Homeowners pay off principal
Homeowners’ net equity in their residences increased by nearly $1 trillion from the beginning of 2009 through Sept. 30, as real estate prices crept upward and homeowners paid off principal, according to the Federal Reserve. Some of the largest increases in equity occurred in cities hit hardest by the real estate decline, including Phoenix, Ann Arbor, Mich., and Riverside, Calif.
Los Angeles Times
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iPad's gross profit margin
The components in Apple’s cheapest iPad tablet computer cost an estimated $229.05. The device will retail for $499 when it goes on sale in March, giving Apple a gross profit margin of 54 percent. Typical gross profit margins in the industry range from 15 percent to 25 percent.
BusinessWeek
Westminster Kennel Club's high fees
The typical owner of a highly ranked show dog paid an estimated $300,000 to compete at this year’s Westminster Kennel Club dog show in New York City. That sum includes fees for dog handlers and travel to dozens of other dog shows leading up to the big event.
The New York Times
Jersey Shore a boon to Viacom
After shrinking 4 percent in 2009, media giant Viacom’s ad revenue is poised to grow in 2010, thanks largely to the hit reality-TV show Jersey Shore. The show is credited with increasing Viacom-owned MTV’s viewership 18 percent this year.
The Wall Street Journal
Lopsided wireless usage at AT&T
Forty percent of AT&T’s wireless-broadband capacity is taken up by just 3 percent of the network’s users.
The Economist
