CCAC, Energy Innovation Center respond to energy industry’s growing demand
By Katelyn FerralAn educational partnership in Pittsburgh will offer students hands-on training for careers in the energy industry and aims to make blue-collar jobs more attractive. The deal signed Wednesday between the Energy Innovation Center and Community College of Allegheny County is …
Kennametal profit, sales improve in 1Q, but forecast reduced
By John D. Oravecz 10:54 a.m.Kennametal Inc. on Thursday reported higher profit and sales in the July-September period, benefiting from its acquisition last year of the tungsten materials unit of Allegheny Technologies Inc. But the Unity-based tooling manufacturer reduced its outlook, citing weaker demand from …
Profit falls at vitamin retailer GNC Holdings in third quarter
By Alex Nixon 11:26 a.m.Profit declined 12 percent at GNC Holdings Inc. in the third quarter as sales fell, continuing a slide in financial performance at the vitamin and supplement retailer that started earlier this year. Downtown-based GNC said net income was $64.3 million, …
Apple CEO Tim Cook: ‘I’m proud to be gay’
By The Associated Press 9:32 a.m.NEW YORK — Apple CEO Tim Cook says he’s proud to be gay. The public declaration, in an essay written for Bloomberg Businessweek, makes Cook …
Highmark’s new REMWorks Sleep Store will sell sleep apnea equipment
By Alex NixonHighmark Health is diversifying its for-profit operations with a first-of-its-kind retail store focused on sleep apnea and other sleep problems. Highmark, the state’s largest health …
Hedge funds sue to block EDMC deal
By Alex NixonTwo hedge funds are suing to block a deal that would wipe out most of Education Management Corp.’s debt and make creditors the majority owners of the beleaguered operator of for-profit colleges. The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in federal court …
Range Resources reports $146M in Q3 profits on record Marcellus production
By David ContiAnother quarter of record natural gas and liquids production from Marcellus shale wells sent profit surging at Range Resources Corp., the energy company said Wednesday. Range reported net income of $146.4 million, or 86 cents a share, in the third …
Fed ends bond-buying program, keeps short-term rate near zero
By The Associated PressWASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve cited an improving economy Wednesday as it ended its landmark bond-buying program and pointed to gains in the job market …
Investors jockey for higher rates as Fed sounds note of optimism on economy
By The Associated PressNEW YORK — An optimistic statement from the Federal Reserve sent the dollar up and gold prices down Wednesday as traders prepared for rising interest rates. Major stock indexes ended with a slight loss after the Fed confirmed that it …
Consol looks to spin off some coal operations as separate firm
By David ContiConsol Energy Inc. is considering spinning off its flagship coal mining operations into a separate, publicly traded partnership as it focuses on growing its booming …
Pittsburgh area job market improves; jobless rate falls to 5.2%
By Alex NixonThe unemployment rate in Western Pennsylvania fell to the lowest level in six years last month as more people were successful in their search for work, but the small improvement suggested the job market remains lethargic. Employers added 7,400 nonfarm …
Regulatory requirements stress bank revenues
By Chris FleisherVincent Delie’s Pittsburgh roots run deep, but his vision for the area’s third-largest retail bank extends beyond the city limits. Delie, 50, of Sewickley is …
U.S. Steel reports 3Q loss of $207M on special charges
By John D. OraveczLosses from U.S. Steel Corp.’s restructuring continued despite revenue and operating results that beat analyst’s expectations. The loss was an improvement from a year ago and was helped by the company’s flat-rolled steel operation and other segments, which did their …
Wabtec profit, sales jump by double-digit rates in 3Q
By John D. OraveczWabtec Corp. said third-quarter profit and sales jumped at double-digit rates because of acquisitions and strong global spending on transportation and infrastructure projects. Net income was $90.2 million, or 93 cents a share, up 21.9 percent from $73.9 million, or …
As stimulus draws to a close, most economists label it a success
By The Associated PressNEW YORK — Soaring inflation. A collapsing dollar. Bubbles in financial markets that would soon pop. One presidential candidate even suggested that the Federal Reserve …
II-VI profit up on broad revenue gains
By Alex NixonProfit jumped 27 percent at II-VI Inc. in the third quarter on higher revenue at the Saxonburg-based optics and laser maker. The company said net income in the July-September quarter was $12.3 million, or 20 cents a share, compared with …
Business Briefs
Alpha Natural Resources selling Amfire coal mines to Rosebud
By Tribune-Review 11:21 a.m.Rosebud Mining Co. will buy nearly all of Derry Township-based Amfire Mining Co.’s coal operations in Pennsylvania for about $86 million. Amfire’s owner, Bristol, Va.-based Alpha Natural Resources, announced the sale Thursday in the larger company’s third quarter earnings report …
Business Columnists
Jack Markowitz
Is that a witch in front of the moon? Or a stock market bear? Halloween is tomorrow, and the economy …
John Browne
Evidence of global recession continues to spread. With an “official” economic growth rate of 2.5 percent, the United States is …
John Dorfman
What’s the ideal size for a stock? My favorite sweet spot is near $1 billion in market value. As I …
Chris Posti
I’d like to tell you something your boss has been trying to tell you, but either your boss is not …
Kim Komando
Hackers would love to weasel their way on to your smartphone or tablet, just like they try to do your …
Real Estate
Choosing a generator takes thought
By The Associated PressAs storms have become more severe in many parts of the country and power outages more frequent, home generators have gone mainstream. Prices have come down, thanks to growing demand and cheaper technology. But the idea of buying and installing …
Business Gallery
Business Gallery, Oct. 26, 2014
By Tribune-ReviewBANKING, FINANCE Julie Hayden was named vice president, business development team lead, First Niagara Benefits Consulting, at First Niagara Financial Group Inc. Allegheny Valley Bank …
