Briefcase

Study names Apple top brand

SAN FRANCISCO – Apple Inc. moved up to the top spot in a global ranking of brand value this year, replacing Google Inc., which has become Apple’s archrival in the market for mobile operating systems.

In a study released Monday by Millward Brown, a market-research arm of London advertising giant WPP, Apple was listed as the world’s most valuable brand, with an estimated value of more than $153 billion. Millward Brown said its calculations are based on an analysis of financial data combined with “consumer measures of brand equity.”

The dollar value of Apple’s brand surged 84 percent from last year, helping the company vault to the top of the global rankings from its No. 3 spot last year. Google’s brand value slipped 2 percent to $111.5 billion. It’s now No 2. on the list.

Associated Press

YouTube adding more movies

SAN FRANCISCO – YouTube is doubling the size of its online video store in an expansion that will make more movies available for Internet streaming at the same time they’re released on DVD.

YouTube, owned by Google Inc., is hoping to lure business from Apple Inc.’s iTunes store and Amazon.com Inc.’s website, which also rent online videos, as well as Netflix Inc.

YouTube says it will be adding about 3,000 titles to its rental library, which is only available in the U.S.

McClatchy Tribune

Industry tidbits

LINKEDIN-IPO – Professional networking website LinkedIn Corp. hopes to sell its stock for $32 to $35 per share in an upcoming initial public offering aimed at raising up to $274 million. (AP)

BANK OVERDRAFTS – If you’re willing to pay a $35 fee to overdraw your checking account, just text your approval to the bank. Under a pilot program at Bank of America, customers who enroll would have the option to instantly reverse a declined transaction. Customers will have to sign up for the program. If they then try to make a purchase that’s declined at the register, they would immediately get a text from Bank of America asking if they want the purchase to go through. (AP)

MERGER REJECTED – Dallas-based hospital operator Tenet Healthcare Corp. has rejected Community Health Systems Inc.’s latest buyout offer of $7.25 per share in cash. Community’s latest offer had been set to expire Monday. Tenet says the offer still undervalues the company. Locally, Community Health owns Deaconess Medical Center, Valley Hospital and Medical Center and Rockwood Clinic. (AP)