Annual Pet Spending Passes $50 Billion Mark

General Electric says it is increasing its quarterly dividend by 3 cents, or 16 percent, to 22 cents. The Fairfield, Conn., company said Friday that the new dividend is payable Jan. 27 to shareholders as of Dec. 23. GE has been shaping itself into a conglomerate more focused on industrial equipment and appliances, shrinking its banking operations and selling off its media arm, NBCUniversal.

Most dealers have abundant supplies of 2013 models, and 2014s are arriving as automakers keep factories humming. Since dealers pay interest on money borrowed to buy the cars, they're probably anxious to sell them soon. The December holiday season normally is a good time to buy as dealers clear out old models and sales people feel pressure to meet year-end targets. [] the latest retail sales figures from the government show that steady hiring and rising household wealth are encouraging more big-ticket purchases. There also are some good deals on pickup trucks as Ford, which has the oldest big truck in the market, offers discounts and forces other automakers to follow, Gutierrez said. "Everybody wants to hit whatever internal targets they have," said Scott Fink, CEO of a small chain of Hyundai, Mazda and Chevrolet dealers in Florida's Tampa Bay area.

Smartphone and software makers are working on ways to snap out of this technological lull, although it probably will be at least another year or two before breakthroughs revolutionize the design and function of mobile computing devices. If such visions are realized, smartphones and tablets will be equipped with display screens that can be rolled up like a scroll or folded like a wallet. Making the devices even easier to carry around will be important if software makers want to deepen the bond between people and their phones. The device is slightly bowed from top to bottom, allowing it to curve toward a person's mouth when used for phone calls. LG wants to sell the G Flex in the U.

Microsoft confirmed it plans to hold its next major Build developer conference April 2-4 at Moscone Center in San Francisco, the same spot it held the event last year. “As always, Build is a time to bring developers together to talk about our latest products, platform advances, tools and offerings, all of which come together to create unmatched apps and scenarios,” VP Steve Guggenheimer said in a blog post.

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