Bio • Email • Archive
Follow Mark on Twitter •
Archive by Date
November 30, 2009
Looks like he's prepared to sit tight in the belief that the frenzy will blow over. It's a risky strategy.
WSJ describes it as a tentative agreement in which General Electric will buy out French media conglomerate Vivendi's 20 percent stake in NBC Universal.
Among the many holdings of Dubai World's investment unit is the still-stalled Grand Avenue project in downtown L.A.
The Drucker Business Forum's next breakfast is with Justin Fox, Time's business and economics columnist. He'll be talking to Kai...
More confusion about Dubai, Cyber Monday awaits, business owners losing confidence, and trash is piling up downtown.
November 27, 2009
They're typically based on surveys taken weeks ago and are frequently wrong. Last year even the pessimists were too optimistic.
That it's gotten this much attention says a lot about celebrity, voyeurism, and the fact that there's so little other news today.
The retail giant didn't put its Black Friday specials on sale until 5 a.m., and that led to a real mess in at least several locations.
The annual stampede to the stores began in earnest this morning - oh, and there were shoppers there, too.
When the mega-rich city-state can't meet its payments it's a signal - however symbolic - that the world economy is far from recovered.
November 25, 2009
GE's CEO meets with Vivendi's CEO in Paris to try and push along talks over the eventual jettisoning of NBC Universal.
It's almost certain to be a busy day. The retailers have almost insured as much by having those Midnight Madness sales.
You would think that after all we've been through investors might be a little wary of 12-15 percent returns. Guess not.
Sales were up and prices fell by the smallest margin in nearly a year. But it's helpful to examine the fine print.
Getaway day begins, Toyota replaces pedals, Downey considers Tesla deal, and the mess continues at Calpers.
November 24, 2009
Besides L.A., where Karl Vick and TV columnist Lisa deMoraes are based, the Post is closing its bureaus in NY and Chicago.
A little brat is on your flight and out of control. The pilot kicks him and his mother off the plane. Then, the airline apologizes to the mother!
In the event of a closure, owners would be covered by GM warranties and assigned to a new dealer for service.
We all want as much economic data as possible as soon as possible, especially nowadays. But can we rely on it?
Economy is growing slower than first thought, L.A. home prices edge higher, one-in-three CA borrowers are underwater, and Tesla may be coming to Downey.
November 23, 2009
For what it's worth, shoppers in the Pacific region (that's us) are expected to be especially frugal.
Applying for a job in private equity involves such a grueling process that you might hope to be turned down.
Adjusting Prop 13 is a non-starter - could you imagine the pushback on taking away our God-given, all-American mortgage deduction!!!
Consumers paying off debt, Jerry Brown getting showbiz help, and Target might be coming downtown.
November 22, 2009
A couple of things worth noting: The box office potency of teenage girls and the value of turning movies into communal events
November 20, 2009
CBS and ABC have far bigger fish to fry - namely whether their stations can get back the auto and retail advertising that fell off a cliff in 2009.
As the countdown begins to Black Friday, fewer shoppers are expected to take out their credit cards this holiday season.
State regulators resist even simple steps to help claimants fight denials on disability claims. But that's not the whole story.
The county's unemployment rate in October was 12.8 percent, up from 12.6 percent the month before. It could have been worse.
Guessing games about Oprah, GE-Vivendi are far apart on price, more immigration audits, and bloodbath at BW.
The October rate was 12.5 percent, up from 12.2 percent in September and 8 percent in October 2008.
November 19, 2009
The developer planning to build two towers not far from L.A. Live failed to make several payments. He owes the bank almost $46 million.
Final air date is not for a while - Sept. 25, 2011, according to CNN. She'll talk more about it during a live show tomorrow.
L.A. Councilman Paul Koretz is still the new guy on the block, but he exudes lots of freshman enthusiasm - and optimism. We'll see.
The Board of Regents signed off on the 32 percent increase in student fees, which would bring the basic UC education fees to about $10,300.
Don't be fooled by the sluggish economy - flights are selling out and last-minute airfares are getting higher.
Serious delays are expected at LAX and other Socal airports as the ripple effects of this morning's air traffic glitch start reaching the West Coast.
