weather

Early Easter, Good Weather Boost Retail Sales

An early Easter and a spring thaw helped spur shoppers into stores in March, and retailers now expect to post healthy gains for the month. The International Council of Shopping Centers said that sales are up 4.7% over the same time last year.

Ski Resorts Benefit From 'Backyard Syndrome'

Ski resorts are loving the winter storms that have pounded the East Coast. In industry lingo, "Backyard Syndrome" means people are overtaken by a desire to ski or snowboard if they see snow around their homes.

A Big Chill,
but Not Always
So Painful

So far, much of the U.S. has experienced a bitterly cold winter, and the harsh weather is forecast to linger through February. It's been a boon for some sectors of the economy, even as it drags down others.

Could a Little Sunshine Help Your Portfolio?

A theory by two accounting professors known as "the sunshine effect" suggests that the price of certain stocks may tend to move higher than normal when earnings are announced on sunny days.