IBT Staff Reporter

Consumers have spent $9.67 billion with online retailers in the first 20 days of November, according to digital research firm comScore. The firm expects a 15 percent increase in e-commerce sales this holiday season compared with last year.

J.P. Morgan has agreed to buy all of defunct U.S. brokerage MF Global's shareholding in the London Metal Exchange after a competitive bidding process, KPMG, the administrators for MF Global's UK unit, said on Wednesday.

Stocks tumbled again on Wednesday, leaving the benchmark S&P 500 on pace for a sixth straight decline as frustration with the euro zone's debt crisis coupled with weak Chinese factory data sank investor sentiment.

An Amish breakaway compound was raided by authorities Wednesday morning, leading to seven hate crimes arrests for incidents in the past few months in which members allegedly forcibly cut the hair of other Amish people in Ohio.

Shares of Groupon Inc fell for a third day on Wednesday, sinking below the company's initial public offering price of $20 less than three weeks after the daily deal company went public.

According to a new Pew Research Center poll, a third of Republicans think Mormonism isn't a Christian religion, and these people are less likely to support Romney for the Republican nomination. But if Romney does get the nomination, an overwhelming majority of Republicans would vote for him over President Barack Obama.

France would have limited room to absorb any new shocks to its public finances without endangering its AAA status, Fitch Ratings said on Wednesday, in the latest sign that the euro crisis could rob France of its cherished top-tier rating.

Nokia Siemens Networks plans to eliminate 17,000 jobs worldwide by the end of 2013 in an effort to streamline business operations, the company announced Wednesday.

Consumer spending growth slowed in October and business capital investment plans were weak, raising questions about expectations for solid growth in the fourth quarter.

Stocks tumbled again on Wednesday, leaving the benchmark S&P 500 on pace for a sixth straight decline as frustration with the euro zone's debt crisis coupled with weak Chinese factory data sank investor sentiment.

Julius Genachowski's decision to call the hearing could spell trouble for the $39 billion transaction.

Sen. John Thune, R-South Dakota, endorsed Mitt Romney on Wednesday, just three days after Sen. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire gave her endorsement. Thune and Ayotte are both strong conservatives, so their backing may increase Romney's credibility among the voters who are most hesitant to support him.

Nokia Siemens Networks, the world's second-largest maker of mobile phone network equipment, is axing 17,000 jobs, nearly a quarter of its workforce, to help save about 1 billion euros ($1.35 billion) a year.

U.S. online spending should increase 15 percent this holiday season, outpacing even last year's torrid growth, as shoppers are enticed by more retailers offering free or low-cost shipping, analytics firm comScore said.

Shares of Pandora Media fell more than 10 percent on Wednesday after the online streaming music service company gave a muted fourth-quarter outlook.

Deere & Co reported a 46 percent rise in quarterly earnings and projected substantial growth for 2012 amid strong global farming conditions and higher prices, sending its shares higher in an otherwise weak stock market.

The number of Americans filing new unemployment claims rose last week and consumer spending barely increased in October, according to data on Wednesday which could prompt economists to tamp down on expectations for solid growth in the current quarter.

Florida A&M's famous marching band has been suspended following the death of Drum Major Robert Champion. A probe is being conducted to see if hazing had anything to do with Champion's death last weekend.

Standard & Poor's warned on Wednesday that credit ratings in the euro zone could come under renewed pressure if large parts of the currency bloc slip back into recession, as expected, next year.

Shares are down more 14 percent at mid morning trading, as the company joins the ranks of this year's initial public offerings that are currently underwater.

The next chairman of India's venerable salt-to-software conglomerate Tata Group will be an insider and a family member by marriage.

In the busy Naples square where she works, 18-year-old Arianna is a familiar sight as she darts back and forth from a cafe bearing trays with espresso and pastries.

It's no secret social conservatives are scrambling to find an alternative to Mitt Romney for the Republican presidential nomination, but with the Iowa caucuses just six weeks away, time is rapidly running out. That's why several socially conservative groups in Iowa held a secret meeting this week to strategize, CNN reported on Wednesday.

The European Commission proposed on Wednesday new, intrusive laws to make sure budgets of euro zone countries do not break EU rules and that their borrowing falls, which could lead to joint debt issuance in the future.

Consumer sentiment held up in late November as some of the gloom over the economic outlook ebbed, a survey released on Wednesday showed.

Consumer sentiment held up in late November as some of the gloom over the economic outlook ebbed, a survey released on Wednesday showed.

Stocks fell about 1 percent on Wednesday, putting the S&P 500 on track for a sixth straight losing session as the euro zone crisis and weak Chinese data weighed on sentiment.

San Francisco is one of the most popular tourist desitinations in the world. Besides the landmark Golden Gate bridge, San Francisco is also well known for being a hotbed of art, culture and freedom.

Former Olympus Corp CEO turned whistle-blower Michael Woodford touched down back in Tokyo on Wednesday for a meeting with investigators probing one of Japan's biggest accounting scandals and a showdown with the board that threw him out.