lowered the federal funds rate to 4.5 percent.
Stanley O'Neal Leaves Mixed Legacy in Leadership October 31, 2007 • After announcing the retirement of Stanley O'Neal from investment bank Merrill Lynch, some wonder if his downfall was due to his own mistakes or the color of his skin. Derek Dingle, executive editor of Black Enterprise magazine discusses Stanley O'Neal's retirement, his management style and what his retirement means to the larger investment banking industry.
Economy Economy Demonstrates Vigor Despite Credit Woes October 31, 2007 • The nation's gross domestic product — the broadest measure of economic activity — grew at an annual rate of 3.9 percent during the summer. The indicator's strength signals economic resilience in spite of ailing housing and credit markets.
Economy Homeowners Looking to Sell Face Tough Market October 31, 2007 • In a buyer's market, homeowners are going to extreme lengths to sell their houses: offering free plasma TVs, Jacuzzis, even a car to fill half of the two-car garage. Housing experts talk about the challenges that homeowners face when they are trying to sell.
Make Me Care E. Stanley O'Neal Leaves Merrill Lynch October 31, 2007 • The CEO resigned on Tuesday over accusations that he low-balled the impact of the sub-prime mortgage crisis on Merrill's cash flow, and went behind Merrill's board of trustees to schmooze Wachovia for a possible take over of his company. Terri Cullen, author of the column "Fiscally Fit" for the Wall Street Journal Online, explains why it matters to you.
Merrill Lynch Begins CEO Search October 31, 2007 • Investment brokerage firm Merrill Lynch is looking for a new CEO after ousting Stan O'Neal. Speculation is focusing on Laurence Fink, the CEO of Blackrock, which provides global investment management services, and Robert McCann, who heads Merrill's brokerage division.
Technology Google to Write Social Networking Programs October 31, 2007 • Google plans to gang up with a dozen tech companies in a bid to beat out the new site on the block. It has created a group called OpenSocial to write programs that can run on any social-networking site. They want to create an alternative to Facebook, which has become the gold standard.
News Halloween Goods to Yield $5B Holiday October 31, 2007 • The National Retail Federation says Americans will spend a scary $5 billion on Halloween this year on costumes and candy.
Opinion Firms Use Carrot, Stick to Encourage Healthy Habits October 31, 2007 • Firms are cracking down on the health of employees. Clarian Health recently revised plans to penalize workers for smoking, high blood pressure, or a body mass index over a certain limit. Monitoring workers' health is a growing trend; it costs more to insure smokers and overweight people.
Pop Culture New 'Tales from the Crypt' October 31, 2007 • After more than 50 years, EC Comics' legendary flagship title returns with an all-new Tales from the Crypt, narrated by the original Crypt Keeper, Old Witch and Vault Keeper. The first complete volume, featuring four, 20-page tales in the EC Comics tradition, is out for Halloween.
Politics Bill Banning Prejudice Against Gays at Work Stalls October 31, 2007 • Democrats want to pass a bill banning discrimination against gays and lesbians in the workplace. But the legislation is bogged down in the House, where party members are split over whether to include protection for transgender people. Gay rights activists are calling for an all-inclusive bill or none.