Higher durable-goods orders ease economic worries

A surge in demand for autos and aircraft drove orders for long-lasting manufactured goods higher in July, easing fears that the economy might be on the verge of another recession.
The rebound in the auto industry helped offset a decline in orders for most other factory goods.
Stocks rose after the better-than-expected report showed the biggest increase […]

Dithering in DC spooks businesses

Robert Griggs is a risk-taker by nature. He has never been afraid of debt.
At the moment, however, Griggs is delaying a decision on whether to invest $10 million or more and create about 50 new jobs at his steel pipe mill in St. Charles. Orders are strong and profits have never been higher, but Griggs […]

American Airlines is deep in red despite changes

American Airlines Inc. has secured alliances with some of the world’s best airlines. It has restructured its network to focus on major cities. It is replacing its fleet. It avoided bankruptcy when many of its competitors fled to Chapter 11.
What it has not done, however, is make money.
In the 10 years ended Dec. 31, 2010, […]

US stocks edge lower; McDonald’s sales disappoint

Stocks edged lower in early trading Wednesday, a day after the Dow Jones industrial average had its longest losing streak since August. McDonald’s Corp. fell after reporting weak sales.
McDonald’s Corp., the world’s largest hamburger chain, didn’t sell as much at its U.S. restaurants in May as investors had hoped. The stock slipped 0.7 percent to […]

Spotlight falls on Sony’s troubled cybersecurity

Another massive data breach at Sony has left hackers exulting, customers steaming and security experts questioning why basic fixes haven’t been made to the company’s stricken cybersecurity program.
Hackers say they managed to steal a massive trove of personal information from Sony Pictures’ website using a basic technique which they claim shows how poorly the company […]

Discount grocery market continues to expand

For proof of the growing popularity of discount grocery stores, look no further than the parking lot.
On a recent evening outside the Aldi on South Grand Boulevard in south St. Louis, a battered pickup and a rusting Dodge shared space with a yellow Hummer and a late model Honda SUV.
“You used to just see old, […]

South Korea’s Slower Output Growth May Fail to Deter Rate Increase in May - Bloomberg

South Korea’s industrial production expanded at the slowest pace in six months in March, a moderation that may fail to deter the central bank from raising interest rates next month.
Output climbed 8.7 percent from a year earlier after gaining a revised 9.2 percent in February, Statistics Korea said today. The median estimate of 14 […]

Hasbro 1st-quarter profit drops 71 percent

Hasbro says its first-quarter profit tumbled 71 percent as weakness persisted in games, puzzles and several other product categories and the company spent money to develop new products and staff its joint-venture TV station.
The toy maker says net income fell 71 percent to $17.2 million, or 12 cents per share, in the January-March period while […]

Apple’s influence on Nasdaq-100 index slashed

The Nasdaq-100 index will be rebalanced to reduce the weight of Apple’s stock by about 40%, Nasdaq OMX announced Tuesday.
The changes will bring Apple in line with Nasdaq rules that require a rebalancing whenever a single stock makes up more than 20% of the index.
Apple (AAPL, Fortune 500) currently represents 20.5% of the index, […]

Budget may offer help for seniors

The federal budget may include assistance for low-income seniors and retirees who rely on government benefits and tax changes for those whose investment nest eggs have been hard-hit by stock market turmoil.
The minister has already hinted there could be help for low-income single seniors, said Susan Eng, vice president, advocacy, for the Canadian Association […]