March 29, 2024

Thursday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 9/24/2015

Wall Street joins global stocks slide

Stocks around the world fell for a fifth day on Thursday, sliding toward two-year lows, as worries lingered over global growth and as the scandal over Volkswagen's emissions test-cheating rattled Europe's carmakers. Full story from Reuters, here. Also see more at MarketWatch.

Related:
» Applications for US jobless aid tick up to still-low 267,000
» Orders for US durable goods fall 2% in August
» New-home sales extend surge in August

Ghost of recession may haunt Halloween spending

Shoppers may be spooked about spending this Halloween season. At least, that's what initial projections from the National Retail Federation indicate. Consumer spending is one of the few areas that has not fully rebounded from the Great Recession. More at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Convergys to hire 400 in Jacksonville

Convergys will hold a job fair next week where it hopes to fill at least 400 positions. The company handles customer management for other companies on a contract basis. More at the Florida Times-Union.

Expedia plans Central Florida development

Expedia, one of the world's largest online travel booking sites, is looking to expand its presence in Central Florida. Under a new development plan, six new Expedia CruiseShipCenters will open in Orlando and Kissimmee in the next three years. More at the Orlando Sentinel.

A local dud, Tropical Storm Erika still put damper on tourism

Tropical Storm Erika might have washed out before getting as far as South Florida last month, but it still took a toll on tourism. According to data from travel research firm STR, Miami-Dade and the Florida Keys both saw year-over-year hotel occupancy fall in August. More at the Miami Herald.

Event
Hispanic Unity of Florida Entrepreneur Summit 2015

entrepreneur summit Returning for its fourth year, the Hispanic Unity of Florida’s 2015 Entrepreneur Summit will be held on Oct. 8 at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale. Expected to draw more than 400 people, the Summit will provide emerging entrepreneurs and established business owners with access to seasoned experts and educational resources to help them grow their business.

» Read more here.

Around the State
Putting the Squeeze on Renters

around the state First-time home buyers and boomerang buyers — residents who defaulted on earlier loans — are boosting the market across northwest Florida. High home sales prices are putting a squeeze on renters as more homes are sold rather than rented.

» Access full story.

Tags: Daily Pulse, Afternoon Pulse

In case you missed it:

Florida Trend Video Pick

Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices
Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices

Central Floirda chocolate shops are left with a bitter taste as cocoa prices hit an all-time high earlier this week.

Video Picks | Viewpoints@FloridaTrend

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