Talking Biz News Today — Aug. 26, 2020

Some of Wednesday’s top business news stories:

Associated Press

US consumer confidence falls in August to lowest in 6 years, by Martin Crutsinger

July sales of new homes surge 13.9%, far more than thought, by Matt Ott

CNN

The US and China say they’re making progress on trade, even as other tensions worsen, by Shawn Deng, Laura He

American Airlines will lay off 19,000 workers if it doesn’t get additional federal help, by Chris Isidore

The Wall Street Journal

Exxon’s Departure From Dow Highlights Market’s Retreat From Energy Bets, by Karen Langley

Salesforce Lifts Full-Year Revenue Outlook as Customers Work Online, by Aaron Tilley

CNBC

General Motors uses salaried employees to keep Missouri plant open as assembly line workers call out sick due to coronavirus, by Michael Wayland

Nordstrom’s sales fall 53% as department store chain suffers store closures amid pandemic, by Lauren Thomas

Reuters

Banks in bonus balancing act as economies shrink but markets boom, by Sinead Cruise

Toll Brothers profit falls about 22% as virus hits home prices, by Ankit Ajmera

News about business journalism

How to expand with a new site: The FinLedger example

WSJ names Last its head of live journalism

New Hampshire Public Radio expanding business coverage

Snyder promoted to editor in chief of Nashville Biz Journal

Business Insider hires Bitter to cover consumer companies

Ex-CNBC reporter Fazzini launches cybersecurity communications firm

Insider News hires Cunningham as executive editor

Harper’s Magazine appoints Nolan as contributing editor

Draznin joins Real Vision as reporter/producer