Economy

Japan's PM Abe defends policies as markets settle
Japan's top leaders are defending the economic strategies championed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, though the central bank chief acknowledged a need ...
NJ: Caramel-colored rubbing alcohol sold as scotch
At one bar, a mixture that included rubbing alcohol and caramel coloring was sold as scotch. In another, premium liquor bottles were refilled with ...
Procter & Gamble brings back A.G. Lafley as CEO
Procter & Gamble Co. is bringing back its former CEO, as the world's largest consumer-products maker tries to spur global growth. In a surprise move, ...
Sears reports bigger-than-expected 1Q loss
It was another ugly quarter for Sears Holdings Corp. The beleaguered department-store chain reported a steeper-than-expected loss for its first ...
Gap back in style as 1Q profit jumps 43 percent
After years of struggle, Gap is back in style. Gap Inc., which owns The Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic clothing chains, on Thursday reported a 43 ...
Ralph Lauren's 4Q profit rises 35 pct
Ralph Lauren Corp. reported a 35 percent increase in fourth-quarter profit as the luxury retailer benefited from lower cotton prices and cost controls
Pandora posts in-line 1Q loss, upbeat sales
Internet radio company Pandora Media Inc. reported higher-than-expected revenue in the latest quarter, with losses in line with analysts' forecasts, ...
ECB's Draghi: 'Imperative' to set up new bank body
European Central Bank President Mario Draghi said it was "imperative" that Europe's leaders create a new agency with powers to restructure busted ...
House immigration group resolves dispute
House members writing a bipartisan immigration bill said Thursday they had patched over a dispute that threatened their efforts, even as they and the ...
Smooth confirmation hearing for Pritzker
President Barack Obama's nominee for commerce secretary was questioned briefly about her ties to a subprime mortgage lender that failed in 2001 and ...
Stocks end lower as investors reassess Fed worries
Stocks are ending the day slightly lower after recouping a big loss early on. U.S. markets fell immediately after the opening bell following a global ...
Big stores nix credit card settlement, file suit
Some of the country's largest retailers, including Target Corp. and Macy's Inc., on Thursday filed a lawsuit against MasterCard and Visa, rejecting ...
IMF chief Lagarde in court in fraud probe
International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde faced hours of questioning at a special Paris court Thursday over her role in the 400 million euro ...
Oil tracks gains in stocks, erases early losses
An afternoon recovery in U.S. stock markets helped oil reverse early losses Thursday. Benchmark oil for July delivery fell 3 cents to close at $94.
Shareholder adviser firm paying $300,000 fine
A prominent firm in the business of advising big shareholders on how to vote in elections for company directors is paying a $300,000 fine to settle ...
US rate on 30-year mortgages rises to 3.59 pct.
Average rates on fixed mortgages rose for the third straight week, hitting their highest levels since mid-March. Still, mortgage rates remained close ...
AP PHOTOS: Egypt's languishing Islamic antiquities
Cairo, the Arab world's most populated city, is often referred to as an open-air museum of Islamic antiquities and the city of 1,000 minarets. But its ...
Turkey debates alcohol sales and ad restrictions
Turkish lawmakers on Thursday began debating a bill that bans all alcohol advertising and tightens restrictions on sales of such beverages — a ...
US new home sales up 2.3 percent in April
U.S. sales of new homes rose in April and nearly matched the fastest pace in five years, driving the median price to a record high. The gains suggest ...
US stock market recovers most of an early loss
Stock prices are slightly lower at midday on Wall Street after manufacturing contracted unexpectedly in China this month. The Dow Jones industrial ...
Sales gains lift Dollar Tree's 1Q profit 15 pct
Discount retailer Dollar Tree Inc. said Thursday that its net income increased 15 percent in the first quarter as consumers spent more at its stores, ...
Stock slump continues on Wall Street
A global stock market slump is continuing on Wall Street as traders worry about how committed the Federal Reserve remains to keeping up its ...
Oil down to near $93 on Chinese recovery concerns
The price of oil fell to near $93 a barrel on Thursday after a survey showed manufacturing activity in China falling to its lowest level in seven ...
Crane accident cuts power to one-third of Vietnam
One mistake by a clumsy crane operator caused a 10-hour blackout over about a third of Vietnam, exposing the fragility of the nation's power grid.
Bangladesh: Owners' many failings led to collapse
The defects and errors that led to the world's deadliest garment-industry accident extend from the swampy ground the doomed Rana Plaza was built on, ...