southtownstar.suntimes.com

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.

Bernanke forecasts gains from computer technology

Sat, 18 May 2013 10:38:01 -0500

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Saturday that pessimists who are 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.

Chicago Heights pita plant has major expansion

Fri, 17 May 2013 09:12:43 -0500

Holding a small crucifix in one hand and clutching a clump of basil dipped in holy water in the other, George Kaloudis walked Thursday alongside an array of ovens in a Chicago Heights pita bakery. The blessing of the hulking machine with holy water by Kaloudis, presiding priest at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago, was part of a formal unveiling of a major expansion at Pita Pan Old World Bakery. Once the new production line begins operation in a couple of weeks, the company, which has been in Chicago Heights for seven years, will be able to turn …

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.

How loyalty programs influence the way you shop

Thu, 16 May 2013 14:00:01 -0500

Loyalty programs at supermarkets used to be as simple as getting access to the cheaper advertised prices on store shelves. Today, companies are using shoppers’ purchasing histories to offer more personalized deals.

Canada prime minister on pipeline plan: Oil to come anyway

Thu, 16 May 2013 13:58:02 -0500

Canada’s prime minister says a controversial oil pipeline from his country to the U.S. Gulf Coast “absolutely needs to go ahead” and warns that the oil will be transported through one way or the other.

Ticketmaster settles rewards lawsuit for $23M

Thu, 16 May 2013 13:56:00 -0500

Ticketmaster has agreed to settle claims for up to $23 million over a lawsuit affecting more than a million people who, after buying a ticket online, were enrolled in a rewards program that cost $9 a month but never gave them any benefits.

American will favor passengers without roller bags

Thu, 16 May 2013 10:30:01 -0500

American Airlines said Thursday people carrying just a personal item that fits under the seat — no rolling suitcase — will be allowed to board before most other passengers.

Cisco leads the Dow higher after earnings beat estimates

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:23:11 -0500

Indexes are slightly higher at midday on Wall Street, pushing the stock market further into record territory. Cisco Systems soared 13 percent, the most in the Dow Jones industrial average, after the network equipment maker reported results that beat the estimates.

Only 2 of 13 small SUVs do well in crash tests

Thu, 16 May 2013 09:06:00 -0500

Only two of 13 small SUVs performed well in front-end crash tests done by an insurance industry group. Several popular models fared poorly.