YouTube Kids Channel Launch; Wal-mart Raises Wages to $9
By demand, YouTube is launching a dedicated channel with kids programming, while Wal-mart raises wages and Apple stock closes near its 52 week high. Come Monday YouTube, by demand, releases a kids channel. It's called YouTube Kids. Parents can set timers to stop the programming after a predetermined time. It will be available on Android smartphones and tablets first. Family entertainment channels have seen unprecedented growth versus viewing demands for the rest of the site. But how will YouTube make money off this initiative? The Wall Street Journal says talks to offer ads are under way. Google owns YouTube Wal-mart made headlines yesterday with its earnings report. But the headline that trumped that news was that the retail giant will raise wages for roughly a half-million full-time and part-time employees over the coming year to 9 dollars---$1.75 above the federal minimum wage. It will climb to $10 by next year. We have been looking for a nationwide meaningful pick up in hourly wages. The Labor Department reported that wages rose 0.5 percent in January. Over the past year, they’ve now increased by 2.2 percent. Those aren’t earth-shattering numbers by any means. But they are a sign that the wage story is finally turning around. Its worth checking on Apple stock as the Nasdaq closed yesterday at the highest level in 15 years. The stock has traded in a 52 week range of 73.05 - 129.03. Its closed just off that high in Thursday's session at 128
