Finance

Some upbeat business stories on April 10, 2009: Stocks were up for the fifth consecutive week; President Obama sees positive signs in the nation’s economy, as do economists, who project the recovery to begin in September.

Among today’s positive business and financial stories: bank Wells Fargo forecasts $3 billion in profits for Q1 2009, the Fed reports that Americans are cutting down on their revolving debt, new unemployment claims were down last week and the trade deficit narrowed to November 1999 levels.

Among today’s positive news headlines: Bed, Bath & Beyond and Ruby Tuesday shares boosted by better-than-expected numbers, financial master’s grads stand to benefit from current economic conditions and a financial company CEO points out the good news inherent in negative headlines.

Among today’s positive financial news headlines: one index shows a rise in consumer confidence; New York’s Madison Avenue gains new retail life; and AmEx’s stock gets upgraded from “sell” to “hold.”

Among today’s uplifting business and financial headlines: Sallie Mae plans to establish 2,000 new jobs across America; hiring departments are looking to hire talented applicants in advance of demand and a New Jersey insurance CEO pays each of his 400-plus employees $1,000.

Networking is the best way to get jobs during flush times; it’s still an essential during the recession, although you may need to tweak your methods and your attitude a bit. FindingDulcinea tells you how to establish useful job-seeking connections with your friends, acquaintances and colleagues.

The numbers indicate that this recession is nowhere nearly as dire as the 1930s, argues a Federal Reserve researcher. Topshop’s U.S. opening shows people are still excited about buying clothes and China’s manufacturing output is up for the first time in six months.

Maybe your three-year-old is wondering why Mommy or Daddy is home so much now. Or your recently tightened budget has forced you to ask your fourth grader to decide between summer camp and picking up a new musical instrument. Here are some ideas on how to put the recession in terms children can understand and in the process, make the whole family feel empowered.

By a one-vote margin, the Senate Banking Committee approved legislation that would curb some fee and interest hikes by credit card companies, and simplify gift card use.

Rebounds on the financial markets, both today and over the past month, capture the spotlight today. Also, a solar company shows strong numbers, suggesting opportunities in green energy.

Traders and consumers ended March on a positive note, with the Dow showing a sharp uptick to close out the quarter and the Consumer Confidence Index up slightly. And, in a testament to the resiliency of retail, fashion house Armani is still flourishing.

Americans are in the mood for love, as evidenced by recent strong sales in romance novels, online dating sites and chocolate.

Sure, we’re all cutting back, but there are some things we just can’t give up. We highlighted five things still worth spending money on: Readers responded with their own non-negotiables. Tell us yours by answering the question within the article below.

Positive indicators that wrap up the week: American consumers slightly increased their spending in February and market observers see potential in Best Buy and Buffalo Wild Wings.

Among today’s positive financial and economic indicators: the housewares sector looks to build upon the home-entertainment trend; Andersen Windows hires back laid-off employees to keep up with demand; and the Nasdaq closed up on 2008 for the first time this year.

As Wall Street gets billions in bailout money, people struggling to pay off student loans are wondering where their bailout is.

TiVo stocks performed well Wednesday on the back of its business partnership with Blockbuster. Commerce Dept. data show improvement in two benchmarks: durable goods orders and new home sales.

Figures from the Federal Housing Finance Agency show home prices recovering during January. Discount chain Dollar General is booming during the recession and a Chicago economist says the financial media is being needlessly negative.

Sales of previously owned homes were up last month. Other rebounders include fourth-quarter profits at luxe jewelry brand Tiffany and stocks at e-commerce sites, cell phone companies and coffeehouses.

If the recession is causing you to feel increasingly depressed, you’re not alone; nor are you alone in seeking help. There are numerous ways to cope when your mood plummets alongside the economy, no matter how mild or severe your condition.

The SEC suggests that sales of Lehman Brothers stock that failed to deliver constitute naked short selling; others are skeptical.

Fashion retail, both high-end and budget-conscious, has shown positive developments in terms of expansion and first-quarter profit expectations. GM also said that current economic conditions have forced the company to up its efficiency.

Online and in-person support groups for people saddled with credit card debt are increasing in number and popularity due to the hardships of the recession.

To keep up spirits among remaining employees—and to keep them from leaving, some U.S. companies are offering low-cost fringe benefits. Green energy and agriculture are also showing some positive indicators.

As Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev and President Obama prepare to meet at the G20 economic summit, some ponder this new chapter of U.S.-Russia relations.

You’re immensely relieved that you survived the layoffs. Or at least, you should be. But after coworkers are let go, many who remain on staff experience feelings of guilt and anxiety. Hard as times are, there are ways that management and employees alike can keep a positive outlook and maintain a productive workflow.

If Darden Restaurants’ third-quarter earnings are any indication, Americans are still dining out—that is, when they’re not taking advantage of low mortgage rates and tax credits provided by the stimulus package. U.S. fiscal policy is also helping to boost job prospects for political analysts.

Macau and Hong Kong, joined by an hour-long ferry ride and similar colonial histories, now have a disconnect: Macau is preventing Hong Kong residents from visiting.

A Time magazine financial writer points out that today’s unemployment trends are nowhere as grim as those seen in the 1930s. Stimulus money, both at home and in China, are already helping to spur infrastructure spending.

German Minister of Finance Peer Steinbrueck is pressing for Switzerland to more decisively open its banking sector to scrutiny.