downturn

Actress and entrepreneur Jane Asher shares her experiences of setting up a business during a recession, offering tips and advice to small businesses on surviving an economic downturn. Jane Asher set up her business Jane Asher Party Cakes in 1989, on the back of her best selling cake decorating book. It has since grown to become [...]

By Martin Crutsinger and Jeannine Aversa, AP Economics Writers Inflation rises at fastest pace since early 1980s as Fed chair warns of more trouble WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S. economic downturn gained steam Tuesday, with a report of the highest inflation since the early 1980s, more bad news for banks and automakers and a suggestion by the Federal Reserve chief that worse days are ahead.President

Online Builder-Buyer Matchmaker Now One of the Largest Real Estate Listing Syndications to Showcase New Homes and Condo Communities Worldwide  SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–James Uberti, Vice President of Sales and Business Development for First Release Homes, Inc., announced today the company has expanded its real estate syndication. This positions the San Francisco-based company as

by: Terry H HillAn economic downturn is a phase of the business cycle in which the economy as a whole is in decline.This phase basically marks the end of the period of growth in the business cycle. Economic downturns are characterized by decreased levels of consumer purchases (especially of durable goods) and, subsequently, reduced levels of production by businesses.While economic downturns are a

A recent survey on the UK Business Forum asked the question, “Has The Slowdown Affected Your Turnover’” Results from the poll showed that 40% of small business owners report that turnover has actually increased during the first part of this year. However. of those that are seeing a growth in business the majority admit to being more [...]

By George Frey, AP Business WriterCentral banks' banker says world economy could see deeper, longer downturn than most expectBASEL, Switzerland (AP) -- The global economy could face a deeper downturn than many currently expect amid rising inflation and the turmoil on financial markets, the Bank for International Settlements said at its annual meeting Monday."In the aftermath of a long credit-drive

Real Estate professionals are not immune to the personal losses that are happening in this market downturn. Not only are their businesses suffering, their personal properties are suffering as well. Some even find themselves among those facing foreclosure as their business and income dry up. They are partners, colleagues, friends and associates. They are agents, lenders, appraiser [...]

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has recently stated that the danger of a substantial downturn in the economy has waned. He is now sending signal that the Fed is more interested in inflation and will probably raise interest rates. Many bloggers, myself included, have been sounding the warning of runaway inflation for some time now. I [...]

Advanced countries' weakness will hit growth in emerging markets: FitchBusiness Times - 10 Jun 2008By CONRAD TAN(SINGAPORE) Emerging economies such as China and India are not big enough to offset a likely recession in the US and weakening growth in other advanced economies, the head of Asia-Pacific sovereign ratings at Fitch Ratings warned yesterday.Since most developing economies are net exporter

An economic downturn is a phase of the business cycle in which the economy as a whole is in decline.This phase basically marks the end of the period of growth in the business cycle. Economic downturns are characterized by decreased levels of consumer purchases (especially of durable goods) and, subsequently, reduced levels of production by businesses.While economic downturns are admittedly difficu

WASHINGTON - DESPITE a recent spike in the unemployment rate, the danger that the US economy has fallen into a 'substantial downturn' appears to have waned, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Monday. Addressing a Fed conference in Chatham, Massachusetts, on Monday night, Mr Bernanke said a government report last week showing the unemployment rate rising from 5 per cent in April to 5.5 p

While some of us may be suffering in the current global credit squeeze, it may have been just what was required to keep the hosting industry simmering nicely. At least that was one widely held view at the 451 Group’s Hosting Transformation Summit in London on Tuesday. Just when data center build outs threatened to escalate [...]

While some of us may be suffering in the current global credit squeeze, it may have been just what was required to keep the hosting industry simmering nicely. At least that was one widely held view at the 451 Group’s Hosting Transformation Summit in London on Tuesday. Just when data center build outs threatened to escalate [...]

