Energy companies led U.S. stock indexes slightly lower Monday as the price of crude oil fell.
Real estate, phone companies and other high-dividend stocks did better than the rest of the market as bond yields headed lower, making those sectors more appealing to investors seeking income.
46. Energy companies and banks led rally on S&P 500 in 2016 - Friday, December 30, 2016
NEW YORK (AP) — In 2016, the Standard & Poor's 500 index jumped 9.5 percent and bounced back from a flat result the year before, and energy companies and banks made some of the largest gains as investors bet on a stronger economy that will lead to more lending and spending. Health care companies slumped as drug prices came under intense scrutiny.
47. Asian stocks lower in light trading after Christmas - Friday, December 23, 2016
BEIJING (AP) — Stock markets in Japan and China declined Monday in light trading after Christmas with most other Asian markets closed.
KEEPING SCORE: The Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.8 percent to 3,085.82 and Tokyo's Nikkei 225 shed 0.1 percent to 19,416.03. Seoul's Kospi gained 0.1 percent to 2,037 and India's Sensex retreated 0.8 percent to 25,826.83. Taiwan declined while Thailand advanced. Markets in Hong Kong, Australia, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia were closed.
48. Stocks close higher, helped by health care companies - Friday, November 25, 2016
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks closed slightly higher on Tuesday, boosted by health-care companies like UnitedHealth Group, which helped outweigh steep declines in energy companies.
Tiffany jumped after it reported better quarterly results than analysts expected.
49. Q&A: New sign-up season; new woes for Obama health law - Friday, October 21, 2016
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is leaving the White House in a few months, but the troubles of his namesake health care law continue to make headlines. With premiums rising by double digits and many consumers scrambling to replace coverage because their insurer bailed out, the 2017 sign-up season that starts Nov. 1 looks challenging.
50. UnitedHealth raises 2016 forecast, again - Friday, October 14, 2016
UnitedHealth Group has hiked its 2016 earnings forecast again after its profit swelled 23 percent to nearly $2 billion in the third quarter, helped by gains both in and outside its core insurance business.
51. Report says Obama administration failed to follow health law - Friday, September 30, 2016
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration failed to follow the president's health care law in a $5 billion dispute over compensating insurers for high costs from seriously ill patients, Congress' investigative arm said Thursday.
52. Insurer Aetna slashes ACA exchange participation to 4 states - Friday, August 12, 2016
Aetna has become the latest health insurer to retreat from the Affordable Care Act's public exchanges by announcing a pullback that will further deplete customer choices in many pockets of the country.
53. Health insurer Aetna backs off ACA expansion plans - Friday, July 29, 2016
Aetna became the latest health insurer to cast doubt upon its future in the Affordable Care Act's insurance exchanges after it called off a planned expansion Tuesday and suggested it could abandon that market completely.
54. Feds say health mergers would increase costs, threaten care - Friday, July 22, 2016
WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) — The U.S. government is suing to stop two major health insurance mergers, a move regulators say is needed to protect Americans from potential cost hikes and lower quality care.
55. Tennessee joins federal lawsuit to block health care merger - Friday, July 22, 2016
NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee is joining a federal lawsuit to stop the merger of major health insurance companies.
State Attorney General Herbert Slatery says in a release Thursday that the move by Blue Cross-Blue Shield insurer Anthem to acquire Cigna would reduce competition in Tennessee and could affect benefits, premiums and care.
56. Feds sue stop health insurer combos, see threat to consumer - Friday, July 15, 2016
Federal regulators are suing to stop two major health insurance mergers because they say the deals will increase health care costs for Americans and lower the quality of care they get.
The Department of Justice said Thursday that the combinations of Aetna and Humana and Anthem and Cigna would hurt competition that restrains the price of coverage and lead to reduced benefits, among other drawbacks.
57. Significant premium hikes expected under Obama health law - Friday, April 29, 2016
WASHINGTON (AP) — Insurers will seek significant premium hikes under President Barack Obama's health care law this summer - stiff medicine for consumers and voters ahead of the national political conventions.
58. Insurer Aetna lays out concerns about ACA exchange business - Friday, January 29, 2016
Aetna has joined other major health insurers in sounding a warning about the Affordable Care Act's public insurance exchanges.
The nation's third-largest insurer said Monday that it has been struggling with customers who sign up for coverage outside the ACA's annual enrollment window and then use a lot of care. This dumps claims on the insurer without providing enough premium revenue to counter those costs.
59. US stocks edge mostly lower as energy prices plunge again - Friday, January 29, 2016
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are closing mostly lower after another steep drop in oil and natural gas prices pulled energy companies down.
Prices for crude oil and natural gas each slumped about 6 percent Monday, the latest blow to the beleaguered energy sector.
