ThinkstockThe U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released its weekly petroleum status report this morning. U.S. commercial crude inventories increased by 400,000 barrels last week, maintaining a total U.S. commercial crude inventory to 364.6 million…
courtesy Dell Inc.Michael Dell and Silver Lake Partners did not get the voting rules change they sought from a special committee of the board of directors of Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL). The special committee…
courtesy of SamsungA new smartphone brand study could be the harbinger of a new world order. Two smartphones made by Samsung Electronics were the top U.S. scorers, ahead of various iPhone models from Apple…
ThinkstockPhillips 66 (NYSE: PSX) reported second-quarter 2013 results before markets opened this morning. The oil refiner posted adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.50. In the same period a year ago, the company…
thinkstockYesterday’s announcement of the breakup of Belarusian Potash Co. (BPC) sent shares of North American potash producers tumbling by the largest dollar amounts in nearly five years. And that may just be the good…
ThinkstockThe Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) released its weekly report on mortgage applications this morning, noting a drop of 3.7% in the group’s seasonally adjusted composite index following a drop of 1.2% for the previous…
courtesy of McDonald'sIt would cost McDonald’s Corp. (NYSE: MCD) and its franchisees more than $8 billion a year in the United States, if its workers received a raise from current wages to the $15…
July 30, 2013: U.S. equity markets opened higher this morning as traders and investors wait for tomorrow’s announcement from the FOMC. There was little economic data published today. In the U.S., the S&P Case-Shiller…
U.S. National Park ServiceLast Friday, an unidentified person threw green paint on the Lincoln Memorial. Earlier today, a woman was arrested in connection with the act. The Lincoln Memorial, which alone had nearly 6.2…
ThinkstockThe S&P/Case-Shiller home price index for May posted record gains. The 20-city composite rose 12.2% year-over-year, more than the consensus estimate for a gain of 10.9%, and above the record April increase of 12.1%.…
Courtesy of 3D Systems Inc.3D Systems Corp. (NYSE: DDD) reported-second quarter 2013 results before markets opened this morning. The 3D printer maker reported adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.20 and $120.8 million…
ThinkstockArch Coal Inc. (NYSE: ACI) reported second-quarter 2013 results before markets opened this morning. The coal miner posted an adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) loss of $0.29 on revenues of $766.3 million. In…
courtesy of McDonald'sYesterday’s walkouts at fast-food restaurants in seven U.S. cities are set to continue today in some if not all locations. Workers have walked out in an effort to gain an hourly wage…
courtesy of Daimler Global MediaWhat makes a car appealing to buyers? According to a recent J.D. Power report, consumers know what matters and vote with their wallets. A more appealing car commands a higher price,…
ThinkstockEarly August is when most families begin and end their shopping for back-to-school items like pencils, shoes, and other gear. This year about 90% of U.S. families plan to spend at least as much…
ThinkstockAlthough the technique known as hydraulic fracturing was first tried in the 1950s, it did not become popular (read, “economic”) until a small company called Mitchell Energy & Development Corp. applied the technique to…
ThinkstockThe National Association of Realtors (NAR) this morning released its data on pending sales of existing homes in June. The pending home sales index slipped 0.4% from a downwardly revised 111.3 in May to…
courtesy of KFCThe country’s largest fast-food chains are expected to see walkouts in seven cities today as workers protest the industry’s low wages at some the nation’s most profitable companies. Walkouts are expected at…
ThinkstockWynn Resorts Ltd. (NASDAQ: WYNN) reported second-quarter 2013 results before markets opened this morning. The casino and resort operator posted adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.51 on revenues of $1.33 billion. In…
Thinkstock Luxury retailer Saks Inc. (NYSE: SKS) has agreed to a merger with Toronto-based Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) in an all-cash deal for which the Canadian firm will pay $16 a share for the…