Finance, Investments, Insurance
Business calendar
The Business Calendar runs each Sunday in the Business section. Notices of meetings, seminars and workshops of interest to the Buffalo-area business community should be sent to the Business News Desk of The News, Box 100, Buffalo, NY 14240; faxed to 849-4587; or e-mailed to fin@buffnews.com by the preceding Thursday. (Updated: 11/08/09 8:24 AM )
Big business is being aided by passage of jobless bill
WASHINGTON — Emergency help for the jobless will be a huge windfall for realtors, homebuilders, mortgage bankers and others, and that’s no accident. (Updated: 11/08/09 8:24 AM )
Freddie Mac loses $6.3 billion
WASHINGTON (AP) — Freddie Mac’s losses narrowed to $6.3 billion in the third quarter, but the government-controlled mortgage finance company didn’t need a federal cash infusion. (Updated: 11/08/09 8:24 AM )
Holiday airfares are climbing
If holiday travelers on the same plane compare what they paid to fly, they’re likely to find quite a spread, depending on when they bought their tickets. (Updated: 11/08/09 8:24 AM )
Corporate giants sitting on piles of cash
In the summer of 2008, steel giant Nucor decided to raise some cash. It issued new shares of stock and floated some corporate bonds. As financial markets crumbled, the company ignored pleas from some investors and analysts that it buy back shares, which are now selling for about half their peak. (Updated: 11/08/09 8:24 AM )
Stocks finish 3% higher for week
NEW YORK — Undaunted by a surprisingly weak jobs report, investors found enough positive news to nudge stocks higher Friday. (Updated: 11/07/09 8:39 AM )
Berkshire Hathaway’s profit triples
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Warren Buffett’s company says its third-quarter profit tripled as the improving economy and stock market boosted the value of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.’s derivative contracts. (Updated: 11/07/09 8:39 AM )
Greatbatch posts third-quarter loss after $34.5 million lawsuit verdict
Greatbatch Inc. lost $20.6 million in the third quarter, as the $34.5 million verdict against the Clarence medical device and battery maker in a lawsuit filed by a competitor wiped out the firm’s weakening operating profits. (Updated: 11/07/09 8:39 AM )
$200 million assurance keeps Delaware North in casino race
ALBANY — Delaware North met a Friday deadline by Gov. David A. Paterson to confirm that it can quickly pay a $200 million upfront franchise fee payment if it were selected among a half-dozen bidders to operate a big new casino at a Queens racetrack. (Updated: 11/07/09 8:39 AM )
Profits decline by 38% at NFG
Tumbling oil and natural gas prices took a toll on National Fuel Gas Co.’s fourth-quarter profits. (Updated: 11/07/09 8:39 AM )
Taylor sees recovery under way
Douglas P. Taylor doesn’t see much to smile about in the U. S. economy, but he still thinks the recovery is under way at Taylor Devices, the North Tonawanda maker of giant shock absorbers. (Updated: 11/07/09 9:11 AM )
Consumers cut borrowing
WASHINGTON(AP)—Consumers borrowed less for a record eighth straight month in September amid rising unemployment and tight credit conditions. Economists worry that the declines in borrowing will drag on the fledgling recovery. (Updated: 11/07/09 8:39 AM )
eBay settles Skype suit
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)—eBay Inc. has settled a legal skirmish with the founders of Skype that threatened to complicate eBay’s plans to sell most of the Internet phone service to a group of investors for $2 billion. (Updated: 11/07/09 8:39 AM )
Inventories decline again
WASHINGTON(AP)—Businesses cut inventories at the wholesale level for a record 13th consecutive month in September, but sales rose for a sixth straight time. (Updated: 11/07/09 8:39 AM )
E85 fuel pump opening in Lockport is area’s third
Western New York is getting its third E85 fuel pump, this one at a Wilson Farms on Transit Road in Lockport. (Updated: 11/07/09 8:39 AM )
