In the event, falling prices in emerging markets have forced the government to slash the price by a third.

ECONOMIST: Polish privatisation: On hold | The

We believe that Apple will eventually introduce a low-priced iPhone or slash the price of older iPhone models (such as the iPhone 3GS) which will act as a low-cost iPhone for emerging markets.

FORBES: Emerging Markets Appetite For iPhone Takes Apple To $510

A340 or slash its price?

ECONOMIST: Airbus has a small problem in the market for big jets

Exxon has long led the oil majors in investment in research and technology, keeping up such work even when the oil price collapse of the late 1990s led rivals to slash funding.

ECONOMIST: Oil

All of which would seem to leave Bayer in a bind: Slash margins to meet the U.S. government's price target or let the drug go off-patent early.

FORBES: Should Bayer Cut Prices To Protect A Patent?

Schwab Funds announced today that it has lowered fees for all of its 15 proprietary ETFs, continuing the price war in exchange traded products that has seen companies like Vanguard and BlackRock slash fees in 2012.

FORBES: Schwab Continues ETF Price War, Puts Vanguard In The Crosshairs