— The Dow Jones opens today at 10,309, down slightly compared to a week ago. The Dow had been poised for another week of gains before it lost more than one percent of its value in a shortened day of trading on Friday. The dip was attributed to debt worries centering around the Middle Eastern government of Dubai The WisBusiness index of Wisconsin stocks was down as well on Friday, losing more than 2 percent of its value. It opens this week at 1,788, down 12 points from last week’s open. There are no companies in the index reporting quarterly earnings this week, but Kohl’s Department Stores will offer a look at its holiday sales so far when it releases its November sales report on Thursday. — Commerce Secretary Dick Leinenkugel predicts gradual job growth beginning in 2010 and says that with its diversified economy, the state is ready to take advantage of economic recovery. “I know we’re ready when the recovery comes,” Leinenkugel said on On Sunday’s “UpFront with Mike Gousha.” “It’s because we’re such a diversified economy.” Leinenkugel predicted the state, which has lost roughly 130,000 jobs since October 2008, would see jobless numbers turn around in the second quarter of 2010 as businesses gradually begin to hire more workers. Leinenkugel said he’s talked with manufacturers who say that orders are starting to come in, which he said indicates hiring will likely follow. Leinenkugel pointed to the quality of the state’s people as its best competitive advantage, and pointed to a number of efforts the state is involved in to retain and attract businesses and boost exports of the state’s technologies, goods and services. Watch the program: http://www.wisn.com/upfront/21752182/detail.html — A recent report on milk production for October shows the numbers down nationally but up in Wisconsin. The publication Dairy Profit Weekly says national production was down 1.1 percent compared to the year before. But Wisconsin’s production was up by 3.5 percent over that time frame. The state Farm Bureau says Wisconsin’s increase came because it had more cows than the year before and those cows were producing more milk per month on average. — Today is the last day to sign up for the next version of the state’s no-call list, which goes into effect Jan. 1. To get on the list, either go online to NoCall.Wisconsin.gov or call 1-866-966-2255 TOP STORIES
RedPrairie files for IPO: Waukesha software firm RedPrairie Corp. has become the latest Wisconsin company looking to capitalize on the recent comeback of initial public stock offerings. Layoffs in state government coming: Since the summer, 211 state workers have been given notice that they are at risk of being laid off – a number that will rise in the coming months, state officials said. “We are headed toward some layoffs in state government. How far and how deep they’ll go, I really can’t predict,” said Jennifer Donnelly, director of the Office of State Employment Relations. “That number is going to continue to rise.” GROWMARK System purchases SemFuel, L.P. Retail Business: The Bloomington, Illinois-based GROWMARK, Inc. has purchased SemFuel, L.P. of Green Bay, which includes he bulk fuel plants and automated fuel sites. Alert issued for Blue Marble milk: The state has issued a consumer alert about Blue Marble Family Farm milk products because they may not be properly pasteurized.
************************************************************ See commentary from around the state and columns from WisBusiness contributors Jennifer Sereno, Kevin McKinley, Tom Burzinski, Gregg Hoffmann, Tom Still and Steve Jagler: ************************************************************
ECONOMY (back to top) – Year after economy soured, many positive, optimistic – David Ward, LeRoy Butler to speak at New North event – Car dealerships may get holiday boost
MANUFACTURING (back to top) – UW-Stout takes initiative on ‘green’ food packaging – Flowers, balloons and Harleys; Garage parties mix fun, advice to woo women riders
LABOR (back to top)
SMALL BUSINESS (back to top)
INVESTING (back to top)
REAL ESTATE (back to top)
AGRIBUSINESS (back to top) – Amid a wet fall, some farmers are still trying to get their corn in, and that brings worries
RETAIL (back to top) – Meat processors rebuild after fires in time for venison influx
REGULATION (back to top) -Tribe’s Mississippi plans hit new snags – Waterstone agrees to consent agreement with regulators – Steny’s Tavern cited for six critical health violations
TOURISM (back to top)
UTILITIES (back to top)
HEALTH CARE (back to top)
FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top) – Southport enters agreement with FDIC – M&I digs out from millions in loan losses
MANAGEMENT (back to top) – International task force taps Concordia official – MATC president finalists named
PRESS RELEASES (back to top) For these and more releases visit http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=82 |
Quick links
WisBusiness sponsors Media partners National business round-ups |
(c)2009 WisBusiness.com.
All rights reserved. Reproduction or retransmission of this
publication, in whole or in part, without the express permission of
WisBusiness.com is prohibited. Unauthorized reproduction violates
United States copyright law (17 USC 101 et seq.), as does
retransmission by facsimile or any other electronic means, including
electronic mail.
