Archive for November 2011
Poor by a different measure
More than 49 million Americans, or 16 percent of the population, live in poverty, based on an alternative measure released today by the U.S. Census Bureau, CNNMoney.com reported. The official rate, released in September, showed …
Read MoreWealth gap between young and old is historic
Older Americans are now 47 times richer than the youngest generation, marking the largest wealth gap ever recorded between the two age groups, CNNMoney.com reported. In 2009, households headed by adults age 65 and older …
Read MoreBerkshire among financial groups eyed for Fed scrutiny
Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. may be on the cusp of getting Federal Reserve oversight under a proposal by regulators that also increases the chances that American International Group Inc.(AIG) and MetLife Inc. will receive …
Read MoreRetailers plan battle zone in the TV aisle
The television aisles of top U.S. retailers are poised for a hard-fought contest this holiday season as chains take few chances on winning over budget-conscious shoppers, Reuters reported.
Unlike last year when some stores, such …
Read MoreNo bones about it, we’re a ham and eggs state
Iowa agriculture dominates several commodities, from livestock to crops, according to the recently released Iowa Agricultural Statistics booklet. The state ranks first in production of hogs and egg-laying hens and is in the top 10 …
Read MoreHousing trust projects resulted in affordable housing
The Polk County Housing Trust Fund said in a news release that investments of $1.5 million resulted in $15.5 million in projects to create and retain 746 units of affordable housing in the county. For …
Read MoreDistressed sales hit home prices in Greater Des Moines, nation
Home prices, including distressed sales, declined by 2 percent in September from the same time last year in Greater Des Moines, according to real estate research firm CoreLogic Inc. Excluding distressed sales, year-over-year prices declined …
Read MoreInsurance commissioners elect new president
Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarthy was elected president of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners during the group’s annual conference last Friday in Kansas City, Mo. McCarthy takes office Jan. 1, 2012, succeeding Iowa Insurance …
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