Air traffic improving, more IOUs in sight, glass ceiling persists in CA, and huge advance sales for "New Moon."
November 18, 2009
The author of "Liar's Poker" and "Moneyball" has finally gotten one of his books made into a movie.
Every once in a while state regulators manage to get through a groundbreaking mandate that will actually do some good for the world.
The banking giant has agreed to buy back $1.4 billion in securities, based on what CA Attorney General's office called "misleading advice."
Several hundred demonstaors gathered outside Covel Commons as the UC Regents met this morning to discuss the budget situation
CA's new deficit woes, Disney shuts down "Nemo," canned pumpkin shortage, and lots more lead in toys.
November 17, 2009
Here's weirdly reassuring news: Hardening of the arteries goes back a ways - like 3,500 years.
Electronic Arts is shutting down Pandemic Studios, which the video game publisher bought just two years ago.
As with the housing numbers for October, they show an economy stuck in neutral - no longer a disaster but far from recovered.
Lots of cross-currents are mucking up the picture, especially the number of foreclosures that may or may not be around the corner.
They're expected to be company-wide and could run into the hundreds before the end of the year.
City officials want to revise their on-location rules to encourage more filming, but industry honchos say it would have the opposite effect.
The subject is a hearty perennial, but it's especially relevant these days when jobs are at such a premium.
Magic's new venture, encouraging news at Port of L.A., Maguire gets foreclosure notice, and MySpace nearing deal.
November 16, 2009
This creates some interesting competition with Brents Deli, which has a location in nearby Westlake Village.
Prominent banking analyst Meredith Whitney expects the recession will return sometime next year.
L.A Internet companies are so ticked about their city tax bills that they're looking at other options - say, Culver City, Glendale or Albuquerque, N.M.
Are you willing to fork over actual money for access to information or entertainment content on the Web?
GM finances improve, battle for Broad museum, L.A.'s fastest growing private company, and junk financing on the rise.
November 13, 2009
Hint: L.A. didn't make the top 10. Or 20. But it could have been worse - we beat out Portland, Maine, Jacksonville, Fla., and Chicago.
Retailers are trimming their orders from Asia - and export traffic, though down quite as sharply as import, is still down.
The man behind the Marvel Comics brand talks about how he came up with the name Spider-Man and why he never made a good businessman.
Quite a scene as a truck caravan reached L.A. City Hall this morning - but not before snarling traffic on...
Madoff programmers are charged, Activision's big day, loose talk from NY governor, and more bidding for Playboy.
November 12, 2009
LAT publisher has been named non-executive chairman of SIRIUS XM Radio. No change in his position at the paper.
Warren Buffett thinks the worst of the financial crisis is over and Bill Gates says that American-bred innovation will save the day.
New survey says they'll start nudging up by next September, even as unemployment remains stubbornly high.
TV was looking better in the fourth quarter, helping the Mouse House report an 18 percent increase in earnings.
Foreclosures slow in CA, Calpers looks into loan, John King takes Dobbs' spot, and Zell pooh-poohs real estate woes.
November 11, 2009
There's Hollywood, of course, but there's also digital media, fashion, interior design, architecture, and communication arts.
It's effective today. No word on where the controversial CNN moneyman is heading.
Would you believe that L.A.'s homeless population has fallen by 38 percent in the middle of a recession? You're not alone.
House version looks like a bust, but the Senate bill (at least the one approved by the Finance Committee) can offer legitimate reform.
I still have a few left for Ken Auletta's chat tomorrow morning with Judy Muller.
FedEx sees pickup, Wal-Mart open on Thanksgiving, CA boosts muni yields, and free Wi-Fi for Christmas.
November 10, 2009
Expect all kinds of second-guessing after two former Bear Stearns fund managers were acquitted today on securities fraud charges.
Maybe it's just a blip, but California beat expectations for tax collections in October by 7.1 percent, or $285 million.
Sen. Christopher Dodd's 1,136-page plan to reform the financial system that has DOA written all over it.
Janet Yellen, CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of SF, doesn't expect the turnaround to be in the shape of a V, U or W.
