Archive for January 2008

The unemployment rate in the United States jumped to a two-year high, as hiring slowed more than forecast in December, Bloomberg reported.

Payrolls rose by 18,000, the smallest increase since August 2003 and far behind …

Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Wells Fargo & Co., U.S. Bancorp and American International Group Inc. are among a group of financial-services firms that could benefit from the recent credit crisis, according to analysts at Bernstein …

Strong demand in Latin America for Roundup herbicide and seed trait products boosted Monsanto Co.’s sales by 36 percent and nearly tripled its profit in the first fiscal quarter of 2008 compared with the previous-year …

The dollar decreased in value against the euro this morning, continuing last year’s 10 percent decline, on speculation a slowdown in U.S. manufacturing will give the Federal Reserve more reason to lower interest rates, Bloomberg …

Gold increased in value this morning, extending a seven-year rally to the highest price since 1980, as a declining dollar and elevated energy costs heighten demand for a hedge against inflation, Bloomberg reported.

The metal …

The future home of Wal-Mart in Grimes is still unsure. Wal-Mart officials still have not committed to the site or to Knapp Properties Inc., the owner of the parcel at the intersection of Highways 141 …

The Des Moines Plan and Zoning Commission voted 7-3 Dec 20 to approve a rezoning request and conceptual plan for Dahl’s Foods after three hours of discussion.

The city staff recommended to the commission 20 …

The city of Ankeny has released a 163-page master plan and design concepts manual for Crosswinds, a proposed 1,100-acre business park and residential area near the Southeast Corporate Woods Drive interchange on Interstate 35.

Ankeny’s …