finance

First-time buyers taking advantage of a special tax credit gave sales of existing homes in October their biggest surge in a decade, raising hopes for a turnaround in the housing market and pleasing Wall Street.

Hewlett-Packard Co.'s profit jumped 14 percent in the latest quarter, proof that cost-cutting and a push into rival IBM Corp.'s stronghold of technology services is helping the company absorb a falloff in sales in most of its major divisions.

The stock market ended a three-day losing streak Monday, closing broadly higher as a weaker dollar and upbeat home sales numbers encouraged investors to take on more risk.

A lot more Americans are feeling stressed out by debt this holiday season, raising the glum likelihood they'll behave like Scrooge rather than Santa.

President Barack Obama said Monday the nation's economy is in good shape for the long term thanks to "core strengths" such as its universities, its innovation and a dynamic workforce.

Tyson Foods Inc. said it made strides in the meat business this year and predicts more improvements next year, but analysts worry the company's all-important chicken business is lagging others in the industry.

Economists expect the joblessness that has weighed down the nation's economic recovery will start to slowly abate in 2010, but they predict consumers will continue to keep a tight rein on spending, according to a new survey.

The federal government said Monday that it has found a "strong association" between problematic imported Chinese drywall and corrosion of pipes and wires, a conclusion that supports complaints by thousands of homeowners over the last year.

Retail gasoline prices headed downward in most places to begin one of the country's busiest travel weeks, with more than 33 million people expected to hit the road for the Thanksgiving holiday.

The dollar stabilized in early trade on Tuesday after losing ground in New York, while Asian shares slipped as investors shrugged off upbeat U.S. home sale data and took a breather after recent gains.

Hewlett-Packard Co tripled the size of its share repurchase program to $12 billion as China sales and better profit margins on its services boosted quarterly earnings.

Financier Carl Icahn has offered $156.5 million to acquire the partially built Fontainebleau Las Vegas resort, which has been stalled in bankruptcy court since June, according to the resort's chief operating officer.

Sales of previously owned U.S. homes jumped last month to their highest level in more than 2-1/2 years, but a fall in an economic gauge was a reminder that recovery from recession would be patchy.

A trade group for the lenders that finance half the capital equipment investment in the United States said on Monday that U.S. businesses remain hesitant about borrowing to invest in their operations.

Freddie Mac, the U.S. mortgage finance giant, said on Monday it is seeking $595 million in loan payments and other funds hung up after the bankruptcy of lender Taylor, Bean & Whitaker.

As the economy shows signs of stabilizing, major retail brokers are increasingly comfortable with leaving the largest brokerage houses and setting out on their own, according to a company that provides services to the brokers.

Lehman Brothers International (Europe), where more than $35 billion of hedge fund assets have been frozen since the bank's collapse last September, could return about $11 billion to fund managers by March if enough firms approve a new plan.

Gold eased on Tuesday as investors booked profits after prices hit record highs the day before, but sentiment was underpinned by a weak dollar which makes bullion cheaper for holders of other currencies and boosts its appeal as an alternative asset.

U.S. stocks snapped a three-day losing streak on Monday as stronger-than-expected home sales data fueled optimism while a weaker dollar boosted commodity-linked stocks.

The owner of Sears and Kmart stores lost $127 million in the quarter, but said it did see improved business at at Kmart stores open at least a year.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development on Thursday delivered a cautious assessment of the global economy.

The company’s net loss for the third quarter narrowed to $127 million as comparable-store sales at its Kmart discount chain rose for the first time in several quarters.

Standard & Poor’s has joined Moody’s in withdrawing its application to supply ratings of corporate bonds and other debt-based securities to retail investors after new rules were announced this month.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development on Thursday delivered a cautious assessment of the global economy.

Asian stock markets turned in a mixed performance Thursday as signs of weakness in the U.S. economy aggravated worries about the strength of the global recovery.

At bank after bank, the coroners of the financial crisis are discovering that regulators knew lenders were engaging in hazardous practices but failed to act.

About one million laid-off workers will see their benefits end in January unless federally paid extensions are renewed.

Crossing between the men’s and women’s aisles feels right to young customers today.

Go beyond a short-term view of Bank of America’s prime assets, and Jamie Dimon, the JPMorgan Chase chief and unofficial winner of the credit crisis, may need to watch his back.

The former movie-rental giant could face its end credits.

Gold continues to march higher on a strong fundamental footing.

These disruptive developments could determine the market's future.

Heelys stock never had a chance.

An online scam is being validated by some companies you know.

Growth is going great guns -- but the stock's a dud.

MFS Investment Management chairman Bob Pozen visits the Fool.

Many mutual funds may be going against investors' wishes and against what's best for American industry.

All we need is just a little patience.

It won't be a tough decision for patients to make.

He may yet head off a trade war.

Firm tied to indicted Democratic moneyman Hassan Nemazee manages $200 million for New Mexico.

Don't let the rising unemployment rate keep you out of the market. The economy is recovering.

YieldPlus cases indicate the odds are better when you hire a pro.

Can the country avoid the pitfalls other African nations have faced?

India's richest top their Chinese counterparts when it comes to the size of their fortunes.

Estimates of the cost of the reform bills wending through Congress should be received skeptically.

What the Algonquin Round Table got right.

President Obama wraps up his Asia trip in South Korea. The BlackBerryphile will be in wireless heaven.

States in New England top a new set of rankings, while the South still lags.

62 Recommendations

Economists expect the joblessness that has weighed down the nation's economic recovery will start to slowly abate in 2010, but they predict consumers will continue to keep a tight rein on spending, according to a new survey.

10 Recommendations

Television retailer QVC has made aggressive plans to keep shoppers watching — instead of mall-hopping — on Black Friday, an event it has traditionally ignored.

10 Recommendations

The federal government said Monday that it has found a "strong association" between problematic imported Chinese drywall and corrosion of pipes and wires, a conclusion that supports complaints by thousands of homeowners over the last year.

8 Recommendations

The Associated Press-GfK Poll on debt, stress and holiday spending was conducted by GfK Roper Public Affairs & Media from Nov. 5-9, 2009. It was based on landline and cell phone telephone interviews with a nationally representative random sample of 1,006 adults. Interviews were conducted with 806 rspondents on landline telephones and 200 on cellular phones.

6 Recommendations

Retail gasoline prices headed downward in most places to begin one of the country's busiest travel weeks, with more than 33 million people expected to hit the road for the Thanksgiving holiday.