LA Times to cut stock listings, expand coverage

The Los Angeles Times announced in Tuesday morning’s newspaper that it would cut its stock and mutual fund listings to one page beginning next week and begin a series of features to improve coverage of Southern California’s diverse economy.

The paper joins the Chicago Tribune, Rocky Mountain News, Atlanta Constitution, Orlando Sentinel, Newsday, Providence Journal and others that have announced this year that stock listings will be cut to save on newspring costs.

The paper said, “The page will include a listing of each day’s 1,300 most heavily traded stocks and an expanded list of publicly traded companies based in Southern California.”

As for the new coverage, the paper said, “On Wednesdays, the section will emphasize small business, the backbone of Southern California’s economy. The package will be anchored by a column from small-business expert Cyndia Zwahlen and a question-and-answer feature by Karen E. Klein, a nationally known columnist.

“On Saturdays, the section will provide expanded coverage of international business, with a focus on Southern California’s place at the center of global trade. The package will include a new column on business travel by former corporate globe-trotter James Gilden.

“The Sunday Business section will add regular reviews of books on business, finance and management. The Technopolis column by David Colker will move to Thursdays.”

Read the announcement here.