Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Companies are leaving the NY Stock Exchange

So far this year 34 foreign companies have left the NY Stock Exchange. This is happening because of the shift of global markets. Foreign companies are no longer dependent on the United States and other countries are developing their markets. Our regulatory system will have change in order to continue to attract investment. What is also happening is the domestic companies are looking elsewhere to invest. The advantage of the United States has always been its ability to attract the best and most innovative companies in the world. This needs to continue in order to stay competitive in the global market. One of the main reasons is a hostile litigation environment. The law system is confusing and too complex therefore companies must pay more in litigation costs to handle these laws. Changing the regulatory system is a good place to start.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

The $2,500 Car

Tata, an Indian car manufacturer, will be releasing next year a car that only costs $2,500. This car will provide affordability and great fuel efficiency. Could this car change the automobile industry forever? In a time when the costs of living, food and gas are rising will people start to change their perception of a car? In the past, a car was seen as a status symbol but as costs rise a car is beginning to be seen as a commodity or something that is purely functional. Therefore the successful brands in the future will be those that combine low price with fuel efficiency.

Following the success of Toyota and Honda, soon America will start seeing Chinese and Indian car brands. When this happens these companies will have to overcome the same negative backlash that Toyota received from the public as people complained about underpricing and beating up on American brands such as GM. But just like Honda, Toyota and Hyundai eventually the brand that wins is one that meets the needs of the customer and provides great quality at an affordable price.

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Bill Gates, NOT the richest man in the world?

Yes, this is true. This month Carlos Slim Helu overtook Bill Gates to become the richest man in the world. This may be a surprise for some but he had been steadily rising up the wealth chart the last 3 years. Mr. Helu is a son of a Mexican shopkeeper and owns multiple businesses in Mexico. This figure just astounds me: His family's holdings represent more than 5% of Mexico's 2006 gross domestic product, and Slim-controlled companies make up one-third of the $422 billion Mexican Bolsa, or stock exchange.

I have a feeling in the coming years you'll start to hear more about important businessmen from other countries as globalization continues to increase. Read the full article from CNN Money.