ThinkstockThe National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) this morning reported an increase of 2.3 points in its small business optimism index, up from 92.1 in April to 94.4 in May. The NFIB noted that…
ThinkstockLDK Solar Co. Ltd. (NYSE: LDK) reported first-quarter 2013 results before markets opened this morning. The solar PV maker reported a diluted earnings per American depositary share (ADS) loss of $1.21 on revenues of…
ThinkstockYoga and athletic apparel maker Lululemon Athletica Inc. (NASDAQ: LULU) reported first quarter 2013 results after markets closed today. For the quarter the company reported diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.32 on revenue…
U.S. equity markets opened higher this morning following some mixed economic data released in China. The country’s CPI rose less than expected, producer prices fell, fixed asset investment rose a little less than expected,…
ThinkstockWhen U.S. crude oil supplies remain very high, U.S. drivers can usually depend on gasoline pump prices to fall. That has not been happening in the U.S. for about 2 months now, with gasoline…
ThinkstockThe International Energy Agency (IEA) released a special report on energy use and climate change today, warning that the global goal of limiting the temperature increase to 2º Celsius is likely to fall short…
ThinkstockCnooc Ltd. (NYSE: CEO), the Hong Kong and U.S. listed arm of China National Offshore Oil Corp., has reached an agreement to partner with Iceland’s Eykon Energy to explore for oil off the northeast…
courtesy of McDonald'sFast-food giant McDonald’s Corp. (NYSE: MCD) today reported same-store sales growth of 2.6% in May, compared to sales in May of last year. Whether this marks a turnaround in the company’s weaker…
ThinkstockAuto battery maker Exide Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: XIDE) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this morning. The company is on the hook for a $31 million interest payment in August and $52 million convertible…
ThinkstockResearch and information analysis company IHS Inc. (NYSE: IHS) announced this morning that it has agreed to acquire auto industry information and analysis firm R.L. Polk & Co. for $1.4 billion. Polk created and…
U.S. equity markets opened higher this morning after the report on non-farm payrolls showed a slightly larger rise than analysts had expected. State and local government jobs rose for the first time in months.…
ThinkstockCoal mining companies have had a miserable two years. Low-cost natural gas has clobbered demand for thermal coal to generate electricity, and the slow global economy has substantially slowed demand for metallurgical coal used…
ThinkstockApple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) has reportedly signed a deal with Sony Music Entertainment, a division of Sony Corp. (NYSE: SNE), clearing the way for the Cupertino company to announce its expected internet radio service…
ThinkstockTextura Corp. (NYSE: TXTR), an enterprise software maker for the commercial construction industry, held its initial public offering (IPO) this morning, selling 5.175 million shares at a per share price of $15.00, the top…
Courtesy Porsche Cars North America Inc.Brand loyalty among U.S. car buyers rose to 51.5% in the first quarter of 2013, up two points compared with the first quarter of 2012. Cadillac from General Motors…
ThinkstockU.S. consumers spent more money in May than in any month since October 2008. In a self-reporting poll from Gallup, consumers’ average daily spending in May averaged $90, up from $86 in April. Consumer…
thinkstockConfirming a report from last night, set-top box maker TiVo Inc. (NASDAQ: TIVO) said this morning that the company has settled patent litigation with Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG), Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO), Time…
ThinkstockChristopher & Banks Corp. (NYSE: CBK) reported first-quarter fiscal 2013 results before markets opened this morning. The women’s specialty apparel retailer reported quarterly diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.02 on $108.5 million in…
Wikimedia CommonsTelecommunications giant AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) said last night that it expects to add 500,000 new postpaid wireless subscribers to its rolls in the second quarter. The company also said it expects stronger…
U.S. equity markets opened slightly lower this morning, even though the report on new U.S. claims for unemployment benefits came in a bit lower than expected. The drag on stock prices followed a statement…