After two analysts upgraded Best Buy’s stock last month, two more have followed suit in March—and like the others, they credit the company’s new leadership team for what appear to be signs of a turnaround.
Banking + Finance
How a central banker’s views evolved and moved him from being a dissenter to a leading advocate of the Federal Reserve’s policy of keeping interest rates low.
The company said it is the first major bank in the country to offer such a tool to its customers; the feature eliminates the need to manually fill in certain fields when paying a bill with a mobile device.
The bed maker said that it has experienced “below-plan” sales since February 1, news that prompted shares of its stock to slide about 17 percent Monday.
A Star Tribune report, citing unnamed sources, indicated that founder Richard Schulze appears to be backing off a bid to acquire the company but is trying to regain his former position as chairman of the board.
Stream Global Services said that its purchase of U.K.-based LBM Holdings Limited, a lead generation and call center company, will enhance its own sales services; meanwhile, Stream is in the midst of hiring 350 call center employees in Eagan.
In addition, sales have been “softer than expected” so far in February, but the company believes its foray into Canada, policy of matching online competitors’ prices, and new designer lines will help business this year.
Entrepreneurs Sara and David Russick share the wealth—and wisdom—through Gopher Angels.
Private equity firms in the middle market had a generally busy 2012. And they have the money for more deals.
The Dalai Lama blessed Starkey’s philanthropic work. Is that a clue that he will make a pilgrimage to the Twin Cities most celebrity-rich summer party?
The company said it expects to close on its planned acquisition of Champion Technologies—which previously stalled amid federal antitrust concerns—in the first quarter.
An analyst report says TCF is the regional lender most likely to be sold this year, due in part to “uncertainty over CEO succession”; a TCF spokesman said, however, that the bank’s stance has long been that it would consider a reasonable offer.
Sales plunged 57.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2012, and the company reported a net loss of $6.5 million for the period; CEO Kitty Iverson, who said she was “disappointed with our weak performance,” expects a challenging first quarter but gradual improvement later in the year.
The Bloomington-based maker of filtration systems lowered its sales and earnings outlook, saying it expects continued weakness in certain markets amid continued economic uncertainty.
As Vail Resorts digest Afton Alps, the local ski business warily watches for more signs of change.
The Cossettas class it up to nice effect.
Profits grew 18 percent in the fourth quarter and 20 percent for the full year, thanks to a boost in club membership, strong sales in clubs open for at least 13 months, and a boost in sales of the company’s ancillary services.
Some of the region's leading executives make their mark in very unexpected ways.