The Ifo institute in Munich said its business climate index has fallen to 100.0 from 101.4 in September. That is the sixth consecutive decline, as well as the lowest reading since February of 2010.…
In October, Markit’s Composite Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell to 45.8 from a September reading of 46.1. That is, businesses in the eurozone saw their worst month since the 17-nation bloc emerged from recession…
3M Co. (NYSE: MMM) and Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW) this morning each posted higher profits than a year ago, but revenues missed consensus estimates. The St. Paul, Minn.-based conglomerate posted adjusted earnings…
Coach Inc. (NYSE: COH) and Harley-Davidson Inc. (NYSE: HOG) both offered small upside surprises in earnings in this morning’s quarterly reports, despite very different results. The upscale leather goods maker posted adjusted earnings per…
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) has entered another battle with some of its employees. The company has a history of complaints and lawsuits in a range of issues from discrimination against women to sub…
Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ: FB) will release its earnings report after the closing bell today. Expectations are low, so the stock is unlikely to be knocked down from already poor levels. It is hardly worth…
Amazon.com Inc.As usual, the public and investors have made a circus out of the release of a new Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) product. In this case, it is the iPad mini, which is supposed to…
Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) said today that it will acquire privately held NextWave Pharmaceuticals. NextWave is a specialty pharmaceutical company that focuses on the development and commercialization of products for the treatment of attention…
Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) this morning reported record third-quarter results that included a pretax gain of $273 million. The Peoria, Ill.-based heavy equipment manufacturer posted adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $2.54 on revenues…
Hasbro Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) and V.F. Corp. (NYSE: VFC) this morning reported a better-than-expected third-quarter profits, but each fell short of revenue projections. The toy maker posted adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.24…
As reviews and predictions increase ahead of Friday’s release of Microsoft Corp.’s (NASDAQ: MSFT) Windows 8, a few issues dominate the commentary. The first is that Windows 8 is such a radical departure that…
The latest report about how Europe’s nations will be bailed out, what the role of the International Monetary Fund will be, whether Germany will block plans that cost its taxpayers too much, and the role of…
coutesy of Exxon Mobile Corp.The hope that gasoline prices in the United States will drop finally has some support, based on recent numbers. The AAA Fuel Gauge report shows that the price for an…
After struggling through the financial crisis, massive recalls that harmed its reputation, and an earthquake and severe floods that crippled production, Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM) seemed to be back on track with its…
WebMD Health Corp. (NASDAQ: WBMD) said that on Thursday its board of directors has signed off an amendment to its shareholder rights agreement to guard against coercive takeovers and other tactics that might be…
Honeywell International Inc. (NYSE: HON) this morning reported a better-than-expected third-quarter profit as a boom in natural gas drilling offset weakness in Europe. The New Jersey-based diversified manufacturer posted adjusted earnings per share (EPS)…
The Europeans finally have agreed on something. There will be one bank supervisor for the region as early as next year. While the decision may be a step forward, it is not entirely clear…
The number of reviews of Microsoft Corp.’s (NASDAQ: MSFT) Windows 8 OS has increased rapidly, with its release only days away. The earnings of the world’s largest software company, hurt by low sales of…
Sony Corp. (NYSE: SNE) continues it retreat as most of its business divisions continue to sputter in the face of competition. The company closed a camera and mobile phone factory. It also will “downsize”…
Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) this morning reported an in-line profit in the third quarter, boosted in part to fewer negative fuel-hedging impacts. The Dallas-based company posted adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.13…