Business briefly: Everett shops stay open late, with discounts
Published 10:56 pm Monday, December 10, 2007
Six stores in downtown Everett are holding what they’re calling a holiday block party Wednesday, with later hours, discounts and snacks. The shops, on Colby Avenue near 26th Street, include Ericksons Jewelers, Pave Specialty Bakery, Burkett’s, J. Matheson gifts, Enchanted Florist and Confections, and Wicked Cellars. The specials will begin at 4 p.m. and the stores will remain open until 8 p.m.
Boeing approves higher dividend
The Boeing Co.’s board of directors has approved a 14 percent increase in the company’s dividend, the fifth increase in as many years. Boeing’s quarterly dividend will be 40 cents per share, up from 35 cents, while the annual dividend will be $1.60. The next dividend is payable March 7, 2008, to shareholders of record as of Feb. 8, 2008. Boeing’s dividend has more than doubled since 2003.
Newspaper mogul going to prison
Former newspaper mogul Conrad Black was sentenced Monday to 6½ years in prison, far less than sought by prosecutors, for swindling shareholders in his Hollinger media empire out of $6 million. Prosecutors had asked for as many as 30 years in prison for the Canadian-born Black, saying he had not shown “one shred of remorse” for looting the company that once owned the Chicago Sun-Times, the Daily Telegraph of London, the Jerusalem Post and other newspapers.
Microsoft, CNBC team for online ads
Microsoft Corp. will provide online advertising for CNBC’s financial news Web site. The software maker said it will be the exclusive third-party seller of text ads on the site starting later this month, and display ads beginning in March 2008. CNBC.com, part of General Electric Co.’s NBC Universal division, gets about 2.6 million unique visitors each month, according to a company statement.
McDonald’s sales rise impressively
McDonald’s Corp., the world’s No. 1 hamburger chain, said global same-store sales rose 8.2 percent in November. Same-store sales, or sales at restaurants open at least thirteen months, is a key indicator of retailer performance since it measures growth. Systemwide sales rose 16.3 percent.
AT&T lights up faster data network
AT&T Inc. has switched on its high-speed backbone network, which is designed to ferry data traffic across the U.S. four times faster. AT&T has begun placing traffic on its so-called “ultra-long haul” network, which boasts a capacity of 40 gigabits per second. The company has upgraded 50,000 miles of its network and plans to soon connect 25 major cities.
Clarification
Deco-Pour, a concrete flooring company featured on Monday’s Business page, can be reached at 360-668-2218. The story listed an alternative number.
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