Inflation expected to remain subdued: Consumer prices edged up slightly faster than expected in October, driven higher by another increase in energy prices and the biggest jump in new car prices in 28 years. Still, prices are lower than they were a year ago and inflation is expected to remain subdued as the economy struggles to emerge from a deep recession. The Labor Department says consumer prices rose 0.3% in October, a bit more than the 0.2% economists had expected. Core inflation, which excludes energy and food, rose 0.2%, compared to analysts’ expectation for a 0.1% rise in core prices.
Recession takes its toll: A survey found that 23% of hiring managers say employee morale at their company is low. The CareerBuilder survey also polled workers; 40% say they have had difficulty staying motivated at work in the past year. Hiring managers are taking steps to improve morale, which has been hurt by the recession, such as offering employee recognition programs and providing flexible work opportunities.
Look out: Interstate 10 westbound from Siegen Lane to the I-10/I-12 split will be reduced to one lane beginning at 9 p.m. Thursday. Lanes are being closed so crews can work on the embankments that are part of the I-10 widening project. A section of Bluebonnet Boulevard near the I-10 overpass will also be narrowed to one lane while work crews remove concrete. The work will take place from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
