Thursday’s business headlines
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Here’s a look at Thursday’s business headlines.
Anthem
Anthem was the worst-performing stock among the big health insurers this year.
But Anthem could be on the path to moving up in the ranks. The big health insurer announced its first-quarter results before the market opened on Wednesday and its numbers looked pretty good.
Anthem acquired medicaid members in Missouri and Nebraska, helping to boost its government business enrollment.
Google’s Zoom
Google’s Zoom is now free to everyone.
“Meet” was only available to paying customers of G Suite.
The free version of the product requires a Google account, and video calls have a 60-minute cap. But Google said it won’t enforce that rule until after Sept. 30. The free version will also allow up to 100 participants.
Bank of America
Bank of America sent in 184,000 applications for small-business stimulus loans after the second round of stimulus funding replenished the troubled federal program’s coffers.
But it is unable to give out the funds to small businesses because the small business administration has yet to process the applications, according to a bank memo.
Jobless claims
Jobless claims continue to grow in the millions, with a consensus 3.5 million expected Thursday, for the week ended April 25.
Meanwhile, millions can’t access unemployment benefits so actual job losses are likely greater than data shows.
State unemployment offices are overwhelmed by the surge in claims from newly-laid off workers.