Business news briefs | The Salt Lake Tribune

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Dell seeks

to reassure

shareholders

Dell is trying to soothe shareholders about its proposed $24.4 billion acquisition by a group led by its founder, saying managers considered a number of options before agreeing to the buyout. Dell's statement comes three days after a major shareholder ridiculed the plan as a rotten deal that undervalues the computer giant.

Dominos offers

carryout

'pizza theater'

A pair of mustachioed pizza makers - visible from behind a glass display at a new Domino's store in Seattle - tossed dough into the air as corporate executives looked on. The chain calls the concept "pizza theater," because customers can watch their orders being made. The new look is part of a four-year-long effort to boost carryout business.

Germany: Natural

gas fracking not

likely soon

Germany's environment minister says he doesn't expect natural gas "fracking" to start any time soon in Europe's biggest economy. Shale gas is located underground across Europe, but environmental concerns are widespread. "Fracking" frees natural gas by injecting wells with chemically treated water and sand. Critics say it can pollute groundwater.

SBA director

Karen Mills

steps down

Karen Mills, who led the Small Business Administration as it focused on helping small companies recover from the Great Recession, is leaving the post she's held for four years. Mills, a former investment banker, won high marks for her efforts to increase lending to small businesses.

AOL posts first

sales growth

in eight years

AOL Inc., the Web publisher that owns the Huffington Post, reported its first sales gain in eight years. Fourth-quarter sales rose 3.9 percent from a year ago to $599.5 million. The growth came from AOL's third-party ad sales business, which helps Web publishers sell ad space.