Southwest Missouri News

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Branson|ret||ret||tab|

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Home sales continue rise|ret||ret||tab|

Strong residential home sales continue for the second quarter in Taney and Stone counties, according to data from the Tri-Lakes Board of Realtors. In an analysis by Cooper Appraisal of Branson, data shows that home sales were up 5.9 percent in the second quarter of 2000 when compared to the same period last year. |ret||ret||tab|

According to Cooper Appraisal's newsletter "Year-to-date sales indicate an even larger (13.2 percent) increase over 1999 sales. This trend continues the growth witnessed in 1999 which was far and above the best year ever for residential home sales in the Tri-Lakes area."|ret||ret||tab|

On the national front, economists and the National Association of Realtors predicted a decline in home sales and new home construction due to the federal government raising interest rates to hold off inflation. However, area real estate agents said local sales were still strong because of the affordable nature of area housing in comparison to more urban areas. The numbers of new employees now established in the area workforce are also in the market for housing.|ret||ret||tab|

According to Cooper Appraisal, an analysis of Tri-Lakes Multi-List data indicates that Branson's $50,000 to $90,000 and $90,000 to $130,000 price ranges for residential housing have been the most popular, accounting for 29 percent of all area homes sales since the first of the year.|ret||ret||tab|

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Store doubles space|ret||ret||tab|

Ron Crane and George Miller, proprietors of 3 Ring Circus Gallery & Gifts at Victorian Village on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway in Branson, have renovated their retail space, expanding from 2,400 square feet to 5,000 square feet. Miller said the shop was redesigned at a cost of $27,000. The grand opening was July 22.|ret||ret||tab|

"The store carries major home dcor, as well as many other items ranging from bath and spa products to bronze sculptures and ladies' designer jewelry, accessories and clothes. Miller said 3 Ring Circus Gallery & Gifts, featuring the artwork and collectibles of Red Skelton and Emmett Kelly Jr., remains as one of the individual storefronts. |ret||ret||tab|

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New business in Hollister|ret||ret||tab|

Salon 162 has opened at 162 Industrial Park Drive in Hollister. Barbara Jean Johnson, a nail technician, and Monte Johnson, stylist and former owner of Monte's Mane Attraction, own the full-service salon. The salon, which also employs stylist Sharon Braden, offers manicures, acrylic nails, pedicures, perms, styling, cuts and coloring. Barbara Johnson said the salon plans to add a tanning bed in October. |ret||ret||tab|

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Joplin|ret||ret||tab|

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Company wins Ford deal |ret||ret||tab|

FAG Automotive has been given a contract to make a wheel hub unit for the Ford Windstar van.|ret||ret||tab|

The contract is for the 2003 MY V229 hub, which replace the WIN-126 hub now being built in Joplin. The contract calls for production to begin in January 2002 and continue through 2007.|ret||ret||tab|

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Monett|ret||ret||tab|

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Jack Henry stock for sale|ret||ret||tab|

Jack Henry & Associates Inc. announced it has priced a registered public offering of 3.3 million shares of its common stock at $43 per share.|ret||ret||tab|

In a prepared statement, the company said that it intends to use its net proceeds from the offering for repayment of debt, working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes, including potential acquisitions.|ret||ret||tab|

The offering is managed by Prudential Securities and co-managed by CIBC World Markets Corp., Robert W. Baird & Co. George K. Baum & Co. and A.G. Edwards & Sons Inc.|ret||ret||tab|

The company is offering 1.5 million shares, and selling stockholders are offering 1.8 million shares,|ret||ret||tab|

The company reported $225 million in sales for its most recent fiscal year, up 22.1 percent when compared with those of the previous year. Net income was reported at $34.1 million, up 7.6 percent.|ret||ret||tab|

The company is traded on the NASDAQ market under the symbol JKHY.|ret||ret||tab|

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Neosho|ret||ret||tab|

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Employer announces loss|ret||ret||tab|

Sunbeam Corp. has announced another poor quarter in a press release.|ret||ret||tab|

The company reported a loss of $80 million for the second quarter, or 76 cents per share. That compares with a net loss of $47 million, or 47 cents per share, for the same quarter last year.|ret||ret||tab|

Net sales for the quarter, which ended June 30, were reported at $610 million, compared with $661 million one year earlier. The company reported a net loss of $140 million for the first half of the current fiscal year, or $1.30 per share, compared with $108 million last year, or $1.07 per share. Net sales for the first six months of the fiscal year were reported at $1.149 billion, down from $1.185 billion from the same period the previous year.|ret||ret||tab|

Sunbeam owns a barbecue grill factory in Neosho that is one of the area's largest employers, with peak employment at more than 1,000.[[In-content Ad]]