Ed Roski's mixed-use complex in the City of Industry, anchored by a 75,000-seat football stadium, focuses too much on cars and parking lots.
Karatz's novel defense, holiday air travel will be down, L.A.'s big legal bill, and concert biz still strong.
November 9, 2009
The October median home price was actually up! Not a whole lot, mind you - $139,000, which is $1,000 higher than the month before.
The Dow reached a 52-week high, closing up 203 points - and no, it doesn't make much sense. But here's...
The New Yorker columnist will be pitching his new book this Thursday morning. I have free tickets.
News Corp. is stuck with a 12-year lease worth about $350 million. No luck yet in subleasing the digs.
No appetite to reform CA government, home prices edge up, East West become's Socal's biggest bank, and closing in on NBC deal.
November 8, 2009
More than 1,000 Toyota and Lexus owners have reported sudden acceleration problems over the last decade, resulting in 19 deaths.
November 7, 2009
Bev Hills billionaire Ron Burkle has $56 million in loans against his two houses. The McCourts have borrowed $28 million on their properties.
November 6, 2009
The economy has hurt most every demographic there is, but for those who are young, less educated and black it's really bad.
The big insider trading case has a new cast member: Dalia Goffer, mother of two guys alleged to be part of the scheme.
An executive with the Irvine media company, now in Chapter 11, received some nice bonuses even as the paper she ran was struggling.
Calpers hasn't policed itself, big loss for Hanmi, low expectations for videogames, and online DVD wars.
The jobless rate for October reached its highest level since 1983, and 190,000 jobs were lost.
November 5, 2009
The Dow gains 203 points and is back over the 10,000 mark for reasons not entirely clear. But what else is new?
At stake is the ability of studios to stream movies directly into set-top boxes and then onto your TV screen.
Wall Street has another insider trading scandal on its hands, and it looks suspiciously similar to a certain movie made more than 20 years ago.
The popular program gets extended to April 30. It's helped revive the housing market, especially at the lower end.
Yankee stock index offers hope, good month for retailers, Toyota gets wrist-slapped by the feds, and Mozilo must face the music.
November 4, 2009
The popular program gets extended to April 30. It's helped revive the housing market, especially at the lower end.
The L.A.-based developer paid middleman Alfred Villalobos almost $10 million in fees to be hooked up with the big pension fund.
I'm kidding. The former all-news station that's turned into a soap box for the conservative crowd has even worse ratings than before the switch.
Maybe the better question is why would anyone want to run for public office these days?
It's the availability of capital - not the cost of it - that seems to be holding up the works.
Retailers (cautiously) hopeful, TV ad sales showing life, Mouse House in China, and L.A. bankruptcies are up.
November 3, 2009
Now we hear that the former board member who stood to make millions of dollars in fees hosted the then-CEO's wedding.
Parent of the LAT is changing its retirement plan - most of it now involving a redesigned 401(k).
The billionaire real estate mogul (and Clippers owner) is settling allegations that he discriminated against African Americans, Hispanics and families with children.
Not if you listen to an official with the Federal Reserve who monitors commercial and residential real estate.
Why a middleman for Calpers made millions, more L.A. layoffs likely in 2010, good news from Paramount, and Lawry's settles discrimination suit.
November 2, 2009
Companies are generally bringing down their overall executive pay, but many of them have found other ways of rewarding their top people.
Arizona's East Valley Tribune, which just happened to have won a Pulitzer this year for local reporting, is being shut down by the OC-based media company,
Bunches of young, fast-growing companies in the L.A. area (especially in tech, health care and e-commerce) are no doubt paying close attention.
Home price predictions for 2010 continue to stream in - and they continue to be all over the map.
Companies hoarding cash, nonprofit riches for L.A. couple, banks get tough on celebs, and watching commercials on DVRs.
© 2003-2011 • About LA Observed • Email the editor
Follow LAO
| The ten-point Garcetti lead over Greuel that only the USC-LAT poll found last month has shrunk a bit. But it's better for Garcetti than the dead heat that the last major poll in the race found.
| Here's another explanation for the improving fiscal outlook: Property is gaining in value. This is good news for local governments, as well as for homeowners who are seeing the value of their properties creep back up after several down years