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By Kristina Peterson

NEW YORK—U.S. stocks skidded as weak economic data overshadowed excitement over the resurgence in deal activity.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 158 points, on pace to snap a two-day winning streak. The major benchmark indexes are now in the red for the week, month and year.

An unexpected surge in jobless claims startled investors, eclipsing Intel’s announcement that it will acquire McAfee.

Just the “optics” of seeing jobless claims rise to 500,000 left investors downbeat. “You’ve got what we think is a persistent unemployment rate that is unlikely to come down under 9% even next year,” said Brad Thompson, managing director of Frost Investment Advisors. Looming labor market and other economic concerns have taken attention away from individual stocks, which are now trading closely together, he said. “

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Tags: Weak, Weak Economy

Although it is does not have the population centers and metropolitan cities of other more prominent states, the rather rural and down-to-earth state of Vermont often leads the way when it comes to progressive legislation. The state has done again, by recently passing new laws that will make it easier for merchants that accept credit cards to give their customers discounts for not using those cards. That may seem rather contradictory or self-defeating, because retailers usually love for you to ring up sales – using a credit card or whatever form of payment you choose. But the idea behind this law is that merchants can now give customers who use cash or other ways of paying that cost the retailers and store owners less. They can also set minimum amounts for credit card purchases. < Read more…

Tags: Vermont

It is generally a smart idea for small businesses to have a credit card account. Many business owners make the mistake of using a personal credit card for their business needs, which can spell disaster to their personal finances, if the business fails. By using a card specifically opened to handle business expenses, personal finances will be protected. The two most obvious reasons why a small business may want to consider a business credit card are the ability to conveniently make large purchases and to effectively manage and oversee expenses. In addition, the reward incentives that are offered with most business cards are sweeter than those offered by personal credit cards.

Here are some things to consider when choosing a a business credit card:

Business Credit History Reporting
Business owners should make sure that the card they choose reports account activity to a business credit agency, like Dunn & Bradstreet or Experian Business Bureau, and not a personal credit bureau.

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Tags: Business, Credit Card