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Tax changes spur legal business
The new federal tax law, which contains changes to estate, gift and income tax rules, should keep estate-planning attorneys busy advising clients on retirement planning for at least the next two years. The changes packed into the tax law signed by President Barack Obama on Dec. 17 present lawyers with an opportunity to reach out […]
Western Md. tourist train ridership climbs
CUMBERLAND — The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad is reporting a 22 percent ridership increase last year. The Cumberland Times-News reported Tuesday that the numbers were included in the railroad’s recent budget request to the Allegany County Commissioners. Superintendent Frank Fowler says the steam-driven tourist train carried more than 38,000 passengers in calendar year 2010. He [&hellip[...]
McDonald’s February sales figure up 3.9 percent
OAK BROOK — McDonald’s says global growth, especially in Europe, helped an important sales measurement rise 3.9 percent in February. The world’s largest hamburger chain says sales at restaurants open at least 13 months rose 2.7 percent in the U.S. on demand for breakfast and McCafe drinks. The sales metric is considered a key indicator […]
Bernanke not worried by higher gas prices
WASHINGTON — Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke boldly predicted to Congress on Tuesday that rising oil prices will cause only a brief and modest rise in consumer inflation. If he’s wrong, as some lawmakers suggested to him, the risks are high: a weaker economy and elevated consumer inflation. Bernanke’s credibility is at stake, too. His […]
Consumers aren’t spending their extra cash
WASHINGTON — A Social Security tax cut that economists say should help the economy this year is off to a slow start. Consumers increased their spending last month at the weakest pace since June, even with the extra money in their paychecks. Some people may be using the additional money to pay down holiday credit […]
DLA Piper growing global presence under Burch
When The Daily Record honored Francis “Frank” B. Burch Jr. with a Leadership in Law award nearly a decade ago, his firm had 850 lawyers in nine offices. Much has changed since 2001, when Burch served as co-CEO of Piper Marbury Rudnick & Wolfe LLP. Today, that firm has become the multinational DLA Piper, with […]
Delta Air Lines seeks premium status in Asia
TOKYO — The head of Delta Air Lines’ Asia operations said Thursday the U.S. carrier is making enough money now to invest in customer service and establish itself as a premium brand in the region. The bar is high in this part of the world. Asia — a rapidly growing travel market — is home […]
Federal Reserve officials slightly more upbeat on economy
WASHINGTON — Federal Reserve officials were slightly more optimistic last month about economic growth for this year than they were in November, reflecting expected gains in consumer and business spending from tax cuts. Fed officials said in an updated forecast released Wednesday that they think the economy will grow between 3.4 percent and 3.9 percent […]
Political ads help Sinclair in fourth quarter
Shares of Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc. surged more than 10 percent Wednesday after the Hunt Valley-based company reported that it had turned a $33.1 million profit in the fourth quarter, compared to a $67.8 million loss the year before. The company also reported revenue for the final quarter of 2010 rose 23.5 percent to $189.9 […]
Census shows growth in Md.’s Hispanic population
ANNAPOLIS — Suburban Maryland counties had the state’s biggest population growth over the last decade, and Hispanic residents represented the largest increase, according to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau on Wednesday. Maryland’s population grew by about 477,000 between 2000 and 2010. That’s a 9 percent gain to 5,773,552. More than half of the […]
Consumer spending just keeps on improving
NEW YORK — Americans didn’t stop splurging after the holidays. They braved snowstorms and shopped in force in January, handing retailers like Costco, Victoria’s Secret and Macy’s surprisingly strong sales. Along with two encouraging economic reports — the biggest service sector expansion in five years and a plunge in weekly unemployment claims — the sales […]
Lower costs help Chrysler move closer to profitability
DETROIT — Chrysler avoided collapse two years ago with the help of a government bailout. Now, lower costs and a fleet of new cars and trucks are moving it closer to profitability. On Monday, the company posted a fourth-quarter net loss of $199 million, a vast improvement over the $2.7 billion loss a year earlier. […]
