IBT Staff Reporter

International Business Machines Corp. reported Tuesday a gain of 12 percent on its fourth quarter surpassing forecasts and breaking the trend of dismal results in technology companies hit by the economic crisis.

State Street Corp., net profit dropped 71 percent in the fourth quarter and its shares fell steeply Tuesday as the company announced its after-tax unrealized losses more than doubled.

As Barack Obama readies himself to be sworn in as President of a nation in economic distress, many comparisons are being drawn to his inaugural speech and that of Franklin D. Roosevelt's during the Great Depression.

Michelle Obama, the soon-to-be first lady, accompanied her daughters on the eve of her husband's inauguration to a teen filled Kid's Inaugural: We Are the Future concert.

TD Ameritrade, ranked among the top three biggest online brokers in the U.S., said Tuesday its first quarter profit declined 23 percent and lowered its forecasts for the year citing the economic deterioration in the nation.

The inauguration of Barack Obama dawns with broadcast media swinging for the fences there are even cable networks as diverse as BET, TV One, Al Jazeera and ESPN are offering live coverage of Obama's swearing-in.

Just hours away from being sworn in as not only the nations' 44th president, but also as the first African-American man to take this important role, Obama chose to start the day by attending a church service with his wife.

As consumer spending shrinks, research about the restaurant market in the U.S. found that growth of restaurant units stopped in 2008 and openings were compensated with closures, according to NPD Group today.

Jewelry maker Cie. Financiere Richemont SA, whose brands include Cartier, Vacheron Constantin and Montblanc, reported its third quarter sales dropped as demand for luxury goods fell dramatically, amid the global economic downturn, the company said.

On Monday Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe and his rival Morgan Tsvangirai met and held talks about a power-sharing agreement but failed to reach consensus.

Australian actress Rachel Griffiths revealed the date of her pregnancy just a week after announcing she is expecting her third child.

Toyota Motor appointed its new president Akio Toyoda, grandson of the company's founder, on Tuesday during one of the most challenging economic environments in the automaker's history.

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony calmed divorce rumors by appearing together at an Obama Bash.

Universal Pictures, the studio arm of NBC Universal, announced Monday it had acquired a minority stake in a leading Italian film production company Cattleya. This deal follows the merger last Wednesday of Universal Pictures Intl. Studio and Focus Features under the new banner of Focus Features Intl., according to Financial Times.

The Biden's appeared on 'Oprah' Monday afternoon, where the day-time queen will be filming her show in Washington D.C. all week, when Jill Biden let some information slip that apparently she was not supposed to.

The U.S. awaited the inauguration as President of Barack Obama today, as the country's capital, packed with more than a million visitors, prepared to take in the moment of transition with a formal ceremony.

Gazprom, Russia's state gas- export monopoly and NAK Naftogaz Ukrainy agreed to resume natural-gas flows to Europe today at 10:00 a.m. Moscow time.

Fiat and Chrysler announced on Tuesday they signed an agreement for a strategic alliance in which Italy's car maker will have a 35 percent stake in Chrysler. The non-cash deal would give the troubled U.S. carmaker access to Fiat's products.

On Monday uniformed Hamas security teams emerged on Gaza City's streets as leaders of the Islamic militant group vowed to restore order in the shattered Palestinian territory.

Worth $5,000 Paper House, is a new invention to perfect solution for third-world shanty towns across the globe called Universal World House.

Ravens' Willis McGahee was released from the hospital early Monday after suffering a concussion and neck pain in the Ravens' AFC Championship loss.

Yes it is.

Roger Federer took the first step toward his record-tying 14th Grand Slam title with a 6-1, 7-6 (4), 7-5 victory Monday over Andreas Seppi at the Australian Open in Melbourne.

Taken from the Arabic name, means Palace of the Faith Light; is the largest residential palace in the world and the world's largest residence of any type.

Actress Kate Winslet said she is preparing a speech for the BAFTA awards next month.

Australian Dollar: The AUD staged a strong rally during yesterday's local session as investors gained confidence from a positive finish on Wall Street on Friday and eyed this

Joaquin Phoenix, 34, the star of 'Gladiator' and 'Signs', not only shocked fans by announcing his retirement from acting in October, he further surprised them with his rap debut on his music career.

Russell Rhodes, a news anchor at Fox 13 in Tampa Bay program, was arrested for alleged drunken driving and resisting arrest on Friday night.

A British photographer for the Sunday Times who said that he was assaulted by President Robert Mugabe's wife while she was on a shopping spree in Hong Kong is uncertain whether he will press charges or not.