Political upsets in Peruvian regional elections could indicate a national shift to the left -- and some business leaders worry that could discourage foreign investment in the country, which has rich natural resources such as oil, gas and gold.
In a sign that large fossil-fuel power plants may be falling out of favor, French engineering company Alstom on Monday announced plans to cut 4,000 jobs in the next 17 months. Alstom cited low demand for its coal and natural-gas plants. Its renewable-energy operations won't be affected by the cuts.
PG&E shares plunged $4.03 on Friday to $44.21 one day after the blast. Investors continued taking profits on Monday, but the stock then recovered to close up a nickel. Still, the ultimate impact will depend on the investigation's results.
Global oil demand growth is expected to increase a little this year but slip in 2011 as fuel stockpiles surge and concern persists that economic growth could falter, the International Energy Agency said on Friday.
Air Products & Chemicals (APD) has raised its bid for Airgas (ARG) to $65.50 a share in an all-cash offer. The latest offer represents a 50% premium above Airgas' closing stock price on Feb. 4, the day prior to Air Products submitting its first acquisition plan, Air Products said Monday in a written statement.
More states are hiking tax rates on the sale of retail items, gasoline and cigarettes according to a recent survey of state consumption taxes.
May's retail sales figures seem to show U.S. consumers are losing their drive to shop, but some of the weakness can be blamed on the calendar. A closer look shows consumers are actually becoming more willing to pony up at the cash register again.
An Indian court today sentenced seven people -- including the former chairman of Union Carbide's Indian arm -- to jail terms for the 1984 Bhopal gas plant leak that poisoned tens of thousands of people in the world's deadliest industrial accident.