After racing into the real estate market late last year, investors are now racing out due a sharp decline in capital in the second quarter. Out of low, medium and high-end market segments, it’s the high-end ones with the biggest drop offs. Several luxury apartments that once went for lofty prices at the beginning of the year are now going for almost half the market price. Vu Quoc Thai, marketin

Why property market will see prolonged downturn "HOPES that a slowdown in Singapore's property market is temporary are fading, as an uncertain economic outlook and a looming housing glut threaten to plunge the sector into a prolonged downturn. " reported Asia One, 22 May 2008.Why?1. Impending oversupply with 66,000 new homes expected to be completed over the next four years, against a forecast dem

This may be the most severe Phoenix real estate downturn.Knowledge@W.P. Carey has put our a very informative look at the current real estate market and how it relates to the Arizona's most severe downturn in the 1980's."As of February, home prices had declined for 11 consecutive  months and there is a good change the state will surpass the old record set almost two decades ago,.." &

Vacation Rental Market Growing Despite Real Estate DownturnEarthtimes (press release), UK - 20 minutes agoVacation rentals are a win-win for vacationers and second-home owners alike." In 2007, hotel rates in major US cities increased an average of 9%, … Original post by nathaniel

LAS VEGAS (Nevada) - FOR almost any other tourist hotspot, greeting nearly 10 million visitors and earning US$2.9 billion (S$4 billion) from convention business in three months would be a cause for cheer.But for Las Vegas, those figures reflect the cold truth that, in a break from its history as a recession-proof oasis in the American economy, Sin City is hurting in the nationwide downturn, too.La

UNITED NATIONS - THE world economy is 'teetering on the brink' of a severe downturn and will grow by only 1.8 per cent in 2008, the United Nations said in its midyear economic projections. That's down from a global growth rate of 3.8 per cent in 2007 - and the downturn is expected to continue in 2009 with only slightly higher economic growth of 2.1 per cent, the UN report said on Thursday. The mid

There are as many opinions as styles and colors of autos on the road, but isn’t that pretty much what you’d expect when asking luxury car dealers what the economy is doing to their baby, their brand? “It’s not just the luxury end; the auto industry as a whole is off right now,” says McDermott Hummer’s Steve Zimmerman. “We’re trying everything we can

Black cab maker Manganese Bronze yesterday reported sharply higher profits on the back of the launch of its TX4 model last year, but warned sales so far this year had been affected by the uncertainty which has swept through London’s financial market. (...)

Black cab maker Manganese Bronze yesterday reported sharply higher profits on the back of the launch of its TX4 model last year, but warned sales so far this year had been affected by the uncertainty which has swept through London's financial market. (...)

As airlines declare bankruptcy and gas prices push toward $4.00 a gallon, the housing market is being effected severely. Heightened uncertainty is causing most homeowners to stay put and wait things out, as the wild ride of the economic downturn continues. Suburbs are being greatly effected as in many parts of the country sales of homes [...]

The recent lock in the financial markets is beginning to spill over into other sectors. A friend in private equity recently said that the damage to the average retail shop on the high street is expected to be huge. Even some luxury markets are expected to take a hit. In an interview with Fitch Ratings, a [...]

US sales of video game consoles and software have grown 57% over the past year, defying the economic downturn. Consumers snapped up consoles, games and accessories worth $1.7bn during March, according to research firm NPD. Nintendo’s Wii came top with 720,000 units. Microsoft sold 262,000 Xbox 360 consoles, ahead of Sony’s PlayStation 3 which [...]

Black cab maker Manganese Bronze yesterday reported sharply higher profits on the back of the launch of its TX4 model last year, but warned sales so far this year had been affected by the uncertainty which has swept through London's financial market. (...)

Lenin once said the surest way "to crush the bourgeoisie is to grind them between the millstones of taxation and inflation." Comrade Vladimir was clearly never the owner of a high carbon-spewing SUV or he would have also added driving one to those petrol guzzlers to his list, but he certainly knew a thing or two about the soul-grinding business. So if you're thinking of making any resolutions this New Year, they really should include this one: finding a safe route between the inflation virus that is going to sap your income and savings of its spending power and the government's determination to squeeze as much direct and indirect taxation out of you. I know a few people who've already jumped on a plane for overheated tax-havens like Dubai and Panama. Or you can stay here, stop throwing y

MILAN (Reuters) - Italian real estate company Risanamento (RN.MI: Quote, Profile, Research) said its 2007 loss widened more than tenfold as the property market worsened, forcing it to obtain a loan from banks and try to sell assets.The net loss totalled 91.7 million euros ($144.5 million), compared to net loss 8.7 million euros in 2006, the company said in a statement late on Friday."The changed market scenario, in addition to having strongly influenced the results, caused a situation of financial tension," Risanamento said.

According to an article in World Oil Magazine entitled, Three super-giant fields discovered offshore Brazil, by Arthur Berman; three new offshore oil fields have been discovered in Brazil’s Santos Basin. The Brazilian oil company, Petrobas, announced, these fields, named Tupi, Jupiter and Carioca located 174 miles east of the State of Sao Paulo in the [...]

