Retail

From history and economics to crime novels and biographies, whatever book the president touches -- and talks about -- turns into sales gold. Americans are very clearly interested in whatever the president is reading, and they're buying accordingly.

Toshiba Corp. is recalling about 41,000 laptop computers because the computers may overheat, causing the area where the A/C adapter connects to the computer to melt and possibly burn.

Wheat prices rose after Russia extended an export ban on grains and high food prices prompted a strike in Mozambique.

Take-Two Interactive Software (TTWO) surged in after-hours trading on strong earnings reported Thursday after the market close. Pre-market trading on Friday continued the gains. As of 8:09 am, the stock was at $10.11 per share, a 14.24% over Thursday's close.

Campbell Soup Company (CPB) reported net earnings of 33 cents per share for the quarter ended Aug. 1, compared with adjusted net earnings of 30 cents per share a year earlier.

The improvement in earnings was driven by a lower effective tax rate and a reduction in weighted average diluted shares...

Technology company Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) will purchase utility storage company 3Par Inc (PAR) for $2.35 billion or $33 a share.

The agreement between the two companies ends 3Par's merger agreement with chip-maker Dell Inc. (DELL), with 3Par agreeing to pay Dell $72 million as a termination fee....

Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co., owner of the A&P supermarket chain, may sell its Food Emporium stores as the 151-year-old company continues to try to turn around its finances by cutting costs and revamping leadership.

Despite heat waves, penny-pinching parents and a weak job market, most retailers posted solid sales in August. They benefited from better inventory control -- giving local stores more say in merchandising -- and well-timed promotions.

Delta Air Lines Inc (DAL) is cutting jobs and retiring planes at its Comair regional subsidiary.

Comair is retiring most of its 50-seat jets in 2011 and 2012, Reuters reported, citing a Comair memo to staff. The memo did not give details on how many of the subsidiary's 2,600 workers will be cut....

Car rental company Avis Budget Group Inc (CAR) improved its offer for Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group (DTG).

Avis raised the cash portion of the offer to $40.75 a share, from $39.25, Avis said in a statement. The offer now stands at $40.75 in cash and 0.6543 shares of Avis Budget stock per share of...