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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Many Investors Nervous As Year-End Earnings Counted

Compiled By Business Staff

More year-end earnings will be reported this week as investors - indulged by months of bull market activity - nervously count their returns.

Reports last week that IBM and other companies posted profits below expectations contributed to a slide in the market. Rising interest rates further fueled the decline.

In other events this week:

Today

Spokane City Council considers pledging parking meter money toward a downtown redevelopment project, beginning at 6 p.m. in the City Hall council chambers, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.

National Association of Realtors releases December existing home sales.

Annual American Music Awards held in Los Angeles.

Tuesday

Spokane Valley and Spokane Area chambers of commerce begin joint lobbying trip to Olympia, continuing Wednesday. Cost: $215 full package. Call 459-4117.

Washington Department of Ecology holds workshop on how business owners should manage their hazardous wastes at the Spokane Community College Student Union Building, 1810 N. Greene St. Cost: $25 advance: $35 at the door. Call Jan Brydsen at 456-2876.

Eastern Washington public and private colleges and universities host financial aid open house for students and parents, beginning at 9 a.m. on their respective campuses.

Washington State Hay Growers Association annual convention opens at the Trade Recreation Agricultural Center in Pasco. Cost: $30 members; $45 non-members. Call 509-547-5538.

Washington Water Power Co. expected to release 1996 annual report.

General Motors Corp. expected to release fourth-quarter and year-end earnings.

Wednesday

Washington Department of Ecology holds information meetings on new strategies for reducing nonpoint source pollution at 9 a.m. in the Spokane County Ag Building, 222 N. Havana, and at 2 p.m. in the Washington State University Compton Union Building, Room 212, in Pullman. Call Bill Green at 360-407-6795.

Education Service District No. 101 holds annual ideas conference at the Ridpath, through Friday.

Sterling Financial Corp. expected to release 1996 financial report.

Thursday

Larry Macmillan of the Washington Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development and others speak at The Meeting Work and Family Challenges conference, beginning at 8 a.m. at the Spokane County Agricultural Center, 222 N. Havana. Free. Call 533-2048.

Annual meeting of the World Economic Forum of government and business leaders opens in Switzerland.

Friday

Ag Bureau meets at noon at the Stockyards Inn.

Sunday

International Value-Enhanced Grains Conference & Trade Show opens in Phoenix. , DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Graphic: Interest rates

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: ON THE SHELF Business Week, Jan. 27: The Nikkei stock market’s latest collapse is more evidence the global economy is closing in on Japan’s protected, overregulated economy, the magazine says. Money, February: Here’s yet another guide to mutual funds in 1997. This time, Money says it’s providing its more comprehensive survey of fund rankings ever.

Best on the block Cisco Systems Inc. and Netscape Communications Corp. received the best reviews from corporate computer buyers in a survey by Morgan Stanley & Co. Computer Associates International Inc. and Digital Equipment Corp. finished last among the 12 hardware and software companies on which Morgan Stanley sought a “thumbs up/ thumbs down” performance appraisal.

This sidebar appeared with the story: ON THE SHELF Business Week, Jan. 27: The Nikkei stock market’s latest collapse is more evidence the global economy is closing in on Japan’s protected, overregulated economy, the magazine says. Money, February: Here’s yet another guide to mutual funds in 1997. This time, Money says it’s providing its more comprehensive survey of fund rankings ever.

Best on the block Cisco Systems Inc. and Netscape Communications Corp. received the best reviews from corporate computer buyers in a survey by Morgan Stanley & Co. Computer Associates International Inc. and Digital Equipment Corp. finished last among the 12 hardware and software companies on which Morgan Stanley sought a “thumbs up/ thumbs down” performance appraisal.