Business briefs

LONG ISLAND

Henry Schein to repurchase shares

Henry Schein Inc., Long Island’s largest public company based on revenue, on Tuesday announced that its board of directors had authorized the repurchase of up to $400 million in common stock. The new program represents about 3 percent of the 83 million shares outstanding at current prices. In a research note Michael Cherny, analyst for investment banking firm Evercore ISI, said the action suggests that Henry Schein, based in Melville, will continue deploying capital through mergers and acquisitions and share buybacks rather than institute a dividend like competitor Patterson Companies Inc. Shares of Henry Schein, a distributor of dental, medical and veterinary products, climbed 1.69 percent to close at $159.13.— Ken Schachter

NEW YORK

Applications for laborers apprenticeships

The Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee for Local 78 of the Asbestos, Lead and Hazardous Waste Laborers union will begin taking applications Wednesday for 50 skilled construction-craft laborer apprenticeships, officials said. Applications can be obtained at the Mason Tenders Training Fund office, 42-53 21st St., in Long Island City, from 9:30 to noon weekdays through Dec. 16 or until 500 forms have been distributed, whichever comes first. Applications will not be available on Dec. 15, and only one form will be given per person. Applicants must be 18 or older, provide proof of completion of high school or GED courses, be physically able to do the work, be able to wear coveralls and respirators at all times, pass an exam, live on Long Island or in New York City and have a valid driver’s license. For more information, go to mttf.org or call 718-383-6863.— James T. Madore

Proposal to deter terrorism financing

New York regulators on Tuesday proposed requiring banks to annually certify having sufficient programs to deter terrorism financing and money laundering. The Department of Financial Services said the proposed regulations would apply to all New York-regulated banks, branches of foreign banks licensed to operate in the state and licensed check cashers and money transmitters. The rules would require banks to certify that they monitor transactions and filter them through watch lists. The proposal is subject to 45 days of public comment. “Global terrorist networks simply cannot thrive without moving significant amounts of money throughout the world,” Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said. “At a time of heightened global security concerns, it is especially vital that banks and regulators do everything they can to stop that flow of illicit funds.”

NATION

Factory activity plummets

U.S. factory activity plummeted last month to the lowest level in more than six years, with a stronger dollar and low oil prices cutting new orders and hurting production. The Institute for Supply Management said Tuesday its index of factory activity in November dropped to 48.6 from 50.1 in October. Any reading below 50 signals contraction, and the index has tumbled below that critical level for the first time since November 2012. It now rests at its lowest level since June 2009, a worrisome sign as Federal Reserve officials will consider raising short-term interest rates this month on the understanding that the economy has sufficiently healed from the Great Recession.

Ford adding 2,000 jobs

Ford Motor Co. said Tuesday it will add 2,000 jobs and invest $1.3 billion at a Louisville plant to support production of new aluminum-body Super Duty trucks, deepening the automaker’s ties to a city where it has two large production facilities. The investment, cheered by plant workers and Kentucky politicians, includes putting more workers on the final assembly line for the new 2017 F-Series Super Duty trucks, said Joe Hinrichs, Ford’s president of the Americas. The company anticipates strong demand when the new trucks reach dealers’ lots late next year, he said. — AP