Gauge of U.S. economy’s health edges up 0.2% during October
WASHINGTON – A measure of the U.S. economy’s health improved in October, suggesting consumers and businesses mostly shrugged off the 16-day partial government shutdown.The Conference Board said...
View ArticleCVS buys drug infusion company
NEW YORK – Drugstore chain operator CVS Caremark Corp. said Wednesday that it has agreed to buy the drug infusion business Coram LLC, a unit of Apria Healthcare Group Inc., for $2.1 billion.CVS says...
View ArticleWay cleared for merger of American Airlines, US Airways
A federal bankruptcy judge has cleared the way for American Airlines and US Airways to complete their merger and create the world’s largest airline.The judge ruled Wednesday that this month’s...
View ArticleAverage mortgage rates rise modestly
WASHINGTON – Average U.S. mortgage rates rose modestly this week, a move that makes home-buying a bit less affordable. Still, rates remain near historically low levels.Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said...
View ArticleCox reportedly eyes Time Warner Cable
Cox Communications, the third- largest U.S. cable-television provider, is considering a bid for Time Warner Cable, joining a growing field of prospective bidders, a person with knowledge of the...
View ArticleStock indexes stay at record levels
NEW YORK – Technology companies lifted the stock market Wednesday, keeping major indexes at record levels.Hewlett-Packard surged, leading the gains for tech companies, after it posted a $1.4 billion...
View ArticleHealth law business insurance site delayed 1 year
As President Obama’s administration delays yet another aspect of the federal health insurance exchange due to computer glitches – this time for small businesses – it’s full speed ahead for individuals...
View ArticleDiscount Diva’s tips for surviving Black Friday
Brown is the new black. Brown Thursday – the shopping extravaganza formerly known as Thanksgiving – will kick off the shopping season today, one day before the traditional Black Friday.It’s considered...
View ArticleNorthwest Bancshares makes two acquisitions
Just days after federal banking regulators lifted a supervisory agreement that had restricted its ability to buy another company, Northwest Bancshares struck a deal to buy a financial advisory firm...
View ArticleSanta’s unexpected gift: cheaper gas
WASHINGTON – No one begs Santa Claus for cheaper gasoline. Yet falling gas prices are shaping up as an unexpected gift for drivers – and for people on their holiday shopping lists.The average price of...
View ArticleDetails of Hamister deal in Falls not yet public as developer begins...
NIAGARA FALLS – A Nov. 15 agreement among the city, state and the Hamister Group for a $25.3 million downtown development project has yet to be made public, but the developer has already begun “due...
View ArticleBargain hunters brave the chill for Black Friday
Whether they were Canadians playing hookey from work or local residents interrupting traditional Thanksgiving Day meals, bargain hunters at various area retail outlets Thursday were determined not to...
View ArticleHow to blow whistle without blowing your career
Someone you work with is doing something unethical. What do you do about it?If you’re like most workers, you’ll ignore it about half the time. That’s what Joseph Grenny, co-author of “Crucial...
View ArticleCatch more followers on social media with honey
MINNEAPOLIS – On the Internet, snark reigns supreme – or so it seems.On social media, everyone wants to be the most clever. Twitter, in particular, with its 140-character limit, is tailor-made for the...
View Article‘Tech stress’ continues to build
The signs of tech stress are everywhere: The iPhone junkie freaking out over his contacts being swallowed alive by the new iOS 7 software. The office manager furiously swimming upstream against a...
View ArticleSocial networks turn user posts into advertisements
Candice Kilpatrick couldn’t help but laugh when she came across a novelty item on Amazon.com: a latex horse’s head with a bushy mane.Knowing her friends would get a kick out of the mask too, she...
View ArticleCut tech-induced stress
• Avoid leaving your smartphone next to your bed at night, as studies suggest beeps and even a gadget’s light may disrupt sleep. • Be aware of your tech-tool usage, keeping a diary for a week of what...
View ArticleFewer dip into 401(k) after job change
Fewer Americans are blowing their 401(k) savings on cars, clothes and other frivolities when they change jobs.Only 7.5 percent of U.S. workers last year cashed out their retirement money to spend on...
View ArticleSafety and savings for Cyber Monday
In today’s retail world, every day is Cyber Monday.Just ask any bricks-and-mortar retailer who laments their loss of market share to a website like Amazon.com, or takes steps to fight showrooming –...
View ArticleConsider tax impact before adjusting portfolio
With the stock market up 25 percent this year and some mutual funds up 30 percent or more, some investors are getting itchy to sell winners and make sure they pocket the full benefit before a possible...
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