COMPANIES

Starbucks plans to build 1,500 stores amid booming profits and massive expansion.

This year has been a dud for corporate mergers & acquisitions, a survey revealed, but there is some hope regarding 2013.

Citigroup Inc will eliminate 11,000 jobs worldwide, about 4 percent of its total staff, in a move to save as much as $1.1 billion a year in expenses.

An eight-day strike at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach ended, lifting a threat to the fragile U.S. economic recovery.

The pharmaceutical industry is grappling with diminishing R&D productivity -- exemplified by a drop in revenue per new drug approval.

Wal-Mart has longed to get into U.S. banking, but even without a charter it could expand its offers.

A U.S. judge said the $4B in fines against Microsoft for the Xbox 360 was undue punishment for the alleged patent dispute.

Celebrating something in Asia? Forget the fluke of bubbly; whip out the tumbler of Scotch instead.

A Bob Marley drink scandal is brewing after after several students at two Holmdel Township, N.J., school were reportedly made sick by the beverage.

A circuit court ruled to uphold its damages and not grant Disney a new trial.

Baxter Intl. is buying Gambro to meet the growing need for dialysis among the world's expanding middle class, whose members enjoy a relatively richer diet but also a higher risk of kidney ailments.

Activision Blizzard Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) has signed two of the stars of AMC’s popular television series “The Walking Dead,” Norman Reedus and Michael Rooker, for its upcoming shooter, “The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct.”

Why did cars fly out of showrooms in November? More confidence, more options, more incentives and more need.

Nintendo (PINK: NTDOY) sold a disappointing 40,000 units of its new Wii U video game console during its first 48 hours on the market in the UK, failing to place a single launch title in the top ten for video games sales on its first weekend in the country.

Chrysler Group LLC, a subsidiary of Italian company Fiat S.p.A. (Milan: F), reported November 2012 U.S. sales of 122,565 units, a 14 percent rise from last year, the best November since 2007 and the 32nd consecutive month of year-over-year gains.

A 125-mile long traffic jam in Russia stranded drivers between Moscow and St. Petersburg for three days.

Delta Air, seeking better access to London's Heathrow, and a 1-ticket flight, is eyeing a 49% Virgin stake.

China aims to produce 15 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas a year from the South China Sea by 2015, amid escalating territory disputes in the region between China and neighboring countries.

Ten of 15 container terminals at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach were closed Sunday because of a walkout by clerical workers.

Long Island Power Authority Chairman Howard E. Steinberg is the latest high-level figure to resign at the utility because of Superstorm Sandy.

The French government Friday night withdrew its threat to nationalize a part of the ArcelorMittal steel plant after it reached a deal with the steel group which agreed to continue investing in the plant and avoid layoffs.

Chinese consumers reeled back on uncertainties, hitting retailers with heavy exposure to the market.

Encouraged by stronger economic indicators and outlook, U.S. multinational companies are speeding up their China expansion plans.

Electric and hybrid cars seem to hog the limelight at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto show that opens to the public Friday, as a wide array of options appeared to substitute gasoline-burning cars.

Hurricane Sandy, winter storm hit November retail sales. Online sales and layaway buys will register next month.

Have you ever wondered what a warehouse owned by Amazon.com looks like? Wonder no more.

Twinkie lovers may be in for a sweet surprise soon as Hostess Brands finds big demand for the iconic treat.

A $32 knockoff of the Michael Kors dress worn by Michelle Obama on election night completely sold out on British retailer Asda's website.

Hostess is asking the court to give its managers $1.8 million dollars in bonuses on top of their regular salaries.