dropcard.com - business news

The fast-food chain gets help from its dollar menu and the falling dollar. Higher oil prices push the Dow lower; the index has its worst week since 2003. The Nasdaq gets a boost from Amazon.com's big stock buyback. Dell gives Advanced Micro Devices a bad blow.

Dear FSB: I am a green card holder and have tackled the retail and restaurant business in India. I have experience with management of parties and events, including conferences. At present I am living in Madison with my son, but I want to create an independent business and take advantage of my 34 years of experience in this business. What finances are available to help me?

The Washington, D.C., city council voted 11-2 last night to approve a bill requiring all employers to grant sick leave to their workers, but the proposal still has hurdles to clear before becoming law.

Dear FSB: We are a SaaS (software as a service) company that delivers a fully integrated practice-management system for chiropractors. However, we are are on a very tight budget and we are struggling with our marketing and sales. Can you give me any insight into how to create a direct campaign that will get doctors' attention?

Dear FSB: My company sells windows and doors. How can I calculate the markup I should have our salesmen aim for when pricing a job? Is there a formula you can use to calculate your gross profit?

Congress wraps up the details: $300 for retirees, $600 for most individuals and $1,200 for most couples. But wait, there's more: It's not really free money.

At least not as much as you may think it does. Interest rates are only one factor in stock picking, and the companies themselves are much more important.

Soaring global demand will create supply shortages for industrial metals, and some lesser-known companies are among those poised to strike it rich.

It might tell others how far and how fast you travel -- and how well you drive. GPS technology can cut insurance costs and reassure parents, but it gives privacy experts pause.