Fed minutes: Severe downturn possible by Reuters - snips:Members of the Federal Reserve's policy-setting committee worried at their most recent (March 18th) meeting that housing and financial market stress could trigger a nasty slide in the economy, even as inflation pushed higher, minutes of the meeting released on Tuesday show. "Some believed that a prolonged and severe economic downturn could not be ruled out given the further restriction of credit availability and ongoing weakness in the housing market,"... At the same time, Fed officials found recent inflation reports "disappointing," noting also with concern that some indicators of inflation expectations were edging higher. Policy-makers said there were limits to what could be done through interest rate cuts to deal with problems un

The Oregonian gives us an update on the Portland condo market.Portland overview:Portland developers rode one of the longest and largest downtown condo construction booms in U.S. history.The downtown condo market, tiny in Portland until the 1990s, cashed in on twin forces: Baby boomers leaving their empty nests and young professionals with no desire to round out a Beaverton cul-de-sac.With ready demand, developers built more than 4,000 downtown condos since 2001. That's more than twice the amount built in the past 30 years, according to real estate firm CB Richard Ellis.At the peak in 2005, brokers needed just a week to get more than 200 people to reserve a spot in South Waterfront's John Ross tower. But no boom lasts forever. Like the 1990s dot-com expansion, all business cycles are, after

Many of you are no doubt feeling the pinch of the current economic conditions in the United States. Many of you may feel as if there is no hope for you or the economy to recover. Record numbers of people are being forced out of their homes due to foreclosure, still more are unable to pay their rising utility bills, all drivers cringe when filling up their gas tanks, parents across the country are worrying about how they are going to pay for college expenses for their children. People are getting paid the same wages, but the cost of living is rising dramatically.OK — now that all of this column’s readers are in a good mood — let’s flip these seemingly hopeless situations on their — for lack of a better word — behinds. Because there is hope and there are ways to achieve a sma

With the lack of investment in the UK market and the decrease in the number of home loans people are looking to buy else where. With the foreign markets looking like a more attractive proposition the main locations where people are buying includes France and Spain. They are being bought for either a second property or as an investment for the future, and the number of enquiries into foreign mortgages has risen considerably. It has been reported that the difference in the profile of the buyers has been significant, rather than the more traditional investor there has been an overall increase in the number of people who are actually looking to buy a property and more away.With the increase in the number of service offerings from the foreign mortgage providers this has become a much more viabl

      The Humane Society of the United States Launches Grant Program to Help Families Care for Pets during Tough Economic Times   WASHINGTON (March 26, 2008) — The Humane Society of the United States has established a fund to address the hardships that the current economic downturn has visited on its voiceless victims. With accounts of people leaving their pets behind as they are forced out of their homes due to foreclosure, and shelters reporting increases in the number of families who can’t afford to keep or feed their pets, the nation’s largest animal protection organization heeded the call from shelters and rescue groups for assistance.   The HSUS will administer grants from this fund to animal shelters, rescue groups, and animal control agencies to help establish and expa

Economy Tied to Wall St., NY Braces for Job Cutsby NYT - snip:New York is accustomed to job losses on Wall Street. They come with just about every economic slump, and their impact is felt throughout the city. But now, as the city braces for a big contraction in the financial sector as a result of the credit crisis and the collapse of Bear Stearns, the fallout could be worse than in the past. The New York economy is more dependent than ever on high Wall Street incomes...Manhattan's real estate market faces huge glut in 2010by NY Post - snip:I'M not trying to set off a panic. Because, trust me, the panic is already there. It's obvious to anybody with a brain and two legs on which to take a stroll that lots of real estate players are in for a bruising time... Maybe not right away. The Manhatt

What Does Your Organization Need To Do To Profit From This Economic Downturn? by Manoj SharmaPeople everywhere are aware that the global economy has taken a downturn. Your organization as part of the global business community either has already or will most likely be impacted in some shape or form. Regardless of the impact, thinking ahead what are some of the things you need to pay attention to, to ensure your organization makes the best of this change in economic climate? Below is a short list of things you might want to consider to have your organization bound back stronger still.Focus on making things better.Take everything you have and figure out how to make it better. Then keep making it better and even better still till the downturn is over. Know that if you make something truly grea

