U.S. for first time in 50+ years a net gasoline exporter
The U.S. is growing exporter of petroleum products with ramifications for the economy and fuel prices
Sprint Nextel sues to stop Dish Network’s bid for Clearwire shares
Leawood investment firm acquires specialty baker Labriola
Prairie Village engineering firm names new chief executive
Sprint lags again in wireless network speed test
The art of revising the GDP
All play and no work makes downtown a dull boy, too
Stocks
Star 40
Cerner tops Star 40; others in economic ‘sweet spots’ also doing well
It was a safe bet that Cerner Corp. would once again lead the The Star’s rankings as the region’s top-performing public company. Cerner, the nation’s second-largest company that helps hospitals and doctors’ offices convert paper files into computerized medical records, is in a sweet spot. Other top-ranked companies here do business in areas that have an edge: energy, rail transit and online government services.
Star 40: Wealth soared in 2012 for KC companies' executives
The already-hefty pay packages of many public-company executives bulged last year, thanks to higher values of their company stocks. Million-dollar base salaries – as paid to Cerner Corp. CEO Neal Patterson (pictured) and Waddell & Reed Financial CEO Hank Herrmann – are only the beginning. For most of the bigger-company CEOs, stock awards, options and “non-equity incentive” compensation dwarf their base pay.
Cityscape
Co-founder of two Frida’s restaurants in Overland Park to open new concept in Gladstone
Ivan Marquez has built a strong following with two Overland Park restaurants, one full-service, the other fast-casual. Now he’s expanding with a third concept. But this one is on the other side of the metro, in Gladstone.
Which Wich Superior Sandwiches has a bewitching array of choices
The chain — known for its specialty and customizable sandwiches — is now open in Westport.
Technology
Sprint Nextel sues to stop Dish Network’s bid for Clearwire shares
The lawsuit filed in Delaware says Dish Network Corp.’s bid violates Sprint Nextel Corp.’s rights as a Clearwire shareholder and its rights under business agreements with Clearwire, which is the Overland Park-based company’s wireless network partner.
Prairie Village engineering firm names new chief executive
John Robinson joins NOWA Technologies after spending 30 years as a civil and environmental engineer for Black & Veatch. Most recently, Robinson ran his own consulting and investment business.
Development
All play and no work makes downtown a dull boy, too
Census data showing that downtown Kansas City lost 19.6 percent of its private employers over the past decade is not a good sign for the future.
While housing and entertainment have boomed, office space in downtown KC sits empty
The mantra behind the multibillion dollar makeover of downtown Kansas City the past decade was to make it a better place to work, live and play. With the addition of expensive amenities, more people have indeed come to live and play downtown. But when it comes to work, businesses remain unimpressed.
Talking Business
The art of revising the GDP
The Bureau of Economic Analysis will begin recognize spending on research and development. And, take another deep breath, it will begin counting investment in the creation of entertainment, literary and other artistic originals.
Bull market looks to have further to run
The bulls have been feeding on a host of good economic news and are licking their chops for more. Still, given the last five lousy years, many of us are watching the battered bears up in those trees, wondering whether they’re going to climb down soon and eat the market rally for lunch.
National, International Business news
Chrysler expected to formally refuse Jeep recall
In one of the biggest-ever showdowns between an automaker and the government, Chrysler on Tuesday is expected to file papers explaining its refusal to recall 2.7 million older Jeep SUVs that are at risk of catching fire in rear-end collisions.
Chrysler expected to formally refuse Jeep recall
Chrysler is expected to file papers Tuesday explaining its refusal to recall 2.7 million older Jeep SUVs.
