Spectra dividend

Spectra dividend

HOUSTON

Spectra Energy Corp. announced a 12-cent-per-share increase of 9.8 percent on its annual dividend.

The dividend breaks down to $0.34 per share, and it is payable March 10 to shareholders of record at the close of business Feb. 14, according to the Houston-based pipeline and midstream company.

Market continues weak start to 2014

NEW YORK

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index notched its worst start to a year in almost a decade Monday, closing lower for the third-straight trading day.

Although the declines for stocks in the New Year have been modest, the direction has been consistently down. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index has fallen 1.2 percent from its most recent record close Dec. 31.

The performance is a contrast to last year, when the S&P 500 surged almost 30 percent, its best annual gain since 1997. The banner year ended with the stock market climbing to record levels amid signs that the economy was strengthening.

Factory orders rise

WASHINGTON

U.S. factories orders climbed in November, led by a surge in aircraft demand. And businesses stepped up spending on machinery, computers and other long-lasting goods, a sign of investment that could fuel economic growth.

Factory orders rose 1.8 percent in November, the Commerce Department said Monday. That follows a 0.5 percent decrease in October.

Orders received by manufacturers totaled a seasonally adjusted $497.8 billion in November, the highest level on records dating to 1992. Orders have increased 2.5 percent over the past 12 months.

Vindicator wire services