Vital Signs for the Week of Oct. 3 (BusinessWeek Online

Vital Signs for the Week of Oct. 3 (BusinessWeek Online via Yahoo! UK & Ireland Finance)
On tap: September employment report, business activity reports from the Institute for Supply Management, August factory orders, and more

Katrina Contributes To Drop in Spending (Washington Post)
Katrina propels largest drop in spending since September 2001; experts predict rebound as funds pour into rebuilding effort.

Concentra Completes Acquisition of Beech Street Corporation (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
Concentra Operating Corporation today announced that it has completed the previously announced acquisition of Beech Street Corporation in a $165 million cash transaction. This acquisition expands Concentra's offerings in the group health market and enhances its existing lines of service to the nation's leading health plans, insurers and third-party administrators.

Should I refi my ride? (Bankrate.com via Yahoo! Finance)
Don't do it if the refinance auto loan carries an adjustable rate, Dr. Don says.

U.S. economy is sluggish after Katrina (Inside Bay Area)
WASHINGTON Consumer spending plunged in August at the steepest rate since the September 2001 terrorist attacks as Hurricane Katrina slashed Americans' incomes, fanned inflation and caused $170

2005 Frankfurt Motor Show
MSN Autos brings you highlights from one of Europe's major shows.
Editors of MSN Autos

Fitch to Discuss Hedge Funds, Auto Sector Outlook, Recovery Ratings, and CDO Trends (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
Fitch Ratings will discuss the rapidly emerging role of hedge funds in global markets, provide a current outlook on the auto sector in light of rising energy prices, introduce its new default/recovery analysis, and feature a presentation on the collateralized debt obligation sector at two credit seminars to be offered next month in Chicago and New York.

Porsche Cayman S Premieres
The largest show in Europe, the Frankfurt show featured worldwide premieres of 80 concept and production vehicles.
Editors of MSN Autos