U.S. Workers More Productive in 1Q -- But Just Barely
U.S. worker productivity barely grew from January through March after shrinking in the final three months of 2012.
Business
April Factory Activity Weakest in 6 Months as Orders Fall
Manufacturing growth pulled back to its slowest pace in six months in April as new orders and employment cooled, the latest signal the economy has hit a soft spot.
Pfizer 1Q Profit Rises, but Trims Full-Year Outlook
Pfizer reported lower-than-expected quarterly earnings and revenue and the largest U.S. drugmaker trimmed its full-year profit outlook.
Kodak to Sell 2 Units to Settle U.K. Pension Obligations
Kodak has agreed to sell its personalized and document imaging businesses to its U.K. pension plan as part of an agreement that settles $2.8 billion in claims.
Goldman Loan Lends a Boost to Penney's Flagging Finances
J.C. Penney confirmed Monday that Goldman Sachs will provide it with $1.75 billion in financing, confirming rumors that first surfaced Friday.
Burger King has a Whopper of a Quarter as Earnings Double
Burger King says its first-quarter earnings more than doubled even though revenue fell, as the fast-food chain trimmed several restaurant-related expenses.
UPS' Quarterly Profit Rises on Higher Consumer Spending
UPS reports a higher first-quarter profit attributable in part to post-holiday consumer spending.
Exxon's Quarterly Profit Edges Up as Energy Production Slumps
Exxon Mobil's quarterly profit edged up, as the world's largest publicly traded oil company's results were helped by higher earnings in its chemicals business.
United Continental Narrows Loss on Higher Airfares, Lower Fuel Costs
United Continental Holdings posted a smaller quarterly loss on Thursday, as the world's largest carrier was helped somewhat by lower fuel prices and higher passenger revenue.
Higher Fares Help Boost Southwest Airlines' Profit
Higher fares are helping Southwest Airlines make more money than Wall Street expected, but the company says automatic federal spending cuts could hurt revenue in April.
Xerox 1Q Profit Beats Estimates, Warns on Second Quarter
Xerox reported first-quarter earnings that beat expectations but said second-quarter profit would miss estimates as it restructures to become a broader technology company.
Survey: Budget Cuts Not Hurting U.S. Businesses
Washington's budget tightening is having a minimal effect on businesses, a survey of business economists released Monday shows.
States Rejecting Medicaid Expansion Face Repercussions
Rejecting Medicaid expansion could have unexpected consequences for states where Republican lawmakers remain steadfastly opposed to the new federal health care law.
The Financial Landscape: No Bailout Yet for Greece
At the start of a new week, all eyes are on Greece. E.U. finance ministers postponed agreement on a bailout until they see proof that its government will follow through on austerity measures. Meanwhile, some big U.S. firms are pushing for a generous tax holiday.
More Businesses Are Jumping on the iPad Bandwagon
As Apple fans line up to snag an iPad 2 when they go on sale Friday, individual consumers won't be the only ones purchasing them. Analysts explain why corporate America is increasingly adopting the popular tablet computer.
Can Social Media Be Used to Incite Corporate Revolutions?
Social media played a key role in the successful revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt, and more dictatorial regimes are facing protesters who use the Internet as a weapon. But could the power of social networking create similar revolutionary changes in the corporate world?
Career Risk-Taking Hits a New Low, Thanks to the Still-Weak Economy
Whether it was a fresh startup or a fresh start, fewer Americans seemed willing to take career risks last year, according to a new report by Challenger, Gray & Christmas. The percentage of job-seekers starting their own businesses or relocating for new positions fell to historic lows in 2010.
Three U.S. Stocks to Buy After China's White House Visit
President Obama brought executives from 13 major U.S. firms to the White House Wednesday to meet with Chinese Premier Hu Jintao. The corporate leaders will surely be angling for better access to China's markets, which could boost their stocks. But only a few are actually good investments now.
IBM Earnings Get an Upgrade from Outsourcing
IBM beat Wall Street expectations with its fourth-quarter earnings released Thursday, growing profit 9% and sales 7%. The company has gained from increased corporate spending on computer upgrades and on outsourcing.
Can William Daley Boost Obama's Business Reputation?
For the most part, the business community has cheered the president's appointment of Wall Street banker -- and former secretary of commerce -- William Daley as the new White House chief of staff. Daley is widely expected to enhance the administration's business reputation, but that's hardly a cake walk, even for a businessman.
People@Work: As Summer Ends, Some Workers Feel It's Time to Go
After so many layoffs in recent years, workers still on the job are feeling overworked and unappreciated. The lack of promotions, incompetent coworkers and uncommunicative bosses are prompting many to consider chucking it all for another job.
Obama: The U.S.
Is on Schedule to Double Exports
U.S. exports increased 17% during the first four months of the year compared to last year, President Obama said before a gathering of government and corporate officials at the White House. Higher exports should translate into more jobs.
Why Singapore Is a Millionaire Magnet
Singapore has the greatest proportion of millionaire households in the world, but why? Credit a better quality of life, a growing economy, family friendly businesses and so much more.
Turning Glass Windows Into Mini Power Plants
Silicon Valley startup Pythagoras Solar wants to put power plants in your office windows, skylights and building facade. It's launched a new type of solar glass, which uses a plastic prism to boost electricity generation and reduce costs.