Today's Number: 1.6 - Percentage rise in semiconductor sales in November, to $10.6 billion from $10.44 billion in October, the second consecutive month that month-to-month sales improved, the Semiconductor Industry Association said.

        Today's Mover: Rita A. Roeper has been named director, data management services, at Western & Southern Financial Group. Ms. Roeper will lead information services' strategy and implementation of data and transaction security, privacy regulations, disaster recovery, imaging, work flow and document archiving.

        Today's Career Talk: Bad attitudes are viruses and are the result of choice, according to Stephen C. Lundin, Harry Paul and John Christensen in Fish: a Remarkable Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results. “We can bring our best qualities to our work — it is our choice,” the authors concluded in their book about the Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle. “By accepting that you choose your attitude, you demonstrate a level of personal accountability and proactivity, which will fill the (work) floor with energy, all by itself.”

        Today's Money Tip: If you just sold a loser stock to claim the loss on your 2001 taxes, be sure you don't buy back the stock within the next days, or you'll run afoul of the IRS wash-sale rule. You may claim the loss only if you don't buy the same investment within 30 days before or after the sale. That means there is a 61-day period, including weekends, holidays and the day of sale, during which you may not buy the stock.

        Today's Company: CAS-KER CO.

        TIMELY ENTERPRISE: Founded in 1927 as the American and Swiss Watch and Supply Co., Cas-Ker is a full-line service distributor to professional jewelers and watchmakers. The company's name was changed to Cas-Ker in 1937.

        KEEPS ON TICKING: From its new headquarters in Springfield Township, the company sells to professionals and individuals throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Cas-Ker is operated by the Cassedy brothers, third-generation owners.

        SPECIALIZED SUPPLIES: The Cas-Ker catalog contains products such as books and videos on watches and watch repair, sophisticated repair equipment, pocket watches and home-jewelry spas.

        Send tips and questions to Bill Ferguson at bferguson@enquirer.com

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