BUSINESS DIGEST ||

Community Health preliminary 3Q data

YOUNGSTOWN

Community Health Systems, the parent company of ValleyCare Health Systems of Ohio, recently reported preliminary financial and operating results for the third quarter.

The company anticipates net operating revenues will be about $4.380 billion, compared with $4.846 billion for the same period in 2015.

Income from continuing operations before income taxes for the third quarter is expected to be a loss of about $83 million, compared with income from continuing operations before income taxes of $121 million reported during the same quarter last year.

The Tennessee-based company will issue a news release announcing its results Tuesday, after the regular close of trading.

YouTube a key role in Google’s success

SAN FRANCISCO

YouTube has emerged as a break-out star in Google’s cast of services as the online video site upstages cable television for a younger generation of viewers looking for amusement, news and music on their smartphones.

The trend is contributing to an advertising shift away from traditional network television programming to the more eclectic and diversified mix of clips ranging from cute cat videos to sobering shots of street violence found on YouTube.

As more advertising dollars flow to YouTube, it’s making the already hugely profitable Google even more prosperous. In a third-quarter report released Thursday, Google’s corporate parent, Alphabet Inc., said it earned $5.1 billion, or $7.25 per share, a 27 percent increase from the same time last year.

Ford earnings fall to $1 billion in Q3

DETROIT

Ford said Thursday its third-quarter profit was $1 billion, a 55 percent decline from the same quarter a year ago but a performance that nonetheless exceeded Wall Street estimates.

The decline was expected because Ford’s third quarter in 2015, when it raked in a $2.2 billion profit, was its best ever.

On a per share basis, Ford earned 26 cents. Wall Street analysts forecast an average of 20 cents. In 2015’s third quarter, Ford made 45 cents a share. Investor reaction was tepid. Ford shares fell 1.2 percent in trading Thursday to a close of $11.74.

Average US 30-year mortgage rate eases to 3.47 percent

WASHINGTON

Long-term U.S. mortgage rates declined this week, moving closer to historically low levels.

Mortgage giant Freddie Mac said Thursday the average for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage eased to 3.47 percent from 3.52 percent last week. The benchmark rate is down from 3.76 percent a year ago and close to its all-time low of 3.31 percent in November 2012.

The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage, popular with homeowners who are refinancing, ticked down to 2.78 percent from 2.79 percent.

Staff/wire reports

Selected local stocks

STOCK, DIVIDENDCLOSECHANGE

Alcoa Inc., .1228.220.43

Aqua America, .71 29.910.05

Avalon Holdings,2.79-0.06

Community Health Sys. 5.05 -4.98

Cortland Bancorp, .2815.830.00

Farmers Nat., .1610.870.03

First Energy, 1.44 33.90-0.06Fifth/Third, .5221.820.16

FirstMerit Corp.,21.610.37

First Niles Financial, .1211.000.00

FNB Corp., .4813.180.08

General Motors, 1.5231.33-0.25

General Electric, .9228.63-0.24

Huntington Bank, .28 10.750.05

iHeartMedia Inc.,1.39-0.01JP Morgan Chase, 1.9269.230.10

Key Corp, .3414.270.09

LaFarge, .34-0.00Macy’s, 1.51 35.30-0.65

Parker Hannifin, 2.52 121.71-0.13

PNC, 2.2095.431.15

Simon Prop. Grp., 6.60183.23-5.15

Stoneridge 14.28-3.95Talmer Bank, 23.34-0.36

United Comm. Fin., .12 7.370.00

Selected prices from Thursday’s 4 p.m. close.