60. General Electric to move headquarters to Boston - Friday, January 8, 2016
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — General Electric, one of the best known companies in corporate America, is moving its headquarters from suburban Connecticut to Boston, the company announced Wednesday.
61. Stocks rebound after early slide; tech stocks lead gains - Friday, January 8, 2016
A volatile day on Wall Street ended in upbeat fashion Tuesday as a late-afternoon rally led by technology stocks pushed the market to a modest gain.
The turnaround helped snap an eight-day trading slump for the Nasdaq composite, which is heavily weighted with technology stocks.
62. How to spend $5 trillion: A record-breaking year in deals - Friday, December 25, 2015
NEW YORK (AP) — Companies around the world spent a record $5.04 trillion on acquisitions in 2015, according to Dealogic, as slow worldwide economic growth and low interest rates pushed companies to combine forces.
63. Belmont’s Littlejohn named Professor of the Year - Friday, November 27, 2015
Belmont’s Ronnie Littlejohn, professor of philosophy and director of the University’s Asian Studies program, has been named as the 2015 Tennessee Professor of the Year, an award selection determined by The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).
64. Insurers reassure investors about ACA exchange business - Friday, November 20, 2015
Health insurers rallied Friday to ease investor and customer concerns about the Affordable Care Act's public insurance exchanges a day after the nation's biggest insurer questioned its future in that still-developing market.
65. Questions and answers about UnitedHealth's exchange troubles - Friday, November 20, 2015
UnitedHealth Group said Thursday that it is pulling back from its push into the Affordable Care Act's public insurance exchanges only a month after touting future growth prospects for that business.
66. UnitedHealth cuts outlook, casts doubt on overhaul exchanges - Friday, November 20, 2015
The nation's largest health insurer is questioning its future in public insurance exchanges, the latest signal of major concerns about the online marketplaces that have helped the Affordable Care Act extend coverage to millions of people.
67. UnitedHealth ties to public insurance exchanges uncertain - Friday, November 13, 2015
UnitedHealth chopped its 2015 earnings forecast and the nation's largest health insurer has begun to question its future in public insurance exchanges, a key component in the nation's health care overhaul.
68. Gary, Hart to lead new consulting group - Friday, November 13, 2015
Two health care veterans and international law firm Dickinson Wright PLLC are launching a new corporate health care venture to be based in Nashville, DW Franklin Consulting Group, LLC. The firms will work together to provide solutions spanning both legal and business consulting services.
69. Big insurers remain upbeat on fledgling ACA exchanges - Friday, October 30, 2015
Slipping enrollment and struggling competitors have done little to shake the faith that the nation's biggest health insurers have placed in the Affordable Care Act's public insurance exchanges.
Aetna executives said Thursday that the exchanges, a key element in the overhaul's push to cover millions of uninsured people, remain a good market, even though the insurer's enrollment in them fell 11 percent to about 814,000 people in the third quarter. Leaders of the Blue Cross-Blue Shield insurer Anthem have voiced a similar sentiment, and UnitedHealth said earlier this month that it will expand into 11 more exchanges next year.
70. Clinton questions plans for health insurers to merge - Friday, October 16, 2015
WASHINGTON (AP) — Hillary Rodham Clinton warned Wednesday that two major health insurers preparing multibillion dollar acquisitions could tip "the balance of power" too far away from consumers.
The Democratic presidential candidate said in a statement she had "serious concerns" with the proposed acquisition of Cigna by Blue Cross-Blue Shield insurer Anthem, and plans by Aetna to acquire Medicare Advantage coverage provider Humana.
71. UnitedHealth again looks to fast-growing businesses in 3Q - Friday, October 9, 2015
UnitedHealth Group's third-quarter profit slipped, but the nation's largest health insurer still beat Wall Street expectations due partly to fast growth in pharmacy benefits management and other areas outside its core business.
72. CEOs of Aetna, Anthem make case for health insurance mergers - Friday, September 18, 2015
WASHINGTON (AP) — Leaders of two major health insurers planning multibillion dollar acquisitions made their case to Congress that bigger can mean better in their industry, but concerns are being raised in Washington about how these deals will affect consumers and competition.
73. Mega-health deals bloom in July, Anthem bids $48B for Cigna - Friday, July 24, 2015
NEW YORK (AP) — Anthem is buying rival Cigna for $48 billion in a deal that would create the nation's largest health insurer by enrollment, covering about 53 million U.S patients.
In just three weeks, starting with Aetna's $35 billion bid for Humana Inc. on July 3, the landscape of U.S. health care has been altered in a buyout frenzy that could transform five massive U.S. health companies into just three, including UnitedHealth Group.
