Intel to roll out new server chip

SAN FRANCISCO: Intel Corp will start producing a new, more powerful version of its Xeon multiprocessor chip for servers in the second half, a spokesman said.

The new chip, code-named Nehalem EX, will go on sale in the first quarter of next year. No prices have been announced for the new chip, which will succeed the Xeon 7400, priced from $1,100 to $2,700.

The Nehalem EX will provide two improvements. First, it will increase the number of cores inside a single chip from six to eight. Second, each core will be able to handle two "threads" of software instead of just one.

Severs will be able to handle up to eight of the sockets for the powerful new chips, and third parties can expand beyond that, according to Intel's Nick Knupffer.

Intel produces several lines of central processing units. Its multiprocessors are its most expensive, sophisticated line, used for running large servers. It also has smaller, powerful chips to run desktop and laptop machines. Below that is its popular, inexpensive Atom processor, used in Netbooks.

World's top employer for MBAs

Internet search giant Google has emerged as the world's top employer for MBA graduates for the third year in row, according to the Fortune magazine.

The Top 100 MBA employers' list, comprising of firms where B-school students most want to work, was compiled by Fortune based on an exclusive survey by research firm Universum.

Google

Rank: 1

Google has been ranked at the first place in the list of top 100 employers for B-school graduates, with over 20 per cent MBA graduates wishing to work at the firm for its stellar reputation and innovative work environment.

McKinsey & Company

Rank: 2nd

McKinsey & Company is a global management consulting firm.

Bain & Co

Rank: 3rd

Bain & Company is one of the world's leading global business consulting firms, serving clients across six continents.

Financial services major Goldman Sachs Group

Rank: 4th

Despite the financial crisis fallout, Goldman Sachs has kept a golden reputation and continues to rank very high among MBA graduates ready to launch a career in banking.

Tech giant Apple

Rank: 5th

Apple Inc, formerly Apple Computer Inc, is US based multinational corporation that designs and manufactures consumer electronics and software products.

The Boston Consulting Group

Rank: 6th

The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is a global management consulting firm.

Walt Disney

Rank: 7th

The Walt Disney Company is one of the the largest media and entertainment firms in the world.

Nike

Rank: 8th

Nike Inc is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States.

JP Morgan

Rank: 9th

JPMorgan is one of the oldest financial services firms in the world.

Johnson & Johnson

Rank: 10th

Johnson & Johnson is a global American pharmaceutical, medical devices and consumer packaged goods manufacturer founded in 1886.

NEW DELHI: India's economy will expand at the slowest pace in seven years with the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and a grouping of

developed nations expecting growth to be knocked down to 4-5 per cent in 2009-10.

There is also little chance of the global economy staging a recovery during this year, although it might be able to stand up on its feet in 2010.

In its global economic forecast update for 2009, the World Bank projected a growth rate of 4 per cent for India during 2009-10, while the Asian Development Bank (ADB), in its outlook, expects the economy to expand by 5 per cent.

A separate outlook by Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), a club of developed countries, has forecast 4.3 per cent growth rate for India.

India had last grown below this level in 2002-03, when the economy expanded by 3.8 per cent.

A likely recovery in global economy next year may push India's growth rate in fiscal 2010-11 to 7 per cent (WB forecast) and 6.5 per cent (ADB projection).

Before the financial crisis hit the global economy, India had been recording a growth rate of nine per cent or more. As far as 2008-09 ending today is concerned, the growth estimates vary from 5.5 to 7.1 per cent.

The ADB's forecast for 2008-09 is 7.1 per cent, with downside risks -- the same as the one estimated by the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO).

"In the large emerging economies, activities are slowing as access to international credit dries up, commodity prices fall and export demand weakens", said the Interim Economic Outlook released by the OECD.

Pointing out that the economic growth in India will ease to 4.3 per cent this year, the Outlook said that China is likely to grow by 6.3 per cent. However, the economies in Brazil and Russia are expected to decline by 0.3 and 5.6 per cent, respectively.

Noting that the current recession is deepest and most widespread in the last 50 years, it said international trade could fall by 13 per cent and world economy by 2.7 per cent during 2009. "The big emerging economies will also suffer abrupt slowdowns in growth."

As regards the global economy, the World Bank report said it could shrink by 1.7 per cent in 2009 as against the growth of 0.9 per cent estimated in November.

ADB Director (South Asia) Bruno Carrasco said, for India there is "little room for further fiscal manoeuvre," but the Reserve Bank could take monetary actions if needed.

"That (limited fiscal space for stimulus) leaves the remaining option at monetary easing if RBI feels that there is some degree of further scope of easing the policy rates without undermining inflation, strong reserves for liquidity ... RBI may wish to consider further measures," he said.

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