March 29, 2024

Friday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 12/22/2017

Florida consumer sentiment broke records in 2017, despite a downturn in December

Consumer sentiment in December fell both nationally and among Floridians, dropping 1.4 points in Florida. Among the five components that make up the index, one increased and four decreased. Despite pessimism in December, the entire year broke records. "Notably, the average consumer sentiment in 2017 is 4.6 points higher than last year’s average, and it’s the highest average since 2000. Overall, Floridians are far more optimistic in 2017," said Hector H. Sandoval, director of the Economic Analysis Program at UF’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research. More in the story from UF News.

Florida leads states in Obamacare enrollment for 2018

Sign-ups for Affordable Care Act plans on the federal insurance exchange at healthcare.gov were only slightly lower than last year despite consumers having fewer days to enroll this year and a dearth of marketing and other support from the Trump administration. More from the Miami Herald.

Florida residential property insurer approved to do business in Arkansas

Arkansas Insurance Commissioner Allen Kerr has granted a Certificate of Authority to a Florida insurer to begin selling residential property insurance products in Arkansas. Gainesville, Fla.-based Tower Hill Signature Insurance Co. (THS) was formed in 2006 and currently writes residential property products in Texas and Florida. More from the Insurance Journal.

Orlando leads U.S. for rent growth, report cites

Orlando’s apartment market “dethroned” Sacramento, Calif., to lead top U.S. metros with the highest year-over-year growth in rents for November, according to apartment analytics firm RealPage’s use of Axiometrics data. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Miami startup’s bold bet: ‘We are here to rescue the broadcast industry’

How does a TV station or radio station make money? Selling advertising. While traditional advertising spending is down, digital ad spending is up and the founders of Streann Media think it needs to be more engaging. More from the Miami Herald.

Health Trends
Florida among worst places for a snooze

 A study released by the popular alarm clock app Sleep Cycle shows that Florida is one of the worst places in terms of sleeping habits. The company was able to peg where users sleep the best and worst. Florida came in at No. 2 among the worst places for sleep, and Miami and Orlando were named the top two worst cities for sleep quality.

» More from Florida Today.

 

Retail
Signs, signs, everywhere a (busted) sign

florida originals Irma's impact is still part of the Southwest Florida landscape. Its remains are on display in the wind-damaged, cracked and obliterated signs, built to lure customers but now sending an entirely different message. Three months have flown by since the hurricane, and a lot of small businesses still wait for new signage

» Read more from the Fort Myers News-Press.

Tags: Daily Pulse, Afternoon Pulse

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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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