Natural gas climbed to its highest price in almost 17 months in New York on speculation that a cold start to spring will buoy demand for heating fuels. more

U.S. stock-index futures fell as euro-area leaders imposed a levy on Cypriot bank deposits to cut the cost of a bailout, sparking concern the measure may one day be used in the bigger economies of Spain or Italy. more

While the number of Rhode Islanders who visited Twin River declined 9.1 percent from 2010 to 2012 to 161,726, those who came from Massachusetts increased 8.8 percent to 385,348, helping the Lincoln gaming facility gain less than one-half percent in visitors to 582,662 in the time period. more

More than five years after the Great Recession hit, Rhode Island’s economy is finally showing real signs of recovery. New businesses are opening, housing markets are starting to recover and the unemployed are starting to find jobs. But we still have much to do. Many of our fellow residents are still facing hard times and the state now faces a potential $128 million deficit, which could result in deep cuts in the very programs we need to jump-start economic growth. more

EVANSTON, Ill. – Industrial employment in Rhode Island declined 2.2 percent over the past year according to the 2013 Rhode Island Manufacturers Register, an industrial directory published annually by Manufacturers’ News Inc. more

(Editor’s Note: This is the fifth in an occasional series of stories that will feature the companies and industries creating jobs in the region.) more

Rhode Island’s economic-development arm has yet to find a cure for its 38 Studios LLC hangover. more

The Consumer Price Index in the Northeast rose 2 percent over the last 12 months in February, according to a report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. more

Despite taking a $6.4 million pre-tax loss from the retirement of debt, Nortek Inc., the maker of residential and commercial building products, posted net income of $9.5 million in 2012, reversing its loss of $55.9 million in the previous year. more

(Updated, 3:20 p.m.) The Boston Phoenix will close immediately, as will WFNX.com, the company’s online radio station, reported Boston.com. more