IBM testing offered

IBM testing offered

CHAMPION

The Trumbull Career and Technical Center Adult Training Center will provide International Business Machines testing starting in 2014.

IBM has signed a test-delivery-services agreement with Pearson VUE, a testing service, to establish a program that will enable candidates to demonstrate their knowledge in IBM’s suite of qualifications.

IBM manufactures and markets computer hardware and software and offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas ranging from mainframe computers to nanotechnology.

IBM has contracted with TCTC to provide exclusive test delivery for their certification exams.

Exam registration began Wednesday. For information, call TCTC at 330-847-0503, ext. 1608.

Holiday shopping: a letdown for stores

NEW YORK

Sparse crowds at malls and “50 percent off” signs at The Gap and other stores offer clues as to how this holiday season is shaping up so far: It’s the most discount-driven one since the U.S. was in a deep recession. It’s also the most disappointing for stores.

Sales are up 2 percent to $176.7 billion from Nov. 1 through Sunday, according to data provided to The Associated Press from store data tracker ShopperTrak. That’s a slower pace than expected with days left in the season. ShopperTrak predicts sales will rise 2.4 percent to $265 billion for the two-month stretch that’s typically the busiest shopping period of the year.

The modest growth comes as the amount of discounts that stores are offering this season is up 13 percent from last year — the highest level since 2008, according to financial services firm BMO Capital Markets, which tracks 20 clothing stores.

The data underscores how aggressive discounting has been both a blessing and a curse for retailers. Since the recession, the only way to get Americans into stores has been to flash huge discount signs in front of their faces.

Vindicator staff/wire reports

Selected local stocks

STOCK, DIVIDENDCLOSECHANGE

Aqua America, .61, 23.67 .25

Avalon Holdings,5.25.05

Clear Channel, .61 23.97 —.26

Cortland Bancorp, 10.00—.25

Farmers Nat., .126.48 .02

First Energy, 2.20, 31.87—.07

FirstMerit Corp., .64,21.90 .23

First Niles Financial, .32,6.49.00

First Place Fin., .00.00

FNB Corp., .48,12.32.07

General Motors,41.23—.30

General Electric, .76,27.36.32

Huntington Bank, .20, 9.50.11

JP Morgan Chase, 1.52,57.071.35

Key Corp, .22,13.23.15

LaFarge, 17.67 .27

Macy’s, 1.00, 52.01.34

Parker Hannifin, 1.80, 122.162.23

PNC, 1.76,75.47.81

RTI Intl. Metals,34.44.11

Simon Prop. Grp.,4.60,154.872.27

Stoneridge 12.83 .04

United Community Fin. 3.73.15

Selected prices at 4 p.m. Wednesday. Provided by Stifel. Not to be construed as an offer or recommendation to buy or sell any security.