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Stocks coming back: After a big drop in the first few minutes, the Dow is up about 40 points.
Mixed bag on debt: Nearly half of those surveyed in an AP-GfK poll say they're suffering from debt-related stress, and half of that group describe their stress as "great deal" or "quite a bit." But 53 percent say they feel little or no stress. From AP:
Paul J. Lavrakas, a research psychologist and AP consultant who analyzed the AP-GfK survey, finds that among those with the most stress from debt are women, married couples, people age 30-44, and the poor - households with incomes less than $20,000. Those with the least debt stress include men, retired people, single people, those 60 and older, and the wealthy - households with incomes greater than $100,000, he says.
Public opinion on pot, immigration: LAT/USC poll finds that 50 percent of those surveyed support Arizona's new immigration law and 43 percent oppose it. Also, 49 percent say they might vote for a ballot initiative that would legalize marijuana.
Still more on Villaraigosa's freebies: LAT story over the weekend provides details on how the mayor does not abide by the rules when it comes to accepting tickets to free events. (LAO)
Bad weekend at box office: Only 23.4 million tickets were sold during the four-day holiday weekend, the lowest number in 17 years. Two big releases, "Prince of Persia" and "Sex and the City 2," have failed to generate big numbers. (LAT)
iPad sales count up to 2 million: That's roughly 33,000 per day, 1,400 per hour, and 23 per minute. International sales got going a few days ago. (MediaMemo)
City National buys failed bank: This time it's Vegas-based Sun West, which had been taken over by federal regulators. L.A.-based City National has taken over two other small banks. (LAT)
Amway reps start arriving: The company is paying for 13,000 of its top Chinese sellers to spend a week in Socal, a $10 million boost for the local economy. China is now Amway's biggest market, with 200,000 "independent business owners" selling its products door to door and recruiting other salespeople. (LAT)
Lacter on radio: This week's biz chat with KPCC's Steve Julian looks at local gas prices and the future of hypersonic aircraft. Also at kpcc.org and on podcast (Business Update with Mark Lacter)
Mark Lacter created the LA Biz Observed blog in 2006. He posted
until the day before his death on Nov. 13, 2013.