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5 Big Stories: The Week in Business

By Jeff Harrington, Times Deputy Business Editor
Published April 29, 2007

1. Dow cruises to another milestone

The Dow, up 159 points for the week, closes above 13, 000 for the first time ... and keeps going.

WHAT IT MEANS: A slew of strong earnings fuels the benchmark index's jump from 12, 000 to 13, 000 in just six months. Some bears worry that lingering economic woes over housing and debt could spoil the party.

2. Florida's tech star rises

The state ranks second among fastest-growing high-tech hubs in the nation.

WHAT IT MEANS: The rankings by technology trade association AeA give credence to the state's effort to lure more technical expertise and fewer call center operators. One sobering factoid: California has more than three times as many high-tech jobs as Florida.

3. Turning the page on a Nielsen tradition

TV ratings kingpin Nielsen Co. is ending its use of paper-based, diary surveys in the Tampa-St. Petersburg market.

WHAT IT MEANS: Bay area Nielsen homes, like those in other major metros, will convert to using electronic measuring devices called Local People Meters. The goal is to give a more accurate assessment of viewing habits.

4. Bart and Universal unite

Universal Studios Florida plans a ride centered on TV's irreverent cartoon family, the Simpsons.

WHAT IT MEANS: Universal is spending up to $30-million to retool the Back to the Future ride. With $120-million budgeted on improvements to the Orlando parks, theme park watchers are betting on a Harry Potter attraction next.

5. Chamber touts quality over quantity

Area chamber executives say half as many jobs were recruited here last year, but the average pay was 35 percent higher.

WHAT IT MEANS: That's a tradeoff recruiters will gladly make. Witness deals such as the partnership between H.Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Merck & Co.

[Last modified April 27, 2007, 21:58:50]