Monday morning headlines

Stocks up, but...: Case-Shiller numbers look good, but consumer confidence is slipping. It's just your typical fall day in 2009.

Home prices going up: The L.A. area saw a 1.6 percent increase from July to August, according to the latest Case-Shiller numbers. Prices were down 12 percent from a year ago, but that's still much improved from the comparisons earlier this year. From press release comments of S&P's David M. Blitzer:

California, in particular, has seen some real positive prints in recent months. We see this general trend whether you look at the as-reported data or the seasonally adjusted figures. Once again, however, we do want to remind people of the upcoming expiration of the Federal First-Time Buyer's Tax Credit in November and anticipated higher unemployment rates through year-end. Both may have a dampening effect on home prices."

Vizio sees growth: The OC-based maker of LCD TVs expects shipments to jump more than 70 percent as prices fall at least 30 percent. For all that, Vizio says it will remain profitable. From the WSJ:

Such steep declines in LCD television selling prices suggest more challenges ahead for major television manufacturers. Sony Corp., Panasonic Corp. and other major Japanese television manufacturers have struggled to reverse losses at their television businesses, unable to slash costs faster than falling prices, even though demand for new sets remains strong.

Gov touts movie incentives: A total of 50 projects have been approved under California's new tax credit program. Half of the approved projects are indie features, 22 percent are studio features, and 6 percent are TV series. (Variety)

Unhappy Tribune bondholders: A dissident group is accusing the company and its senior lenders of hiding "millions of dollars" worth of fees that it said were being paid to law firms and investment banks employed by the lenders. From the Chicago Tribune:

The group has argued since August that Chicago billionaire Sam Zell's $8.2 billion bid to take Tribune Co. private was doomed from the start, meaning claims by the lenders that financed the deal -- JPMorgan Chase and Merrill Lynch, among others -- should be invalidated. If such a "fraudulent conveyance" claim could be proved, the senior lenders would go away empty-handed, leaving more value in the estate for other creditors like the bondholders.

Gas prices steady: Oil has been zigzagging all over the place these past few weeks (it's trading at about $79 a barrel this morning), but there's been little notice at the pump - so far. An average gallon of regular in the L.A. area is $3.021, up less than two pennies from last week. Look for sharp increases soon.(EIA)

Stat of the day: Total realized compensation for female CEOs fell by a median of 18.5 percent between 2007 and 2008 compared to only 6.1 percent for male CEOs. "Realized compensation" is the value realized on the exercise of options and vesting of other equity. (Business Insider)

Chris Anderson moves to Oregon: The Register's former publisher (and the guy who hired me many moons ago) becomes publisher of The Oregonian. He left the Register a couple of years ago. (OC Register)

Lacter on radio: This morning's biz chat with KPCC's Steve Julian looks at the problems facing small business owners and when banks might start lending again. Also on kpcc.org and on podcast.