Oil and gas market have been tattering due to existing sharp downtrend in price. Many oil companies have been writing down the value of shale assets over the past 20 months since prices started crashing. BHP Billinton Ltd. has also become dependent on bank debts to maintain soaring expenses and plans to cut dividends for the first time in 25 years. Finally, following the industry trend, BHP has announced for writing down US energy assets worth $7.2 billion.
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Netflix Will Spend $6 Billion For Content in 2016
The video streaming company, Netflix prepares a huge amount of dollar for its content: $6 billion. The amount will be spent on 600 hours of original program. Netflix currently launches an aggressive global expansion which bothers many local content providers.
Michigan reports 10 deaths due to Legionnaire's disease as lead-contaminated drinking water infects Flint
Michigan county officials declared a state of emergency due to the increasing cases of Legionnaires' disease over the past year amidst the growing concern over the area’s water supply.
North Dakota oil riggers lower drilling activity as oil further slid
The lower oil prices are forcing rig operators to reduce their activity in North Dakota. The number oil rigs operational fell to 49 indicating the lowest since August 2009. The number of oil rigs is expected to further drop to 30 this year. There're concerns over possible bankruptcies following the decline in oil drilling North Dakota.
Airbus Ventures' 1st investment takes off
Airbus Group's corporate venture capital fund Airbus Ventures has announced its first investment that was extended to a Phoenix-based Local Motors Inc. Airbus Ventures is keen on startups in the aviation industry that support Airbus business strategy. Local Motors Inc develops open source designs for building cars, helicopters and airplanes.
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JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America (BoA) and Wells Fargo earned over $6 billion from ATM service and overdraft fees. For the first time, US government in 2015 allowed banks to disclose details from ATM and overdraft fee revenues. The US banking consumers pay in the range of $4 to $5 to withdraw money from an out-of-network ATM.
WOW Air has wowed the masses with its expansion into United States' South West at an unbelievable cost of $199. This carrier will fly passengers from California to Europe at this no-frills cost. A #WowinCali contest on social media has added to the hype, where the contest winners can win free tickets on this new route.
American Energy Partners and Argentina state-run energy company YPF have signed a partnership deal on developing the shale resources in the South American country. Argentina government is providing subsidies to attract investments in the energy sector and to enhance business climate in the country.
Amazon is planning to enter into ocean freight shipping industry as the company has been awarded with a clearance from the Federal Maritime Commission. The license will entitle Amazon to act as Ocean Transportation Intermediary.
As a celebration for surprising Golden Globe win for "Mozart in the Jungle," Amazon prepares a special offer. Beside streaming the series for free this weekend, the company is also discounting subscription for Amazon Prime.
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The Fed may hold its next interest rate hike, following a current plunge in oil market that affectsthe stock market. This will give market a breather.
Qualcomm Inc. and TDK group tie up to form a $ 3 billion project in Singapore. After completion of the venture by 2017, Qualcomm will own 51% of the new company with a provision to purchase TDK’s stake at a later time. Following the joint venture, Qualcom’s share price has fall a little but TDK share price has jumped by 5.5%, highest change within last two moths.
Goldman Sachs Group Inc. has finally agreed to pay $5.1 billion on Wednesday to resolve a seven years’ pending dispute over faulty mortgage securities. The penalty amount remains lower compared to those counted by other Wall Street competitors. Fourth quarter profit of the firm may be hit by the penalty counting. But investors welcome the settlement and its share price rises by 1.5% on Thursday.
The UK-based technology firms mobilized $3.6 billion (£2.5 billion) funds from venture capitalists (VC) in 2015 and this is 70 percent higher than $2.1 billion in 2014. London technology companies accounted for more than half of the mobilized VC funds. The increasing investor appetite for technology startups and fintech firms has been the main factor that propelled the VC funding.
