Snohomish County shoppers sprang forward with their cash, leading to a 5.4 percent increase in retail trade during the second quarter of this year, the state Department of Revenue reported Wednesday. Countywide, retail sales grew from $1.11 billion to $1.17 billion, the department said. The increase was led by Lynnwood, where retail sales increased 5.6 percent to $311.7 million, up from $292.5 million. Sales in Everett essentially were flat, at $287.6 million. Island County businesses reported strong growth of nearly 15 percent, from $68.5 million to $78.7 million in the April through June period. For the state as a whole, retail trade was up 5.6 percent to $11.55 billion, compared with $10.94 billion in the second quarter of 2002.
Sonus Pharmaceuticals of Bothell reported a net loss of $2.5 million, or 15 cents a share, for the third quarter, compared with a loss of $3.3 million for the same period in 2002. The latest loss beat analysts’ forecasts by about 3 cents afast-track status last week for the treatment of bladder cancer patients. That means Tocosol could be ready for review by the Food and Drug Administration next summer, said Michael Stewart, Sonus’ chief medical officer.
Home sales in Snohomish County rose 43 percent in October in comparison to the previous year, according to the Northwest Multiple Listing Service. The group released statistics Wednesday afternoon that also showed prices are 6.55 percent higher this year than they were in October 2002. The median price for both single-family homes and condos was $223,750, meaning half the homes sold for more and half sold for less. Pending sales were up 9.77 percent, indicating that home sales could be better than usual this month.
Orders to U.S. factories rebounded in September, rising by 0.5 percent in another signal pointing to an economic resurgence. That marked a turnaround from the 0.3 percent dip reported for August, according to revised figures released by the Commerce Department Wednesday.
Cisco Systems Inc. posted higher sales and profits for its fiscal first quarter Wednesday, a strong indication that spending on networking equipment is rebounding. For the three months ended Oct. 25, Cisco earned 15 cents a share, compared with 8 cents a share for the same period in 2002.
Herald staff and news services
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
