Fewest jobless claims since 1973 in week of Oct. 10
By Antea Gatalica The number of new claims for unemployment insurance fell to 255,000, a decrease of 7,000, in the week ended Oct. 10, and the lowest level reported by the U.S. Labor Department since 1973. The 4-week moving average was 265,000, compared with a downwardly revised 267,250 reported the week prior.
UnitedHealth Group’s earnings beat estimates
By Antea Gatalica UnitedHealth Group Inc. reported higher-than-expected quarterly earnings Thursday, but shares of the company fell on concerns over an increase in costs. The Minnesota-based health care company posted flat net earnings of $1.6 billion, or $1.65 per diluted share, in the fiscal quarter that ended Sept. 30, beating the analysts’ consensus estimate of […]
Strong dollar hurts Marriott Vacations quarterly profit
By Kristen Vake Shares of Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp. plummeted 15 percent Thursday after the timeshare company reported weaker-than-expected quarterly earnings that it blamed on the strong U.S. dollar. Net income in the quarter ended Sept. 11 was down almost 16 percent to $21.6 million, or 67 cents per diluted share, compared with earnings of […]
Consumer inflation fell in September, Hurting Social Security Benefits
By Arionne Nettles A big drop in energy prices pushed overall consumer inflation down 0.2 percent in September, following a 0.1 percent decline in August. That put the year-over-year change of the consumer price index at zero, which means Social Security recipients will not get an inflation-based increase in benefits in 2016.
The sugar taboo: Chicago considers a soda tax
By Amanda Koehn Strong opinions of protest and support are building fizz as Chicago’s proposed soda tax moves forward. Alderman George Cardenas (12th) and public health advocates are moving along a proposal for a penny-per-ounce sugar sweetened beverage tax in Chicago, despite disinterest from Mayor Rahm Emanuel. But opponents warn about job cuts and an […]
Reactions mixed on Northwestern’s tribute jerseys
By Jordan Ray The Northwestern Wildcats football team will take Ryan Field this weekend, sporting a new look meant to honor one of the school’s most successful teams of all time. But reactions are mixed. Northwestern unveiled the jerseys, which commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 1995 team that won a Big Ten title and […]
The psychology of choking and why the Cubs should care
By Kevin Stark The Cubs are on a winning streak. What now? Rookie powerhouse Kyle Schwarber has hit 3 home runs this postseason while the team slugged a total of 15. The Cubs easily dispatched the Cardinals in four games, and the club is preparing to play either New York or Los Angeles in the […]
September retail sales disappoint as consumers grow cautious
By Emiliana Molina Consumer spending at retail stores rose less than expected in September as Americans spent less on non-essential items like electronics and more on cars and trucks. Retail sales increased a seasonally adjusted 0.1 percent in September, according to the U.S Department of Commerce, below the 0.2 percent rise economists had forecast. The […]
Cheers and beers: Wrigleyville bar toasts Cubs’ historic win
By Maddie Lee Video by Mike Bacos When the final strike smacked in Miguel Montero’s glove, Cubs fans at the Wrigleyville bar thrust their arms into the air, emptying the cans in their hands, showering everyone in the back room with beer. The Cubs had just beaten the St. Louis Cardinals 6-4 Tuesday to win […]
