PRICE INDEX, PRODUCTION RISE: Consumer prices rose by a modest 0.3 percent in September for the second month in a row, according to the Labor Department's latest reading on the Consumer Price Index, mostly reflecting higher gasoline prices that put a dent in motorists' wallets. Separately, the Federal Reserve reported that industrial production rose a solid 0.4 percent in September, a turnaround from the disappointing 0.1 percent dip in October. At factories, output jumped 0.7 percent.
UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS FALL: New claims for unemployment insurance dropped for the second week in a row, the Labor Department reported, offering a hopeful sign that the pace of layoffs is slowing. For the work week ending Oct. 11, new applications for jobless benefits dipped by a seasonally adjusted 4,000 to 384,000, the lowest level since early February. The week before claims fell by 17,000.
BLUECROSS OFFERS BUYOUTS: BlueCross BlueShield of Florida said it is offering a voluntary severance program for up to 360 professional staffers in an effort to trim up to $18-million in costs. The Jacksonville insurer is offering two weeks' severance for every year worked, plus other enticements. Managers get an additional six weeks' severance. BlueCross spokesman Rick Curran said no plans exist to make the layoffs mandatory if employees fail to volunteer for severance. BlueCross has 152 employees in Tampa eligible for the package.
CATALINA KEEPS WALGREENS: Walgreens, the nation's largest drugstore chain, has extended its contract through 2007 with Catalina Marketing Corp. of St. Petersburg. Walgreens will continue distributing Catalina's Health Resource newsletters at its more than 4,000 drugstores. Health Resources is wired into about a third of the nation's drugstores that fill more than half the industry's prescriptions.
AEROSONIC'S PLAN OKAYED: Aerosonic Corp., a Clearwater company whose stock has not been traded since the American Stock Exchange threatened delisting Sept. 25, said the exchange has agreed to a plan to reinstate trading. Part of the deal requires Aerosonic to file by Nov. 15 financial reports for fiscal 2003, two subsequent quarters and any other reports required by the SEC.
SCRUSHY TAKES FIFTH: Former employees of HealthSouth portrayed intimidating bosses and fearful workers Thursday and countered ex-chairman Richard Scrushy's assertion that he was unaware of financial manipulations at the medical services company now engulfed in a $2.5-billion accounting scandal. At a congressional hearing, Scrushy invoked his constitutional privilege against self incrimination and refused to answer questions. Scrushy and the company have been sued for fraud by the Securities and Exchange Commission. He has yet to face a criminal charge, but his lawyers say they expect him to be indicted.
