Northeast U.S. is Blasted by a Blizzard, Could Slow Trading

Some companies win and others lose during big snowstorms. Losers are airlines, which have canceled thousands of flights. Insurance companies can get hit as well if lots of claims are filed. Cities have to bust their budgets on overtime and salt when big storms move through. Many companies turn to telecommuting during big storms to still get work done. Some areas of the Northeast could see up to 2 feet of snow. Optimism among small business owners is soaring. The Wells-Fargo-Gallup poll shows U.S. small business owners are the most optimistic they have been since July 2007. 71% said their overall financial situation is very or somewhat good. Yahoo!  (YHOO)  detailed the golden parachute of $23 million for Chief Executive Officer Marissa Mayer as part of her planned departure from what's left of the company as it sells its core assets to Verizon (VZ) - Get Report . After the deal closes, Yahoo will change its name to Altaba.