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Abbott Laboratories is a diversified pharmaceuticals healthcare company headquartered in Abbot Part, Illinois. It operates in four segments: pharmaceutical products; diagnostic products; nutritional products; and vascular products. In 1985, Abbott develop dthe first HIV screen test. The company’s drug portfolio includes Humira, Synthroid, and Dupakote; and its most popular nutritional product is Ensure.

Accenture, Ltd. operates as a management consulting, technology services, and outsourcing company. It is said to be the largest consulting firm in the world. For the fiscal year ended 31 August 2008, the company generated net revenues of US$23.39 billion. The company was founded in 1995 and is based in Hamilton, Bermuda.

Accounting and finance play a huge role in every business. Without the proper accounting practices, a business cannot truly understand the financial position of the company and how to position it for the future. This topic covers the latest news and information on accounting and finance.

Active investors seek to identify market inefficiencies that will enable them to outperform benchmark indices or lower return volatility. Specific investment strategies are developed through extensive research and data mining. Over the long-term, few active investment vehicles outperform their benchmark indices.

Ad blockers (also called ad filters) remove or alter advertising content in a Web page, with the benefit of speeding up the page load time. However, ad blockers may be a threat to Web site revenue. This topic covers what new blockers are coming to market and the strategies Web sites are employing to ensure they are able to monetize their content.

In a down market, ad spending decreases and media outlets are literally fighting for every dollar. Ad spending tracks the money spent within the advertising industry and the trends by media type and by relevant categories. Who's getting the most advertising dollars?

Adidas is a major German sports apparel manufacturer and part of the Adidas Group, which consists of Reebok sportswear company, TaylorMade-adidas golf company, and Rockport. Besides sports footwear, the company also produces other products such as bags, shirts, and other sports and clothing related goods. The company is the largest sportswear manufacturer in Europe and the second largest sportswear manufacturer in the world.

Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD) developed computer processors and related technologies for the commercial and consumer markets. AMD is the second-largest global supplier of microprocessors, after Intel, and the third-largest supplier of graphics processing units. In 2007, AMD ranked 11th among semiconductor manufacturers in terms of revenue.

As a recession looms, ad sales are at record lows. Does it pay to advertise in a recession? Some companies take the tough times for strategic advertising. Is there something to gain from this?

Some of the best deals begin at advertising industry events. This topic covers the most important advertising events for the media community.

Advertising Week is North America's premier gathering of cutting edge communications leaders. The week is a hybrid of thought leadership and special event programming, uniting clients, creatives, media, and inspiring figures. Taking place in New York City, Advertising Week 2009 will commence on Monday, September 21 with events through Friday, September 25. This topic will center around the discussion of all things related to Advertising Week.

Affiliate marketing is an Internet-based marketing practice in which a business rewards one or more affiliates for each visitor or customer brought about by the affiliate's marketing efforts. Businesses have two options when it comes to affiliate marketing -- offer an affiliate program of their own to others or sign up to be another business’s affiliate. This topic covers affiliate marketing’s evolving role in Web marketing.

Energy in Africa is big business. The source of vast amounts of energy resources and often times similar amounts of political turmoil, Africa is home to one billion potential consumers whose growing demand for energy is greater than anywhere else in the world. Despite Africa's wealth of resources, growth is hampered by inaccessible, unreliable, or unaffordable energy. However, Africa has unrealized potential as a pioneer in the new global energy economy. Skyrocketing demand and relatively little legacy energy infrastructure make Africa ripe for the expansion and development of green energy like wind and solar. Historically low emissions give most African nations surprising leverage when it comes to global carbon markets, which remain a largely untapped source of capital for developing new energy projects on the continent. What is the future of energy in Africa? Will weak governments and political turmoil undermine the potential opportunities that Africa has to develop a green energy infrastructure? Can Africa take advantage of the global shift in energy production to leapfrog aging carbon-based energy technologies as it struggles to expand electrification to its masses?

Designing code is not the same as designing an interface. The term “agile design” is getting quite confused and is often lose within the shuffle of the agile development process. This topic looks at how user-centered design/user experience and agile software development models merge.

AIG, one of the biggest insurance companies in the world, was hit hard by the turmoil in the credit markets in September 2008. After an $85 billion government bailout, news and opinions abound about the company’s future. This topic covers the latest.

Airbus, an aircraft manufacturing subsidiary of EADS, is one of the largest jet airline producers in the world. This topic keeps tabs on the European side of one of the world's fiercest industrial rivalries.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) enforces strict standards for maintaining aircraft. Aircraft maintenance consists of inspecting, repairing, and overall upkeep on everything from the engines and electrical system to the landing gear. This topic covers that latest news on aircraft maintenance, including regulations, compliance, SMS, training, best practices for FBOs, MROs, A&Ps;, IAs, and other maintenance professionals and maintenance organizations.

