Business

U.S. unemployment rate dips to 4.1%, 261,000 new jobs added to payrolls

The nation’s jobless rate in October was 4.1%, down from 4.2% in September as 261,000 new positions were added to payrolls, largely offsetting last month’s decline that largely reflected the…

EIA projects energy use differences based on electric vehicle acceptance

Global sales of plug-in electric vehicles, including hybrid and battery electric vehicles, rose to 1.2 million in 2015, but only 1% of all vehicles in use worldwide are electric vehicles,…

Arkansas Energy Report: U.S. crude oil exports tops 2 billion barrels, hits all-time high

Editor’s Note: The Arkansas Energy Report is produced monthly and is sponsored by the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas, and MISO (Midcontinent Independent System Operator). Talk Business & Politics makes…

Sears to close stores in Fayetteville, Fort Smith

Sears Holdings announced Thursday (Nov. 2) plans to close another 63 Sears and Kmart stores by late January. On the chopping block are flagship stores in Central Mall of Fort…

Finalists prep for the annual ASU business plan competition

At least 26 competitors will participate in different categories during the finals of the 2017 Arkansas State University Fall Business Plan competition. Seven finalists will compete in oral presentation, 11…

J.B. Hunt exec seeks to develop relationships, be accessible to co-workers

J.B. Hunt executive Shelley Simpson earned $7.25 an hour when she started at the Lowell-based carrier after graduating from the University of Arkansas with a marketing degree in 1994. She…

USA Truck posts first positive quarter of 2017, revenue up 8.3%

Gains in revenue per mile were partially offset by rising driver costs during the third quarter, but USA Truck was able to post its first positive quarter for the year…

Banking professor, officers expect no major changes with new Fed Chair

The new boss will be the same as the old boss. That’s the consensus of bankers and industry watchers who responded to Talk Business & Politics about the nomination of…

Arkansas tax revenue up 1.4% on strength of individual income tax collections

Fiscal year-to-date (July to October) total tax collections in Arkansas reached $2.079 billion, up 1.4% compared to the same period last year. Sales tax revenue, a sign of consumer and…

Tyson family gives $1.5 million gift to Pryor Center for digitization of KATV news archives

The David and Barbara Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History has received a $1.5 million gift from Barbara A. Tyson and the Tyson Foods Foundation to fund the…

FOMC leaves federal fund rate unchanged as hurricanes disrupt economy

The Federal Open Market Committee decided to maintain the existing federal funds rate of 1% to 1.25% and believes the monetary policy is accommodative and supports improvements in the labor…

University of Arkansas only campus nationwide with UPS package locker

A UPS package locker at the University of Arkansas offers 24-hour access for package pickup and serves as a teaching tool for students and faculty in the supply chain management…

48 Cooper Clinic doctors now part of Mercy Clinic-Fort Smith

The deal is done in which the almost 100-year old Fort Smith-based Cooper Clinic will be absorbed by Mercy Clinic-Fort Smith. Terms of the deal between Cooper at the St….

Murphy USA 3Q earnings top Wall Street views despite hurricane woes

Even with Hurricane-related store closures and fuel supply woes, Murphy USA Inc.’s third quarter profits were 50% better than a year ago and easily beat Wall Street expectations, the El…

Murphy Oil 3Q losses top $66 million; ups capex to $940 million to grow deep-water oil, gas business

Murphy Oil Corp., which last month announced a strategic deal to enter Brazil’s fast-growing deep-water offshore oil and gas sector, reported Wednesday (Nov. 1) a third quarter loss as the…

Technology gaps could cost average retailer $300,000 this holiday season

A new study from retail management provider Brightpearl indicates just 58% of retailers have invested in the right technology to help handle holiday sales spikes. The study said the rest…

PRADCO buys War Eagle Custom Lures, will move operation to Fort Smith

Birmingham, Ala.-based PRADCO Outdoor Brands has acquired Rogers-based War Eagle Custom Lures and will operate the business from its fishing division in Fort Smith. Terms of the deal were not…

Wal-Mart hopes to increase store traffic with more holiday events, new inventory

Retail giant Wal-Mart Stores is betting big this holiday season and working to leverage its footprint of 4,700 stores with a growing online business. The retailer said Wednesday (Nov. 1)…

Smoke from burning farm fields may be a necessary inconvenience in the Delta

Northeast Arkansas skies are filled each fall with plumes of smoke rising from row crop fields set on fire intentionally by farmers. Motorists and residents complain about the smoke, and…

Trump nominee backs ELD mandate, P.A.M. opts for AOBRDs to comply with mandate

President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration supports the mandate requiring drivers to use electronic logging devices (ELDs) to track hours of service, and Tontitown-based…