74. US stocks slip amid global sell-off after Greek 'no' vote - Friday, July 3, 2015
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks in the U.S. fell broadly following drops in overseas markets as Greeks voted to reject creditor conditions for more loans, but the losses weren't as steep as many had feared.
75. Centene plans $6.3B acquisition of fellow insurer Health Net - Friday, June 26, 2015
Medicaid coverage provider Centene will pay about $6.3 billion to buy fellow insurer Health Net, as managed-care companies look to bulk up while adjusting to the federal health care overhaul.
The deal announced Thursday morning gives St. Lous-based Centene a chance to grow in two hot areas for health insurers, the state- and federally funded Medicaid program for the poor and people with disabilities, and the federally funded Medicare Advantage program, which has seen its overall enrollment triple over the past decade.
76. Uniguest names Morgan chief executive officer - Friday, July 3, 2015
Uniguest, a provider of secure managed technology services, has announced the appointment of Joseph P. Morgan, Jr. as chief executive officer, effective July 6, 2015.
Morgan had served as president and chief executive officer of The Standard Register Company, a publicly traded company with revenues approaching $1 billion, since January 2009. At The Standard Register Company, he was responsible for the transformation of the printing giant to an integrated communications company leveraging both technology and innovation to develop a market-focused strategy. Morgan also served on the Board of Directors and held a number of community and charitable leadership positions during his tenure with the company.
77. HCA, other hospital stocks leap after Supreme Court backs overhaul - Friday, June 26, 2015
Investors in hospital stocks rejoiced Thursday after the Supreme Court upheld a key portion of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul and eliminated the prospect of a sudden influx of uninsured patients seeking care.
78. Hospital stocks leap after Supreme Court backs overhaul - Friday, June 19, 2015
Investors in hospital stocks rejoiced Thursday after the Supreme Court upheld a key portion of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul and eliminated the prospect of a sudden influx of uninsured patients seeking care.
79. Focus on talk of company deals sends US stock indexes higher - Friday, June 12, 2015
Signs of more corporate dealmaking sent U.S. stocks higher on Tuesday, allowing investors to take their mind off Greece's debt troubles.
Investors were also looking ahead to Wednesday's economic and interest rate policy update from the Federal Reserve. They'll be looking for hints as to when the central bank will begin raising its key interest rate after holding it close to zero for more than six years.
80. Genetic testing moves into world of employee health - Friday, April 24, 2015
Your employer may one day help determine if your genes are why your jeans have become too snug.
Big companies are considering blending genetic testing with coaching on nutrition and exercise to help workers lose weight and improve their health before serious conditions like diabetes or heart disease develop. It's a step beyond the typical corporate wellness programs that many companies are using to make workers more aware of their risk factors and improve their health.
81. Stocks end mostly higher as company earnings reports pour in - Friday, April 24, 2015
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks posted modest gains Tuesday as investors worked through another large batch of earnings reports.
Pharmaceutical stocks rose after drug giant Merck reported better-than-expected results. Twitter plunged nearly 20 percent after its results, which were released early, missed analysts' marks.
82. Why businesses are speaking out on religious-objections laws - Friday, March 27, 2015
NEW YORK (AP) — A bevy of big-name businesses including Apple, Gap and Levi Strauss are publicly speaking out against religious-objections legislation in states such as Indiana and Arkansas.
The world's largest retailer and America's largest private employer, Wal-Mart Stores Inc., waded into the debate Tuesday when its CEO urged Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson to veto a bill in Arkansas that critics said would open the door to discrimination against gays and lesbians. On Wednesday Hutchinson called for changes to the bill.
83. US economic growth in Q4 revised down to 2.2 percent - Friday, February 27, 2015
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy slowed more sharply in the final three months of the year than initial estimates, reflecting weaker business stockpiling and a bigger trade deficit.
The Commerce Department said Friday that the economy as measured by the gross domestic product grew at an annual rate of 2.2 percent in the October-December quarter, weaker than the 2.6 percent first estimated last month. It marked a major slowdown from the third quarter, which had been the strongest growth in 11 years.
84. Applications for US jobless aid rise to 313,000 - Friday, February 20, 2015
WASHINGTON (AP) — More Americans sought unemployment aid last week, though the number of applications was still consistent with steady hiring.
The Labor Department said Thursday that weekly applications rose 31,000 to a seasonally adjusted 313,000, the most in six weeks. The four-week average, a less volatile measure, increased 11,500 to 294,500.
85. A more robust US job market adds 257K positions as pay jumps - Friday, February 6, 2015
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. employers added a vigorous 257,000 jobs in January, and wages jumped by the most in six years — evidence that the job market is accelerating closer to full health.
86. UnitedHealth earnings rise 6 pct, top Wall St. expectations - Friday, January 16, 2015
UnitedHealth topped Wall Street expectations for the fourth quarter, and the nation's largest health insurer brought an optimistic vibe for the new year as it detailed final results from 2014.
