Business Briefs

Alcoa's results give stocks modest boost

NEW YORK — Stocks edged higher Thursday, with all the major indexes rising in the single digits. Investors were encouraged by better-than-expected results released late Wednesday by aluminum maker Alcoa and put money into stocks they recently avoided, such as commodities producers, banks and industrial companies.

Money also moved into more economically sensitive industries such as technology and energy, which stand to gain more if a recovery takes hold. And it came out of defensive shares such as consumer staples and health care stocks, a positive sign.

DHEC won't revisit hospital decision

The state Department of Health and Environmental Control's governing board declined Thursday to review a lower board's decision allowing Trident Health System and Roper St. Francis Healthcare to build 50-bed hospitals in different parts of Berkeley County.

Trident has said only one hospital should be authorized, and a spokeswoman said the company plans to file an appeal. That would move the case to the state Administrative Law Court. The appeals process could last three to five years.

The DHEC authorized the construction of both hospitals last month. Trident plans to build in Moncks Corner, while Roper St. Francis' proposed site is in the Carnes Crossroads area.

Army deal brings work to Greenville

GREENVILLE — Fluor Corp. plans to add more than 100 jobs in Greenville under a new contract to build and operate military bases in Afghanistan.

The Greenville News reported that the contract with the U.S. Army could be worth more than $7 billion over the next five years.

A Fluor official said the number of Greenville employees working on the contract will increase from about 165 to about 300. The company already employs about 2,500 workers in the Upstate.

Upstate plant cuts 119 temporary jobs

SENECA — A company that makes hospital supplies has laid off 119 temporary workers at its Upstate plant, the Anderson Independent-Mail reported. Covidien will retain 503 full-time workers. The company said the layoffs are a result of a fall in demand for of some the Seneca plant's products.

Mortgages slip for 2nd straight week

McLEAN, Va. — Average fixed rates for 30-year mortgages fell for the second-straight week, but still remained above record lows, Freddie Mac said Thursday.

The average was 5.2 percent, down from 5.32 percent last week. The average rate on a 15-year fixed-rate loan fell to 4.69 percent, down from 4.77 percent last week.

McDonald's to offer mocha giveaways

OAK BROOK, Ill. — McDonald's said Thursday that it will offer customers a free iced or hot mocha every Monday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from July 13 to Aug. 3.

The complimentary beverages — a 7-ounce iced mocha or an 8-ounce hot mocha — are smaller than the "small" 12-ounce size available for purchase.