analysts

Mergers and acquisitions are becoming ever more popular, with activity up 24% in the first two months of this year -- after already growing 23% in 2010. Here's how your portfolio can benefit from this trend.

When companies use the word "immaterial" to describe errors or irregularities in their previously reported numbers, what they're trying to say is that their mistakes involved such small amounts that they don't really matter. Too often, though, that's not really the case.

Oil giant BP (BP) believes that compensation claims related to the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster will be less than the $20 billion the company set aside to meet the claims, CEO Bob Dudley told analysts. Dudley said "that given the current estimates of claims, the $20 billion Independent Claims...

Like a drunk coming off a night of partying, Apple shares were sluggish Friday -- closing down a slight 0.86% to $266.70 a share. The weak performance happened despite the iPhone 4 launch Thursday and several Wall Street analysts raising their Apple earnings estimates.

A further 18% overall profit increase this year, in an economy facing numerous challenges both domestically and overseas? Don't count on it.

The irrational despondence that set in during the grips of the downturn is now giving way to unfounded exuberance. The most concrete sign of that now: Analysts expect S&P 500 companies to rack up earnings increases next year at an unprecedented rate.

TD Ameritrade reported earnings below expectations, largely due to declining trade income and a low interest rate environment. The company recorded profits of 23 cents per share, down from 31 cents per share, a year earlier.

Goldman Sachs Group (GS) has confirmed investors' worst fears about Wall Street analysts. The banking company, whose shares have almost doubled this year, gives its big investment and trading clients such as Janus Capital Group their best tips and investment advice "sometimes days ahead of...