Norway c.bank survey sees lower corporate credit demand
It said that household credit demand increased somewhat in
the third quarter and that banks in Norway kept credit standards
unchanged for households while tightening them somewhat for
enterprises.Lending margins on household loans fell further, but rose
somewhat on corporate loans in the third quarter, the central
bank said.”Banks expect somewhat tighter credit standards for
households and enterprises in (the fourth quarter),” the central
bank said.It added: “Looking ahead, banks expect lending margins on
both household and corporate loans to rise somewhat.”
HTC loses early U.S. decision vs Apple
An ITC administrative law judge found “no violation” by Apple of four HTC patents that include technologies for power management and phone dialing.In February, the full commission will decide whether to uphold or reject the ITC judge’s decision.HTC had filed a complaint in May 2010, accusing Apple of infringing its patents. It asked the ITC to bar the importation of Apple’s iPods, iPhones and iPads.The complaint — one of several the two companies have filed against each other — is a proxy for the larger fight for market share between Google Inc’s Android cell phones and tablets, many of which HTC makes, and Apple’s product line.Apple and Samsung, which also makes Android products, are locked in similar court fights on at least three continents.The ITC, a U.S. trade panel that investigates patent infringement involving imported goods, is a popular venue for patent lawsuits because it can bar the importation of infringing products.The administrative law judge, Charles Bullock, also said in his ruling that that the four HTC patents were valid.The complaint at the International Trade Commission is No. 337-721.
Alberta’s new premier names her first cabinet
* Cabinet to be in place until electionCALGARY, Alberta, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Alberta’s new premier,
Alison Redford, has named her first cabinet, appointing a
handful of former leadership rivals to key posts in Canada’s
largest energy-producing province.Redford won a surprise victory early this month to become
leader of the Progressive Conservatives, which have held power
in Alberta since 1971.The 46-year-old former justice minister, who is a centrist
in the party, put together a cabinet that will likely remain in
place until a provincial election, expected next year.Among the key posts, former energy minister Ron Liepert
becomes finance minister. The scrappy Liepert is responsible
for meeting a goal of eliminating Alberta’s C$3.4 billion ($3.3
billion) deficit by 2013.Ted Morton, a favorite of the party’s right who ran against
Redford to lead the Conservatives, has taken the important
energy post.Alberta, whose economy is dependent on the energy sector,
is fighting an onslaught from international environmental
groups opposed to accelerating development of the oil sands,
the world’s third-largest crude deposit.A major push to open new markets for oil sands crude is
TransCanada Corp’s $7 billion Keystone XL pipeline to
Texas, which has become a flashpoint in the environmental
debate over oil sands development. The proposed line faces a
go-ahead decision in the United States by the end of this
year.Redford appointed another former leadership opponent, Doug
Horner, as deputy premier and president of the Treasury Board.First-term legislator Diana McQueen, meanwhile, is the new
environment minister, replacing Rob Renner.
Alberta’s new premier names her first cabinet
* Cabinet to be in place until electionCALGARY, Alberta, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Alberta’s new premier,
Alison Redford, has named her first cabinet, appointing a
handful of former leadership rivals to key posts in Canada’s
largest energy-producing province.Redford won a surprise victory early this month to become
leader of the Progressive Conservatives, which have held power
in Alberta since 1971.The 46-year-old former justice minister, who is a centrist
in the party, put together a cabinet that will likely remain in
place until a provincial election, expected next year.Among the key posts, former energy minister Ron Liepert
becomes finance minister. The scrappy Liepert is responsible
for meeting a goal of eliminating Alberta’s C$3.4 billion ($3.3
billion) deficit by 2013.Ted Morton, a favorite of the party’s right who ran against
Redford to lead the Conservatives, has taken the important
energy post.Alberta, whose economy is dependent on the energy sector,
is fighting an onslaught from international environmental
groups opposed to accelerating development of the oil sands,
the world’s third-largest crude deposit.A major push to open new markets for oil sands crude is
TransCanada Corp’s $7 billion Keystone XL pipeline to
Texas, which has become a flashpoint in the environmental
debate over oil sands development. The proposed line faces a
go-ahead decision in the United States by the end of this
year.Redford appointed another former leadership opponent, Doug
Horner, as deputy premier and president of the Treasury Board.First-term legislator Diana McQueen, meanwhile, is the new
environment minister, replacing Rob Renner.
UPDATE 1-Mexico Sept same-store sales up 5.4 pct -ANTAD
MEXICO CITY Oct 12 (Reuters) - Same-store sales for
Mexico’s retailers, those recorded at stores open for at least
12 months, rose in September from a year earlier, retailers’
association ANTAD said on Wednesday.The organization, which includes leading retailers Wal-Mart
de Mexico and Soriana , said
same-store sales rose 5.4 percent.The month of September this year had one more Friday than
last year, the group said, helping to boost takings. Total
sales, including receipts from recently opened stores, were
12.7 percent higher than September a year earlier.Walmex, Mexico’s biggest retailer and an affiliate of
Wal-Mart Stores Inc , earlier this month reported
same-store sales rose 4.2 percent in September from a year ago.
