Monsanto

In contrast to the many U.S. companies we should view with pride, some have behaved in ways that are downright evil. For their exploitative behaviors, these companies (and one whole industry) have earned their seats on the corporate netherworld's board of shame.

As April 1 approaches, Green America wants you to help it choose the "Biggest Corporate Fool" of 2012: the worst offender in the realm of business shenanigans. You've probably heard of most of the nominees -- but the behavior they're being called out for may be news to you.

Next week's biggest news is all but certain to be Apple's introduction of the iPhone 5, led by new CEO Tim Cook. Beyond that, there will be quarterly reports from Darden Restaurants (Olive Garden, Red Lobster), Monsanto, and Costco, as well as a big-screen offering from IMAX.

Earnings season unofficially kicks off today, but 26 companies have already reported for the second quarter of this year. According to institutional data provider Capital IQ, here are some of the highlights so far:

Home retailers Bed Bath & Beyond and Pier 1 Imports are scheduled to post quarterly earnings this week, along with Monsanto, the biotech, agriculture and chemical giant. Here's what analysts expect to see.

CEO bonuses rose 30.5% in the past year, but are the heads of large U.S. firms really earning their hefty compensation packages by creating increased profits and shareholder value? A closer look reveals wide disparities: There are some Bargain CEOs, but also some Hogs and Value Destroyers.

Once unknown to most U.S. investors, Syngenta has blossomed as one of the world's leading agribusiness companies, with a hefty 19% global share in the multibillion-dollar crop-protection market and 11% in seed production. Its stock is near a record high.

Let's say you love going to the beach, but it's been galling you lately to see those unsightly plastic shopping bags blowing around in the wind. A scuba diver friend tells you they get twined around coral reefs and eaten by endangered sea turtles mistaking them for jellyfish. Would it help if you...

Monsanto (MON), the world's biggest seed company, reported third-quarter profit of 81 cents a share on an ongoing basis, 2 cents above analysts estimates of 79 cents, according to Bloomberg. Net income in the third quarter was $384 million, nearly half of last year's quarter net income of $694...

There's a scene from the old John Candy movie Summer Rental in which Candy and his family order a dish called "Sully's Catch of the Day" at a seaside restaurant. The dish is advertised as being freshly caught, lightly breaded and sautéed grouper, but it turns out, it's just frozen fish...