Business news in briefs
By The Associated Press
Inflation has slid again in Europe
FRANKFURT, Germany | Inflation has fallen again in Europe, to 2.4% in March. It’s welcome news for consumers since spikes in food prices have eased. The annual figure for the 20 countries that use the euro currency has come in below what financial markets expected and marks a decline from 2.6% in February.
The figures released Wednesday mean the European Central Bank is getting closer to achieving its goal of 2% inflation. Analysts say the decline keeps the ECB on track for an interest rate cut in June. The pressure is on to reduce borrowing costs because the economy is failing to grow.
More companies roll out total solar eclipse promotions
NEW YORK | More and more businesses are taking advantage of the total solar eclipse set to dim skies across North America next week.
In the snacks department alone, Krispy Kreme is teaming up with Oreo to sell a limited doughnut-cookie creation. Sonic Drive-In is selling a “Blackout Slush Float.” And Frito-Lay’s SunChips has unveiled a new flavor that will only be available during the celestial event’s nearly 4 and a half minutes of totality.
Meanwhile, airlines like Southwest and Delta have advertised eclipse-viewing flight paths.
And beyond promotions from big-name brands, small businesses along the 115 mile-wide prime path are leading the charge to meet incoming tourist demand — just like the last time the U.S. got a big piece of the total solar eclipse action in 2017.
Computer chipmaker plans $3.87B U.S. plant, research center
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. | A major South Korean computer chipmaker said Wednesday it plans to spend more than $3.87 billion in Indiana to build a semiconductor packaging plant and research and development center.
SK Hynix expects the campus to create as many as 800 high-wage jobs in engineering, technical support, administration and maintenance by the end of 2030.
The investment will move Indiana to the forefront of artificial intelligence in America, said Purdue University President Mung Chiang said. The new plant will be built at the Purdue Research Park, an economic development incubator at the university.
The company said the plant will produce high-bandwidth memory chips that will help meet U.S. demand for semiconductors, develop future generations of chips and house an advanced packaging research and development line at the 430,000-square-foot plant around 100 miles southeast of Chicago.
—From AP reports
