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Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Current weather:
42° F cloudy, breezy

Business news

Published Friday, January 02, 2009

Markets face arduous recovery

NEW YORK – After a year of devastating losses, the stock market has the makings of a recovery this year: nearly $9 trillion in cash on the sidelines, waiting to be invested.

In Japan, automakers lose sales as young people lose interest

30-year mortgage rates dip to new low

WASHINGTON – Rates on 30-year mortgages fell to a record low for the third straight week and borrowers took advantage of the drop, sending new applications soaring.

PERSONAL FINANCE

No doubt many consumers will be happy to say farewell to 2008 with its record home foreclosures, massive job losses and weak credit market.

Mutual funds lost big margins in '08; analysts predict timidity

NEW YORK – There was one safe bet that mutual fund investors could make in 2008: that the stock market was a place to lose a lot of money.

January 1

Companies forcing unpaid time off

Continued unemployment claims rise sharply; new filings are high

December 31

Consumer confidence at all-time low

GM rolls out new financing deals

Jury imposes minimal damages against ex-CEO

Mining firm rejects takeover bid

No-layoff policies crumble in this climate

Paper mill upgrade cuts costs, emissions

Northwest Airlines plans to delay nonstop U.S.-China service

December 28

Predicting economic revival is a tough call

Newspaper buildings for sale, but who's buying?

Windy City papers face troubled futures

Financial turmoil rocks economy

Fool participants give Kraft high marks

Bargain-hunting shoppers sink gift card sales

December 27

Markets showing more stability

Retailers cut prices to entice shoppers

Industry predicts foreclosures without aid

Gas prices continue to fall as U.S. drivers stay home

More shoppers make rapid returns

Toy makers worry about new lead laws

What happens to unsold products?

Reports paint dim economic picture

Mortgage rates fall to record low

Tiny yields challenge money funds, investors

December 24

Stores make last-minute offers

Housing, economy post declines

Toyota to see first loss in 70 years

Rich consumers shop for bargains, hunker down

Foreign automakers face their own struggles

Oil refiner Flying J. files for bankruptcy

December 21

Luck has run out for casino industry

Economic survivors should emerge stronger

Falling energy prices have yet to produce economic return

Recession poses challenges for new Wal-Mart chief

Original ideas are property to be protected

December 20

Bumpy session ends mostly higher

Music industry alters anti-piracy tactics

Stores employ survival strategies

Spreading good tidings and drear

Madoff ordered to list assets, debts

December 19

Is it time for a new home loan?

Regulators adopt new rules for credit cards

Mortgage rates fall to decades-low level

Banks, investment firms borrowing less from Fed

Mukasey pulls out of Madoff probe

Use strategies to weather unemployment, job search

Overseas sales drive Nike profit

December 17

Fed drops benchmark rate to near zero

County jobless rate climbs in November

Clearwater Paper now separate from Potlatch

Startup sees opportunity in free wireless broadband

Mortgage renegotiator adds workers

Potential fallout reaches high, wide in alleged scheme

Mine to close as zinc prices fall

Freight haulers prepare for sobering year

High CEO pay faces long road to resolution

Applied Materials looks like clever investment in 2009

December 13

Mutual Funds: Guided by religion

Stocks advance amid hope for automaker rescue

Energy stocks could be refined in 2009

IRA withdrawals hurt in tough times

Housing slump causes ripple effect

SEC seeks to salvage financier's assets

In brief: Mine closure planned unless prices rebound

December 11

Ford's big bet: Skipping bailout money

Shoppers trimming holiday budgets

Business in brief: NightHawk plans stock buyback

December 10

At meeting, miners discuss challenges

WSU deal will create medical facility

Wednesday focus: The Workplace

Business in brief: Entrepreneurs can hone their pitching skills

Workers at struggling mine accept pay cuts

December 9

Cable viewers may need new box

In family economics, kids often come first

Tribune media files bankruptcy

Vermillion takes helm as Avista's president

December 7

Restaurateur plans opening amid economic turmoil

U.S. soldiers re-enlisting because of poor job prospects

Poor economy amounts to nail in RV industry's tire

Holiday season brings out the scam artists

The Motley Fool: Despite downturn, Mickey and friends should come out OK

Home loan troubles break records again

December 6

Mutual funds: Take loss, ease tax

Stock prices end on a high note

Tips may help improve tax status

Yield, risk high with junk bonds

For new graduates, one bright spot

Oil tumbles to lowest price since '04

In brief: Sterling sells stock to U.S. Treasury

December 5

Starbucks warns it may miss target

Employers announce 15,000 more layoffs

Friday focus: Personal finance

Business in brief: Retail sales dismal in November

December 4

Deflation a danger for economy

'Cyber Monday' sales surge offers bit of relief for retailers

Business in brief: Lobbyists urge Treasury to lower mortgage rates

December 3

November U.S. auto sales plummet

Squatters taking up residence in foreclosed homes

Sears' losses outstrip forecasts

Business in brief: Avista donates heating aid

Wednesday focus: The workplace

December 2

Economists say designation can be fluid

Automakers polish renewed plea

End of the line for cartoonist

Retailers put little hope in Monday sales

Business in brief: Boeing workers approve contracts

NW Sports Stats

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Christmas Fund 2008

The Christmas Fund is an opportunity for people in the greater Inland Northwest to take care of their less-fortunate neighbors. Find out more, or make a donation online with PayPal:

Our latest story: A face on poverty

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