Mark Bibro to lead Birmingham group

Mark Bibro has been named executive director of the Birmingham Foundation, the South Side-based organization that targets the well-being of children, access to health, and the well-being and safety of senior citizens. Mr. Bibro, 61, succeeds Mary Phan-Gruber, who resigned in August to join Dewey & Kaye, Downtown, as a senior nonprofit consultant. Mr. Bibro previously was general manager of The Pittsburgh Terminal Properties.

Natural gas hits a 29-month high

Natural gas advanced to a 29-month high yesterday after the dollar declined the most against the euro in more than a week. Natural gas for July delivery advanced 30.8 cents, or 2.4 percent, to settle at $12.933 per million British thermal units on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Futures earlier touched $12.99, the highest since $14.271 on Dec. 21, 2005, and have climbed 73 percent this year. "We're looking at the $13 mark as a big line in the sand," said an analyst at Barclays Capital Inc.

Corn prices stalk the grocery aisles

Corn climbed yesterday to a record approaching $8 a bushel after storms pounded crops in the Midwest. Corn futures for December delivery were unchanged at $7.65 a bushel on the Chicago Board of Trade. Earlier, the price rose to a record $7.915, climbing to an all-time high for the eighth straight session. The price has gained 16 percent in the past five sessions and 83 percent in the past year on soaring demand for biofuels and livestock feed.

Home builders aren't optimistic

The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo housing market index fell this month to 18, down from 19 in May, the Washington trade group said yesterday. The index had been holding steady at 20 from February through April, but the two-month drop indicates that builders see market conditions deteriorating. Index readings higher than 50 indicate positive sentiment about the market. More than half of the 390 developers surveyed described sales activity as poor, while 50 percent said they expected sales over the next six months to be poor.

Also in business ...

Mylan Inc. said the Food and Drug Administration approved its generic version of Wyeth's Effexor tablets, which are used in the treatment of depressive and anxiety disorder. Separately, Mylan said it received tentative approval from the FDA to market its generic version of Sanofi Aventis' Avalide, which is used to treat hypertension.