Retail and Business

The Business Conditions Index for the nine-state Mid-American region fell for the fourth time in the past five months, according to the Creighton Economic Forecasting Group.

The July index reading of 54.1, derived from a …

U.S. construction spending unexpectedly rose in June to touch a six-month high, Reuters reported.

Construction spending advanced 0.2 percent to an annual rate of $772.32 billion, according to figures released today by the U.S. Department …

The National Women’s Business Council and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will host the Iowa Summit for Women Entrepreneurs from 1 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

The event will take place at the FFA …

The Greater Des Moines Partnership Young Professionals Connection will host its second-quarter recap event from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Aug. 2 at Big City Burgers and Greens in Capital Square. In addition to a …

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 …