Home video sales increase

LOS ANGELES » U.S. home video spending rose nearly 1 percent to more than $18 billion in 2013, the second straight year of growth as higher spending on video streaming subscriptions and digital purchases offset the decline in DVDs.

The figures were released by the consortium of Hollywood studios and electronics makers, The Digital Entertainment Group, on Tuesday.

Digital sales of movies and TV shows rose 47 percent to $1.2 billion, while subscription streaming spending rose 32 percent to $3.2 billion.

Blu-ray disc sales rose about 5 percent, but overall physical disc sales fell 8 percent to $7.8 billion. Rental revenue fell 5 percent to $6.1 billion.

The group credited the growth to increased use of high-definition TVs and Blu-ray players and greater adoption of its cloud storage system, UltraViolet, now with 15 million accounts.

Ford boosts dividend payout

DETROIT » Ford Motor Co. said last week it will increase the quarterly dividend it pays shareholders to 12.5 cents, up 25 percent from the 10-cents-per-share payout in 2013.

Ford said it is confident it can sustain a higher dividend payout.

The move puts more pressure on General Motors Co. to resume paying dividends now that it has freed itself of government ownership and obligations that were put in place when the automaker filed for bankruptcy in 2009.

Ford also stopped paying dividends during the recession and restored the practice in 2012 with a 5-cent payout.

GM’s CEO encourages science careers

DETROIT » The incoming CEO of General Motors hopes her appointment as the first woman to lead a global automaker will inspire young women and men to pursue careers in science.

Mary Barra’s first appearance before reporters since getting the job in December eclipsed the glitzy rollout of the GMC Canyon small pickup truck Sunday at an old industrial building north of downtown Detroit.

Barra, who officially takes the job Wednesday, led the truck-unveiling ceremony and then was immediately surrounded by several hundred journalists.

Responding to a question about being an inspiration to women, Barra said she hopes her engineering credentials make her a role model for young people. "With my technical background — I’m an electrical engineer — and I can motivate young women or young men to pursue a career in science," she said.

Barra, 52, who was appointed by the board Dec. 10 to replace the outgoing Dan Akerson, avoided a question about whether she’s under more pressure at work because she’s a woman. "I come to work every day. I work my hardest. We’re focused on the goal. We’re aligned. That’s the way I look at it," she said.

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