Stocks have ended a rocky 2010 quietly. The major indexes are little changed and trading volume was at one of its lowest levels of the year as many traders took the day off. 2010 shaped up to be a good year for most investors despite ongoing concerns about the economy that sent stocks skidding at ti
mes. According to preliminary estimates, the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor’s 500 will finish the year up 14 percent, including dividends. The Nasdaq composite index will finish up 18 percent including dividends. At Friday’s close, the Dow rose 8 points to 11,578. The S&P 500 fell less than a point to 1,258.
Warming climate weakens Assam tea
Growers in tropical Assam state, India’s main tea growing region, say rising temperatures have led not only to a drop in production but to subtle, unwelcome changes in the flavor of their brews. The area in northeastern India is the source of some of the finest black and British-style teas. Assam teas are notable for their heartiness, strength and body, and are often sold as “breakfast” teas. “Earlier, we used to get a strong cup. Now it’s not so,” said tea taster L.P. Chaliha.
China probe could disrupt U.S. trade
China’s anti-dumping investigation into U.S. exports of animal feed could disrupt trade, a U.S. trade group said Friday. The U.S. Grains Council said in a statement that China’s decision this week to open a probe into American exports of distiller’s dried grains, a byproduct of corn-ethanol production used for animal feed, was “surprising and could be disruptive to trade.” “China’s unusual market and supply volatility over the last two years has resulted in new global trade flows. As trade flows change, it should perhaps not be surprising there would be an adjustment period in response to unprecedented demand,” the group said.
Twitter must prove ad worth in 2011
Twitter Inc. gained more than 100 million registered members this year and approaches the New Year with a fresh investment of $200 million. Now it must prove it can live up to its newly elevated valuation of $3.7 billion. So “2011 is the year where they’re going to need to increase their user base pretty dramatically and prove to advertisers that Twitter advertising works,” said analyst Debra Aho Williamson. “Right now, the advertising is mostly experimental.” In 2009, Twitter’s growth was fueled by members who followed celebrity tweeters like Ashton Kutcher. In 2010, Twitter pushed its role as an important source of news and information. That could ultimately help the company justify investments.
Correction
Big E Brewery is located at 5030 208th St. SW, Suite A, in Lynnwood. A story on the microbrewery that ran on Page A8 in Friday’s Herald had an incorrect address.
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