2010 looking a little brighter, reports say

Banc of America Securities-Merrill Lynch Research has raised its global economic growth forecast for 2010 to 3.7 percent from 3.2 percent, driven by signs of recovery in the United States and China.

The global economy …

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Mortgage activity is on the rise

Mortgage applications rose last week as refinancing jumped by the most since March and purchases climbed to the highest level in three months, the Mortgage Bankers Association said today.

The association’s index of applications to …

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Tickers: July 8

U.S. Bank is launching a new savings contest called “What are you saving for?” that asks children ages 5 to 12 why they are saving money and how they plan to earn extra money. Twenty-five …

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Bio-ammonia manufacturing plant slated for Menlo

SynGest Inc., a California-based company specializing in fuel and fertilizer production, has selected The Weitz Co. to construct a manufacturing plant in Guthrie County.

The Menlo plant will utilize existing technology to produce anhydrous ammonia …

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Goldman Sachs faces software theft

A former Goldman Sachs Group Inc. employee was arrested last Friday, accused of stealing the firm’s proprietary code that helps it generate millions of dollars each year in high-speed, high-volume trades, Bloomberg reported.

The software …

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Tickers: July 7

The Iowa Office of Energy Independence is accepting applications for $34 million in federal stimulus funds that are to be used to make the state more energy-efficient. The funding breaks down this way: $17 million …

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A revolving door recession?

The chief economist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said the end of the recession is “literally just around the corner,” but there is a 15 percent to 20 percent chance of another economic downturn …

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Wells Fargo stretching its securities lines

Wells Fargo & Co. said today that it is expanding its securities business, TheStreet.com reported.

The bank will combine investment banking and capital markets businesses formerly operating under the Wachovia Securities and certain Wells Fargo …

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