Feelings may contradict economic facts
How we feel individually about the economy is often at odds with how the economy is performing.
Economy
Articles
Fearful companies are curtailing employee insurance, retirement perks
Experts worry that if unemployment worsens, even more companies could be forced to cut benefits, especially health insurance.
War did not end the Great Depression
It was not World War II that moved America out of the Great Depression.
Brightpoint adjusts as wireless demand finally cools off
After years of torrid gains in the number of wireless phones it handles, Brightpoint has had two consecutive comparable-quarter
declines.
Geist restaurateur buffeted by financial squalls
Henri and Shelley Najem, who own The Bella Vita restaurant in Geist, represent the scores of Indiana restaurant operators
feeling financial pressure, given the severe economic slump.
For unemployed, searching for job is full-time endeavor
As job losses accelerate in the worst recession in a generation, it’s becoming tougher and tougher for even well-educated,
experienced professionals to find work �¢?? or at least to find a job in the area and at the pay they want.
Market, not bailouts, should stimulate refinancings
Markets, no matter how imperfect, not government programs, manage the economy.
C.P. Morgan aftermath
Tract house builder C.P. Morgan officially bites the dust today. Which raises plenty of questions:
–Has anyone else been more influential in the type of housing stock built in the Indianapolis area in the
past decade than Chuck Morgan?…
All of us Belongers, building castles in the sand
On vacation in the British West Indies, we see the decline from just a year ago at this same beautiful spotâ??fewer families at play, fewer retirees strolling arm and arm, fewer young couples slathering one another with sunscreen.
How to innovate your way out of this recession
It doesn’t matter what industry you are in or how well you have prepared–we will all be affected by what has taken place
in the financial markets over the past several months.
Economic illnesses are like viruses
What kind of remedy should be applied to the economy? Surely we want something that will work quickly. But we also want something
that will help provide income in the future. That’s called investment.
Gold at $1,000 an ounce
The gold hawkers are right, at least for now. Gold has been a better investment than stocks, bonds and
other conventional places to park moneyâ??hitting $1,000 an ounce today.
That signals investors are nervous about prospects for the economy…
GM workers hesitate to bite at buyout bait
GM workers must decide by March 24 whether to take a buyout, but the lack of jobs due to the recession coupled with the cost of health care makes their decision especially difficult.
A showy millionaire faces spate of lawsuits
A recent spate of lawsuits, filed by a who’s who of Indianapolis businessmen, exposes cracks in Tim Durham’s veneer of opulence.
Orchestra lays off eight as donations, ticket sales drop
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra will look to volunteers to help cover the work done by eight people who were laid off last week in a move to trim $600,000, or 2 percent, from the $29.5 million annual budget.
Tap the rainy day fund?
The weakening economy is producing worse and worse tax revenue forecasts for Indiana. As a result, Democrats
are calling for Gov. Mitch Daniels, a Republican, to open the stateâ??s $1.3 billion rainy day fund.
Tough times like these are what…
Papa’s college funds hit the skids
When I read the year-end statements from the 529 College Saving Plans I had established for the benefit of my grandchildren, I felt lower than a snake’s belly.
Corporate shareholders should demand more
Free marketers cringe at the thought of government interference, but the fact is that the taxpayer is now a significant shareholder in a number of financial businesses.
Mall giant says it’s in good shape, but takes steps to conserve cash
Despite assurances of strength, Simon Property Group Inc. has decided to pay 90 percent of its dividend in stock, a move that allows the company to hold onto $925 million in cash this year but could alienate shareholders drawn by the dividend.
Katterjohn’s optimism is uplifting
I think it is so important to remind people that the one thing we have control of is our attitude. I think you conveyed that
beautifully.