The increased cost of fuel and less air travel overall is leading to more airline filing for bankruptcy and general reorganization of the airline industry. This topic covers the latest news and trends on airline bankruptcy.

Airports are a multibillion dollar business worldwide. The world is moving toward privatization of these facilities, while the U.S. tests the concept in a handful of airports. Airports fight battles on many fronts including: airlines wanting lower costs; state/local communities battling for control; and finding funds for badly needed infrastructure projects.

From 1987 to 2006, Alan Greenspan served as chairman of the United States Federal Reserve. His responsibilities included setting interest rates, and as such was largely responsible for directing U.S. national monetary policy. Still a major figure in U.S. economic discussions, this topic covers the current review of the Greenspan era and his advice on the current economy.

Alcoa, Inc. is a leader in alumina production and capacity and one of the world’s largest producers of aluminum. The company has bauxite mining interests in Australia, Brazil, Guinea, Jamaica, and Suriname. Alcoa also has a joint venture with China International Trust & Investment Company and Elkem Aluminium ANS. The company was founded in 1888 and is based in New York, New York.

The Alfred Mann Foundation was established in 1985 by Mann, the founder of 11 biomedical companies, to conduct scientific and medical research. In 1986, AMF helped develop the first cochlear implant with two-way telemetry to assist patients with severe to profound hearing loss. Today, AMF is focusing on implantable neurostimulator systems with a variety of uses. Mann was named to BusinessWeek's 2008 list of the 50 Top American Givers, which recognizes the most generous U.S. philanthropists.

Allianz is the largest financial services provider in the world, headquartered in Munich, Germany. Its core business and focus is insurance. Allianz is now present in more than 70 countries with more than 180,000 employees. Allianz is the second-largest international insurance and financial services organization in the world.

Many fail to realize that there are 3.7 million small businesses holding “toxic” mortgages in the form of alt-A and option ARMs. Alt-A mortgage is considered riskier than “prime” and less risky than “sub-prime,” with an interest rate between those two. An option ARM is an adjustable rate mortgage that offer low rates and payment for the first year, but will quickly increase in a bad economic climate. This topic covers the impending crisis that will result from these loans.

Altria Group, Inc. is the largest cigarette company in the U.S., and controls about half of the U.S. tobacco market. It operates its cigarette business through subsidiary Philip Morris USA, which sells the world’s best-selling cigarette brand -- Marlboro. Altria also owns a 29% stake in brewer SABMiller and spun off its Kraft Foods business in March 2007. In 2007, Altria purchased cigar maker John Middleton and in 2008 agreed to acquire smokeless tobacco maker UST.

It's more than a retailer. Since its founding as a bookseller, Amazon has moved into all sorts of retail activities, consumer electronics with its Kindle, even cloud computing. What is next for CEO Jeff Bezos and his company?

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (AEO) operates as a retailer that engages in the design, marketing, and sale of clothing in the U.S. and Canada. The company targets men and women ages 15 to 25 under the American Eagle Outfitters, American Eagle, and AE brand names. The company also provides products under the aerie by American Eagle brand name. American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. operates some 950 stores and its online home ships products to more than 60 countries worldwide.

Founded in 1847, the American Medical Association (AMA) is the largest associations of physicians (MD and DO) and medical students in the U.S. The organization’s mission is to advance the interests of physicians and their patients and to promote public health. The AMA lobbies for legislation on behalf of physicians and patients and to raise money for medical education. This topic covers the latest news on the American Medical Association.

AmerisourceBergen is a pharmaceutical services company, which provides drug distribution and related healthcare services and solutions to its pharmacy, physician, and manufacturer customers. The company is based in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, and has locations throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, and the United Kingdom. In the U.S., AmerisourceBergen handles about 20% of all of the pharmaceuticals sold and distributed throughout the country.

Anheuser-Busch InBev, the multinational company formed by InBev’s purchase of Anheuser-Busch in July 2008, is the largest brewing company in the world. Aside from its subsidiaries Anheuser-Busch and InBev, the company owns a 50% stake in Grupo Modelo, Mexico’s market leader. Anheuser-Busch InBev’s flagship brands are Budweiser, Stella Artois, and Beck’s, joined by more than 150 local beer brands from the two companies.

Baby boomers are seeking magic potions to try to turn back the hands of time. Some are trying alternative and risky drugs, such as human growth hormone, while others are using creams made of testosterone and estrogen. Then there is the rapidly expanding cosmetic side of the anti-aging business, dominated by Botox and other well-known FDA-approved drugs. All told, aging is an $80-billion-a-year, rapidly growing business for the medical profession.

America Online was one the pioneers of the Internet. Now that it's fallen on hard times, parent company Time Warner is considering selling off the AOL unit. This topic tracks the future of AOL.

