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Smaller role sought
for Fannie, Freddie
Associated Press WASHINGTON - The government regulator for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac has submitted a plan to Congress that would shrink the mortgage giants' role in the housing market.
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Business briefs
Mylan 4Q income tops estimates CANONSBURG - Mylan Inc. Tuesday reported net income of $129.5 million for the fourth quarter, versus $2.6 million for the same quarter last year.
Full story >>
Oil prices climb to highest since May on Iran curtailment fear
Associated Press NEW YORK - Oil prices have climbed to the highest level since May on concerns that Iran will cut off more oil to Europe. The surge, which included a 2.6 percent jump Tuesday, could make gasoline and other fuels more expensive if prices stay high. At a national average of $3.57 per gallon, U.S. pump prices already are the highest ever for this time of year, and analysts say they may reach a record $4.25 per gallon this spring.
Full story >>
An entrepreneur's vision
When Shannon Vissman envisioned a company that would provide physical medicine services for employers' workers compensation insurance programs, he drafted the idea on a card table on his basement.
Full story >>
U.S. private equity a $150 billion industry
According to the Private Equity Growth Capital Council, the private equity industry in the U.S. comprises nearly 2,300 investment firms in all 50 states. They operate nearly 14,000 U.S.-based companies that employ about 8.1 million people. In 2010, U.S. private equity firms invested nearly $150 billion in 1,200 companies.
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Small business hiring stats overstated by politicians
Associated Press NEW YORK - Mitt Romney says they're "job creators" and vows to come to their aid as president. Newt Gingrich visited them on his "jobs and growth" bus tour. President Barack Obama calls them "the engine of our economy."
Full story >>
J&J recalls all infant Tylenol
Associated Press TRENTON, N.J. - Johnson & Johnson is recalling all infant Tylenol on the U.S. market because some parents have had problems with newly designed bottles - just introduced three months ago - that the company had touted as a big improvement to make measuring the correct dose easier.
Full story >>
Dow closes within 51 points of 13,000
Associated Press NEW YORK - The Dow edged teasingly close to the 13,000 marker on Friday, a milestone it hasn't reached since before the financial crisis brought the U.S. economy to its knees.
Full story >>
Measure trims maximum jobless benefits to 73 weeks by September
Associated Press WASHINGTON - Millions of Americans will continue to receive long-term unemployment benefits under legislation approved Friday in Congress, but the scope of the program is being scaled back to cover fewer people by the end of the year.
Full story >>
Associated Press WASHINGTON - The government regulator for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac has submitted a plan to Congress that would shrink the mortgage giants' role in the housing market.
Full story >>
Business briefs
Mylan 4Q income tops estimates CANONSBURG - Mylan Inc. Tuesday reported net income of $129.5 million for the fourth quarter, versus $2.6 million for the same quarter last year.
Full story >>
Oil prices climb to highest since May on Iran curtailment fear
Associated Press NEW YORK - Oil prices have climbed to the highest level since May on concerns that Iran will cut off more oil to Europe. The surge, which included a 2.6 percent jump Tuesday, could make gasoline and other fuels more expensive if prices stay high. At a national average of $3.57 per gallon, U.S. pump prices already are the highest ever for this time of year, and analysts say they may reach a record $4.25 per gallon this spring.
Full story >>
An entrepreneur's vision
When Shannon Vissman envisioned a company that would provide physical medicine services for employers' workers compensation insurance programs, he drafted the idea on a card table on his basement.
Full story >>
U.S. private equity a $150 billion industry
According to the Private Equity Growth Capital Council, the private equity industry in the U.S. comprises nearly 2,300 investment firms in all 50 states. They operate nearly 14,000 U.S.-based companies that employ about 8.1 million people. In 2010, U.S. private equity firms invested nearly $150 billion in 1,200 companies.
Full story >>
Small business hiring stats overstated by politicians
Associated Press NEW YORK - Mitt Romney says they're "job creators" and vows to come to their aid as president. Newt Gingrich visited them on his "jobs and growth" bus tour. President Barack Obama calls them "the engine of our economy."
Full story >>
J&J recalls all infant Tylenol
Associated Press TRENTON, N.J. - Johnson & Johnson is recalling all infant Tylenol on the U.S. market because some parents have had problems with newly designed bottles - just introduced three months ago - that the company had touted as a big improvement to make measuring the correct dose easier.
Full story >>
Dow closes within 51 points of 13,000
Associated Press NEW YORK - The Dow edged teasingly close to the 13,000 marker on Friday, a milestone it hasn't reached since before the financial crisis brought the U.S. economy to its knees.
Full story >>
Measure trims maximum jobless benefits to 73 weeks by September
Associated Press WASHINGTON - Millions of Americans will continue to receive long-term unemployment benefits under legislation approved Friday in Congress, but the scope of the program is being scaled back to cover fewer people by the end of the year.
Full story >>
Consumer prices up slightly as gas, clothing costs rise
Associated Press WASHINGTON - Consumer prices rose modestly in January on higher costs for food, gas, rent and clothing. But economists downplayed the increase, saying inflation will likely ease in the coming months as prices for raw materials level off.
Full story >>
Mars plans to shrink size of candy bars
Associated Press NEW YORK - Snickers bars may soon satisfy you a bit less. Mars Inc., the makers of popular candy brands including M&M's and Twix, will stop making chocolate products that exceed 250 calories by the end of next year.
