Briefs: Blockbuster boosts some DVD plans
DALLAS -- Blockbuster Inc., which has been losing money on online movie orders, is boosting prices of its DVD-by-mail service for new customers and some existing ones by up to 40 percent. The movie-rental giant began notifying customers of the increases -- and some price cuts -- early Thursday. The hikes will take effect next week and caused an immediate buzz on Internet boards.
Home builders say rebound in 2009
WASHINGTON -- A trade group for home builders said Thursday that the home-price free fall won't stop until early 2009, as a lethargic economy and troubled mortgage market drop the bottom even lower. David Seiders, chief economist for the National Association of Home Builders, said he agrees with what he called an emerging consensus about the housing market: that median U.S. housing prices will drop by 10 to 15 percent from a peak in 2005 to its eventual bottom. Nationwide, new-home sales are projected to fall to 793,000 this year, down 25 percent from 1.05 million last year, the builders trade group said. Sales are expected to drop further to 741,000 in 2008 before climbing back to 838,000 in 2009.
Campbell's sells Godiva chocolates
CAMDEN, N.J. -- Food and soup maker Campbell Soup Co. said Thursday it agreed to sell its Godiva Chocolatier business to Yildiz Holding AS, which is the owner of Turkish food company Ulker Group, for $850 million. Godiva has annual sales of about $500 million. The U.S. company, which was exploring strategic options for Godiva since August, said it expects the sale to close within the next several months.
U.S regulators OK DoubleClick sale
WASHINGTON -- With U.S. antitrust clearance for its DoubleClick purchase, Google's focus now turns to European regulators, who are expected to be more critical of the top search engine linking up with a market leader in online advertising. The proposed $3.1 billion transaction, which is strongly opposed by privacy advocates, cannot be completed without approval from the European Commission, whose review deadline is April 2.