Stocks are lower after Portugal’s debt rating is cut and new home sales fall
Stocks are lower on renewed concerns about European debt problems after a major ratings agency slashed its view on Portugal and weakness in the housing market.
The Commerce Department says sales of new homes fell 2.2 percent last month. Economists forecast an increase of 3.6 percent.
European markets are mostly lower after Fitch Ratings said Portugal’s recovery will be slower than other countries that use the euro, hurting Portugal’s ability to repay its debt. Debt problems in Europe have been one of the few drags on stocks in recent months.
Mar. 23, 2010 (Business Wire) — Freshwater Technologies Inc. (OTCBB: “FWTC”) is pleased to announce that it will be adding up to 5 new FW Activator technical consultants over the next year to service the Latin American Countries where it distributes the FW Activator. Freshwater’s water activation technology has attracted significant commercial interest in the ability to solve a number of water treatment applications, including heating and cooling, greenhouse agriculture and manufacturing productivity. The addition of these experienced FW Activator technical consultants will greatly support our local distributors and agents in sales presentations, Activator installation and customer service. Each consultant has worked closely with companies who have installed water activation units and they are able to explain how the technology works, design tests to demonstrate the effectiveness of FW water activation, supervise installations and provide service support as required. Continue reading
Stocks are lower as investors worry about Greece’s ability to repay debt and the potential consequences for the global economic recovery
Reaction to the U.S. government’s passage of sweeping health care reform over the weekend will also be closely watched. The reform could have a far-reaching impact ranging from health insurers and drug makers to companies that provide employees with health benefits.
The bill will now be sent to President Barack Obama to be approved in the coming days.
The sweeping reform will create near-universal medical coverage, extending benefits to 32 million uninsured Americans. However, many of the key points of the bill will not go into effect for several years.
Mar. 19, 2010 (Business Wire) — Freshwater Technologies Inc. (OTCBB:FWTC) is pleased to announce a major sales breakthrough in Costa Rica with installations proceeding in two major business locations. As a result of our distributor’s relationship with an Electrical /Mechanical service company, Freshwater has an air conditioning test program underway with Costa Rica’s telecommunication services company. The company is investigating air conditioning options for a number of their building locations. If successful, the test program may open up opportunities for a number of FW water activation units installed in conjunction with air conditioning equipment for the different locations.
Mar. 19, 2010 (Business Wire) — Freshwater Technologies Inc. (OTCBB: FWTC) is pleased to announce significant sales progress in Peru. Our distributors have installed 10 FW water activators in refrigeration systems for a number of industrial and commercial sites in Northern Peru. In several situations, FW water activation technology is being used with cooling towers and evaporative condensers providing air conditioning for facilities and in the production of ice and ice cubes for the hospitality and fishing industries.
Stocks in narrow range after price, jobs data
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are trading in a narrow range Thursday after reports showed inflation remains benign and new claims for unemployment fell last week.
The positive reports are being tempered by fresh concerns about debt problems in Greece.
Stocks have been grinding higher over the past five weeks, with the Dow Jones industrial average up about 825 points during that time. The Dow has risen for seven straight sessions. The Standard & Poor’s 500 and Nasdaq composite indexes are both at their highest levels since 2008.
Gains over the past couple of days came after the Federal Reserve said it would keep its fed funds rate near zero and noted the economy is showing more signs of improvement.