Like television for a previous generation, the Internet is quickly becoming the principal mode of information and communication for today's youth. Young people now turn to the Internet to read the news, chat with their friends, play games, download music, and to shop.
Gaz de France unveiled its consolidated sales for the second quarter of 2006 of 5,097 million euros, up 34% (+27% on a comparable basis) compared with the same period in 2005. The Group's sales for the first half of the year reached 15,233 million euros, up 37% (+30% on a comparable basis) for the first half of 2005.
Moving away from its traditionally conservative outlook on information technology (IT) spending, the global retail industry is realizing the value of investing in IT to enhance efficiency as well as improve customer service and profitability in an increasingly competitive environment.
Following the sanction of foreign direct investment (FDI), the retail sector in India has been thriving and numerous local and international companies have been thronging to the organized segment. The increasing levels of disposable incomes have catalyzed the growth of the retail sector, creating a need for efficient and cost-effective logistics operations.
www.IndiaStockMarket.com (ISM), a global investor website for investing in India, presents an exclusive look at India's water industry in this week's "Investing In India" with Dr. Uday Lal Pai, a well known financial writer based in India. The focus of this week's column takes a close look at the depleting water resources and the break down of water infrastructure that is restricting the region's ability to provide usable and drinkable water to its residents. In addition, perspective from water technology company Hendrx Corp (OTCBB: HDRX), evaluates current challenges and technological solutions to India's water crisis.
Demand for plumbing products in China is projected to increase nearly 13 percent per annum through 2009 to almost 85 billion yuan, outpacing growth in most other parts of the world.
In the second quarter of 2006 T-Mobile USA added 613,000 net new customers, down from 972,000 in the second quarter of 2005, and the 1.04 million net customers added in the first quarter of 2006. Postpay customers made up 83% of the second quarter customer growth, up from 70% in the first quarter of 2006, and comprised 84% of T-Mobile USA's total customer base at June 30, 2006.
China will have more than 500 million mobile phone subscribers by next year—37% of the population. The country's dense urban markets are already saturated with mobile phones, and by 2010, almost half of China's 1.3 billion people will be using mobile phones, according to eMarketer's new report, China Mobile.
In the second quarter of 2006, Group sales increased 59% on a currency-neutral basis, driven by the consolidation of the Reebok business segment as well as higher than anticipated double-digit growth of both adidas and TaylorMade-adidas Golf. Sales for the adidas Group excluding Reebok increased 20% on a currency-neutral basis, with double-digit sales increases coming from all regions. In euro terms, Group revenues grew 60% to EUR 2.428 billion in the second quarter of 2006 from EUR 1.516 billion in 2005. Sales for the adidas Group excluding Reebok grew 20% in euro terms to EUR 1.812 billion from EUR 1.516 billion in the prior year.
