July 15 - July 21, 2012
Friday, Jul. 20
Stocks of companies that go through one of these events will often take a beating for the first few days. But it's not likely to have a big effect on earnings.
Studio executives are meeting to consider options, reports The Wrap. Also, ads for the film are being pulled from broadcast and cable channels, reports the LAT.
These numbers should be tempered by the still-sluggish national growth rate, but still it's a good sign that the economy is slowly improving.
DirecTV and Viacom settle dispute over fees, June was a good month for California tax coffers, San Bernardino readies for layoffs, and L.A. venture capital activity picks up.
June was another encouraging month for state employment, with a gain of 38,300 payroll jobs (most of any state in the nation), and a drop in the unemployment rate to 10.7 percent
Thursday, Jul. 19
More than $6 billion is being spent on upgrades in an effort to keep shippers from moving to other facilities.
The former gossip columnist has proposed development of a low-income senior housing project in the Santa Ynez Valley.
That's over five years, but still. The compensation package includes stock, bonus and retention awards.
Rather than operate under general guidelines established by the state, these cities can set their own rules. Sometimes, that can turn out to be too much of a good thing.
San Bernardino declares fiscal emergency, prepares for bankruptcy, jobless claims back up but economists are skeptical, California car sales up sharply in second quarter, and Viacom says its battle with DirecTV is moving backwards.
Wednesday, Jul. 18
There are a number of standard-issue theaters in the area, but not premium complexes like the Landmark in West L.A. or the Arclight in Sherman Oaks and Hollywood.
Well that's unfortunate. As the cities of Stockton and San Bernardino will soon find out, the courts are really not the best place to resolve deficit problems.
Wall Street likes the Mouse House because of its theme parks, cable networks (especially ESPN), and an improving film studio.
These folks are not so much chefs as they are corporations, with revenue streams that include books, cookware, and (with the exception of Ray) restaurants.
The L.A. hotel and restaurant operator will buy an office property at 444 Park Ave. South and convert it into a 190-room boutique hotel under his SLS brand.
Cost-cutting helps B of A post profit, more San Bernardino employees are leaving, housing starts reach their highest level in nearly four years, and Cal State trustees approve pay raises.
Tuesday, Jul. 17
So far French conglomerate Vivendi, which holds a a 61 percent stake in the Santa Monica-based videogame company, isn't finding much interest among the most likely suitors, among them Microsoft and Disney.
Much of the recent coverage about crop damage is being handled by newspeople who - how shall I put this - don't know what they're talking about.
That's the year everyone is focusing on because that's the only year in which the Republican candidate hasn't released anything. Perhaps there's a good reason.
Rising health care costs, underfunded pensions, eroding revenues and expected federal budget cuts - that's the rather bleak assessment of a task force studying six states, including California.
The improving picture is the result of fewer sales of foreclosed properties in the inland areas and increased sales of mid- to high-end homes closer to the coast.
No sign of intervention by the Federal Reserve, San Bernardino declares fiscal emergency, L.A. sues US Bank over handling of foreclosed homes, and grand jury hears testimony in assessor scandal.
Monday, Jul. 16
California's giant public pension fund returned just 1 percent for the year ended June 30, which compares with a projected return of 7.5 percent. That's a huge difference.
This will be considered a coup for the search giant, which has been struggling to stay relevant amid cost-cutting and advertising struggles.
Well, that's according to the new Forbes list of the world's 50 most valuable sports franchises. In the top spot - again - is Manchester United.
The Facebook CEO, who took out a $5.95-million mortgage, is borrowing at a rate well below inflation, which means that he's essentially borrowing for free.
Solid if not spectacular results in June conform to cautious ordering by U.S. retailers (and cautious buying by consumers).
Economists less bullish in second half of 2012, other California cities may be approaching bankruptcy, Broad affirms his interest in the LAT, and Geffen snaps up NY pad.
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The funeral for Mark Lacter will be held Sunday, Nov. 24 at 12 noon at Hillside Memorial Park, 6001 W. Centinela Avenue, Los Angeles 90045. Reception to follow.
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