NEW YORK (AP) — The major stock indexes are looking at all-time highs this afternoon. Investors have been bargain hunting, buying up some stocks that have been slumping in recent weeks, including Facebook and Twitter. The Dow is up more than 100 points in afternoon trading, while the S&P 500 more than 15 points higher and the Nasdaq composite is up more than 60.
WASHINGTON (AP) — A flood of tax payments is helping keep the budget on track for the lowest annual deficit in six years. The Treasury Department says the government actually ran a surplus in April of nearly $107 billion. It’s typical for the government to run a surplus during April, with individual tax returns due and corporations making quarterly tax payments. Still, through the first seven months of the 2014 budget year, the deficit totals just over $306 billion. That’s down 37 percent from the same period last year.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Experts say the economic downturn has brought new interest in self-employment from people having a difficult time finding a decent paying job. Interest in opening a business is especially high among immigrants and refugees, who often have less access to employment opportunities because of limited English language skills, a lack of reliable transportation or a U.S. diploma. The trend also has led to significant growth in microbusiness development programs that teach skills such as business plan writing, marketing and accounting.
NEW YORK (AP) — Frozen food makers are defending their products with national TV ads. The slogan is “Frozen: How Fresh Stays Fresh.” It’s intended to address negative perceptions people have of frozen foods. The push by the American Frozen Food Institute comes amid a trend in favor of food people see as fresh or natural.
BOSTON (AP) — International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde has withdrawn as Smith College’s commencement speaker after faculty and student protests. An online petition saying Lagarde represents a corrupt system that fuels the oppression and abuse of women worldwide received hundreds of signatures at the women’s college in Northampton, Massachusetts. Smith College says Lagarde withdrew because she did not want to distract from a joyous occasion.
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