Consumer sentiment up more than expected early December
NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. consumer sentiment rose more than expected in early December while an index of current conditions jumped to its highest level since January 2008, a survey released on Friday showed. The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan's preliminary December reading on the overall index on consumer sentiment came in at 74.2, up from 71.6 in November. That was the best level for sentiment since June and the third-highest level since the start of 2008, according to the survey. It was also above the median forecast of 72.5 among economists polled by Reuters. At the same time, the survey's…
La. business climate No. 9 in U.S.
Louisiana’s 2010 business climate is ranked ninth in the country by “Site Selection” magazine. The ranking moves the state up from 25th place in 2009, giving Louisiana the strongest surge compared to any other state in the listing. “This terrific news is a reflection of Louisiana’s continued economic progress during a difficult national economic period,” said Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret in a statement. “Our dramatically improved ranking is in large part the result of recent economic competitiveness improvements in Louisiana, such as business tax cuts, governmental ethics reform, the creation of Louisiana FastStart and our focus on business…
Stocks end off their lows, weighed down by Europe
NEW YORK (AP) -- Stocks ended lower Monday on lingering fears that Europe's debt crisis will continue to spread even after Ireland gets bailed out. The Dow Jones industrial average dipped below 11,000 but recovered much of its losses late in the day. The euro fell to a two-month low as investors flocked to the safety of the dollar and U.S. Treasurys. Gold prices also rose. Investors are worried that other weak European countries like Portugal and Spain will still need help even after the $90 billion bailout package for Ireland announced on Sunday. Some of those worries faded late…
Louisiana Business Climate Number Nine in United States
Louisiana’s 2010 business climate is ranked ninth in the country by “Site Selection” magazine. The ranking moves the state up from 25th place in 2009, giving Louisiana the strongest surge compared to any other state in the listing. “This terrific news is a reflection of Louisiana’s continued economic progress during a difficult national economic period,” said Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret in a statement. “Our dramatically improved ranking is in large part the result of recent economic competitiveness improvements in Louisiana, such as business tax cuts, governmental ethics reform, the creation of Louisiana FastStart and our focus on business…
Scott: Forecast on jobs not bad
The effects of a continued moratorium on offshore oil and gas drilling and possible added federal taxes related to oil exploration may hamper the Louisiana economy, long after the BP oil leak, said Loren Scott Wednesday. Job growth for the state is projected to be flat over the next two years adding just 10,600 jobs, as industry leaders in the oil and gas sectors continue to worry about the effects of a moratorium on offshore oil and gas exploration in the Gulf of Mexico and proposed multibillion-dollar federal taxes on the oil extraction industry, according to a report by Louisiana…