BUSINESS BRIEFS
Analyst downgrades Tesoro shares
Advertiser Staff
Shares of Tesoro Corp., the refiner whose operations include the biggest refinery in Hawai'i, were downgraded to "hold" from "buy" by analyst Roger Read at Natixis Bleichroeder, Bloomberg News reported.
The price of the stock has fallen recently as financial analysts at Tristone Capital Co., Deutsche Bank Securities and Goldman Sachs cut earnings estimates for the San Antonio-based company. Besides operating a refinery here, Tesoro also sells gasoline through service stations.
Tesoro shares closed down 40 cents at $19.37 yesterday on the New York Stock Exchange.
SBA, CENTRAL PACIFIC READY TO HELP
The Small Business Administration and Central Pacific Bank will present "SBA Resource Day" July 15 to provide assistance to small businesses affected by the economic slowdown.
The event is set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Central Pacific Bank Mililani Branch, 95-720 Lanikuhana Ave.
SBA business specialists will be on hand to explain the range of SBA financial assistance programs designed for different business needs from smaller startup loans to long-term fixed asset financing.
Reservations are recommended for a free 30-minute appointment and are made directly with the SBA Hawai'i district office. To make a reservation, contact Mary Dale at 541-2990, ext. 211, or by e-mail at mary.dale@sba.gov. Online registration also is available at www.sba.gov/hi.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTRACT AWARDED
Dawson Environet JV LLC, a Honolulu-based company, has been awarded a $9.47 million environmental remediation contract from the U.S. Department of Defense.
The work is to be performed at Waikoloa on the Big Island.
'CHOICE' PLAN AT HAWAIIAN TELCOM
Hawaiian Telcom is rolling out a new telephone and high-speed Internet package that will provide significant savings for new customers.
The myChoice SM Plus will provide unlimited local and long-distance calling and high-speed Internet service at an introductory price of $59.95 for new subscribers. The introductory price is available for the first 12 months. After that, the full rate of $68.95 a month will be charged.
The state's largest phone company said the new plan could provide up to $396 in savings during the first year of service.
AUTHOR TO SPEAK AT WOMEN'S FORUM
Best-selling author Chin-Ning Chu will be the keynote speaker at the inaugural Wahine in Hawai'i Business forum July 23 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
The forum, presented by Hawaii Business magazine and lead sponsor Bella Pietra, includes a series of workshops led by more than a dozen prominent Hawai'i businesswomen.
Chu is the author of "The Art of War for Women" — a modern-day application of the Chinese military text, Sun Tzu's "Art of War."
The workshops will address leadership, entrepreneurship, negotiation, community service and human resource issues as they relate to women in Hawai'i business.
Speakers include Gwen Pacarro, Morgan Stanley executive director; Doreen Griffith, Grant Thornton managing partner; Cheryl Ka'uhane Lupenui, chief executive of the YWCA of O'ahu; and Louise K.Y. Ing, a partner at Alston Hunt Floyd & Ing.
For more information or to register, visit: www.hawaiibusiness.com.
