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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, September 21, 2009

BUSINESS BRIEFS
Fed likely to keep emergency programs


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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Enthusiasts of the Mazda Roadster, or Miata MX-5, mark the car's 20th anniversary on its test course in Japan.

TAKUNORI HASHIMOTO | Kyodo News

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WASHINGTON — With the economy starting to rebound but still fragile, Federal Reserve policymakers this week are expected to keep emergency programs to encourage spending and borrowing intact. But to avoid unleashing inflation later on, they are likely to consider ways to rein in programs designed to keep mortgage rates down and get banks to lend more freely.

Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke and his colleagues probably will stay the course — keeping interest rates at a record low near zero — while striking a more optimistic tone at a two-day meeting that ends Wednesday.

AMAZON UNVEILS OWN ELECTRONICS ITEMS

SAN FRANCISCO — Consumers visit http://www.Amazon.com for deals on products from companies ranging from Apple Inc. to Zenith Electronics Corp. Now, the online retailer wants shoppers to check out stuff that carries Amazon's own brand name, too.

Seattle-based Amazon.com Inc. began selling a line of electronics accessories called AmazonBasics over the weekend, which includes blank DVDs and a variety of cables. Amazon already sells its Kindle electronic reading device, along with products under private-label brands.

Paul Ryder, vice president of consumer electronics, said the items will cost "significantly less" than similar products on the site.

WYNN TO BOOST IPO FOR MACAU HOLDINGS

NEW YORK — Casino operator Wynn Resorts Ltd. will increase the size of its Hong Kong initial public offering for its Macau casino assets as it looks to raise up to $1.63 billion, according to reports. The news comes as the Las Vegas-based company looks to the island of Macau, the world's top gambling market, for revenue growth.

The $700 million Encore at Wynn Macau is due to open next year. Fueled by positive feedback from investors, Wynn Resorts now plans to sell 25 percent of its Macau unit, the Wall Street Journal reported yesterday, citing an unnamed person familiar with the matter.