• The combination of disappointing numbers from economic indicators and the inevitable turmoil in Washington, the Fed decided to continue its bond-buying program as is. The decision was met with a rally in the market, according to the Wall Street Journal.
• Starbucks Corp. has requested that costumers no longer bring firearms into their cafés unless they are authorized law enforcement officers. The company carefully worded the statement so that it is not a ban, but simply a request to responsible gun owners, according to the Wall Street Journal.
• JC Penney is looking into cash-raising options. The struggling company recently met with banks over the past months looking for advice and suggestions, according to CNBC.
• Google is considering throwing out “cookies.” In a move that would completely shake up online marketing, the “tech giant” is beginning plans for a new tracking system that would attach individual identifiers to each user, according to the Wall Street Journal.
• Mexico, a country that had previously been weighed down with a struggling economy, has now become a destination for immigrants. For the first time in history, more Americans immigrated to the growing nation last year than Mexicans who immigrated north to America, according to the New York Times.
• U.S. car sales set a new record in fuel efficiency this year. The overall gas mileage for all cars that were produced and trucks sold in the U.S. was 24.9 MPG. The record was hit even with a surge in the sales of SUVs, according to CNBC.
• General Motors has plans for an electric car that would travel close to 200 miles on one battery charge. The new technology, if it were to be set for production, would likely cost $30,000, but after the slow response to the first wave of electric cars, the company doubts it will sell the new design, according to CNBC.
