Post-Tribune

Stocks rise on hopeful signs for the US economy

Fri, 17 May 2013 16:58:23 -0500

NEW YORK (AP) — Encouraging news about the U.S. economy extended the stock market’s rally Friday. A gauge of future economic activity rose more than analysts had expected, as did a measure of consumer confidence, adding to evidence that the economy is steadily recovering.

Expert: Summer gas costs likely lower than 2012

Tue, 21 May 2013 08:26:00 -0500

A Purdue University economist says he expects this summer’s gasoline prices to be lower than last year. Energy economics specialist Wally Tyner projects prices in the Midwest will be between $3.50 and $3.90 a gallon.

Indexes edge higher on Wall Street in early trading

Tue, 21 May 2013 09:17:13 -0500

Stock indexes edged higher in early trading on Wall Street as investors look ahead to the Federal Reserve’s next moves.

United in deal with SkyWest to run 40 Embraer jets

Tue, 21 May 2013 07:22:00 -0500

United Airlines has signed a deal that will have SkyWest Airlines run 40 Embraer planes under the United Express brand. The Embraer 175 is the first regional jet in the United Express fleet.

Special K churns out products in brand evolution

Mon, 20 May 2013 13:22:00 -0500

Special K first hit shelves in 1955 as a no-frills breakfast alternative but now caters to dieters who see its airy chips and pastries as a way to beat cravings and lose weight. And this summer, Kellogg Co. is building on its biggest moneymaker with a “hot cereal” called Special K Nourish that’s made with quinoa and other grains.

Warren Buffett meets with young entrepreneurs

Mon, 20 May 2013 09:48:01 -0500

Billionaire Warren Buffett is spending his day listening to business pitches from a select group of kids, but the ideas aren’t likely to generate new acquisitions for Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway.

Seamless, GrubHub to combine

Mon, 20 May 2013 10:11:18 -0500

Rival online takeout services Seamless North America and GrubHub on Monday announced plans to combine and create a new company covering more than 20,000 restaurants in 500 cities across the U.S.

Small-company stocks take the limelight

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:22:16 -0500

Small companies are taking the limelight on a choppy start to the week. The Russell 2000, an index of small-company stocks, rose above 1,000 for the first time Monday. The index is outpacing the Dow Jones industrial average and the Standard & Poor’s 500 index this year.

Ben Bernanke forecasts gains from computer technology

Sat, 18 May 2013 17:36:44 -0500

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Saturday that pessimists forecasting that the economy will not reap sizable benefits from the computer revolution are likely to be proven wrong.

Texas sues BP for damages related to oil spill

Fri, 17 May 2013 18:04:01 -0500

HOUSTON (AP) — Texas on Friday became the fifth state to sue British oil company BP over the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, seeking damages related to the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history.

Falling yen to make Japan’s goods more affordable

Fri, 17 May 2013 12:36:00 -0500

Attention, bargain-hunters around the world: Japanese goods — from cars to televisions — are going on sale. Credit Japan’s drive to pump cash into its economy to stimulate growth. The extra money is helping shrink the value of the yen.

Bank of Montreal ordered to fix oversight lapses

Fri, 17 May 2013 11:44:00 -0500

Federal regulators are ordering the Bank of Montreal to take steps to correct lapses in oversight that could allow the bank to be used for money laundering.

Rising consumer demand aids organic industry sway

Fri, 17 May 2013 11:12:02 -0500

The organic food industry is gaining clout on Capitol Hill, prompted by rising consumer demand and its entry into traditional farm states. But that isn’t going over well with everyone in Congress.

Gauge of US economy’s future health up in April

Fri, 17 May 2013 10:44:19 -0500

A measure of the U.S. economy’s future health rose solidly in April, buoyed by a sharp rise in applications to build homes and a better job market.

RV company’s new owner to close northern Indiana plant

Fri, 17 May 2013 08:16:01 -0500

The new owner of Monaco RV plans to shut down a 520-worker northern Indiana factory and shift its production work to another Indiana plant.

Illinois jobless rate dips to 9.3 percent in April

Thu, 16 May 2013 14:12:01 -0500

Illinois’ unemployment rate improved slightly in April, dipping to 9.3 percent compared to 9.5 percent in March. Even so, Illinois’ unemployment rate remains well above the national average of 7.5 percent.