A sharp slowdown in economic growth in the first quarter of the year is expected to be only temporary, as markets shake off the effects of one-time events like the Japanese tsunami and oil prices stabilize.

The long-term outlook for economic growth calls for continued sustainable growth above 3 percent a year over the next few years, according to the May Economic Outlook released today by Fannie Mae. However, sustained growth in the residential housing market remains elusive, despite good affordability conditions created by low prices and interest rates.   Overall economic growth dropped to an annual rate of 1.8 percent in the first quarter of the year, down from 3.1 percent previously. However, Fannie Mae analysts attribute that decline to factors such as harsh winter weather, disruptions caused by the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, unrest in the Middle East and North Africa, and higher gas prices, whose effects are expected to be short-term. Read more…

Orange and Barclaycard launch mobile phone payment scheme The UK’s first technology that allows people to use their mobile phones to pay for goods has been launched, known as ‘Quick Tap’. Read more…

Share prices during the IPO of online social network LinkedIn’s stock soared into the stratosphere this week, reports the . This has set many Wall Street brokers on edge as concerns over a new tech bubble surface. The prices are so high that brokers are advising investors to short LinkedIn stock, as a massive decline is anticipated.

Reports indicate that LinkedIn’s stock ramped up 109 percent Thursday and completed the first day of trading at $94.25 per share, reflecting a $9 billion market capitalization that was 592 times above actual earnings. The price continued to rise Friday.

“Even if you think (LinkedIn is) a great business model, the feeling is that the valuation is way beyond what even the most bullish guys were hoping for,” said youDevise Ltd. Short-t

Read more…

Have you missed any of my blog posts from around the Internet this week? Read on to find out whats on my mind.

Are small business loans doing more harm than good? Read my post on Anita Campbells Small Business Trends to find out.

I just got a tablet computer and Im excited about the potential of this new tool. Find out how many consumers and businesses are buying tabletsand what it means to youin my post on Network Solutions GrowSmartBusiness blog.

Are you sabotaging your own business success? Sadly, many entrepreneurs are. Learn the 6 stupid moves you might be making in my post on American Express OPEN Forum.

If youre like most of us, rising gas prices are hurting your business budgetbut will they lead to layoffs?

Read more…

GMP Securities has done some great work on the appeal of the topping bid for the Toronto Stock Exchange. Hit several of the nails on the head. Heres the summary from their Research dept.:

We believe there is sufficient value to support $48 target

We believe the market is being too cautious when factoring in the offer from the Maple Acquisition Corporation. We doubt there are many politicians not willing to overlook monopoly issues in favour of choosing the Canadian solution. Second, the market has not factored in the removal of the TMX?s biggest rival and the pricing pressures built into consensus figures. Third, we believe the valuation gap can be overcome with minimal revenue synergies. We believe that investors should be buying this stock ahead of further disclosure which will only narrow the stock to the bid.

The removal of Alpha should result in a higher P/E

Over the past 8 years, the TMX has traded an average of 16.0x forward P/E.

Read more…

Americans still have problems to overcome their debts due to the global financial downturn and its negative influences. Fortunately debt relief programs have been introduced to add to the feeling of slight relaxation of the debtors. However, dealing with the debts have become more than the elimination of funding gaps and recovery of personal finances, it has become an integral and almost irresistible American financial situations. People, it seems to have become accustomed to their loss and financial crisis that occur more often due to financial mistakes repeated. While we seek programs debt settlement programs and expect them to get us out of our ruts with financial expertise and knowledge, we forget the simple fact that as we withdraw to maintain transparency in us and our financial partners such as creditors, banks and lenders, we will continue to be in debt situations even again and again. Read more…