Chicago Business

More productivity gains seen from mobile and cloud technologies

Fri, 08 Jun 2012 10:00:11 GMT

Technology has dramatically changed the way people live and work. It has also advanced the way companies operate and compete. Experts credit smartphones, tablets and cloud computing for enhancing productivity however, millions of workers have been permanently eliminated from the economic system.

Chicago aquaponic farms ready to harness revenue from the food they grow

Fri, 08 Jun 2012 10:00:09 GMT

In what could be a watershed for Chicago’s urban farming movement, local business owners say the city’s Department of Business Affairs has agreed for the first time to award business licenses to aquaponic farming companies. The city’s licensing decision sparks new hope for small businesses stunted for years by bureaucratic inaction and removes a major barrier to entry for entrepreneurs.

Results mixed on shareholder 'say on pay' for top executives

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 13:10:26 GMT

Shareholders had their say on corporate executive pay this year as part of the Dodd Frank financial reforms and the results were mixed. Shareholders voted down Citigroup CEO Vikram Pandit’s $15 million pay package, but approved most others. As of the end of April, just four of more than 200 proxy votes had resulted in “no” votes for executive compensation packages.

CTA financial statements reflect positive steps in efficiency and emissions

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 10:00:08 GMT

A push to lower emissions and some smart commodity buying led the CTA to a drastic reduction in operating costs.

McDonald’s shifting expansion plan to Asia: Analysts mixed in outlooks

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 10:00:10 GMT

World’s largest fast food chain, favored by a mild winter in the first quarter this year, is expected to face greater challenges for the remainder of 2012 due to increasing costs for food supplies and remodeling expenses worldwide.

Oil supplies outpace the market, driving prices down

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 10:00:11 GMT

Crude oil inventories remained stable last week at 384.6 million barrels compared with 384.7 million a week earlier, according to a report issued by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

United Airlines shows strong potential, nears end of merger pains

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 10:00:14 GMT

United Continental Holdings Inc. is entering the last phase of a long and sometimes painful integration period. The largest airline in the United States, created through the marriage of air giants Continental Airlines Inc. and UAL Corp., still faces significant challenges but is viewed with optimism by most analysts.