Hospitality industry needs state support
At this difficult time in the country’s economic life, state leaders should invest in tourism promotion and development.
Economy
Articles
Economists research, analyze trends
Most economists spend some time teaching, but the vast majority of our time is spent doing research.
Indiana CEOs are cautious during financial mayhem
CEOs with Simon Property, Duke Realty Corp. and Interactive Intelligence Inc. report that their companies are taking an uncharacteristically
cautious approach to acquisitions and investments, given the faltering economy.
Be careful: Stock market turmoil will likely persist
Here is something I know you don’t want to hear: This bear market isn’t over.
Architects and business leaders must work together to prudently maintain, build quality buildings
Especially during a recession, architects need to build strategies to reach new and existing clients and provide them cost-effective design and construction
options.
DBSI, an Idaho company with Indiana properties, faces class-action suit
DBSI, an Idaho real estate firm with 250 properties worth $2 billion faces a class-action suit. Some of its properties and
investors are in Indianapolis.
After record election revenues, TV ad income may hit 10-year low
With the economic swoon and no political ad campaigns in 2009, TV ad revenue could hit a 10-year low next year.
Bankers comfort customers worried about stability in wake of financial crisis
Banks launch campaigns to sooth jittery customers about the safety of their deposits, following an economic crisis that has brought down investment banks and sent stock values plummeting.
Lending, deposits increase at credit unions despite subpar economy
While many banks were getting drunk on loose lending in the last few years, most credit unions stuck to conservative lending
and other plain-vanilla banking practices.
Bailout helping PNC take over NatCity
After a 17-year run in Indianapolis, National City’s trademark green signs are set to be replaced with the blue of Pittsburgh-based PNC Financial. The $5.6 billion deal raises questions about the government’s growing involvement in banking.
Market plunge makes investments in good firms a bargain
The stock market rout that began in September and picked up steam in October has taken some quality companies to prices that
are the cheapest they have been in decades.
Local startup offers ‘virtual’ resume management
In September, Jeff Bockelman launched CareerScribe LLC, a local Web forum where users can "virtually" manage their
resumes.
Hospitals suffer from spiking bond interest rates, investment losses
Indianapolis-area hospitals have suffered a double whammy of spiking interest rates on their bonds and heavy losses in their
investment portfolios and are trying to save cash any way they can.
Headhunter: Market not so bad
A corporate recruiter says employers in Indianapolis arenâ??t acting like their counterparts elsewhere in the
country, if headlines are to be believed.
The employment market here has stayed fairly resilient, says Steve Mattei, a partner in Pinnacle Partners
Inc.
Pinnacle specializes in…
City prepares to compete for mega-conventions, risks losing small events
Over the years, the city has made a name for itself by hosting a handful of large conventions and a bevy of small and midsize
gatherings. But as companies and other organizations tighten their belts, the number of conventions
held nationwide is expected to shrink in the months ahead.
BEHIND THE NEWS: Plunge takes bloom off investing stars-at least for now
You think the recent stock-market gyrations have been g u t – w r e n c h i n g ? Imagine if you’re responsible not just for your own money, but for millions of dollars others have entrusted to you. That’s the reality for Indiana’s professional money managers, who collectively oversee billions of dollars. In good times, top-performing managers of mutual funds and individual accounts are treated like heroes, heralded with features in Barron’s or appearances on CNBC….
VOICES FROM THE INDUSTRY: Benefits to buying or leasing in a troubled economy
As real estate professionals well know, a troubled economy is making it harder to negotiate and close deals. However, buying or leasing real estate in a troubled economy also provides great opportunities for buyers and tenants. Real estate brokers often talk about it being a buyer’s and renter’s market and focus on selection and price; however, there are several other benefits when buying or leasing commercial real estate in a troubled economy. These additional benefits include tax abatements or credits…
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS: What Halloween can teach us about economics
The week of Halloween at the Hicks household is also the week we learn about taxes. It is a natural combination-they are both kind of scary and involve giving up something you’ve worked for to someone else. Having three kids of different ages and interests is especially instructive. My fourth-grader is all about the experience of trick or treating with friends. She is likely to savor every minute chatting, holding hands and skipping along. She is not trying to maximize…
Pacers cut costs, boost marketing to break even within three years
The Indiana Pacers are ratcheting up sales and marketing initiatives while cutting costs elsewhere in an effort to simultaneously
ride out the economic storm and boost attendance. The team has little hope of being profitable this year-or even breaking
even, said Pacers President Jim Morris, but he added that within three years the franchise’s financial status should be much
improved.
No perfect fit for Main Street: Small-business owners fall on both sides of political line
Joe the Plumber has been getting plenty of attention in recent weeks, but what about Kimberly the Merchant or John the Manufacturer? For all the talk about whether this year’s presidential candidates favor Wall Street or Main Street, there’s little discussion of the fact that neither Democrat Barack Obama nor Republican John McCain may be perfect for all small-business owners. Indianapolis manufacturing firm owner John Raine is backing McCain because of his stance on taxes and labor unions. Local shop…