IBT Staff Reporter

Stocks advanced on Friday as European Union leaders agreed on measures to address the region's sovereign debt crisis, while U.S. consumer confidence rose to its highest level in six months.

Dharun Ravi, the former Rutgers University student who is facing hate-crime charges after allegedly filming his roommate's sexual encounter with another man and streaming it online, rejected a plea deal on Friday that would have spared him jail time.

U.S. consumer sentiment rose to its highest level in six months in early December due to signs of better labor conditions and an improving outlook on the economy.

Takeover defense measures such as poison pills and staggered boards are at their lowest levels in more than a decade, making U.S. companies more vulnerable at a time when hostile bids are expected to rise.

Consumers spent a record $1.25 billion on Cyber Monday, according to comScore, highlighting how much people love shopping online.

The Justice Department said on Friday it would seek to postpone its legal challenge to AT&T's $39 billion proposed acquisition of T-Mobile USA, dealing another blow to the fragile deal.

The U.S. Department of Justice doesn't want to go to trial until the companies reapply for merger with the Federal Communications Commission.

Stocks climbed on Friday as European Union leaders agreed on measures to address the region's sovereign debt crisis, while U.S. consumer confidence rose to its highest level in six months.

Chemical maker DuPont cut its full-year profit outlook on Friday, citing slower growth in some of its businesses due to weakness in the company's end markets, sending its shares down almost 5 percent.

Consumer sentiment rose to its highest level in six months in early December as Americans adopted an improved economic outlook while the trade deficit narrowed in October, pointing to gathering momentum in the economy.

Whether it’s an indoor herb garden or an entire grassed rooftop, there’s no doubt gardens are going urban.

Speaking at Bloomberg's Captain of Industry series, Stephenson said AT&T's capacity to keep up with wireless demand has been strained and Congress hasn't adequately addressed antiquated policies regarding the wireless industry.

A string of big-brand U.S. retailers may curb their UK and European expansion plans, deterred by the region's bleak consumer outlook and nervousness over the unfolding sovereign debt crisis in the euro zone.

Michele Bachmann and Rick Perry have turned down invitations to Donald Trump's much-hyped Republican debate, leaving The Donald with just two attendees: Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum.

Consumer sentiment rose to its highest in six months in early December due to an improving outlook on the economy with the jobless rate falling to a 2-1/2-year low in November.

Struggling German carmaker Opel, a unit of General Motors , has set itself the ambitious target of hitting the 1 billion euro ($1.33 billion) profit mark from 2016, Chief Executive Karl-Friedrich Stracke said in an employee newsletter.

Stocks climbed on Friday after European Union leaders agreed on measures that partially address the region's crippling sovereign debt crisis, while U.S. consumer confidence rose more than expected in December.

As the holiday shopping season gathers steam, there's good news for people who want HP's $99 TouchPad but earlier lost the chance to get one. The $99 tablet, which sold like hot cakes will reportedly hit stores this weekend.

Stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Friday after European Union leaders agreed on measures that partially addresses the region's crippling sovereign debt crisis.

The U.S. trade deficit narrowed in October to its lowest in 10 months, but imports from China hit a record high, a government report showed on Friday.

China's central bank plans to create a new vehicle to manage investment funds worth a total of $300 billion to improve returns on the world's largest stockpile of foreign exchange reserves, a source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

The global economic slowdown is a concern but sports revenues worldwide should grow by about 3.7 percent to $145.3 billion by 2015, according to a research report released on Friday.

China's central bank plans to create a new vehicle to manage investment funds worth a total of $300 billion to improve returns on the world's largest stockpile of foreign exchange reserves, a source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

SAN FRANCISCO Twitter revamped its website on Thursday to make the microblogging service easier to use and to help companies better showcase their brands.

Stock index futures rose on Friday after European Union leaders agreed on measures that partially addresses the region's crippling sovereign debt crisis.

Traveling to space or embarking on an expedition to excavate lost Mayan ruins are normally the stuff of adventure novels.

China's central bank plans to create a new vehicle to manage investment funds worth a total of $300 billion to improve returns on the world's largest stockpile of foreign exchange reserves, a source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

Stock index futures rose on Friday after European Union leaders agreed on measures that partially addresses the region's crippling sovereign debt crisis.

Europe divided on Friday in a historic rift over building a closer fiscal union to preserve the euro, with a large majority of countries led by Germany and France agreeing to forge ahead with a separate treaty, leaving Britain isolated.