With the current economic meltdown and capital flows changing course, the apparel industry is witnessing huge changes. It’s unclear where textile/apparel business is headed. This topic covers the latest news and information on the apparel industry, including changes to supply chain, outsourcing, and more.

Apple’s iPad has been touted as a game changer in the tablet computer market. This topic details the latest and greatest news on Apple’s iPad, including information how it’s changing the publishing and computing worlds.

Architecture follows the latest news and information on the art, science, and business of creating great building around the world.

The art market has grown over the years as people are looking for alternative assets. Artworks are bought and sold at prices reflecting perceptions of their value, and these can change sharply. Huge growth in global wealth has introduced new buyers to the art market and set off an avalanche of financial analysis to shed light on which types of works command value and how that value may change over time.

American handmade artisans craft wonderful object such as furniture, perfume, toys, clothing, bath and body products, jewelry, accessories, shoes, bread, wine, cheese, and much more. Many of these artisan businesses employ less than five people and are the main source of income for the family, in addition to being the Main Street and Internet backbone of small businesses. Various legislative and sourcing issues threaten artisan businesses at this time.

The Asia Pacific region, among the world's most populous and diverse, includes many of the communities that are most at risk from catastrophic events brought about by climate change and other fossil-fuel consumption related impacts. The region needs a coherent and effective framework for sustainable development, which inevitably has to mandate the rapid deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency policies and practices. This topic covers the latest news on Asia’s renewable energy.

Driven by the surging economies of China and India, Asia's energy and resources businesses are quickly becoming key world players. That equals big business but also affects geopolitical relations.

Asset allocation refers to how an investor distributes investments among the various options -- stocks, bonds, etc. Asset allocation will also include information on international allocations, shortcomings in life cycle fund allocation, shift logic and alternate safety nets, and low maintanance allocation methods (index funds).

Assumptions about all kinds of assets values are having a big impact on stock prices, not just mortgages but a host of other assets, many calculated on a mark-to-market basis with no liquid market. Accountants and investors in all kinds of industries alike are focused on how these asset valuations are arrived at, and whether they’re right, close or completely far out.

The Dr. Robert C. and Veronica Atkins Foundation seeks to positively impact disease prevention and health management worldwide. Established with a $40 million gift following Dr. Atkins’ death in 2003, the Foundation funds research examining the role of metabolism and nutrition in obesity, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, and other serious health concerns confronting our society today. Veronica Atkins was named to BusinessWeek's 2008 list of the Top 50 American Givers.

Auction Rate Securities (ARS) are long term variable rate bonds tied to short term interest rates. ARS have a long term nominal maturity with interest rates reset through a modified Dutch auction. This topic discusses the next steps in this industry.

Once a hobby of SciFi fans, augmented reality is making its way into popular media. Apps for handheld devices, like the iPhone, utilize augmented reality to overlay contextual geographics and directional information onto these devices in an interactive fashion. This topic covers the latest information on augmented reality.

The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) acts as the primary stock exchange in Australia. It is the result of a merger of the Australian Stock Exchange and the Sydney Futures Exchange, which took place in December 2006. The ASX is the ninth largest stock exchange in the world. This topic covers the latest news and information on the Australian Securities Exchange.

The auto industry encompasses the all of the companies that design, develop, manufacture, market and sell motor vehicles. It includes coverage of the U.S. and global auto industry, including individual companies, their economic performance and their role in their individual markets. This topic also tracks news of the latest automotive technologies, automotive fuels, environmental issues, and the automobile in relation to broader transportation issues.

Automotive Digital Marketing is the utilization of online channels that includes leveraging the power of social media, behaviorally targeted advertising, search engines from both an organic and a Pay Per Click (PPC) perspective, as well as the use of lead generation including micro sites, landing pages and other tactics that involve web based engagement, reach and frequency of delivery. For the auto industry, the web is all about finding, serving and keeping car buyers as profitably as possible.

The ailing automakers are looking for a way to grab back consumers attention with the latest automotive technology. This includes in-car digital technology for all consumers. From Sync systems that allow hands-free use of cell phones, radios, and GPS devices to in-car computing, automotive technology covers the latest high-tech news from the auto world.

Avis Budget Group, Inc. (CAR) provides car and truck rentals in the U.S and abroad. It supplies rental cars to corporate and leisure travelers under the Avis brand name, with 2,200 locations; and to the price-conscious consumers under the Budget brand name, with 1,900 car rental locations and 2,800 truck dealers in the U.S. Avis Budget Group maintains the leading share of airport car rental revenue and operates the second largest consumer truck rental business.

AXA Group is a French-based group of global insurance companies headquartered in Paris and founded in 1985 by Claude Bébéar. The AXA name refers to a group of companies independently organized and operated according to the regulations of many different countries. The AXA group is engaged in life, health, and other forms of insurance, as well as investment management.