The Minneapolis-based insurer said Wednesday that it expects stronger enrollment growth from Medicare Advantage plans, a key product that had been pinched by funding cuts in recent years. It also has already gained more than 400,000 customers through its expanded presence on the health care overhaul's public insurance exchanges, and operating earnings from its Optum segment, which runs several businesses outside health insurance, climbed more than 50 percent.
87. Help wanted: US job openings at 14-year high - Friday, January 9, 2015
WASHINGTON (AP) â?? The rapid hiring that made 2014 a stellar year for job gains is showing no sign of slowing down.
U.S. employers advertised the most job openings in nearly 14 years in November, the Labor Department said Tuesday. That suggests businesses are determined to keep adding staff because they are confident strong economic growth will create more demand for their goods and services.
88. Health care overhaul doubts ease for insurers - Friday, October 24, 2014
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — What a difference a year makes. The nation's biggest health insurers entered last fall cautious about a major coverage expansion initiated by the health care overhaul, the federal law that aims to cover millions of uninsured people.
89. Wal-Mart plans 1-stop health coverage shopping - Friday, October 3, 2014
NEW YORK (AP) — Wal-Mart is taking one-stop shopping to another area: health insurance.
The world's largest retailer plans to work with DirectHealth.com, an online health insurance comparison site and agency, to allow shoppers to compare coverage options and enroll in Medicare plans or the public exchange plans created under the Affordable Care Act.
90. Health insurers: Payment rates above 80 percent - Friday, May 2, 2014
WASHINGTON (AP) — Top health insurance companies told members of Congress Wednesday that more than 80 percent of people who've signed up under the president's new health care law have gone on to pay their premiums — a necessary step for the enrollment figures touted by the Obama administration to hold up.
91. WellPoint helps investors breathe easy on overhaul - Friday, April 25, 2014
Investors pushed WellPoint shares closer to their all-time high price on Wednesday after the company raised its 2014 forecast again and became the latest health insurer to ease some worry about a key health care overhaul coverage expansion.
92. Stocks drift after Google, IBM earnings disappoint - Friday, April 11, 2014
Major U.S. stock indexes drifted between gains and losses in morning trading Thursday amid a crop of disappointing corporate earnings. Google, IBM and insurers UnitedHealth and WellPoint were among the big market decliners.
93. Aetna's 4Q profit jumps 94 pct, misses forecasts - Friday, January 31, 2014
Aetna Inc.'s fourth-quarter profit nearly doubled, thanks in part to a $6.9 billion acquisition, but the nation's third largest health insurer missed Wall Street's earnings expectations.
The Hartford, Conn., company also reaffirmed a 2014 forecast for earnings that could fall below analyst predictions. Its shares were little changed in premarket trading Thursday.
94. Some find health insurers have no record of them - Friday, January 10, 2014
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Record-keeping snags could complicate the start of insurance coverage this month as millions of people begin using policies they purchased under President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.
95. Some find health insurers have no record of them - Friday, January 3, 2014
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Record-keeping snags could complicate the start of insurance coverage this month as millions of people begin using policies they purchased under President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.
96. Middle Tennessee auto parts supplier Calsonic Kansei offers a blueprint for worker wellness, cost containment - Friday, January 3, 2014
With health care dominating the national conversation in 2013, it would be easy to view cost reform as a top-down proposition mandated by the federal government and forced on a reluctant market.
But in Middle Tennessee, companies were working on bending the cost curve long before Obamacare grabbed headlines.
97. Overhaul website problems may trigger price hikes - Friday, December 20, 2013
Problems with the government's main health care overhaul website carry a bigger risk than frequent crashes: Higher prices could follow for many Americans if technical troubles scare off young people.
98. Tech tools could transform health-care pricing - Friday, November 29, 2013
As retailers shift marketing budgets from paper to digital, more consumers are getting coupons and discounts on their computers and mobile devices.
It’s increasingly common for shoppers to redeem a deal by scanning their cell phone at the cash register or clicking on an email to take advantage of a flash sale on airline tickets.
99. Questions and answers on changing health care law - Friday, November 15, 2013
WASHINGTON (AP) — Just when you thought you had the president's health care law figured out, it's changing.
Some questions and answers about what's afoot and who's affected:
Q: What's the nub of the change, and why is President Barack Obama changing course at this late date?
100. Health insurer Aetna's 2Q profit rises 17 percent - Friday, July 26, 2013
Aetna Inc.'s second-quarter earnings jumped 17 percent, and the health insurer raised its 2013 forecast as it reaped revenue and enrollment gains from its acquisition of fellow insurer Coventry Health Care.