U.S. budget negotiations set to begin

The White House and congressional leaders are set to meet Thursday to try to begin narrowing a partisan divide over the U.S. budget, according to Reuters.

The opening round of negotiations aimed at setting funding …

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Same-store retail sales up in February

U.S. retailers posted a gain in same-store sales in February, driven by department stores, according to Bloomberg.

Same-store sales rose 4.3 percent overall. Revenues at J.C. Penney Co. Inc. increased by 6.4 percent, and Kohl’s …

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Principal announces dividend

Principal Financial Group Inc. announced today that its board of directors has declared a cash dividend of $1.39 per share on its Series A non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock and a cash dividend of 40.7 cents …

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Casey’s to acquire five stores in Missouri

Casey’s General Stores Inc. announced today that it has signed a purchase agreement to acquire five convenience stores from QuikTrip Corp.

All the stores are located in the Springfield, Mo., metropolitan area. The transaction is …

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Insurance division launches flood awareness program

The Iowa Insurance Division, in collaboration with the Department of Natural Resources and Homeland Security and Emergency Management, has launched a statewide flood awareness program.

The “Don’t Test the Waters” information program is designed to …

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MPO seeks feedback on gas prices

The Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization is seeking feedback on whether rising gas prices will change area residents’ driving habits.

The group’s survey asks a yes-or-no question and provides space for feedback. To take …

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2011 Archived Issues: February

Business Record: February 4, 2011

Cover Story: Called to serve
Hospice entrepreneur Tom Moreland puts his ‘chips back on the table’ with launch of Saint Jude Healthcare

Focus: Health care

Click here to view issue.…

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Worker productivity up in fourth quarter

The productivity of U.S. workers increased in the fourth quarter at a faster pace as companies sought to cut costs to preserve profits, Bloomberg reported.

The measure of employee output per hour rose at a …

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