UNITED STATES

Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch & Co. and Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. had their credit ratings cut on Monday by Standard & Poor's on concerns that continued weakness in the sector could lead to more write-offs.

After heavy losses and pressure from shareholders to return to profitability, directors at two large U.S. banks - Wachovia Corp. and Washington Mutual Inc. - on Monday announced top-level management changes.

Wall Street began June in the red, falling for the first time in five days, as the Dow quickly lost more than 100 points Monday morning on more worries about the financial sector after Wachovia Corp. ousted its chief executive.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's twins were not born this week according to the actors' representatives who denied previous reports stating Jolie gave birth in France where the couple is currently living.

Internet advertising sales in the U.S. are on pace to double from the period beginning last year to 2012, according to new research.

Financial sector stocks fell on Friday, despite gains from the leading U.S. insurer, American International Group.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc CEO Lee Scott's back-to-basics strategy for guiding the big-box retailer through the U.S. economic downturn has jump-started sales, boosting its bottom line and share price alike.

U.S. stocks rose for a fourth day on Friday with technology gaining on better-than-expected profit from computer maker Dell Inc which signaled stronger business spending, while the broad market was little changed after three days of gains.

Novell Inc rose more than 4 percent on Friday after it reported a better than expected profit and rising sales for its second quarter.

U.S. air travelers experienced immense frustration over the past 12 months causing air travelers to make about 41 million fewer trips and has cost the national economy $26 billion, according to a survey from the Travel Industry Association.

An anticoagulant drug developed by Bayer AG and Johnson & Johnson showed superior efficacy in preventing blood clots in patients who had an orthopedic surgery in a Phase III trial study, Bayer reported on Friday.

Tiffany & Co., the world's second- largest luxury-jewelry retailer, said Friday its first-quarter net income rose a higher-than-expected 19 percent on stronger demand from Europe and Asia which helped make up for weaker sales in the U.S.

Plans to merge UAL Corp.'s United Airlines and US Airways Group Inc. will not happen at this time, UAL's CEO told employees on Friday.

The Federal Trade Commission conferred Triarc Companies Inc, franchisor of the Arby's restaurant system, antitrust approval to buy Wendy's Reuters reported.

U.S. stocks rose on Thursday for a third consecutive day after oil dropped, easing inflation concerns, while the government reported that the economy grew last quarter at a faster pace than previously predicted.

Gold futures tumbled as much as $28 an ounce on Thursday, the most in nearly six weeks after the dollar continued to climb, lowering the appeal of the precious metal as an alternative investment while oil prices dropped.

Good, Better, and Best-A Comparison of Weekly, Monthly, and Annual Data When buyers are confronted with a major purchase, they often weigh their options by considering whether to buy a good, better, or best product. All

Costco Wholesale Corp., the largest U.S. warehouse club operator, said Thursday its third-quarter profit climbed 32 percent to beat expectations, as discounts on gasoline and food lured shoppers to its stores.

Bear Stearn's Cos. shareholders on Thursday gave their approval to sell the investment bank to rival JPMorgan Chase & Co. for about $2.2 billion.

Tokyo stocks dropped Wednesday, sending the key Nikkei benchmark over 180 points lower, as trading houses and resource-related shares were hit hard by a sharp overnight drop in New York crude oil futures.

The Medicines Company said on a press release on Wednesday that it received a not approvable letter from U.S. regulators on a supplemental New Drug Application for an additional dosing regimen for Angiomax in the treatment of acute coronary syndromes.