Retail and Business

Despite a high U.S. unemployment rate of 9.2 percent, attracting and hiring top talent for some positions remains challenging for employers. Citing data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Robert Half International Inc. said the …

Consumer confidence dropped last week as Americans’ view of the economy plunged to the lowest level since May, Bloomberg reported.

The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index was minus 46.8 in the period ended July 24, , …

The number of Americans making new claims for unemployment benefits dropped below the 400,000 level last week for the first time since early April, Reuters reported. It’s seen as a hopeful sign for the economy, …

Meredith Corp. reported that earnings per share increased 22 percent to $2.78 in the fiscal year ending June 30, compared with $2.28 in the prior year. Net earnings were $127.4 million compared with $103.96 million …

Chief executives don’t expect much hiring to take place in the near term, according to a study of more than 100 earnings conference calls through July 21 by The Wall Street Journal.

Drawing on transcripts …

Local businessmen Robert Myers and Fred Greiner have been elected to national leadership positions with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). Myers, president and CEO of Ankeny-based Casey’s General Stores Inc., was elected to a one-year …

Guy Cook, a partner with the Grefe & Sidney law firm in Des Moines, was elected vice president of the Iowa State Bar Association (ISBA) during its annual meeting last month. Cook, who will serve …

Orders for U.S. durable goods unexpectedly dropped in June, and inventories climbed at the slowest pace in a year, Bloomberg reported. Bookings for goods meant to last at least three years fell 2.1 percent after …

Iowa gained the seventh-most professional and business services jobs in the past five years, Bizjournals.com reported.

According to data compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Iowa gained 7,600 jobs in professional and business …

The U.S. Postal Service today is set to release a list of 3,653 post offices that could be shut down, CNNMoney reported.

These locations will be studied for possible closure, a spokesperson said. Most post …