Wall Street analysts have forecast about that level of growth for the current year (thanks to renewed business spending on technology), but they had expected earnings growth to slow to less than 9% in fiscal 2011.

FORBES: Thanks To Growth, IBM Is Still Cheap

Against that backdrop I join many observers in trying to forecast the momentum of the luxury business for the rest of the current year as well as gaining a glimpse into 2013.

FORBES: Clouds Are Gathering For LVMH, Luxury: Sales Increases May Be More Modest

The settlement would be accounted for by the bank in its results for Q4 2011, which should reduce operating margins for its cards business for the year from our current estimate of about 2%.

FORBES: Bank of America Settles Lawsuits, Stock Eyes Double Digits

The 200-year-old Lancashire brewery business said its current base, which was built in 1966, needed major modernisation.

BBC: Blackburn's Thwaites brewery announces relocation plans

So the current downturn in the computer business, the worst in PC-dom's 18 year history, hits Singapore two ways -- in slumping export figures and in falling stock prices.

CNN: Bottom-Fishing in Singapore

Deferrals were attractive when the economy was stronger, allowing students to pursue a new business venture or take a long vacation, but the current outlook probably makes a year off less appealing to many, said Graham Richmond, co-founder of the admissions consulting firm Clear Admit.

WSJ: Bad Math: MIT Miscounts Its New B-School Students

RBS, which is 83% owned by taxpayers, estimates that it provided a staggering 46% of all lending to SMEs last year, which is way above its 30% share of small business current accounts.

BBC: Pressure on banks to accelerate small business lending

At the current rates of growth the production of business equipment will reach new highs by the end of the year.

FORBES: Interest Rates and the Consumer

More than 400 global business and thought leaders will be sharing opinions about current regional and global business problems starting today at the Forbes Global CEO Conference being held here in Dubai this year.

FORBES: Global CEO Conference Coverage: Romney To Win U.S. Presidential Election - Forbes