Forty-two Maine companies named as top places to work

The Society for Human Resource Management’s seventh annual ranking of the top places to work in the state recognized 11 companies in the large-company category, which looked at firms with more than 250 workers, and 31 companies in the small- to medium-company category, with 15 to 249 workers.

Cintas, with a location in Westbrook, won the large-company category, followed by Consigli Construction Co. Inc. in Portland and Edward Jones in Eliot. In the small-company category, the top placed companies were PeoplesChoice of Saco, Turner Barker Insurance of Portland and Biddeford Savings Bank in Biddeford.

The Best Companies Group evaluated each company’s employee policies and procedures, as well as responses from the company’s employees to a survey.

The “Employee Feedback Report” is presented to each participating company. The report includes employee-satisfaction data and a transcript of employee comments.

More details about the “Best Places to Work in Maine” program and the awards program can be found online at www.bestplacestoworkinme.com.

Stock indexes barely budge, end worst week in 4 months

U.S. stock indexes closed nearly unchanged Friday to end their worst week in four months, with the market stalling as worries about Europe overcame an unexpected rise in U.S. consumer confidence.

“We’re all waiting on Spain now,” said Bill Stone, chief investment strategist at PNC Asset Management Group, of persistent speculation over if and when the debt-strapped nation would ask for a financial bailout — a prerequisite for the European Central Bank to purchase its debt and help lower its borrowing costs.

Stocks had gained after a gauge of consumer confidence unexpectedly jumped in October and after JP- Morgan Chase & Co. earnings cast a positive light on the housing market.

But Wall Street gains were limited, with October so far proving to be a lackluster month for U.S. equities, after a steady climb that had the S&P 500 index advancing 2 percent and more in both August and September.

“In the U.S., there’s the fiscal cliff and election to deal with, and on the European side, they still have to figure out their fiscal issues,” Stone said.

The Dow Jones industrial average ended with a 2.46-point gain at 13,328.85, leaving it off 2.1 percent from the week-ago close.

Down 2.2 percent for the week, the S&P 500 fell 4.25 points, or 0.3 percent, to 1,428.59. The Nasdaq composite index lost 5.3 points, or 0.2 percent, at 3,044.11.

Businesses sue to block ban on super-sized soft drinks

Soft drink makers, restaurateurs and other businesses are suing to block New York City’s move to end the sale of super-sized, sugary drinks in many eateries.

The American Beverage Association and others sued the city Friday.

The city Board of Health approved the unprecedented regulation last month. It would stop restaurants, cafeterias and concession stands from selling soda and other high-calorie drinks in containers larger than 16 ounces.

The rule is set to take effect in March.

— From news service reports