Starbucks to roll out ‘pay ahead’ option in 2015
Starbucks says it will start letting customers across the country place orders ahead of time on their smartphones by next year.
Chicago lands big Microsoft conference
Ignite is expected to attract 20,000 of the tech giant’s customers and potential customers.
iPad Air 2, Apple Pay, new Macs debut
Apple unveiled a thinner iPad Thursday with a faster processor and a better camera as it tries to drive excitement for tablets amid slowing demand.
AbbVie sours on $55B Shire deal after tax changes
AbbVie’s board is telling shareholders vote against its own $55 billion takeover bid for drugmaker Shire after U.S. tax changes.
After early slide, stocks end mostly higher
Energy companies rose the most after the price of crude oil turned higher.
Andrew Melton Jr., Dean Witter chief in Sears merger, dies
Andrew J. Melton Jr., who led the Dean Witter Reynolds brokerage through its acquisition by Sears, has died at 94, Bloomberg reports.
Baxter earnings beat expectations
Strong gains in sales of medical products boosted Deerfield-based Baxter’s earnings, Reuters reports.
Dover narrows earnings outlook for 2014
Dover Corp. on Thursday narrowed its earnings expectations for the year, citing recent acquisitions.
Average 30-year mortgage rate falls below 4%
The 30-year loan dipped to 3.97 percent this week, its lowest level since June 2013.
Office Depot to cut 1,100 jobs in Europe
Office Depot Inc. said it would cut about 1,100 jobs in Europe as part of a restructuring plan and expects to reduce annual costs by about $90 million by the end of 2016. [Reuters]
CBS debuts stand-alone streaming service
CBS is launching a stand-alone digital streaming service for $5.99 a month that will offer subscribers access to its current and older shows.
US factory output rises 0.5 percent in September
U.S. manufacturing output rose in September, led by gains for aerospace products, furniture, clothing and plastics.
Amazon to hire 80,000 seasonal holiday workers
Amazon’s seasonal hiring for its distribution centers is up 14 percent from last year.
Chrysler recalling nearly 907,000 cars, SUVs
Chrysler is recalling nearly 907,000 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep SUVs and cars for failing alternators and heated power mirrors.
AM General laying off 60 from Indiana factory
AM General is laying off about 60 workers from its factory in Mishawaka, Indiana, where it builds military vehicles.
Unemployment applications fall to 14-year low
It’s the latest signal that companies are cutting few workers and hiring could remain healthy. [Early & Often]
