For every company that thrives in a foreign market, probably five companies stumble. The complexities of entering a foreign market can result in many strategic mistakes and missteps. Even businesses that eventually "win" in a geographic region can teeter on the edge for years.

Global automobile production will increase by 21 million units by 2021, and has grown by 25 million units since 2009 as the industry continues to recover from the impact of the global economic recession, according to a forecast by IHS Automotive, part of IHS Inc. China will dominate, but there is a considerable upside attached to the North American industry as it attracts foreign investment, and in the European industry as its domestic markets climb back. Japanese and South Korean production will decline as local OEMs focus their efforts overseas.

Google and Amazon are going head to head over Los Angeles area shoppers, launching same-day delivery services in the area within days of each other.

For the first time since 2001, Moody's has assigned a rating of "stable" to the global ocean cargo industry, but notes that the condition of world shipping remains delicate and a "negative" rating could return.