Major retailers' cautious ordering of goods is expected to salvage what could have been dismal fourth-quarter profit, but the 2008 outlook looks more sobering. While stores can manage how much merchandise they order, they can't direct consumer spending - which is on the skids. ...more

February 15, 2008

The number of Americans signing contracts to buy previously owned homes fell more than forecast in December, reinforcing Federal Reserve officials' view that the housing slump won't bottom out until late this year. ...more

February 8, 2008

What would you do if a nearby chemical plant suddenly exploded or perhaps a major gas line was deliberately ruptured in your neighborhood? Do you have a plan? Would you know what to do to protect your family, home or business? ...more

January 23, 2008

With Hillsborough County residents hurting from a collapsing real estate market and stalled development, the county commission is considering a limited economic stimulus package, including halving impact fees. ...more

January 17, 2008

AVON PARK — An additional 20 to 25 workers will be unemployed by Jan. 31 as Cargill Juice North America exits the citrus processing business in Florida. The company announced plans in August to close the Avon Park and Frostproof plants. "It's interesting," said Tom Abrahamson, president. "When we decided to shut down the plants for good, we said at the time that we still had inventories of juice, and we estimated they would last until December 2008." ...more

December 23, 2007

The reading of U.S. home builders' sentiment in December remained at a record low for the third straight month. ...more

December 18, 2007

Oil futures fell Thursday as investors, expecting an ongoing price slide, sold to lock in profits from the previous session's big gains. ...more

December 14, 2007

Back in 2005, in an apparent flight of fancy, analysts at Goldman Sachs predicted a "super-spike" in the oil price to $105 a barrel. In the last few days, the prediction came as close as it ever has to fulfillment. ...more

November 12, 2007

Ivy Zelman's view of the U.S. housing market is gloomy, but it's probably the most realistic. ...more

October 26, 2007

In response to this past Sunday's Associated Press article (Sept. 23) in the Highlands Today business pages, headlined "Furniture Sales Slipping." May I take this opportunity to share that Sofa Gallery Inc.'s sales are quite good. We are debt-free and our inventories are paid for. We operate with low overhead and specialize in custom orders. We attend the national furniture markets semi-annually and will be at the world famous High Point Market in October. ...more

September 28, 2007