By Dr. Eric Fruits Econinternational The Oregonian recenty reported that Portland’s newest commuter rail project, known as WES, will be about $34 million (25 percent) over budget. The latest estimates put construction costs at $166 million. The newspaper also reports that the rail project is designed to carry 4,000 passengers […]

By Guest Opinion, A PERSONAL OBSERVATION: Three different local restaurants described their holiday losses as each totaling over $200,000 when including both the recession and the winter storm.  Owners complained of media sensationalism over winter storm warnings as unnecessarily driving away customers.  For instance, the pre-Christmas week had only one […]

BY Bill Conerly, Businomics, Conerly Consulting, The newspapers report that the chief banking regulators are urging banks to lend money.  But the front-line bank examiners, the men and women who work face to face with actual bankers, are giving different orders.  They are telling banks to build up capital and […]

1. Which company this week announced “best ever” sales for their holiday season? A) Amazon.com B) Anheuser-Busch C) Blockbuster video D) Dollar Video 2. Who won this year’s USA Today’s poll for the most admire man? A) Michael Phelps B) Barack Obama C) Pope Benedict D) Billy Graham

Good News:  The forecasted drop in consumer spending was less than anticipated due to the drop in gas prices. (US Commerce Department) Bad News: Unemployment claims at a 26 year high.

Loan Performance House Price Index State Rankings by First American CoreLogic: 1. California      -28.25% 2. Nevada          -25.43% 3. Arizona         -20.06% 4. Florida          -17.84% 5. Rhode Isld    -16.12% 6. Wyoming      -13.46% 7. Hawaii          -13.12% 8. Minnesota    -10.51% 9. Washington  -9.52% 10.Illinois         -8.40% 11.N. Hampshire -8.13% 12.Oregon         -8.02 Source: First American CoreLogic, […]

José Pinomesa, President Oregon Independent Auto Dealers Association This is exactly what the OADA-Oregon Auto Dealers Association would like to propose for the 2009 legislative year.  This has been proposed by them on behalf of new car dealers in order to reduce the cost of overhead in these slow economic […]

By Bill Conerly, Businomics, Conerly Consulting Here’s the good oil forecast:  back in the fall of 2005, I predicted oil prices going back down to $35. Here’s the bad forecast: I said it would happen by the end of 2006. Right price target, wrong time span.  So what went wrong?

1. Which NW based company beat analysts expectations with a 9% earnings boost? A) Starbucks B) Jeld-Wen C) Nike D) Reasor’s foods 2. Which Las Vegas Casino sold for a cheap $775 Million this week? A) The Mirage B) The Venetian C) The Flamingo D) Treasure Island

Wells Fargo –According to the recent Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index surveyed in November, small business owners’ optimism fell to its lowest level since the survey’s inception in 2003. The score now stands at 10, a 35-point drop since last quarter. The Index has been declining since mid-2007. “The Index […]