Ups and downs

UP to forecasts by PNC Financial Services Group that earnings should increase 10 percent a year for the next five years.

DOWN to reports that although the number of new jobs in the region has increased, the number of unemployed remains high.

UP to the decision by retailer REI Inc. to locate its first Pittsburgh store on the South Side at the former LTV Steel site. Not Downtown, but not bad.

DOWN to Aliquippa Community Hospital’s ongoing financial woes, resulting in an effort to borrow from physicians and member of the community.

UP to the acquisition of Sylvan Inc. by local investor group Snyder Associated Cos. Inc., which ensures that the company will remain in Butler County.

DOWN to reports that Pennsylvania continues to lose manufacturing jobs. While the warning that the state will have no manufacturing jobs by mid-2004 if the current trend continues comes from a coalition of interested labor and industry groups, the numbers show an undeniable loss of manufacturing employment in the commonwealth.

UP to RedSiren landing a $17.7 million round of venture capital in its second round of fund-raising.