Fourth Quarter

GDP Report: U.S. Economy Expands at 0.4% Rate

The economy grew at a slightly faster but still anemic rate at the end of last year. There's hope that growth accelerated in early 2013, despite higher taxes and spending cuts.

Market Minute: Nordstrom 4th-Quarter Net Income Rises

Luxury spending has rebounded since 2009, but Nordstrom is grappling with new demands from shoppers armed with smartphones and tablets. That's pushing the department store, considered the gold standard in customer service, to redefine the term for a new era.

Economy Grew Modest 2.8% in Q4, Best in 2011

The U.S. economy grew at a 2.8 percent annual rate in the final three months of last year, the fastest growth in 2011. Americans spent more on cars and trucks, and companies restocked their shelves at the strongest pace in nearly two years. But growth in the October-December quarter -- and all of last year -- was held back by the biggest annual government spending cuts in four decades.

Healthy Surprises in the Fourth-Quarter GDP Report

Consumers reopened their wallets and manufacturers slashed inventories, indicating they're getting ready to ramp up production of more goods this year. Also contributing to growth were rising exports and falling imports. But just how good will 2011 prove to be?

Applied Materials Fourth-Quarter Earnings More Than Triple

Applied Materials, the world's largest maker of computer-chip-manufacturing equipment, says its profit for its fiscal fourth quarter more than tripled from the same period a year ago.