Business

Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009

IN BRIEF

Business seminar set for Nov. 9

The Gulf Coast Business League is sponsoring a business and financial seminar on Nov. 9 in Gulfport.

Planning Ahead for 2010 will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Courtyard Marriott on U.S. 90. Representatives will be there from the Gulf Coast Business League, Mississippi Development Authority, Small Business Administration, Hancock Bank, Mississippi Structural Insulated Panels, BanCorp South and Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District.

Registration is $10 per couple. Details: 867-9824.

Waste Management 3rd-quarter profit sinks

Waste Management Inc., the nation’s largest trash hauler, said Thursday that third-quarter profit sank, despite rising prices for recycled commodities and cost-cutting. The recession has hit the Houston company as businesses cut costs by disposing of trash less frequently and prices for paper and other commodities fell, battering its recycling business.

Net income was $277 million, down 11 percent from $310 million in the third quarter of 2008.

Amelia Belle casino has new owner

The owner of the Evangeline Downs race track-casino has closed a $106.8 million deal to buy the Amelia Belle riverboat casino near Morgan City, La. Dubuque, Iowa-based Peninsula Gaming is taking over the boat from Tropicana Casino and Resorts Inc.

In addition to Evangeline Downs at Opelousas, Peninsula Gaming also owns two riverboat casinos in Iowa and four Louisiana off-track betting parlors in Port Allen, New Iberia, Henderson and Eunice.

Las Vegas Sands loses takes 3Q loss

Casino operator Las Vegas Sands Corp. said Thursday it lost more in the third quarter this year than last as gambling markets continued struggling and the company pressed ahead on developing a resort in Singapore.

The Las Vegas-based company led by billionaire Sheldon Adelson said it lost $123 million during the period that ended Sept. 30, compared with a loss of $32.2 million a year earlier.

— The Associated Press