Duke basketball tickets have long been some of the most difficult basketball tickets to find in the United States. The program has been almost a gold standard by which all other programs are measured, and that includes not only their on-court success but also their sterling reputation as student athletes. No one questions the fact that Duke runs a clean and successful program under the legendary stewardship of Mike Krzyzewski. However, the 2006-07 season has been a disappointment for the Blue Devils, and that was never more apparent than in their recent loss to arch-rival North Carolina. The Blue Devils played extremely hard and extremely well, but still could not overcome the talent and ability of the Tar Heels. Below we'll examine whether this season is an indication of things to come o

DeeinAustin™ The Titanic-sized Villa Muse development is in trouble and sinking fast.The viability of the project in Austin took a controversial downturn after Austin City Council narrowly denied their request to release acreage in East Travis County. As a result,...

Savills said volumes of properties changing hands in the five million pound-plus market were down 23 percent on the year, while the value of deals has declined 11 percent, compared to a 106 percent surge in 2006.Douglas & Gordon, one of London's largest independent estate agents, has witnessed a 35 percent drop in buyers on last year, but from an abnormally high peak in early 2007.Despite a general consensus for a correction rather than a crash, some agents were more bearish than others.

While economic downturns are admittedly difficult, and are formidable obstacles to small businesses that are trying to survive and grow, an economic downturn can open up opportunities. A well-managed company can realize the opportunity to gain market share by taking customers away from their competitors. More: continued here

Housing, deepest decline since Great Depressionby MarketWatch - snip:Housing is in its "deepest, most rapid downswing since the Great Depression," the chief economist for the National Association of Home Builders said Tuesday, and the downward momentum on housing prices appears to be accelerating. The NAHB's latest forecast calls for new-home sales to drop 22% this year, bringing sales 55% under the peak reached in late 2005. Housing starts are predicted to tumble 31% in 2008, putting starts 60% off their high of three years ago. "More and more of the country is now involved in the contraction, where six months ago it was not as widespread," said David Seiders, the NAHB's chief economist, on a conference call with reporters. "Housing is in a major contraction mode and will be another major

Homeowners and Investors, Time to Get Real by Ben Stein - snip:...First, as I see it (and I'm often mistaken), the real estate market still has some serious falling to do. I base this on the fact that real estate in some of the most overpriced markets -- like Manhattan and the west side of Los Angeles -- have yet to fall dramatically. I, your humble servant, have been looking for a condo here in L.A. for my son, and I've been floored by how high the asking prices are for these dwellings. Yes, they've fallen, but they're still far higher than they were four or even five years ago. Keeping asking prices high may make sellers feel good, but it won't sell their homes. Consider this: On one hand, brokers tell me that prices haven't fallen much, and that they think that's a good sign. On the

Spain is set to elect a new government on March 9. After the bursting of the real estate bubble, the economy has witnessed a pronounced slowdown. As a result, economic issues have dominated the campaign. It is still anybody’s guess as to whether the ruling Socialist Party or the opposition Partido Popular will emerge victorious.An interview with Adrian Zürcher, Credit Suisse Global Equity Strategist, about Spain’s economic outlook after the election:

While economic downturns are admittedly difficult, and are formidable obstacles to small businesses that are trying to survive and grow, an economic downturn can open up opportunities. A well-managed company can realize the opportunity to gain market share by taking customers away from their competitors. More: continued here

A black cloud is hanging over most of the Western economies. A downturn is under way, and no one is really sure how bad it’s going to get. Online content publishers around the world are asking how they will be affected if recession strikes.

Private and leveraged investors, banks and funds, including Gulf-based sovereign wealth funds, dominate Middle East investment in the UK property sector. Islamic financial institutions have also been active in the UK commercial real estate market through transactions or real estate investment funds such as those launched by Noriba Bank; Kuwait Finance House; Gulf Finance House; Qatar Islamic Bank; Arcapita Bank; ABC International Bank and others.

