Archive for August 2011
Home prices decline 5.9 percent in second quarter
Home prices in the United States fell 5.9 percent in the second quarter from a year earlier, the biggest decline since 2009, as foreclosures added to the inventory of properties for sale, Bloomberg reported. Prices …
Read MoreGold tumbles on speculation of improving markets
Gold plunged in New York, heading for the biggest drop in 18 months, on speculation that financial markets may be stabilizing, eroding the appeal of the precious metal as a haven, Bloomberg reported. Bullion has …
Read MoreMarket swings not fazing 401(k) participants
If the stock market has been a roller coaster ride, 401(k) plan participants are keeping their hands and feet in the cars, say major plan administrators and record keepers. Principal Financial Group Inc. said that …
Read MoreI-Cubs, CISS partner to help homeless veterans
Central Iowa Shelter & Services (CISS) has partnered with the Iowa Cubs in a project to show support for homeless veterans in Greater Des Moines. CISS is competing for a $50,000 grant by collecting volunteer-made …
Read MoreDurable goods orders buoyed by transportation sector
New orders for long-lasting U.S. manufactured goods surged in July on strong demand for transportation equipment, according to government data released on Wednesday, Reuters reported. A separate report indicated that sales in the public transit …
Read MoreMoody’s downgrades Japan’s debt rating
Moody’s Investors Service cut its rating on Japan’s government debt by one notch to Aa3 today, blaming a build-up of debt since the 2009 global recession and revolving-door political leadership that has hampered effective economic …
Read MoreLender lawsuit against FDIC to proceed
A federal judge ruled that the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) has to face a $10 billion lawsuit tied to the failure of Washington Mutual Bank, Reuters reported. The judge refused the FDIC’s request to …
Read MoreDeposit insurance fund returns to the black
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.’s deposit insurance fund, which protects customer holdings up to $250,000 per account in the event of a failure, was positive for the first time in two years, the agency said. …
Read MorePrairie Meadows approves school payments extension
The board of directors of Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino yesterday approved an agreement that provides Des Moines and Polk County schools an annual share of gaming revenues. The board unanimously approved an extension of …
Read MoreVeridian recognized for employee financial security
Veridian Credit Union was named to The Principal 10 Best Companies for Employee Financial Security. The Waterloo-based credit union was recognized for the richness of its medical insurance, wellness and retirement plans. Principal Financial Group …
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