Full story >>
Airlines: Fuel costs raising prices
Associated Press DALLAS - If you're buying an airline ticket soon, get ready to pay a few bucks more. According to fare trackers, JetBlue Airways and Southwest Airlines are leading a round of price increases that will boost the base fare on many medium-length and long flights by $10 per round trip.
Full story >>
Bayer Corp. CEO Babe to retire in June
PITTSBURGH (AP) - Bayer Corp. USA said Chief Executive Officer Greg Babe will retire at the end of June, after 36 years with the company. The U.S. subsidiary of Germany's Bayer AG said in a statement Thursday Babe, 54, joined the company in 1976 as the first-ever U.S. intern at its New Martinsville, W.Va., production facility.
Full story >>
Debt collectors target of consumer watchdog
Associated Press WASHINGTON - The nation's new cop on the consumer-finance beat is zeroing in on debt collectors and credit reporting companies.
Full story >>
Stronger job market could boost economy further
Associated Press WASHINGTON - The healthier job market that's lifted the economy in recent months shows no signs of slowing. Applications for unemployment aid are near a four-year low, raising expectations of further hiring gains. The news Thursday helped catapult the Dow Jones industrial average to its highest close since May 2008.
Full story >>
Associated Press WASHINGTON - Consumer prices rose modestly in January on higher costs for food, gas, rent and clothing. But economists downplayed the increase, saying inflation will likely ease in the coming months as prices for raw materials level off.
Full story >>
Mars plans to shrink size of candy bars
Associated Press NEW YORK - Snickers bars may soon satisfy you a bit less. Mars Inc., the makers of popular candy brands including M&M's and Twix, will stop making chocolate products that exceed 250 calories by the end of next year.
Full story >>
Airlines: Fuel costs raising prices
Associated Press DALLAS - If you're buying an airline ticket soon, get ready to pay a few bucks more. According to fare trackers, JetBlue Airways and Southwest Airlines are leading a round of price increases that will boost the base fare on many medium-length and long flights by $10 per round trip.
Full story >>
Bayer Corp. CEO Babe to retire in June
PITTSBURGH (AP) - Bayer Corp. USA said Chief Executive Officer Greg Babe will retire at the end of June, after 36 years with the company. The U.S. subsidiary of Germany's Bayer AG said in a statement Thursday Babe, 54, joined the company in 1976 as the first-ever U.S. intern at its New Martinsville, W.Va., production facility.
Full story >>
Debt collectors target of consumer watchdog
Associated Press WASHINGTON - The nation's new cop on the consumer-finance beat is zeroing in on debt collectors and credit reporting companies.
Full story >>
Stronger job market could boost economy further
Associated Press WASHINGTON - The healthier job market that's lifted the economy in recent months shows no signs of slowing. Applications for unemployment aid are near a four-year low, raising expectations of further hiring gains. The news Thursday helped catapult the Dow Jones industrial average to its highest close since May 2008.
Full story >>
Business briefs
Mylan: specialty unit under its name CANONSBURG - Mylan Inc. said Wednesday it will change the name of its fully integrated branded specialty pharmaceutical business from Dey Pharma to Mylan Specialty.
Full story >>
Homebuilder optimism rises again
Associated Press WASHINGTON - U.S. homebuilders are gradually growing more optimistic about the depressed housing market and believe homes sales could pick up sharply when the spring buying season begins.
Full story >>
Factory output jumps 0.7 percent in January
Associated Press WASHINGTON - U.S. factories boosted output last month and December ended up being their best month of growth in five years. Strong auto sales and growing business investment in machinery and other equipment are keeping factories busy and helping the economy grow.
Full story >>
Dow falls 97 points, worst drop this year
NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks slumped Wednesday in one of their worst showings this year as Greece, slogging through negotiations with other countries over a bailout, once again cast a long shadow over the financial markets.
Full story >>
January retail sales gain points to modest growth
Associated Press WASHINGTON - Americans rebounded from a weak holiday season and stepped up spending on retail goods in January. The latest government report on retail sales pointed to a slowly improving economy.
Full story >>
Washington County part of region with home sales rise
Washington County saw its total home sales climb by 23 units in January, while total sales volume for existing home sales grew by $2.67 million over the same month for 2011, according to a regional residential real estate tracking service.
Full story >>
Mylan: specialty unit under its name CANONSBURG - Mylan Inc. said Wednesday it will change the name of its fully integrated branded specialty pharmaceutical business from Dey Pharma to Mylan Specialty.
Full story >>
Homebuilder optimism rises again
Associated Press WASHINGTON - U.S. homebuilders are gradually growing more optimistic about the depressed housing market and believe homes sales could pick up sharply when the spring buying season begins.
Full story >>
Factory output jumps 0.7 percent in January
Associated Press WASHINGTON - U.S. factories boosted output last month and December ended up being their best month of growth in five years. Strong auto sales and growing business investment in machinery and other equipment are keeping factories busy and helping the economy grow.
Full story >>
Dow falls 97 points, worst drop this year
NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks slumped Wednesday in one of their worst showings this year as Greece, slogging through negotiations with other countries over a bailout, once again cast a long shadow over the financial markets.
Full story >>
January retail sales gain points to modest growth
Associated Press WASHINGTON - Americans rebounded from a weak holiday season and stepped up spending on retail goods in January. The latest government report on retail sales pointed to a slowly improving economy.
Full story >>
Washington County part of region with home sales rise
Washington County saw its total home sales climb by 23 units in January, while total sales volume for existing home sales grew by $2.67 million over the same month for 2011, according to a regional residential real estate tracking service.
Full story >>