Time to get defensive.As we head into the new year, a volatile cocktail of economic factors is raising concerns about inflation and a possible recession. They include turmoil in the housing and stock markets, a tightening credit outlook, higher fuel and food prices, a weak dollar, declining consumer sentiment, and a gloomy retail outlook. Here are some strategies to help position your finances ahead of a downturn.Secure Your IncomeRecessions tend to wreak havoc on workers: Overtime dries up, commissions are smaller, bonuses are nonexistent, and job cuts are more frequent. In the first 10 months of this year, for example, the financial services industry announced more than 140,000 job cuts -- surpassing the previous record of nearly 117,000 job cuts set for all of 2001, according to Chicago outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas."We are going to be moving toward a much riskier job market for everyone, especially people at top of the food chain," says Paul Bernard, president

Several reasons:1. All prices going up: oil, chicken, property, wheat, etc. Needs Economic downturn to stabilize the price2. China market and shares keep going up and up continuously..Most people in China can make money easily by involving in the market share...this is a bad news to the world..Therefore economic downturn is needed for China market retracement3. Both above happened in 1997, right before economic downturn. Hint for the next economic downturn? 2008?4. US foreign exchange (the biggest currency player) is too weak...keep going down..5. Economic downturn happened every 10 years for market stabilization/retracement: 1987, 1997, and then 2008?6. Market will go up during Chrismas and Chinese New Year, then it is the right time to have economic downturn on February 2008?Just wait an

The current situation here in the Tampa Real Estate Market has some would be homeowners downright frustrated. Wondering when the market will bottom out so buyers can buy at the best price or for sellers wondering when the buyers will get off the fence and buy what they are selling now. If it’s not a good time to buy then it sure has gotten a lot better to renovate or build. This time a year ago if you could find the material for a renovation it was still at a pretty high market value. Then try to even get an appointment with an architect. According to a recent Wall-Street Journal article “The Upside to the Downturn Contractors Return Calls, Materials Cost Less.. It appears that it may be a good time to: renovate be shopping for an architect shop for a builder With a lot of folks from the housing industry short on work here in Florida, you can bet that you will have no problem finding a contractor to help with a home project. Related Posts: Is now the right tim

Chamber President Urges Gov’t To “Close The Deal” On Investment Projects: By Juan McCartney - Nassau, Bahamas: The government needs to take swift action in order to assure local businessmen that the impact of the current economic downturn will be minimal, according to President of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce, Dionisio D’Aguilar. "Clearly the statistics show that the economy is indeed slowing down. The Central Bank is saying it; the Minister of State for Finance Zhivargo Liang is not denying it. I just think that we could do something to prevent its slowdown being as significant as it is," he said. Mr. D’Aguilar urged the government to "close the deal" on some major developments slated for New Providence. "The two projects that jump to mind that are on the back burner right now are the Albany project in southwest New Providence, and more importantly the Baha Mar project (set for the Cable Beach Strip). If we could get them going – now – we could soften the downtur

According to Business Week and outplacement firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas, it's officially the worst year ever for layoffs in the U.S. financial-services industry. And it's only October. We can thank the subprime mortgage crisis and resulting credit crunch for the 130,000 job cuts announced by finance companies as of October. Compare that to 50,000 job cuts in all of 2006 and 110,000 in 2001, the previous record-holding year. Of the companies announcing layoffs, Countrywide Mortgage is among the ones with the most job cuts. Countrywide slashed their workforce by 12,000. Subprime lender IndyMac said it would eliminate 1,000 jobs; Accredited Home Lenders Holding said it would cut 1,600 jobs; Capital one said it would close it's Greenpoint Mortgage division, eliminating 1,900 jobs. Even though many of the cuts are from brokers/lenders in the subprime mortgage business, there are many job cuts occuring due to losses on Wall Street. Senior mergers-and-acquisitions bankers, finan

After a decade long housing bull market, it seems that people have come to expect double-digit appreciation on a year over year basis. As fall gently pushes the summer away, we are to expect that housing will operate on a perpetual treadmill of upward growth. You may be surprised that membership for the National Association of Realtors held steady from 1989 to 2001 with approximately 800,000 members. However, from 2002 to 2007 the number of members jumped to approximately 1.4 million. What this means aside from having a realtor bubble, is that nearly 600,000 NAR members have never witnessed a housing bear market while they were part of the industry. How do you like those stats? In addition, from reading housing material put out by the industry, many think that this minor speed bump in the housing party will soon pass. At least that is what they were saying before the market took a massive u-turn on the interstate built by equity. Apparently, the new argument is to blame homeb

I recorded more market commentary by Kirby Daley (of Société Générale’s Fimat) on CNBC Asia’s Cash Flow last several nights ago and typed up the transcript. In this Q&A, Mr. Daley explained that he doesn’t find the European markets or Japan to be particularly fertile investments (especially given the likely effect of the strong Euro [...]

