Contractor consolidation continues in Washington [CapBiz A.M.]

Your first source for understanding business in greater Washington  •  Wed., Dec. 31, 2014 View in your Web browser

Contractor consolidation continues in Washington

Welcome to CapBiz A.M., your morning primer on business news with a focus on Washington.

Contracting combo: Reston technology contractor NCI is set to acquire professional services firm Computech for $56 million, continuing a trend of mergers and acquisitions in the Washington services sector this year. (CAPBIZ)

SEC settlement: Computer Sciences Corp. has reached a settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission on an investigation of its accounting practices,agreeing to pay a penalty of $190 million. (CAPBIZ)

Signup surge: At least 7.1 million people have enrolled so far in 2015 health plans through Obamacare’s insurance marketplaces,most of them on the federally run exchanges, according to a pair of government reports. (WP)

Crowded flight: The rapid growth of Asian airlines is helping bolster economies and change lifestyles, but it’s also creating a daunting safety challenge as more passengers head into an increasingly crowded airspace. (AP)

Currency concerns: With the dollar’s recent surge against various currencies, companies that issued bonds in U.S. dollars instead of the local currency face higher costs on debts, andsome firms are in danger of default. (WSJ)

Down to dust: What was once the biggest mall in the world is turning into a big pile of rubble, as a demolition crew started in on the Randall Park Mall in Cleveland this week. (CNN)

Filling their cart: Instacart, a San Francisco-based company that provides grocery delivery services, has raised nearly $210 million in a new round of funding according to documents filed with the SEC. (FORB)

Confidence rising: U.S. consumer confidence increased in December, bolstered by a brightening jobs situation that left perceptions about economic conditions at a high last seen in February 2008. (REUT)

On Wall Street

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What’s on tap today

MBA purchase applications (7:00 a.m.)

Unemployment claims report (8:30 a.m.)

Bloomberg consumer comfort index (9:45 a.m.)

Help: How to be a better entrepreneur in 2015 (ENT)

Follow: Instacart

Extra: Remember when we thought these things would happenin 2014? (WP)

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