IBT Staff Reporter

Shares in LDK Solar Co Ltd, a Chinese manufacturer for the solar power industry, fell as much as 4 percent on Wednesday, dragged down by the abrupt resignation of its head of manufacturing.

U.S. retail sales excluding auto purchases rose for a second month in September, raising cautious optimism consumer spending could support the economy's fledgling recovery from the worst recession since the 1930s.

U.S. aviation regulators proposed on Wednesday $9.2 million of combined safety-related fines against US Airways Group and UAL Corp's United Airlines , officials said.

Congress will soon probe executive compensation at companies such as American International Group Inc and Bank of America Corp receiving significant taxpayer funds, the chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform panel said on Wednesday.

The Canadian and Alberta governments said on Wednesday they will spend C$779 million ($756 million) on a carbon capture project planned by TransAlta Corp, their second such funding announcement in less than a week.

Oil hit a record high for the year above $75 a barrel on Wednesday as economic optimism hinted at a recovery in global energy demand.

Dry shipper Genco Shipping & Trading Ltd has filed plans to take a recently formed subsidiary public in an offering of up to $230 million.

The U.S. Congress will soon probe executive compensation at companies such as American International Group Inc and Bank of America Corp receiving significant taxpayer funds, the chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform panel said on Wednesday.

Early on April 20, I was getting dressed for work when I heard Dylan bound down the stairs and open the front door. Wondering why he was in such a hurry when he could have slept another 20 minutes, I poked my head out of the bedroom. 'Dyl? ' All he said was 'Bye.'

U.S. chemical makers are poised to post stronger-than-expected third-quarter earnings, but demand for their products could cool later this year as government stimulus programs unwind, industry experts say.

Nearly all U.S. working women believe that their professional appearance is crucial to success at work, and one in five female executives say they have withheld a promotion or a raise due to the way an employee dresses, according to a survey released on Tuesday.

A majority of U.S. workers do not think their bosses are honest, said a survey released on Tuesday, and one in four would fire their boss if they could.

A nearly 10 percent drop in costs and higher-than-expected revenue helped Host Hotels & Resorts post third-quarter results that surpassed expectations, and its shares rose nearly 5 percent.

U.S. aviation regulators proposed on Wednesday $9.2 million of combined safety-related fines against US Airways Group and UAL Corp's United Airlines, officials said.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc is expanding an offering of cut-price mobile services nationwide, putting further pressure on rivals such as Leap Wireless International Inc and MetroPCS .

The regulator for the largest U.S. banks said on Wednesday that 17 percent of national banks are now considered problem banks.

Many homeowners are turning into landlords -- reluctantly sometimes, when they have to move but cannot sell their homes.

Sumner Redstone plans to sell $945 million of stock in CBS Corp and Viacom Inc, two media companies he controls, to pay off loans that threatened to unravel the media mogul's empire.

Tech stocks rallied on Wednesday after bellwether Intel Corp reported quarterly earnings and a revenue forecast that blew past expectations, buoying investor hopes of a recovery.

Abbott Laboratories Inc said its third-quarter profit rose 37 percent on strong demand for its Humira arthritis drug and nutritional products, as well as gains from a settlement with Medtronic Inc.

The world may have to wait until the dying seconds of a U.N. climate summit in December for a global deal to channel business dollars into low-carbon energy, industry and analysts said on Wednesday.

Oil rose more than 1 percent toward $75 a barrel on Wednesday, boosted by a weak dollar and optimism about a global economic rebound that will lead to higher energy demand.

Apple has taken steps to ensure a new shipment of iPhone 3GS smartphones is more hack-proof than ever, according to reports.

JPMorgan Chase & Co has gradually increased the risk it takes trading commodities and the second-largest U.S. bank is approaching levels last seen before the financial crisis rocked global markets.

Jaycee Lee Dugard's People Magazine issue features the first photo of Dugard since she was rescued from a kidnapping of 18 years.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc said on Wednesday it will begin offering two new no-contract wireless service plans at its U.S. discount stores, including a $30 prepaid plan that includes 1,000 minutes.

The Dow Jones industrials climbed to within striking distance of 10,000 on Wednesday for the first time in a year on better-than-expected company results and U.S. retail sales data.

Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej's condition is good but he needs time to recover from pneumonia, the palace said on Wednesday after concerns over his health sparked a tumble in Thailand's financial markets.

Russian opposition parties walked out of parliament on Wednesday in a rare act of protest against disputed regional elections, with the Communist Party blaming Vladimir Putin for an unworkable system of governance.