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Stocks open mixed: Not much forward momentum, given uncertainty in Europe. Dow is down about 25 points.
Holiday weekend: Look for a slight increase in the number of travelers during the three days. Top three destinations: San Diego, Las Vegas, and the Grand Canyon. (Auto Club)
Consumer sentiment edges higher: The Reuters/University of Michigan index for May increased to 79.3, up from 76.4 in April. That's the highest level since late 2007. (Calculated Risk)
Big day for Space X: The Dragon capsule has landed. See post below.
Apple CEO turns down $75 million: That's the value of the dividends Chief Executive Time Cook would be entitled to, based on his holdings of the company's restricted stock. Of course, Cook has been granted a pay package valued at $378 million, though he can't start collecting for another four years. (CNNMoney)
Dish and major networks duke it out: CBS, Fox and NBC filed suit in federal district court in L.A., accusing the satellite operator of copyright infringement by allowing its subscribers to skip commercials during most prime-time shows. Dish, meanwhile, filed its own suit, alleging that the Auto Hop feature is in compliance with its network agreements. From the LAT:
While consumers with digital video recorders can fast-forward through commercials of recorded shows, Dish's AutoHop takes it a step further. The screen goes black when a commercial break appears. A few seconds later, the program returns. The service can't be used on live programming, such as a sporting event, even after it has been recorded. With more than 14 million subscribers, Dish Network Corp.'s new technology may threaten the networks' ability to continue to charge premiums for their commercial time.
NBC in talks with Microsoft over MSNBC.com?: NBC owns the cable channel, but both companies have retained a partnership on the MSNBC.com website. Now they're in negotiations on a split. (Adweek)
Carmageddon 2 gets delayed: Unexpected utility work and a $300 million lawsuit are among the reasons for putting off a weekend shutdown of the 405. Now they're talking about August or September. From the Daily News:
The project, which will add a 10-mile northbound car-pool lane to the 405 Freeway between the Santa Monica (10) and Ventura (101) freeways is now four to six months behind schedule. "It's a very challenging project," Metro project manager Mike Barbour said. "It goes through a very difficult area . . . you have many very active groups in this area."
Mark Lacter created the LA Biz Observed blog in 2006. He posted
until the day before his death on Nov. 13, 2013.