From China WorkerThe collapse of the sub-prime mortgage business in the US, brought home by the collapse of two hedge funds managed by Bear Stearns investment bank, provoked panic on money markets. The effects have already spread much wider than the housing finance sector. As a result, there is a paralysis of inter-bank lending and a seizing up of big sections of the wholesale money market.This crisis is potentially much more serious than the Asian currency crisis of 1997 and its aftermath, the collapse of the Russian rouble and the bankruptcy of the hedge fund, Long Term Capital Management. At that time, the US and other advanced capitalist countries were in a relatively strong position and intervened to stabilise the world economy. The present liquidity crisis originates in the US, the product of a partial deflation of the housing bubble and other debt bubbles which developed after 2001. The global financial system is under threat.Massive intervention by the US Federal Reserve, the E

Market Tilts to Buyers of Real Estateby NY Sun - 9/13/07 snip:For months, experts have touted Manhattan as being immune to the residential woes that have plagued real estate markets from Miami to Texas. Now, the first concrete signs of a slowdown in the city's residential markets are appearing, with an increasing number of developers promising to cover buyers' closing costs, and others offering brokers higher commissions if they bring in sales. "Owners are getting more anxious," the president of the brokerage firm A Fine Company Inc., Andrew Fine, said. "Mortgages are a little bit more difficult to come by; it's not clear how strong Wall Street bonuses will be." Incentives to lure buyers are increasing in new developments in some neighborhoods of Manhattan and Brooklyn....Double Warning That a Recession May Be on the Wayby NYT - 9/15/07 snip:THE employment statistics and the bond market are combining to send out a warning that has been heard only rarely in the past two decades: A re

Coldwater Creek (CWTR) does not sell the most expensive women's clothes, but it does market to the... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

The big guy reaction to the downturn and opinion on the road ahead! The names include Warren Buffet, Wilbur Ross, Henry Paulson, John Mack, Bill Miller, Robert Shiller, Jim Rogers, Jim Chanos, Stephen Roach, Amy Brinkley, Laura Tyson, Jeremy Grantham and Ben Stein. Fortune reports:Warren BuffettChairman and CEO, Berkshire HathawayMany institutions that publicly report precise market values for their holdings of CDOs and CMOs are in truth reporting fiction. They are marking to model rather than marking to market. The recent meltdown in much of the debt market, moreover, has transformed this process into marking to myth.Wilbur RossChairman and CEO, WL Ross & CoI recently overheard two men arguing about who was better off. One boasted about his new car, the other about a plasma TV and so on, until one proclaimed, "I am better off because I owe more than you are worth." The second man conceded defeat. This anecdote summarizes the mortgage bubble. Americans spent more than they earned i

Using data from the real estate research firm DataQuick Information Systems, The New York Times shows that the story of today’s real estate market is really two different stories. While the low end and middle of the road home prices have been hit hard recently the high end homes have fared better. In the Boston area, for instance, the number of homes selling for at least $1 million plummeted to

Since South Florida’s raucous real estate party ended, the hangover has taken different forms — sales plunging, foreclosures rising, lawsuits flying. Now, a Hialeah condo conversion company has gone bankrupt in one of the biggest bankruptcy cases yet to come out of the soured housing market. Read more… Puig, a [...]

Interesting. via TechCrunch - Silicon Valley Could Use A Downturn Right About Now"When I look back at the pictures from those early events, I remember good times, and no one was talking about twenty million dollar venture rounds or selling out for a cool $1.65 billion. Companies like Meebo and Sphere literally launched in my living room in front of a couple of hundred genuinely interested people.Somewhere in there the money started rolling in. Our first dime of revenue was December 2005. A few months later a lot of companies were raising $3 million A rounds, then $7 million A rounds after the YouTube acquisition. Companies started to hire marketing managers and PR firms, and spending tens of thousands of dollars on launch parties. Now, a year after the madness started, it’s even worse. Companies have to actively dodge venture capitalists to avoid raising a big round of financing.Times are good, money is flowing, and Silicon Valley sucks.I don’t know what it is, but the same thing h

Oil stocks move up on supply concerns In early action, the Amex Oil Index ($XOI :1,255.50, +8.11, +0.7% ) was ahead 0.5% and the Philadelphia Oil Service Index ($OSX :222.39, -0.40, -0.2% ) was up 0.4%. Spearheading the drive was a$1 jump in crude-oil prices, with the May contract briefly topping $63 on the New York