Today's number: 32,354 - Mississippi public-school classrooms, which all had an online computer installed by Dec. 31, making the state the first to have the Internet in each of its classrooms, a spokesman for Gov. Ronnie Musgrove said.
Today's money tip:
Good news, like rising profits, might not automatically send stock prices up if that news was expected. Traders anticipating the news would have "priced in" that news already. Conversely, unexpected news can shoot a price way up or way down, depending how far it is from what traders were anticipating.
Today's mover:
Micheal W. Lander has been appointed senior vice president - senior lender at Oak Hill Banks. An adjunct professor of economics at Wright State University, Mr. Lander has more than 17 years of experience in the financial industry including management, business development, forecasting, financial analysis and strategic planning. He will have responsibility for commercial lending for the Western region and will assist all area branches with commercial lending opportunities and development of new commercial business.
Today's career tip:
In Office Spa: Stress Relief for the Working Wee, author Darrin Zeer suggests that the best time to reduce anxiety is Monday morning. He advises that a weekly planner is critical. "Your workweek will go much more smoothly if you take some time on Monday morning to write your anxieties away," he suggests. "Appointments, to-do lists, deadlines - get these out of your head and onto paper and you'll feel the stress fade away."
Today's Company: PORTION PAC INC.
ONE-SERVING SPECIALIST: This Mason-based company is the largest portion control supplier in the U.S. PPI seals more than 350 food products into pouches, cups and dry packets for distribution worldwide. The company was incorporated in 1973 and opened its Mason plant that same year. In 1979 it expanded to a new plant in Texas. Ten years later PPI was acquired by Heinz USA. With the acquisition in 1994 of Borden Foodservice, PPI established a presence in Southern California. Other plants are in Atlanta and in Jacksonville, Fla.
WORKFORCE: Of PPI's more than 1300 employees, almost 500 work at the Mason facility.
WHAT'S INSIDE: The seasonings and condiments that come in PPI's packages include salsa, jams, honey, syrup, sugar, creamer, salt and pepper and cream cheese. The company has its own line of products as well as packaging the food items for other manufacturers, such as Welch's.
LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS
Mortgage rates lowest since 1985
Forest Fair Mall boots some shops
Tri-Virsity game gets another chance
Settlement gives bounce to Hillenbrand shares
What's The Buzz?
Tristate Summary
Industry Notes: Manufacturing
Morning Memo
U.S & WORLD BUSINESS NEWS
Bush economic plan likely to draw criticism
U.S. manufacturing grows
Economic report drives markets up
Funds end year with big losses
Chavez: Oil industry recovering
Afghans give up old money
Taiwan buying engines
Business Digest