Chemical reaction: Shares of Dow Chemical Co. jumped today after the company says it’s raising prices on the base products for products like plastics and paints, a move that will boost revenue. Midland, Mich.-based Dow says it will raise prices for acrylic monomers by 3 cents per pound and prices for vinyl acetate monomers by 4 cents per pound. Both chemicals are used in a wide array of products like clothes, leather finishes and glues. Dow’s price increase likely will mean higher costs for these and other products for consumers. Dow blamed rising prices for raw materials for the price hike.
John McCain must be the cheeriest person alive: Americans grow happier with age, according to a new Pew Research Center study that found this policy is holding true despite the recession. The LiveScience.com report says old men tend to be happier than elderly women, and Republicans are happier than Democrats, even after adjusting for income. The study suggests people 65 and older were already downsizing when the recession hit, and they’re not worried about being laid off.
Goodbye Mr. Tony, hello Chucky: Former Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden is replacing Tony Kornheiser on ESPN’s Monday Night Football broadcast team. Kornheiser cited a fear of flying in his decision to leave after three years. The network says Gruden will be in the booth with Mike Tirico and Ron Jaworski when the show starts its 40th season this fall. “My fear of planes is legendary and sadly true,” Kornheiser said in a statement released by the network. “When I looked at the upcoming schedule it was the perfect storm that would’ve frequently moved me from the bus to the air.” Gruden led the Bucs to the 2003 Super Bowl title but was fired after this past season after his team lost four straight games to miss the playoffs.
